Swedish Sketchbook by Alan Dalton

See more of Alan's work at his blog

Eider juv
November began exceptionally mild in Sweden and the expected northern species failed to materialize. As a result I spent some time developing sketches done over the summer, among them this juvenile Eider, which I had seen earlier in the year on Sandhamn, an island in Stockholms vast archipelago.

Long Tailed Ducks
The winter remained unseasonally mild through November and December and birding was somewhat slow. A day trip to Nacka Strand proved worthwhile though, with several pairs of Long Tailed duck just offshore allowing close views through the scope. Have always loved the males winter plumage, one of the most striking seaduck in the world in my opinion.

Dipper
Dipper was a bird I had never seen in Sweden until I went for this obliging individual at Tyresta Slott in mid November. The bird remained quite still for a good deal of the time I spent viewing it and made an excellent subject. Up to three individuals were to spend the winter at this site, this bird being the first to show.

Smew
Sandemar Reserve is a regular haunt of mine all year round and is a superb winter site for one species, Smew. This male was one of fourteen males that graced the site on the day. A quite stunning bird, I happily spent an hour sketching the closest of them, The gleaming white plumage is almost unnaturally clean, a great bird to draw, full of graphic possibilities...

Redwing
Something of a surprise and a certain indicator of the warm conditions was this lingering first winter Redwing, which I stumbled across feeding on windfall apples at Tyresta National Park mid month. A lovely bird and a sketch I will eventually develop into a full painting.

Siskin
A classic winter species in Sweden and a delightful bird is Siskin. Siskins often attend bird tables and that is where I found this first year male in Norra Järvfältet. The call of this species is a favourite of mine and reminds me greatly of autumn migration.

Pine Grosbeak
Another outing to Sandemar produced a rare life bird for me and the highlight of the winter for me in the guise of four Pine Grosbeaks, two females and two stonking adult males. These huge finches betrayed themselves to me by call and then provided me with stunning views as they completely ignored my presence. I spent the entire afternoon sketching them. This was the prelude to a widespread influx of the species into middle Sweden, though sightings were erratic and often involved migrating birds. This remains my only experience of the species to date and will not be forgotten.

Eider male.
Mid December saw me at Dalarö working on Eider yet again. The subject draws me back time and time again. This time the males, several drakes close inshore prompted the watercolurs to come out.

Mealy Redpoll
Upon return to Sweden after a brief visit home to Ireland for christmas the weather had hardened and snow had arrived. Another group of species had begun to appear in numbers, Redpolls. I am particularily interested in the redpoll complex and was keen to get good views of any I could and perhaps find an Arctic Redpoll or two in the process. I made the trip to Landsort in early January with this in mind. A large flock of Mealy Redpoll had built up here at the feeding station at the bird observatory. I spent the entire day sketching and taking notes on the Mealies and familiarizing myself with this very variable species. The two ink drawings were later completed at home.

Arctic Redpoll
This female Arctic Redpoll was one of three individuals seen that day. The extensive rump, small bill, clean, lighlt streaked flanks seperated the bird from its Mealy relatives. An adult male and first year bird were also noted eventually. Other individuals proved more difficult, variability in both species often making separation of the two species difficult in the field.

Tree Sparrow
Stayed on the Redpoll trail more most of the month seeing two more Arctic Redpoll in the process. As a result of the habitat I found myself birding in I came into contact with large numbers of Tree Sparrows. The decline of this species over much of its range is well documented and it is good to see it remains fairly numerous here in Sweden. This black ballpoint was made after several field studies had been taken.

Blackbird
A common species I often overlook, yet when birding is quiet I appreciate having something to sketch. Several times this winter I have contented myself drawing this species, often through the window when minus tempertures and the resulting freezing conditions put pay to any hope of sketching outside. The results of all this sketching pleasantly suprised me and reminded me not to overlook the commoner species!

Grey Heron
As the winter drew to a close and the thaw began, I visited Djurgarden, a coastal park close to Stockholm city centre. The area boasts a heronry and by early March birds were returning in some numbers. One of my favourinte species to draw due to their cooperative nature and starkly contrasting plumage

Blackbird
A fitting close to the winter was the completion of this canvas, depicting a male Blackbird resting on a trellis. Those afternoons sketching through the window had paid off in the end and now I find myself looking forward to Spring and its flood of returning migrants...