Julian was out, trying to catch Quails (Vagtel) again, in the night, but sadly Alix and I did not get any wake-up calls. Instead we went birding at Grenen in the morning. There were many Gulls, plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls (Hættemåge) and a few cute terns resting on the beach. There were also two Temminck's Stints (Temmincksryle) that landed on the beach before flying out to sea. It was very warm and humid, and shortly after realizing we had not brought any rain jackets, an ominous dark cloud approached us, luckily it just passed to the west of us, and we did not get rained on. We saw some pretty cool thunder out at sea though.

Thunder-clouds out at sea

When we got back, we checked the moth trap and opened the garden net for a little while.

Ground Lackey (strand-ringspinder)

For lunch Alix and I went to the restaurant De 2 Have and ate a scrumptious meal.

View from the restaurant terrace

In the afternoon we did a big deep cleaning of the station so the summer team has a clean place to be when they arrive :) After that Julian went for a swim in the calm sea.

I had just published this blog and was sat in the station kitchen by the Lighthouse doing computer work. Suddenly heard multiple Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale) calls just outside the open window. Went to check and it flew just a meter away from the window! Ran out quickly but could not find it again around the Lighthouse. Knud and Erik arrived soon after and together we went to the parking lot out at Grenen because we thaught that it could be together with the oather swallows there. And after some looking I found it again. We walked a little more closer and suddenly there was a lark in the middle of the parking lot. Knud immediately called it out as a Crested Lark (Toplærke). Both of them could be observed nicely for the rest of the evening. Verry unexpected ending to the day! 

Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale)

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr)
Gransanger - 1
Munk - 1
Total: 2

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig

This morning started out a bit messy as all 3 of us (Alvin, Julian and I) overslept and ended up being way too delayed to conduct the CES ringing session we had planned on doing. In the end, after deciding we were too late and after a few more hours of sleep, we got up and spent some time with our beloved János who was leaving in the late morning. 

We were all so sad to see him leave, and it was hard to see such an important part of the spring team leave us! We all enjoyed multiple months together and working on many projects, but now it was time for him to go back to Germany to prepare for his next adventure, Mongolia!! We all wish him well and thank him for all he taught us. 

After his departure, Julian set off to go trim some vegetation at the CES site while Alvin and I went on a walk on the beach to try to located some Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) nests or chicks, and we got lucky to find one nest with 4 eggs! 

Ringed Plover nest with 4 little eggs! 

We will be monitoring this nest and hopefully the chicks will be successful and Julian and the Summer Team can go ring these small guys later. 

On the way back we went swimming as the day had gotten quite warm, and so did Julian before coming back from the CES site at Nordstrand. 

In the meantime, Simon was going some big spring cleaning and organising in our attics at the station and in the lab. 

The day ended with a nice meal made by Julian, and we all got some rest, as now a team of only three… 

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

In the morning Julian woke up to bake some choklate bunns, and together with the blueberry cake that Jànos made yesterday we had enjoyed Jànos life changing Gull (Måge sp.) presentation.

After that me and Alix made flower crowns and I also baked a bread.

Julian started working on the design for the station T-shirts and Janos packed his things and wrote in the guest book sice he is leaving tomorrow :(

For dinner we had haulumi burger and after that we went out to look at Gulls (Måge sp.) Continuing the gull presentation but actually applaying our new skills in the field.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

While Julian and Hannah stayed out all night to try and catch Quails (Vagtel) again, we others had a lazy morning sleeping until 7 am, followed by a long breakfast. After breakfast, Alix and Alvin had to visit a doctor in town as Alvin had a red mark on his leg that might be Lyme disease. They also went shopping, and then we celebrated midsummer, putting extra effort into lunch, and Alvin and Alix even bought themselves some fish.

At some point in the morning, a young Whitethroat (Tornsanger) flew against the window, but seemed fine and flew off after a bit.

Common Whitethroat sitting by the window

It was also the first day Simon was back from his trip to Iceland, so it was good to see him again.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area 

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hanna Bangart, Simon S. Christiansen

This morning started slow with all of us sleeping in, and with some freshly made pancakes from János for breakfast. 

Julian had been out night catching quails (Vagtel) tonight and enjoyed some extra sleep after coming home after the sunrise which he enjoyed at the top of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, no quails were caught, and he only heard two as well as tried to approach one of them but it sort of disappeared and went silent. 

During the day we all did some cleaning around the house as is our weekly schedule, and in the afternoon we all went to enjoy some fresh water and sun at the beach! Everyone was brave enough to get into the cold water but me ahahaha I admire them! I am too used to the warm Mediterranean Sea for the nordic temperatures, but I am trying to get better at that! 

Our guests Anne and Jesper who had been staying in the apartment for a while sadly left us today, and we hope to see them again soon. It was a pleasure having them around!

In the evening, we made a nice fire outside the lighthouse and enjoyed some Midsommar treats with some watermelon and fire roasted marshmallows. 

Nice fire enjoyed with watermelon, roasted marshmallows, beer and nice people!

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hanna Bangart, Simon S. Christiansen

In the night Alix was out catching Nightjars (Natravn) around Storsig and Julian was out trying to catch another Quail (Vagtel) since many could be heard singing. In the end Alix caught a Nightjar (Natravn). A second calendar year female which she was very happy about since it was her first one:)

Nightjar (Natravn) in profile

Nightjar (Natravn) wing, second calendar year because of the two outermost Alula-feathers beeing of juvenile type, also some greater coverts and one secondary. 

One the toes, the Nightjar (Natravn) has combs, that is used for cleaning.

Today was the last day of standardized ringing for the spring season and we had a nice morning with some thunder in the atmosphere wish was cool. 

The highlights from the ringing was definitely a Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wish was the first of the season caught here. It was a female based on the slightly shorter tail streamers. Also we caught two Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies.

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) closeup

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wing

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) tail, female because of the relatively shorter outer tail feathers than males

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies 

János also went observing at the tip for a little while and saw many Common Scoters (Sortand) and an Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove).

The last bird caught for the standardized ringing for the spring season was a female Blackcap (Munk).

The last bird with the team

The rest of the day was spent napping and some of us went to get Icecream in town since it was very warm outside.

In the evening Anna and Jesper cooked an amazing dinner for us.

Highlights from the observations:
Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Rørsanger - 5
Landsvale - 1
Munk - 15
Tornsanger - 3
Rørspurv - 2
Havesanger - 1
Gransanger - 1
Total: 28

Ringing (Storsig)
Natravn - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hanna Bangart, Alix Bortolussi, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

The morning was rather calm but productive with a small but steady amount of birds per round. Since the standardized migration count was over, we all went to Kabeltromlen or had a sleep in. The best bird of the morning was a Chiffchaff (Gransanger) with an UK ring, but since these rings are literally used everywhere we will need to wait a bit to finde out where it was comming from.

Chiffchaff (Gransanger)

After the ringing Alvin spend some time with cleaning and laundary and Hannah went for a shopping trip. Alvin also found that the chicks of the Great Tit (Musvit) breeding pair in our garden have fletched, so he set up the gardennet to try and catch them. This can be very interessting, as you exactly know who the parents are.

Beside this, there was not much going on birdwise today in Skagen. Both Aalvin and I went for a short seawatch and outside of the lighthouse were he saw two Razorbills (Alk) and two Kittywakes (Ride) and I later had a Black Guillemot (Tejst) resting close to the beach.

Highlights from the observations:
Black Guillemot (Tejst) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Gransanger - 1
Gærdesmutte - 1
Jernspurv - 1
Kærsanger - 1
Rørsanger - 2
Munk - 9
Tornsanger - 1
Rørspurv - 1
Total: 17

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah, Lars Bo

Today was very windy so we only had the nets open for around two hours in the morning. Nonetheless we got three birds, two Blackcaps (Munk) and one Garden Warbler (Havesanger).

Garden Warbler (Havesanger)

Today was also the last day of the standardized migration count of the season which János conducted today, with the highlight being the Fulmars (Malemuk)

Julian is feeling better today as well, being ill yesterday. He had a nice breakfast outside and rested in the morning.

Not being tired enough from waking up early haha, Hanna went for a 10 km run and ended it by swimming in the ocean.

In the afternoon our new apartment guests, Anna and Jesper arrived. We are already looking forward to what you will cook for us tomorrow for dinner since we have heard a lot of good things about that :)

Highlights from the observations:
Fulmar (Mallemuk) - 42

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Munk - 2
Havesanger - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hanna Bangart, Agnes Hjortsberg, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

We had south winds overnight. This brought in a fishy smell from the harbour, but also a good amount of birds to Kabeltromlen. We ringed many Reed and Marsh Warblers (Rørsanger and Kærsanger) and a couple of Sylvias, but the highlight was an totaly unexpected Red-breasted Flycatcher (Lille Fluesnapper). It even had a broodpatch, which was very fun to see, although we dont think it is a breedingbird.

Lille Fluesnapper with broodpatch

I was on migration count this morning, and after two hours of litteraly no mouvments I desided to quit and went over to the ringing. Just in time for the Flycatcher. I stayed there for an hour, befor I needed to go back and meet with Diana. She is a Post dock from Aarhus University and together we went to Skarvsöen to check the Cormorant (Skarv) colonie on plastic and fishing nets used as material for the nests. It was a nice walk and we had a long talk about birdringing and her job as a Seabird biologist and she took some pictures of the nests for her research.

After Alvin did some birding at WE2, he went on a much needed shopping trip and Julian and Hannah went for a walk to Storsig and Batteriskoven and afterwards for a swim. Next to different indoor tasks, I also analyzed data from my recorder at Grenen and found a Stone Curlew (Triel) calling shortly after midnight on the 5th of June. A great record for Skagen!

Nocturnal migrating Stone Curlew (Triel) over Grenen

The highlight of the day however, was the dinner! Alvin made halloumi burger – so good!

Crazy halloumi burgers

We had big plans for the night. As the wind was down, we thought it might be a good idea to try and catch terns at the tip. We prepared everything and biked out to Grenen. The nets were placed over a small pound that had formed close to the tip, and we made our camp on WE3, where we usually do the migration count.

Net settup at Grenen

We brought some blankets, drinks and a couple of candles, so everything was set for a cozy night outside. Even though we ended up not catching anything, it was still a nice trip and fun to spend a whole night at Grenen.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hanna Bangart, Alix Bortolussi, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld, Agnes

After coming back from nightjar (Natravn) ringing, we had 5 minutes before going out to set up nets for the morning ringing at Kabeltromlen. Today was the last morning for Dylan and Olga and they ringed their last birds for this season.

Dylans last bird, Ictarine Warbler (Gulbug)

Olgas last bird, Garden Warbler (Havesanger)

The migration count was slow but luckily there was some gulls to look at, resting on the beach.

The rest of the day was spent sleeping for most of us, except for Dylan and Olga who left the station.

In the evening we went to Skagen Kiltplantage again to do some more nightjar ringing. Check out tomorrow's blog to see how it went ;)

Highlights from the observations:
Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Kærsanger - 1
Rørsanger - 5
Gulbug - 1
Tornsanger - 1
Havesanger - 2
Munk - 10
Dompap - 2

Ringing (Skagen Kiltplantage)
Natravn - 1
Total: 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Olga Fernández Enríquez, Mathilde Sund, Hanna, Lars Bo, Knud Pedersen