One Swallow does not make summer

One swallow does not make summer

There is a lot of wisdom in proverbs. So also this time: the lone Barn Swallow that I watched at Tisnes last week, clearly did no manage either, and I did not see it there today. After a week with very promising spring weather here in Tromsø, N. Norway, the weather has changed completely, and today, Whitsunday and also the first day with midnight sun here this year (next sunset will be 22 July!), we have grey skies, strong winds, intermittent rain showers and +5*C. No wonder that the birches here in the garden still are not completely green, and at a little bit cooler places, as at Prestvannet on top of the island or at the little cemetery at Håkøybotn, they are still completely bare and there are patches on snow still on the ground. The Coltsfoot stars, that dominated all the road verges and bare patches, are over their top, and in this cold they stay almost closed also, so that the garden-escaped small pale yellow Primulas now are the dominant flowers almost everywhere.

Yesterday I walked around the small lake Prestvannet on top of the island, famous because of is northernmost Crucian Carps, and the last years because of the quite large number of pair of Red-throated Loons, that are nesting on the small mud islands and are much less shy than what is the norm for this species. Just now 8-9 pairs were in full display and this is always a wonderful sight, that one can enjoy in close-up here. Otherwise this lake is full of Common Gulls, Mallards and Tufted Ducks, all nesting here, but as yet there were no Arctic terns at the colony, nor Sand Martins (Bank Swallows) that usually forage over the water surface. As everywhere now, Willow Warblers, Bramblings and Redwings sang and Fieldfares rumoured; there are the big four of our birch forests.

Today I was back at Tisnes, but here rain and wind reigned almost alone, apart from also here a colony of Common Gulls (they really live up to their vernacular name in this region),the usual Oystercatchers and Redshansks, a few suffering Ruffs (Their large collars are an encumbrance in high winds), and some pairs of Greylag Geese. No terns here either, and the Sand Martin colony was still on-occupied

On the way back I ,as often before, met some of the local road-savvy Reindeer of Kvaløya (They stay here all year); they know all about cars, but mistakenly think they have the right of way. And I cut out my last stop, at the airport: too much rain and wind.

Wim Vader, Tromsø, Norway

wim.vader@uit.no