Another wet and extremely windy day here in Skagen! In the morning, Dante and I attempted some seawatching from the Kattegak bunker. Visibility was poor, and an hour produced only 59 Gannets (Sule), 2 Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom) and 3 Oystercatchers (Strandskade) migrating east. On a more positive note, the King Eider (Kongeederfugl) is still present off the lighthouse (Det Grå Fyr), seeming closer inshore due to the strong easterly winds. We’re really looking forward to the better weather forecast for next week!

In the afternoon, Yehonatan attended the opening of the Home Bodies art exhibition in town. We also said goodbye to Johanna and her friend Bjarne, whose time at Skagen Fuglestation has come to an end. We all wish you the best of luck with your next term at university.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben aroia, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans & Emilia.

Heavy rain and strong winds meant morning observations and ringing were not possible this morning. Instead, we used the time productively to finish ringing data entry and get on with general Fuglestation admin.

Dante finished writing an article for Netfugle.dk about his experiences birding Skagen in March, especially finding the adult, drake King Eider (Kongeederfugl) and the male Rustic Bunting (Pileværling) on the same day. It is a really entertaining read and you can find the full article here: https://www.netfugl.dk/artikler/2878/kings-and-a-bunting-late-march-in-skagen

Dante and I birded the harbour in the afternoon although, unfortunately, there was nothing of note among the resting Eider (Ederfugl) and Herring Gulls (Sølvmåge). The highlight was a male Stonechat (Sortstrubet Bynkefugl) outside the station.

In the evening, Johanna gave an excellent and informative presentation on the ‘Developments in protection of the high seas’. She illustrated some of the methods currently employed to improve seabird protection, such as mitigating longline bycatch and identification of foraging hotspots, as well as highlighted the long way we still have to go in order to fully protect our oceans and seabirds. This topic was especially relevant for us this year given our collaboration on an OSPAR project (The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) through the Fulmar (Mallemuk) transects we have been undertaking.

Johanna giving her presentation on the 'Development of protection of the high seas'.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aoia, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Bjarne & Amelia.

Dante and I headed for Verdens Endes 1 at first light for morning observations. There were good numbers of finches moving, including 400 Siskin (Grønsisken) and 323 Redpolls (Gråsisken). Out at sea, there was a high number of Gannets (Sule), moving both Northwest (970) and Southeast (294), two adult, dark-morph Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) and one Great Skua (Storkjove)- the first seen in Denmark this year.

Dante observing at World's End 1.

After morning observation, I headed out to World’s End 3 to meet the group of scientists from Aarhus University at their temporary research station. Throughout the season we’ll be helping the team collect data on the flight height of large migrating birds (such as geese, swans, seabirds and raptors) using laser binoculars and radar. I had a practice with the binoculars and managed to register a few passing divers, including one 1167m away.

Yehonatan, Johanna, Bjarne, and Simon had the nets open at Kabeltromlen and had another diverse catch of 26 birds including two Chiffchaffs (Gransanger) and one Northern Bullfinch (Stor Dompap). The undoubted highlight was a British-ringed Blackbird and, being from the UK myself, I am particularly excited to receive the recovery information.

The ringing team also welcomed a group of 50 school children to Kabeltromlen as part of a tour led by Simon. It was brilliant to be able to engage them in the work we do here, show them some birds in the hand, and hopefully inspire the next generation of ringers and Skagen Fuglestation volunteers.

After yesterday’s busy day, Yehonatan, Dante and myself spent the afternoon catching up on some all-important ringing and observation data entry. Meanwhile, Johanna and Bjarne conducted another Fulmar survey, walking a 12km transect along the northwest coast to collect dead seabirds for Aarhus University. Although this survey they didn’t find any deceased birds, they collected multiple bags of litter from the coast and managed to save a crab from a fishing net, so it was still an extremely good effort!

Today, we also received the ringing data from the Norwegian-ringed Blue Tit we caught at Kabeltromlen last week. The bird was originally ringed as a first calendar year on 03/11/2021 in Mølen, Vestfold, Norway.

Map showing the original ringing location and subsequent recapture location of the Norwegian-ringed Blue Tit.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aroia, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Amelia & Bjarne.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Robin (Rødhals)- 4

Blackbird (Sølsort)- 8

Lille Dompap (Bullfinch)- 3

Stor Dompap (Northern Bullfinch)- 1

Chaffinch (Bogfinke)- 2

Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)- 2

Chiffchaff (Gransanger)- 2

Wren (Gærdesmutte)- 3

Dunnock (Jernspurv)- 1

Total: 26

Yesterday we started the morning with ringing and observing, we had some sun, but the temprature was -1 and everything was frozen during the first hours of the morning.

We had a succesfull ringing with many Blackbirds (Solsort) and some other common species aswell. During the morning Simon had a guided tour for rangers from all around the world, and they were very exited about learning about Skagen and see some of the birds that we ringed.

Male blackbird in the ringing, (Solsort)

Observation was a little slow but still some nice birds around, the highlight was 3 Golden eagles (Kongeørn) soaring around all day.

Later we worked on the raptor project, We tried to catch raptors with our stuffed owl, which didn't go too well, but at least we tried while some of us went with Simon to check one of the traps, and set up some fresh bait.

Our eagle owl attemp to catch raptors.

Later, we rolled the new kabletromle to our ringing site, something we didnt knew if we could do, but to our suprise, it was much easier than expected. After we put it in place, we all gathered around our new table and celebrated with some champagne.

Rolling the new kabletromle and celebrating how easy it was

Ringing Kabletromlekrattet:

Rødhals-12

Gætdrsmutte-2

Lille dompap-1

Bogfinke-3

Blåmejse-5

Munk-1

Solsort-17

Raptor summary can be found here

People:Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aroia, Lauren Evans, Dante Shepherd, Bjarne & Emelia, Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin.

Hi everyone!

This morning Dante, Lauren, Bjarne and me went out for morning observations as usual. We were also joined by our guest Emilia, who arrived yesterday to stay in the apartment for this week.

Yehonatan was out walking in the fields to look for some birds and joined us for some time as well. The Kingeider (Kongeederfugl) is still there, swimming with the big number of Scooters (Sortand) and a lot of Common Eiders (Ederfugl) as well. At some point in the afternoon we were actually be able to spot it from our kitchen-window! Another highlight of our morning were two Long-tailed Tits (Halemejse) who joined us for some minutes near Worlds End 1. It was the first time for me seeing the northern subspecies in the field. Furthermore we had seven Shags (Topskarv) as well. 

At midday, two Golden Eagles (Kongeørn) showed up! They were flying really high, but Yehonatan managed to take some pictures:

While Dante was staying out at Worlds End 1 for observations way longer, Yehonatan, Lauren, Bjarne and me went to Kabeltromeln were we put up the tent again, moved some nets and especially cut some trees again. Afterwards we entered the data and Dante and Lauren cooked a lovely dinner for us in the evening.

People at the station: Lauren Evans, Johanna Veentjer, Dante Shepherd, Yehonatan ben aroia, Bjarne, Emilia

Today's observations of observers in the area

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

Northerly winds, freezing temperatures and more snow made for challenging conditions during this morning’s observations for Lauren, Yehonatan and I. The highlights were 17 Parrot Crossbills (Stor Korsnæb) and the adult, drake King Eider (Kongeederfugl) which remained off the Kattegat bunker before relocating to off Det Grå Fyr and, was enjoyed by numerous birders throughout the day.

King Eider (Kongeederfugl) by Erik Christophersen. See more of Erik's excellent photographs on his blog here: https://ecskagen.blogspot.com/

Back at the station we said goodbye to Britta and welcomed both our new guest Amelia and Johanna’s friend Bjarne, who are staying with us for the week.

A full list of today’s observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aroia, Lauren Evans, Dante Shepherd, Bjarne & Amelia.

After the poor conditions of yesterday and more rain overnight, we were all hoping today wouldn’t be another write-off. Luckily the rain stopped shortly before sunrise and Dante, and I headed to Verdens Endes for morning observations. And what a morning it was!

There was a good movement of passerines, including 2061 Chaffinches (Bogfinke) and 216 Blue Tits (Blåmejse), as well as 18 Bewick’s Swans (Pibesvane) and 23 Tundra Bean Geese (Tundrasædgås). Migrating raptors had clearly also been waiting for a break in the bad weather, resulting in 1 Osprey (Fiskeørn), 9 Red Kite (Rød Glente) and 202 Buzzards (Musvåge).

It all seemed fairly quiet out to sea, until Dante spotted an adult drake King Eider (Kongeederfugl) at 0936 amongst a raft of 1000s of resting Eider (Ederfugl) and Common Scoter (Sortand). The bird drifted closer throughout the morning and was enjoyed by multiple Skagen birders. Later, 2 Shags (Topskarv) flew NW past the tip and a third calendar year Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) lingered on the beach.

Digiscope of the adult, drake King Eider (Kongeederfugl).

Just as the morning was drawing to a close, Dante and Rolf heard a ticking bunting- highly unusual for this time of year. As the bird circled back, they identified it as a male Rustic Bunting (Pileværling)- the first ever in Denmark to be seen attempting migration!

Dante's field sketch of the male Rustic Bunting (Pileværling). Unfortunately, it was not possible to get a photo of the bird in the field.

Finally, as if the birds hadn’t been enough, we also saw a Humpback Whale (Pukkelhval) diving and feeding offshore in the Skagerrak- possibly the same individual as a few days ago.

Johanna, Yehonatan and Simon had the nets open at Kabeltromlen. They had a diverse catch of 37 birds, including 7 Chiffchaffs (Gransanger), making us all feel like spring really is on the way.

What an incredible day here at Skagen Fuglestation!

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aroia, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans & Britta.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Rødhals (Robin)- 7

Dompap (Bullfinch)- 2

Lille Dompap (Bullfinch)- 6

Gransanger (Chiffchaff)- 7

Jernspurv (Dunnock)- 4

Gærdesmutte (Wren)- 4

Bogfinke (Chaffinch)- 1

Blåmejse (Blue Tit)- 2

Munk (Blackcap)- 1

Musvit (Great Tit)- 1

Solsort (Blackbird)- 4

Total: 37

As expected, weather was terrible during the morning, with strong winds and lots of showers, we all stayed inside most of the morning, doing indoor activities, reading books and doing worked on our upcoming presentations.

Later, the rain and the strong winds slowed down, and we went outside while we could, and for an hour we had some sun and nice weather for a walk, but very quickly it changed back to foggy windy and rainy.

Later Lauren coocked an amazing dinner, and we had a good time.

Later, me (Yehonatan) and Lauren tried to go night catching, without any succes.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Hi everyone!

Yesterday the weather forecast wasn’t that good looking for today, but luckily the morning turned out to be quite a good one! Dante went observing at Verdens Ende 1. The highlight today were the 47 Bewick’s Swans (Pibesvane), a record! We also had 1086 Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) migrating. This morning seemed to be a morning of big numbers, there were also thousands of Common Scoters (Sortand) migrating south-east and Dante also counted 7046 Chaffinches (Bogfinke).

Bewick's Swans, photo taken near Bergenhusen, Germany (Lisa Vergin)

At the same time, Lauren, Yehonatan and Simon were out ringing at Kabletrommeln. They had 21 birds in total. Their highlight was a Northern Bullfinch (Stor Dompap; ssp. pyrrhula). You can see the details in the end of this blogpost.

Unfortunately, two of our lovely guests, Lotte and Anne drove back home today. We were very glad to welcome you here at Skagen Fuglestation! And of course thank you for your help and interest in our work!

In the afternoon the sun came out a little bit. Yehonatan went to Ellekrattet, where he spotted a Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg) catching a Blackbird (Solsort) right in front of him! Another event of this afternoon was our new Kabeltrommeln arriving. Unfortunately, the old one broke (we were using it as our ringing-table), so Simon ordered a new one. The next step is to get this new one up to Kabeltrommeln… If you are someone who owns a trailer and would be so kind to help us out with transporting the Kabeltrommeln maybe to the parking lot at Grenen, we would be very glad if you could let us know. That would be amazing!

Dante and Lauren prepared a lovely dinner for us this evening. God nat fra det Grå Fyr!

Today's observations of observers in the area

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

Ringing: 

2 Jernspurv (Dunnock)

2 Rødhals (Robin)

1 Solsort (Backbird)

1 Sangdrossel (Song Thrush)

3 Blåmejse (Blue Tit)

8 Musvit (Great Tit)

1 Bogfinke (Chaffinch)

1 Dompap (Bullfinch)

1 Stor Dompap (Northern Bullfinch)

1 Rørspurv (Reed Bunting)

Total: 21

People at the station: Lauren Evans, Johanna Veentjer, Dante Shepherd, Yehonatan ben aroia, Britta, Lotte and Anne

With more fog over Skagen and rain in the forecast, Johanna, Yehonatan and Simon managed a short ringing session at Kabeltromlen before the weather took a turn for the worse and they had to close the nets.

Lauren and I headed to Verdens Endes 1 for morning observations and, despite the poor visibility, there was still small numbers of passerines moving including 79 Mistle Thrush (Misteldrossel), 787 Chaffinches (Bogfinke) and 15 White Wagtails (Hvid Vipsjert). There was also a variety of duck species passing out to sea including 3 Pintail (Spidsand), 27 Wigeon (Pibeand), 8 Goldeneye (Hvinand) and thousands of Common Scoter (Sortand). The highlight of the morning was an adult, dark morph Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove).

After entering all our ringing data and observations, Yehonatan birded Ellekrattet whilst I headed to Nordstrand to check the large flock of gulls lingering on the beach. Johanna baked a cake which we thoroughly enjoyed with our guests Bretta, Lotte and Anna after their delicious cooking that evening.

Treecreeper (Træløber) at Ellekrattet- Yehonatan.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Today's raptor summary can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Johanna Veentjer, Yehonatan Ben aroia, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Bretta, Lotte & Anna.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)- 1

Rødhals (Robin)- 1

Bogfinke (Chaffinch)- 1

Musvit (Great Tit)- 2

Solsort (Blackbird)- 2

Total: 7