Friday Photo #693 – Spring Ptarmigan

Photo: Winter plumage willow ptarmigan flies though mountain landscape, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. April 6, 2026. 18:23

In the longer and warmer days of April the local wildlife is beginning to increase its activity ahead of the summer mating and nesting season. Over the last weeks I can hear a noticeable increase in noise as the resident birds, such as willow ptarmigans (this photo), as well as the newly arrived migrants such as oystercatchers, common gulls, curlews, and more look for mates and nesting sites in the fields and moorlands of my coastal valley.

This year’s warm March means some of the locals haven’t quite adapted to the lack of snow yet, such as this still winter-white willow ptarmigan seen flying here. In another month they will be brownish color and almost completely camouflaged in the heathery landscape. But for now they are quite easy to spot, little white dots on the brown landscape. Though perhaps looking more like gulls is also a good camouflage technique for this time of year.

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 180-600mm f/6.3
600mm
ISO 4500
f6.3
1/2000 Second
WB Daylight