The cold winds, strangely enough, have also brought some brave tourists who walk along the beach and visit the Northern tip of Denmark. This is also why this week there has been plenty of activities organised by the Lighthouse, such as guided tours and the opening of our freezer. If you are wondering what that is, you can get a glimpse by looking at the picture but I can also tell you that it is an exiciting opportunity to look at different birds up close, as it happened today when Simon showed and explained the distinctive features of different birds.

As for us, the morning went by very quickly. I opened the nets with Rosalina and Justine, Simon and Robbie joined for the first round. The conditions were not the best, but we still got a good amount of birds, mostly redpolls (Gråsisken). Augustin on the other hand went observing with Knud at World´s End 3 and they saw 5000 razorbills (Alk), one Slavonian grebe (Nordisk lappedykker) and 15 resting eals. He also set up a woosh net trying to catch Snow buntings (Snespurv) but unfortunately he was not successful, because the strong wind made the net tangled up. But we will try again in the next days, so if you are walking along the beach and you are curious about what that is, just stop by and ask us!

In the afternoon, after the opening the freezer, Simon showed u show to repair nets and tonight more activities are to come. Rosalina is going on a night tour with Niels to show families birds and seals on the beach through a thermal camera and we are also going night catching, after a lovely dinner with our guests.

Last but not least, today Gustav arrived and he will stay with us until Tuesday. He is highly motivated to discover more in depth the observations and the ringing, so he is definitely in the good place!

Ringmærkning - Det Grå Fyr

Blåmejse 2

Bogfinke 1

Dompap, lille 2

Dompap 1

Fuglekonge 5

Gærdesmutte 4

Gråsisken 10

Rødhals 6

Sangdrossel 1

Træløber 1

Vindrossel           2

Total – 35

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Gustav Nyberg, Ebbe og Dorthe.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

Today the weather was not good to go ringing so, Angela, Robbie and I went observing to the tip. The conditions were not very optimal but we still observed some nice birds: a Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle), a group of Long-tailed Duck (Havlit) and many groups of Razorbills (Alk) coming more and more. The Snow Buntings (Snespurv) and Horned Larks (Bjerglærke) are always around us during the morning.

Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle) observed today at the tip.

After a good lunch, we did a picture session with Simon to age birds that we caught last week. It was a good way to train aging birds!

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

 Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Gitte og Jens Peter Holm, Sophie Andersen og Maria Scotwin, Ebbe og Dorthe, Karin og Marie Christiansen.

I morges var det Justine og Robbie som åbnede nettene ved Kabeltromlen. Simon og Angela joinede dem på første runde, og de fik bl.a. Dompapper og skægmejser.

Augustin og jeg var ude og observere i morges ved Verdens Ende 3, og vi tog ekstra tidligt afsted for at vi kunne sætte ”whoosh”-net-fælden op i håbet om at fange nogle snespurve. Indtil videre har det været uden held.

I eftermiddags har vi haft Sophie og Maria fra Naturbutikken på besøg. De er i gang med at sælge kikkerter og teleskoper nede i museumsbutikken hele ugen og tager afsted på søndag. Simon fik besøg af en gammel gymnasieven og hans kone, og har vist dem rundt i dag.

Jeg har selv deltaget i en event ifm. Det Grå Fyrs efterårsaktiviteter. Det var ”Gittes Værksted” og jeg skulle filme lidt af aktiviteterne i værkstedet som Simon skal bruge til en video lidt senere på året.

Og så fandt jeg en meget stor krabbe på stranden i morges.

Ringmærkning - Det Grå Fyr

Bogfinke - 1

Dompap - 4

Fuglekonge - 1

Gærdesmutte - 7

Gransanger – 1

Sangdrossel – 1

Skægmejse – 7

Solsort – 1

Vindrossel - 1

Total – 24

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Lasse Johanson og Sabine Haakonson, Gitte og Jens Peter Holm, Sophie Andersen og Maria Scotwin, Ebbe og Dorthe.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

Today me and Anglea opened the nets at Kabeltromlen and were joined by Henning and Rosalina. Maria and Sophie from the Nature shop joine dus for the first round and were relly excited to see the birds so close and were very interrested in the rining. We didn’t get a high amout of birds but a good variety of birds wich is also quite cool. The highlights were the to Treecreepers (Træløber), the Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb) and the Bullfinches (Lille Dompap)! I had a quick chat with Erik, Henrik and Rolf on Worlds End 1 and they told they saw a Glossy Ibis (Sort Ibis) flying by, that was the first one since 1974 in Skagen!

In the afternoon we did some data entry and helped Lene from the ligthouse to fix the flagpole. After she told us that she saw a flock of waxwings (Silkehale) this morning in town me and Robbie cycled to town to find them, unfortunately without success. In the evening Rosalina joined the night tour with Kurt to find experience mammals and bird in darkness at Grenen.

Ringmærkning - Det Grå Fyr

Blåmejse – 4

Bogfinke - 1

Dompap Lille - 2

Fuglekonge - 5

Gærdesmutte - 9

Gransanger – 1

Grønsisken – 1

Kvækerfinke – 2

Lille Korsnæb - 1

Munk - 2

Rødhals – 5

Solsort – 1

Sortmejse – 4

Træløber - 2

Total – 43

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Henning Ettrup, Rolf Christensen, Henrik Rask, Erik Christophersen Maria og Sophie.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

This morning, there was no more wind, and Rosalina and I went opening the nets together. Kirsten, Angela, and Robbie joined us for the first round. We did not catch many birds but we had seven Bullfinches (Dompap) in total!

Augustin went observing with Knud, some highlights included Great Northern Diver (Islom), and Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe).

After a few data entring, we went to Hulsig with Henrik looking for a Black Scoter (Amerikansk Sortand) resting in the bay. We all had a nice view of the bird and could enjoy the beautiful sunset!

Ringing - The Gray Lighthouse

Blue Tit 5

Dompap Lille 2

Dompap 5

Bird King 10

Gærdesmutte 9

Gransanger 2

Munk 2

Musvit 2

Redneck 3

Beard Tit 2

Total 42

Ring marking - Jennes Sø

Gransanger 1

Bird King 3

Blue Tit 4

Musvit 2

Lille Gråsisken 74

Total 84

People at the station: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Kirsten Bregn, Esben, Henrik Rask, Jens Kirkeby, Søren Skov, Erik Christophersen and Erik Christophersen .

Click here to see today's observations from the DOF database of birds in Skagen

Another day without ringing at the station today, but it appears the winds should reduce tomorrow so we hope to get back out in the morning. Perhaps the winds will deliver some rarities in the nets and out at sea.

Myself and Augustin went observing from Kattegat bunker this morning, hoping to find shelter from the strong winds. After two hours conditions proved too challenging and unfortunately, we had to leave observations early. Justine and Angela joined for general observations at the end, and we found a group of Horned Larks (Bjerglærke) near the tip, which is always a birding treat.

For those who are interested I have included an in-depth view of something that has been occupying much of our time and thoughts recently at the observatory, the recent influx of Auk (Alk sp.) deaths here in Skagen.

Ringmærkning - Det Grå Fyr

Enkeltbekassin - 1

Ringmærkning - Jennes Sø

Gærdesmutte - 1

Solsort - 1

Blåmejse - 3

Musvit - 4

Kvækerfinke - 1

Lille Gråsisken - 21

Total                    32

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Lisa Vergin, Kirsten Bregn, Esben og Line.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

As some may be aware there has recently been an unusual number of dead or dying Auks (Alk sp.) washing up on the beaches around Skagen. Many who have not recently visited the coastline may not have heard anything about the topic, therefore we are providing a brief overview of the situation. I will provide links at the end so readers can read further about the situation in the U.K as well as some more general information. Please be aware that I am no conservation expert, but all efforts have been made to ensure that all information provided is correct.

At the end of August reports started to emerge of large numbers of dead Auks (Alk sp.) washing up dead around the British coast, many of whom appeared to have died from starvation. Soon after we began to find unusually high numbers of Guillemots (Lomvie) and Razorbills (Alk) dead or dying along the coastline around the observatory; local birders such as Knud Pederson and the teams’s lead – Simon - both believe the situation is highly unusual compared to previous years. There have also been similar reports from other locations including in Norway. Whilst the numbers here are of concern, the numbers of dead guillemots in Britain appears to be of a far higher magnitude than what is currently happening locally here.

Credit: Eva Hvelplund

The precise numbers of deaths is difficult to measure, but we have set in place protocol which should aid our understanding of the magnitude and possible causes of the situation. After talks with Aarhus University, we have agreed to start documenting and collecting specimens we encounter for later study at the university. We have already collected several dozen birds, but have unfortunately seen many times more. Today we encountered five dead Auks (Alk sp.) just around Grenen; four of the specimens were not in good enough condition for collection and will not be included in the study. Along with keeping a more accurate track of total numbers of affected birds we have begun weighing our collected specimens. The average weight of collected specimens is far lower than that of a healthy individual of the specimen’s species, therefore it appears that starvation was most likely a contributing factor to the deaths of our specimens. The emaciated individuals washing up on our shore mirror the condition of those in Norway and Britain.

The exact cause of these mass starvation events is probably linked to a lack of suitable food items, though what caused this shortage is yet unknown. While Guillemot (Lomvie) numbers are increasing in Denmark it is widely acknowledged that global Auk and wider seabird populations are greatly decreasing. Factors contributing to decreasing sea bird populations can be complex, such as: as collapsing fish stocks from overfishing; climate change and rising sea temperatures, and various types of pollution. The fact these deaths are happening simultaneously in several localities highlights how conservation in an international project

We will do our part in the continued monitoring of the situation locally and will report any new developments.

Further reading and links:

Sea bird population trends in Scotland: https://www.nature.scot/seabird-numbers-decline-almost-50

The effect of climate change on sea bird population in Svalbard: https://seapop.no/en/2021/09/global-warming-alters-the-seabird-community-on-svalbard/

Auk deaths in the U.K : https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/scotland/posts/an-update-on-seabirds-on-the-east-coast and https://www.birdguides.com/news/investigation-launched-as-auk-crisis-worsens/

Guillemot population trends in the EU: (http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/erlob/supplementarypdfs/22694841_uria_aalge.pdf

I dag var der for meget blæst til at ringmærke så nogle af os observerede i morges i stedet. I dag var vores praktikant Lines sidste dag, og vi har været glade for at have hende her. Justine og Angela tog hende med til Jennes Sø for noget observation i morges. Ved hendes afgang fik vi en stor spand chokoladeskildpadder af hende, og det var vældig skægt at introducere det danske chokolade for de andre frivillige som ikke havde smagt det før.

I eftermiddags satte vi nettene op i Fyrhaven i håbet om at fange nogle fugle. Indtil videre er der ingen gevinst, men Angela og Justine er taget ud på natfangst så vi håber de fanger noget :)

Jeg har selv brugt dagen i Birder’s Club og har været i gang med at slæbe græskar frem og tilbage på matriklen, for at færdiggøre noget af den fine pynt vi (fyrtårnspersonalet, mfl.) lavede her i onsdags. Det er blevet rigtig fint.

Om aftenen kom Esben, Lisa og Kirsten til aftensmad. Vi fik hjemmelavet pizza og det smagte fantastisk!

Vi håber vejret bliver bedre i morgen.

Ringmærkning - Fyrhaven

Rødhals - 1

Ringmærkning - Jennes Sø

Gærdesmutte – 3

Rødhals – 7

Solsort – 5

Fuglekonge – 7

Blåmejse – 4

Musvit – 1

Nordlig træløber – 1

Bogfinke – 1

Nordlig gråsisken – 1

Lille gråsisken – 26

Rørspurv - 1

Total - 58

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Lisa Vergin, Kirsten Bregn, Esben, og Line.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

Due to the strong wind today, we could not go ringing but instead we went for a walk with Line, who is an intern here at the Observatory, and showed her some birds feeding in the trees such as Bramblings (Kvækefinke), Siskins (Grønsisken) and Chaffinches (Bogfinke). We then joined Augustin who went observing with Rolf Chrestensen and Henrik Rask at Wolrd´s End 1. Despite the unideal conditions, they saw 3 flocs of Parrot Crossbills (Stor Korsnæb) and some Velvet Scoter (Fløjlsand). When we were heading home we saw a seal chilling on the bunker with some Eiders (Ederfugle) and that was really nice! Rosalina walked a lot today in the search for wook to carve, but couldn´t find any to bring home, but she bought some really nice watercolours and enjoyed a yummy cake at the local bakery.

Once back home, we had a lovely lunch together and then we cleaned a bit, entered and checked data and fixed some boxes who are ready for the next ringing days!

Simon had a good tour today at Blåvand for Fugle for alle and Lisa joined us tonight for dinner, which was very lovely. Justine cooked a delicious gratin of cauliflower and Kirsten was so kind to bring some cinnamon rolls for us to share.. thank you very much!

We all hope that the next days will be good for some more field work!!!

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Kirsten Bregn og Line.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

We had a nice day ringing at Kabeltromlen with a lot of birds we had some Coal Tits (Sortmejse) and Siskins (Grønsisken). But the highlight of the day was for sure the Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) wich we found in the nets while closing. Rosalina and Simon had some guided ringing tours in the old lighthouse garden and even caught a Treecreeper (Træløber). 

In the afternoon we did some data entry and will join the guys from the lighthouse in a halloween BBQ. 

Ringmærkning - Kabeltromlen

Blåmejse - 2

Bogfinke - 1

Fuglekonge - 20

Gærdemutte - 25

Gransanger - 4

Grønsisken - 2

Jernspurv - 1

Munk - 4

Rødhals - 6

Rørspurv - 2

Sortmejse - 2

Stor Tornskade - 1

Ringmærking - Fyrhaven

Blåmejse - 2

Fuglekonge - 1

Rødhals - 3

Musvit - 1

Træløber - 1

Vindrossel - 1

Total - 79

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Lisa Vergin Kirsten Bregn og Line.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen

Today it was a good day for both ringing and observing, so Augustin and Knud met at World’s end 3 this morning whereas Justine and Rosalina went opening nets and me, Robbie, Simon, Kirsten and Line joined them for the first round.

Even though the wind was a bit strong, we had some more Bearded tits (Skægmejse) which made Robbie really happy.. but the highlight of the day was definitely a Water rail (Vandrikse) that was waiting for us in one of the nets in the Southern part ! It was an exciting day for Line who got to see many new bird species up close and came out on the rounds with us, which she enjoyed very much. Kirsten is very optimistic for tomorrow, so we all hope her wishes come true.

Augustin and Knud spotted a Grey Phalarope (Torshane), some Great skuas (Storskjove), two Fulmars (Mallemuk) and a Great grey shrike ( Stor Tornskade).

When we came back there was a bright shining sun who invited us for a cold and regenerating swim just in front on the Lighthouse! That felt very good.. and luckily a warm shower was waiting for us back home.

In the afternoon, after a nice lunch all together, we showed Line how we enter data on Dofbasen and Fuglering and then me and Justine went cycling to the forest to look for mushrooms, but instead enjoyed the view of many beautiful deers under the sunset´s light.

Ringmærkningsdata KAB

Dompap               2

Fuglekonge         21

Gærdesmutte    14

Gransanger         1

Jernspurv            1

Kvækerfinke       3

Munk                   4

Musvit                1

Rødhals               4

Skægmejse         4

Vandrikse            1

Vindrossel         1

Total 57

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Knud Pedersen, Kirsten Bregn og Line.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra DOF basen af fugle i Skagen