Both spring and winter in one morning.

Hej allesammen,

as the season is getting busier, the field productivity of the volunteers is rising. That is why I am writing yesterdays blog this early morning in the outdoor office at Kabeltromle. Yesterday was a long day. Isis and I went ringing which now means getting up from bed at 03.30 am in the morning. However, it was rather windy so we could just open 14 of our 21 nets and they did not catch much. Three new birds and one recapture, but one of them was a Treepipit (Skovpiber) which is worth 20 birds, as Simon jr. explained us later at the station. There was one Waxwing (Silkehæle) flying over Kabeltromle and soon after, we observed some Barn Swallows (Landsvale) so it felt like having winter and summer at the same time.

Skovpiber (Tree Pipit)

Ringmækning Kabeltromle

Skovpiber: 1

Gærdesanger: 1

Løvsanger: 1

Total: 3

We closed early. Hayley in the meantime went shopping and Magnus and Simon were at Nordstrand for the morning observations.

The observers had three second calendar year and one adult female Pallid Harrier (Steppehøg) and a few Hen Harriers (Blå Kærhøg), some Hobbys (Lærkefalk) and one Rough-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge). But on the sea, it was vey quiet. 16 Whimbrels (Småspove) were a nice observation of a species, that we don´t get that often in the morning obs and some Black Guillemots (Tejst) and Velvet Scoters (Fløjsand) are always nice birds to observe.

Back at the station, Simon jr. made luxury six star lunch for us: not our usual sunny-side up or down eggs, depending on preference on bread but scrambled eggs with onions! After some data entry, naps and phone calls, Knud proposed go to Flagbakken together in the afternoon. What a brilliant idea, Simon, Hayley and I packed our scopes while Magnus and Isis preferred to enjoy the calm of the station this afternoon.

At Flagbakken, already many birders smiled at us when we were arriving, among them Jørgen Hulbæk. But even better: Ther were exceptional many Hobbys (Lærkefalk) which were hunting Swallows before continuing migrating north!

Hobby (Lærkefalk)

I can´t decide if the highlight of the day was the number of Hobbys or one adult male Montagues Harrier which stayed around for a while before continuing northeast. Some nice Ospreys (Fiskeørn) also showed up and a gorgeous lizard which let me come very close and it was really a perfect afternoon, thanks Knud for taking us with you!

While we were at Flagbakken, Lisa, Troels and Mads were observing from the radar. Before they arrived, Alex Sand Frich was observing close to their observation spot and putting numbers together and comparing, Knud calculated a minimum of 128 Hobbys (Lærkefalk) for the day. It was a new record day for Skagen and the whole of Denmark!

In the evening, Hayley and I checked some sheets of the ringing while the potter trap was not catching any Wheatears (Stenpikker) and after dinner, Simon jr. and I went out hoping to see some northern lights – without success, so we rather decided to go back in and get some sleep.

This is my last blog at Skagen for this season, I will leave on Sunday, which is kind of sad, as it feels like spring is just beginning and all the Hobbys (Lærkefalk) make you look forward to the Red-footed Falcons (Aftenfalk) which will come soon! Also, more african migrants are arriving in the nets now. But these, I will also get to ring as I will continue this spring season at Gedser Fuglestation.

Thanks to the team for experiencing a part of the world of birds with me, and especially the world of Cranes, planes and ships, having a lunchbreak with some fried eggs. I wish you the best birds for the rest of the spring season (but some of them should also come to Gedser though…).

And of course, thanks to Simon, Lisa and all the local and “spring-local” birders for your advice, lifts food and company!

Take care and I hopefully see you soon again!

Hanelie

Todays observations from observers in the area

Sum of the raptors in the area based on observations typed into Dofbasn the same day

People: Hayley Land, Isis Khalil, Hanelie Sidhu, Magnus Houen Lauritsen, Simon Kisé, Lisa Vergin, Troels Eske Ortvad, Mads Bunch, Simon S. Christiansen, Jørgen Hulbæk, Knud Pedersen and our guests Dorte and Anders Østerby