Hanelie and I were up and ready to open the nets early this morning. Megan and our guests joined us some time after. Megan really enjoyed seeing a Black bird (Solsort) from this close, and she is also very happy to be learning so much about ringing and the age determination via moult limits. The ringing went by quite slowly as we had one to two birds per round. Only on the last round we managed to get a decent number of birds. Sedge warbler (Sivsanger) and 1K Crested tit (Topmejse) were our ringing highlights of the day. Simon and our guests also saw a Little gull (Dværgmåge) and heard a Serin (Gulirisk).

After the ringing we fixed a few nets and cut some grass that is getting a bit to high under the nets.

Today’s events have me thinking about the concept of home. This morning, Lisa, Leona and I went just before sunrise to open the nets and ring. While we had the nets open, we caught some wonderful birds, such as an 8 year old Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) that was originally banded on July 30^th, 2014 in the same area. According to Euring, this is one of the oldest Tornsangers ever documented, with the eldest being a 9 year old bird. Our bird very well may have been making Skagen its summer home for nearly the past decade!

Common Whitethroat(Tornsanger) – Photo Credit: Lisa Vergin

In addition to the exciting Tornsanger record, we also caught a young Crested Tit (Topmejsen) in the nets! During our evening meeting, Simon shared that fledged juvenile Crested Tits will migrate to search for their own territory away from their parents. Once they find that place, they will make that place home for the remainder of their lives. It was very cool to see the distinctive plumage of this bird and to learn about the unique life history!

Leona and Lisa with the Topmejsen ‘Crested Tit’ at the ringing area on June 9^th

Furthermore, we had an amazing sightings of an Eurasian bittern (Rørdrum), Caspian Tern (Rovterne), Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel), merlin (Dværgfalk) and an observation of 60 kittiwakes(Rissa) heading east as they migrated through Skagen.

 Picture of Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel) – Photo Credit: Simon S. Christiansen

Meanwhile, Hanelie, Alice and Robbe went to Aalborg yesterday to visit Marion, who was a volunteer here earlier in the spring. While they were there, they saw Bearded tits (Skægmejse), reed buntings (Rørspurven), and Penduline tits (Pungmejser) who had made their home in a nest close to Marion’s house. It was also their chance to say a final farewell to Robbe before he headed back towards his home in Belgium!

Back at Skagen Fuglestation, we had an interesting visitor. Our guest Kristine came over to acquire our help in catching a pigeon (Tamdue) on the lawn right outside the laboratory. The pigeon had a band along with a phone number seemingly belonging to its owner. After calling and talking to a few folks, we found the bird’s owner and it will be returning to its home very shortly!

Leona holding the pigeon (Tamdue) – Photo Credit: Kristine Kleffel

Tomorrow, we are looking forward to another day of ringing and of visiting the cormorant (Skarver) colony! The video technicians are planning to come tomorrow to fix the video camera on the colony as well. In the near future, we are looking forward to hopefully ringing some Nightjars (Natravne) in the area.

As we shared a lovely homemade meal concocted by our guests, we talked about our adventures and about Jørgen’s upcoming journey back to Copenhagen. We are so very grateful to have friendly bird watchers like Jørgen with us for the past couple of months. As they start to head back home towards the end of this spring season, we are hopeful for their return with the next migration and that they will always consider Skagen their home away from home!

Birds ringed at Kabletromle

Topmejse: 1

Gærdesmutte: 1

Gærdesanger: 1

Rørsanger: 2

Kærsanger: 5

Tornsanger:  3

Bogfinke: 4

Havesanger: 3

Munk: 9

Løvsanger: 1

Rødhals: 2

Gransanger: 1

Total: 33

Observations of the day in DOFbasn from observers in the area

People at the station: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Leona Gottschalkson, Megan Nepshinsky, Lisa Vergin, Jørgen Hulbæk, Jan Speiermann, our guests Jan Hjort Christensen and Kristine Kleffel

Today Alice, Hanelie, Megan and I went to ring. It was windy and rainy but we were still able to open most nets. The ringing highlight of today was a female Red backed shrike.

Ringing together with our new volunteer Megan, Photo by Simon

Around 6 we were joined by Manuel at Kabletromlen and soon enough we could observe something really nice: A singing male adult Rosefinch(Karmindompap)! Also Manuel called out a Rose-coloured Starling(Rosenstær) and a Hobby and some Honey Buzzards made their way to the sea as if they wanted to greet Robbe and Manuel goodbye.

The Rosefinch we saw, Photo by Jan Speiermann

Sadly they left us today. I really enjoyed their company as they shared all their knowledge, jokes  and annecdotes with me for the last past month. They always supported the team as much as they could, waking up earlier when someone felt tired, taking over data input and more. You could really count on them and it helped creating a very friendly, familiar and fun atmosphere in the station. I and especially Hanelie and Alice, who spent even more time with them will really miss them.

Last ringing together, Photo by Megan Nepshinsky

Right before Robbe left  we tried to hear the Blyth's Reed Warbler that was announced on Zello. We weren't able to hear it, but we heard some Marsh and Icterines, which was also really nice. After that Hanelie, Alice, Manuel and Robbe left the station. Hanelie, Alice and Robbe will go to Aalborg to visit our former volunteer Marion. Hanelie and Alice will probably be back tomorrow in the late afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile Megan and I will take over the station.

Have  a nice evening,

Leona

 Ringing Totals:

Rødrygget Tornskade: 1

Kvækerfinke: 1

Bogfinke: 6

Munk: 5

Gærdesanger: 2

Gulbug: 2

Løvsanger: 3

Rørsanger: 1

Kærsanger: 1

Total: 22

Observations of the day in DOFbasn from observers in the area

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People at the station: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Megan Nepshinsky, Jan Speiermann, our guests Jan Hjort Christensen and Kristine Kleffel

Good evening everyone,

 The first round of ringing was today at 04:15. Robbe and I opened the nets. Lisa and Simon joined us for the first round. Let's put the rarity sheet on top, Simon said. We have been thinking, that it is time for a Blith Warbler "Buskrørsanger" for quite some weeks now, and we were prepared, with a Seccion about identifying Acrocephalus Warblers that we had some weeks ago, and mostly we had bananas with us, because in the net Blith Warblers "Buskrørsanger" do look like bananas, according to a colleague of Simon. Today we were not prepared, no bananas in the backpack, but our unpreparedness did not matter today. The rarity that Simon had predicted came, but it was not a Blith Warbler "Buskrørsanger". Alice and I made our round on the north side and in the last net of the Line of four there it was, a strange Acrocephalus Warbler! It was a Paddyfield Warbler "Lille Rørsanger"! This was a new species for Alice, Manuel, Leona and me and also for quite a few of the visitors who came to see the bird. Jørgen Hulbæk even did a little dance.

It is the eighth Paddyfield Warbler "Lille Rørsanger" caught in the nets in Skagen. None of those possibly seen in the field here were accepted by the Rarity Commitee. Here we link to an article on Netfugle about our Paddyfield Warbler written by Simon.

Lille Rørsanger i Skagen (netfugle)

Paddyfield Warblers "Lille Rørsanger" have their breeding ranges usually in Russia, there are some smaller populations in the danube delta around Romania and Ukraine. The wintering grounds are in India. This bird just overshot its target destination and instead of arriving in Ukraine or Romania it flew on until it landed in the net here in Skagen. But where will the further way of this bird go? And until where will it make it to?

Paddyfield Warbler "Lille Rørsanger"

After the exotic guest at Kabletromle there was not much happening in the nets any more. Manuel and Robbe wanted to do Laser Shooting at Kabletromle, but there was just nothing to shoot today. Back at the bird station we entered Data, then Alice, Leona and went to the grocery store, because today there should be a special last supper for Robbe and Manuel, who will leave us tomorrow and who we will miss very much in the team. It was a great time with you, and we could learn a lot from you, Robbe brought besides his bird knowledge always some variety with his great knowledge about Botany to the bird station. From Manuel, who has the longest birding experience of all of us, we could all learn, I will especially miss your bird song and call explanations andd teaching. Thanks a lot, Robbe and Manuel, good job ;-)

But tomorrow morning we still have all together and maybe there will be something interesting in the nets or passing by Kabletromle, Birds, this is for now your last chance to be seen here in Skagen by Manuel and Robbe!

But reinforcement for the team also came today, because shortly after we returned from shopping, another exotic guest and new team member arrived, namely Megan from Hawai, who will support the team for a month.

In the afternoon Alice started to make Samosas with the help of Leona and Megan, for dessert we had Backlawa and after the Evening Meeting we had a super good dinner. Tak for mael Alice!

Birds ringed at Kabletromle

Landsvale: 1

Lille Rørsanger: 1

Gærdesanger: 4

Lille Gråsisken: 1

Sivsanger: 1

Rørsanger: 4

Kærsanger: 2

Tornsanger:  2

Bogfinke: 2

Havesanger: 3

Munk: 10

Gulspurv: 1

Total: 32

Observations of the day in DOFbasn from observers in the area

Summary of raptors seen in Skagen and entered in DOFbasen today

See you in the field again tomorrow, take care!

 Hanelie

 People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Megan Nepshinsky, Lisa Vergin, our guests Jan Hjort Christensen and Kristine Kleffel

The smell of homemade biscuits, the rings prepared, the nets stretched, the spotting scopes already in place, the binoculars strapped on, an east wind coming up, the sun rising in great colours over the sea and the temperature at least pleasant. Even at 4am. But the mosquitoes... aiaiai (better be prepared, see picture below). Everything was ready for a nice and cosy day at Kabeltromlen. Only we are still waiting for the big migration of the Honey Buzzard Hvepsevåge. However, we were able to observe a few individuals of this species today, always beautiful. The highlight though was a Rosy Starling Rosenstær flying over a few times and also showed itself briefly while sitting! A superb bird!

Hanelie and Manuel opened the nets at half past three, later Lisa, Esben, Leona, Alice, Robbe and Simon joined them. So we all stayed around Kabeltromlen, together will all the other again a sociable and nice gathering. Robbe and Manuel also tried to "shoot" a few migratory birds with the laser binoculars a little later, but that went rather slowly.

The ringing started slowly as yesterday, but offered some nice bird and a good variety of species. Meadow Pipit Engpiber, Hawfinch Kernebider and Redpoll Gråsisken are by far not every day in the net. Like yesterday, a very late Brambling Kækerfinch showed up near the nets but did not enter the trap. A great observation, such a male in splendid dress, which is very rare in Central Europe. The lunch break at the station lasted only a short time, as we had to pick up an obviously weakened Gannet Sule from the beach at Grenen. The bird was still quite agile, however, so Leona only managed to retrieve it with heroic physical effort and up to her waist in the sea. Robbe and Manuel were left standing on the beach with their mouths open. With the birds in a box and a soaking wet Leona they got a ride with the traktor back to Grenen parking. Now Animal Rescue FALCK is taking care of the Gannet Sule - fingers crossed they get it back to the sea!

The rather unpopular part of the working day, such as data entry and station cleaning, took place later in the afternoon after all the excitement and the earlier and earlier wake up calls, so some eyes can fall shut at timmmmmmesssssssssss

Today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Esben Hensen, Lisa Vergin, our guests Jan Hjort Christensen and Kristine Kleffel

As the days are getting earlier, the hope for good species is also increasing. The day started with a good variety at the ringing with a female bluethroat “Blåhals”, waterrail “Vandrikse”, a redwing “Vindrossel” and two long tailed tits “Halemejse”  as highlights. One of the long-tailed tits was a newborn of this year, the first 1k of this year! Not only the nets took care of good species. Later during the morning, the first migrants arrived as well, with a black stork “Sort stork” attempting to migrate several times. The whole team was present and enjoyed the good species and weather together with visiting birdwatchers. It was especially nice to have Rita at the ringing who we would like to thank for her generous donation.

A bit later in the morning, they called a bee-eater “Biæder” out on Zello and we were so lucky to see it hunting above our heads. This bee-eater was having a big bumblebee as lunch! While Manuel and I continued the ringing and Hanelie cut the grass around the nets, the others left already to take a nap. The migration slowed down with only a few honey buzzards “Hvepsevåge” left but we got a wake up zellocall about a dark morph booted eagle “Dværgørn”. Unfortunately, this one didn’t fly our way, so we could only talk and dream about this species.

After some sunbathing and enjoying Manuel’s delicious cake; Hanelie, Manuel and I went back to the station. Leona and Alice were awake again and went to Bateriskoven where their found two new butterflies for their list: the mazarine blue “engblåfugl” and the large skipper “stor bredpande”.

I tried to take a nap but another bee-eater surprised me with his beautiful call.  Simon was out with Jan Speiermann to observe the raptors but unfortunately, they flew really high. The evening ended with a short session about entering data and a quiz about how to react in the ringing during some exceptional cases. Followed by an amazing Georgian bread made by Manuel and a short talk with the new guests Jan and Kristine.

For me it’s probably my last blog, but it is definitely not my last visit to Skagen. I saw some pretty amazing species in the best conditions possible (close birds in good company!). The next days may be the icing on the cake with the easterly winds. Let’s keep or fingers crossed!

I hope to see you in the field one of the next days. Good evening.

Robbe

Observations of birds seen in Skagen entered on Dofbasen today

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People at the station :Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Esben Hansen, Lisa Vergin, Jan Speiermann, Jan Hjort Christensen, Kristine Kleffel

Ringing totals at Kabeltromle: 54

Vindrossel: 1

Løvsanger: 3

Gulbug: 2

Gærdesanger: 4

Kærsanger: 5

Rørsanger: 5

Blåhals: 1

Rødstjert: 3

Munk: 17

Havesanger: 1

Tornsanger: 2

Bogfinke: 4

Skovpiber: 1

Gransanger: 4

Halemejse: 1

Today was the day. We finally went on the trip to the Island Hirtsholm! It was actually planned earlier this week already, but we had to postpone it. In the early morning Hanelie and Esben opened the nets and started ringing. They then were accompanied by two new “oneday” volunteers: Erik and Jørgen!

Our "oneday" volunteers Erik Christophersen and Jørgen Kabel in the field with Esben, Photo by Hanelie Sidhu

Around 6:45 Hanelie left the ringing and joined us at the station, so we could start our long awaited excursion. Simon and Lisa joined us, so we were able to go by car. We took the boat at Frederikshavn were we already enjoyed watching jellyfish in the harbour and Eiders with little ducklings. On the boat the seabirds lead the way to “Hirtsholmene”. From far away we could already see the small lighthouse coming closer and closer.

Our group on the way to Hirtsholmene, Photo by Alice Scalzo

When we arrived on the Island we already saw Black guillemots on the rocks and some Black-headed gulls and Common and Arctic terns over our heads. We were able to explore the Island for 3 hours which felt like minutes. The gras was only cut on the paths that you were allowed to walk on, so the green sprouted all around us. 

Green wood, Photo by Leona Gottschalkson

Glaux maritima, Photo by Robbe Cool

From the lighthouse you could see the huge breeding colony of Black-headed gulls and Sandwichterns and with our binoculars we could even see them feeding their chicks.

View from the Lighthouse, Photo by Manuel Tacke

Hanelie setting up her scope, Photo by Leona Gottschalkson

But the highlight for me were the Black Guillemots(Tejst). I sat down calmly next to them, trying to get some good pictures of them in action. It really made me happy to see such an interesting species up close.

Black Guillemot sitting, Photo by Leona Gottschalkson

Black Guillemot making supersonic sound, Photo by Leona Gottschalkson

Also, the boat trip itself was nice because it really puts one in the mood of a holiday. After our trip we got the last things we needed for our barbecue and went back to the station.

Goodbye Hirtsholmene, Photo by Leona Gottschalkson

Back at the station we had our barbecue and enjoyed some marshmallows, we even convinced Hanelie to try some but she remains sceptical. Now I sit here next to the bonfire enjoying the last rays of sun before going to bed after another amazing day.

Have a nice evening as well,

Leona

Ringing Totals:

Landsvale: 1

Skovskade: 1

Rødhals: 1

Gærdesanger: 1

Løvsanger: 3

Gulbug: 3

Rørsanger: 1

Kærsanger: 1

Havesanger: 1

Tornsanger: 5

Bogfinke: 3

Munk: 1

Total: 23

Observations of the day in DOFbasen from observers in the area

 Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People at the station :Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, our guests Bent and Lisbeth, Esben Hensen, Lisa Vergin.

This morning Hanelie and Manuel, joined by Bjorn, braved the strong winds to do morning observations in world's end 1. They got very few birds but the sun was up to warm them while they observed. Bent our guest also joined them. They saw a few Fulmars (Mallemuk) and a Great Skua (Storkjove). After the counting hours had passed Hanelie went on a walk along the beach to try to find Common ringed plovers (Stor Præstekrave) chicks, and she actually found one ! Running alongside with its parents. We decided we would try to catch it in the afternoon, so she came back to the station. Leona checked the entered ringing data with Bjorn after he had had the pleasure to get a little guided tour through the lighthouse. It was his last day with us, we said goodbye to him in the beginning of the afternoon, pleased that he enjoyed his week here with us. Then Lisa arrived at the station and with her Leona, Hanelie and I, we went to the beach to find the chick. We found it rather quickly, and could ring it under the supervision of it's parents that stayed very close to us. It was then reunited with its parents.

We continued our search but couldn't find more, and we had to go back to the station as we had plans for the afternoon. Beer house it was ! All of us, accompanied by our guests, and Lisa and Simon, took the car to get there. We enjoyed good drinks and fine company!

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People:  Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, our guests Bent and Lisbeth, Bjørn Erik Hasslanger, Lisa Vergin.

Good evening!

Today mainly Lisa, Simon, Alice and I were at the ringing. Bjørn was also there and accompanied us for a few rounds and was also birdwatching and releasing our birds. Manuel took over the observations from Kabletromle. The Higlights were some Fulmars "Mallemuk" and a nice Golden Oriole "Pirol". Robbe joined us later and helped with the observations and ringing. Bent also joined us at Kabletromle. We had many Icterine Warblers “Gulbug” again, eleven today, and also many Marsh Warblers “Kærsanger”, seven! But the highlights of the ringing today were two female Red-backed Shrikes “Rødrygget Tornskade” in the nets.

Red-backed Shrike "Rødrygget Tornskade"

We also saw two males in the morning and hope that they will be caught in the nets in the next few days. Just as we arrived back at the station and were about to eat the Croissants Manuel had bought for us, we received a zello call: a male Red footed Falcon “Aftenfalk” was roosting in the field next to the tractor track. That meant back again for most of us: Robbe, Bjørn, Manuel, Leona, Lisa and I came, together with Knud, Erik, Jørgen and other birdwatchers we saw it for a long time and very well, sitting on bushes and catching Dragonflies “Guldsmed”.

Red-footed Falkon "Aftenfalk"

For Leona it was a new species! Back at the station we finally had Croissants and a nap for most of us. Leona entered data with Simon. After a short talk about tomorrow with Simon, we finished one of the Wizard games we had started in the last few days. Robbe won. Now he's going to cook for us, then we'll have the evening meeting and crawl into bed tomorrow with the hope of seeing some nice birds tomorrow (and also in our dreams?)

Take care, see you in the field tomorrow,

Hanelie

Ringed Birds at Kabletromle:

Rødrygget Tornskade: 2

Tornsanger: 3

Rørspurv: 1

Bogfinke: 1

Havesanger: 1

Munk: 2

Husrødstjert: 1

Gærdesanger: 2

Rørsanger: 1

Gulbug: 11

Kærsanger: 7

Total: 32

Observations of the day in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of the raptors entered in Skagen on Dofbasen

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Lisa Vergin, Bjørn Erik Hasslanger, Knud Pedersen, our guests Bent and Lisbeth

Efter nogle tidligere morgener fik jeg lov at sove lidt længere i dag. Jeg vågnede klokken 6:00 ved lyden af en ornitolog der melder ringdrossel ud ved Batteriskoven. Kom ud til Kabeltromlen omkring klokken halv 7. Ved ankomst trak en skestork mod syd meget fint! Et kvarter senere blev to Nordlige Blåhalse fanget I samme net nord for kabeltomlen. En Han og en Hun. Da de blev meldt ud på Zello kom der pludselig masser af ornitologer der ville have billeder af de flotte blåhalse. En halv time senere kom Jørgen Hulbæk med kage til ringmærkerne. Mange tak for det! I løbet af formiddagen hørte/så vi fire Karmindompaper, men pludselig dukkede der også en op I nettet! Meget fint med både Blåhals og Karmindompap i mærkningen. En flot bjergvipstjert hun fik også ring på. Den sjette mærkede af denne art dette forår. Ellers var gulbug den mest dominerende art i mærkningen denne morgen med hele 14 individer. Kan det være ny dagsrekord i ringmærkningen for Skagen?

Picture by Bjørn Erik Hasslanger

Der kom også lidt rovfugle - nogle røde glenter og spurvehøge og musvåger, men de gik højt. Der var også en lærkefalk tidligt om morgenen. Vi lukkede nettene ca. kl. 10:45. Da jeg og de andre fra fuglestationen kom tilbage til Det Grå Fyr havde to landsvaler forvildet sig in på loftet over laboratoriet. Måske de ledte efter et sted at bygge rede? En han og en hun var det i hvert fald. Lisa og Manuel gik op og fangede svalerne med og vi fik dem mærket inden de blev sluppet ud igen.

Hanelie, Robbe og Leona tog efterfølgende til Skarvkolonien og optalte de ynglende skarver. Der var 51 reder aktive med liggende fugle, men der blev ikke set nogle unger. Det er meget sent på sæsonen at der ingen unger er at se. Laboratoriet blev gjort rent om eftermiddagen efter det var levet brugt til opmagasinering under fuglefestivalen, mens Simon fiksede lågen til et skab i lejligheden.

Det synes jeg var en god dag! Glæder mig til hvad mogendagen bringer.

Knud Pedersen har skrevet en lille nyhedsartikel om den Lille Tårnfalk som blev fotograferet i Skagen den 20. maj, men som først blev opdaget senere foran computerskærmen. Læs artiklen på Netfugl.

Observations of the day in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

Ringmærking Kabeltrommeln:
Kærsanger (Marsh Warbler) 1
Rørsanger (Reed Warbler) 3
Gulbug (Icterine Warbler) 14
Gærdesmutte (Wren) 1
Havesanger (Garden warbler) 2
Tornsanger (Common whitethroat) 2
Munk (Blackcap) 5
Bogfinke (Chaffinch) 5
Blåhals, Nordlig (Nordic Bluethroat) (ssp. svecica) 2
Karmindompap (Common Rosefinch) 1
Bjergvipstjert (Gray Wagtail) 1

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Lisa Vergin, Bjørn Erik Hasslanger, our guests Bent and Lisbeth