Once again, we saw the sunrise, a sore sight for the eyes after a long time of overcast skies, but with the clear sky came the cold. I went out to Worlds End 3 to do the seabird migration count, joined by Knud Pedersen, while Emma went to Kabeltromlen to do inland migration count along with the ringers. The sea didn’t have much migration outside razorbills (Alk) which showed in okay numbers alongside some kittiwakes (Ride). Migrating eiders (Ederfugl) offered the possibility of a king eider (Kongeederfugl) but it didn’t materialize today and overhead migration of a few finches and thrushes didn’t turn into arrivals of more Pine Grosbeaks (Krognæb). But the movement of alcids and kittiwakes kept us busy, with two Little Gulls (Dværgmåge) roosting out in Skagerrak was a nice addition for the day totals. A short walk in the immediate area behind worlds end 3 offered a nice and somewhat late song thrush (Sangdrossel), two stonechats (Sortstrubet Bynkefugl) and the highlight of today was a quite late barn swallow (Landsvale) and two migration attempting hen harriers (Blå Kærhøg). They went out over the sea but turned around and went back inland, not today hen harriers, not today. Ringing was equally quiet but the season’s first Fieldfare (Sjagger) being caught and an additional blackbird (Solsort) for the GPS-tracking project.

Say hello the "Raclette"

A short trip west of the sandworm track didn’t bring any additional birds, but Knud had 9 1k Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge) along with a 2k Caspian Gull. Otherwise, the day was spent on admin-work, though Thomas opened the nets in the old lighthouse garden and caught a robin and house sparrow and recaught a blackbird that was caught last year in Skagen.

Robin

Tomorrow the wind turn to N-NE and clear skies which passerines love, cross fingers for Pine Grosbeaks, four pine grosbeaks is a tease with 100s waiting for making their trip across Skagerrak in southern Norway.

Clear skies means cold nights

Highlights from the obs:

Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg) 2 migr. Attempt

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) 1, very late

Caspian Gull 10, very high count

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Jernspurv – Dunnock: 2

Solsort – Blackbird: 1

Sjagger – Fieldfare: 1

Vindrossel – Redwing: 1

Fuglekonge – Goldcrest: 2

Total: 7

Ringing (Old Lighthouse Garden):

Rødhals – Robin: 1

Gråspurv – House Sparrow: 1

Total: 2

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone

Hej!

Today finally was the day! We got to use the tags that we where preparing the last night and looking forward to the past week. So before sunrise, as Thomas and I were opening the nets, we were excited about all the Blackbirds/Solsort we could here calling in the bushes. Together with Simon we managed to tag 5 Blackbirds today. They got a little backpack with an antenna, that was fitted to their size and weight. Now the route they take to and the location of their winter quarter can be uncovered and used for research. Hopefully they have a good and long trip!

Blackbird male first-year with a tag called "Sauron"

Otherwise we had some nice birds in the nets, 14 in total. One of them was a Bearded Reedling/Skægmejse which already had a ring. Turns out it was ringed here at Kabeltromlen last year on the 4th of November.

Bearded Reedling/Skægmejse recaptured a little over a year later

Because Emma joined us at Kabeltromlen today, to do the passerine migration count, Ragnar went alone to World's End 3. He was quickly joined by Knud and Jørgen and later by Erik. The had a quit morning until a Black Guillemot/Tejst that was unusually white got their attention. They suspected it could be a Mandtii's Black Guillemot. Erik managed to get some good photos of it, but it still needs to be decided if it is a Black Guillemot (mandtii) or "just" a normal one.

Three Pine Grosbeaks/Krognæb were also spotted at Grenen today. One was sitting on a mast close to the Radarstation, so we could see it with our scopes from Kabeltromlen. Check out this video made by the Finder Alex, where you can hear the excitement. Two flew over World's End 3 in the direction to the lighthouse and could be seen by all observers at the tip. So in the afternoon all of us got into Simons car and we drove to different places in Skagen with berry bushes to find them.

Because we were unsuccesfull with that we visited the harbour. Our goal was to attract the gulls with our tasty bread, but they were not interested in our offer. But we got to see a huge american ship and two Long-tailed Ducks/Havlit, all hanging around in the harbour.

Look at all those gulls!

After that we went and did some much needed shooping for food and snacks, to keep us through the week.

Highlights from the observations:

Pine Grosbeak/Krognæb - 3

wierd coloured Black Guillemot/Tejst

 Lapland Bunting/Lapværling

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Vindrossel - 1

Sangdrossel - 1

Solsort - 4

Rødhals - 3

Gærdesmutte - 1

Lille Gråsisken - 1

Skægmejse - 1

Blåmejse - 1

Lille Dompap - 1

Total = 14

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone

The day started with calm weather but another cloudy day for the team, getting progressively wetter throughout the morning and early afternoon and then a dry evening and we even saw the sun for a few minutes – the first time in about a week!

Spectrogram of the Pine Grobeak (Krognæb) lifted from a phone sound recording.

Mara, our guest Lone and I went out ringing and had a busy first two rounds with the catch mainly consisting in Blackbirds (Solsort) and Goldcrest (Fuglekonge). We are very excited about the coming few days and starting to GPS tag the Blackbirds (Solsort) so keep reading to find out more… The third round was a bit quieter, so I decided to leave the ringing team to sew some nets. It was a good shout as when I got to the north nets, I heard a call which seemed somewhat familiar but not one I have heard in real life before, just from a recording. It was a siskin-like double ‘pew pew’ which was heard a few times as the bird flew over unseen. It was a Pine Grosbeak (Krognæb)!! A sidenote: we have been listening to the calls of Pine Grosbeak (Krognæb) for a while now due to a large invasion of the species in Norway and Sweden, so the call ran some bells. I quickly started recording on my phone and messaged Ragnar, Emma, and the team at Worlds End 3. During the recording, I heard another local birder call out Pine Grosbeak (Krognæb) confirming my initial sounds and a great record with this being the first of the autumn and first since 2019, I think. The full writeup can be seen on DOFBasen link below... The bird flew over East, then back West unseen by all but heard by two observers, one voice recorder on a phone and the SM4 recorder at World’s End 3, crazy! There should be more to come.

Slavonian Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker) off Worlds End 3 by Ragnar.

Migration was quite good this morning and was undertaken by Emma, Ragnar, and Jørgen. The highlights included a White-tailed Sea Eagle (Havørn) who came across the beach flushing all the gulls. a flock of 4 Slavonian Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker) that were resting offshore and 10 Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge) including three colour ringed gulls. There were the ‘usuals’ noted including good numbers of Common Scoter (Sortand), a few Gannet (Sule), Eider (Ederfugl), Kittiwake (Ride) and some auks moving.With the news, Emma came rushing over to the join the team and birds caught included a Bearded Tit (Skaegmejse), and a mix of new and recapture birds, but no grosbeak overhead or in the nets. I ended up sewing holes in four nets which was a success, and we closed all nets by 11:30 due to rain.

Sanderling (Sandløber) mist netting.

Migration and ringing done we came back to the observatory for food and to dry off for a little bit. The afternoon plans including catching slightly more unusually caught species such as Rock Pipit (Skærpiber) undertaken by Mara, and Sanderling (Sandløber) undertaken by myself and Emma. Both were equally unsuccessful but great to be out when there is no wind and a little bit of sun too!

One of eight tags prepared and ready for use. The 'tails' of the tag will be cut off once uniquely fitted to the individual.

Simon stayed to prepare tags and with the help of Mara and I after our ringing attempts, we ‘made up’ eight tags which is a big success covering all weight limits we have seen in the Blackbird (Solsort) ringing. Jørgen treated us to a takeaway as a thank you to the team for his time in Skagen and the birding from migration and around the area.

Highlights from the observatory:

• Pine Grosbeak (Krognæb)
• 10 Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge)
• White-tailed sea eagle (Havørn)

Ringing totals

Kabeltromlen

Overall total: 17

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone; Jorgen

This morning, I went to the obs with Ragnar. The wind was cold and the birds were quiet. We saw a few flocks of auks and scoters migrating. We also saw some Kittiwake (Ride) flying by. However, there weren’t many birds migrating. However, around 9 AM, a Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom) flew over us. Another good thing was the large flock of resting Gulls, right in front of us. So we scanned it to find some rare gulls. There were some Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge), a total of nine birds (for all the morning). Then someone found an Iceland Gull (Hvidvinget Måge) hiding behind some other gulls. It was very difficult to see it because it was facing us. It stayed like this for a while. Unfortunately, some people with dogs flushed the gulls. We tried to find it again, without success.

Iceland Gull (Hvidvinget Måge), 3k

The rest of the day was also quiet. Ragnar went for a walk around Word’s end III. He saw one Stonechat (Sortstrubet Bynkefugl), some Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) and Yellowhammer (Gulspurv). I also walked around the spot and I found a Shore Lark (Bjerglærke). At the end, Mara join us at the observation to try to find the Iceland Gull (Hvidvinget Måge), but it had already disappeared. After the obs, Ragnar went to gulling. He counted 955 Hearing Gulls (Sølvmåge), 645 Great Black-backed Gulls (Svartbag) and some of the nine Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge).

For the ringers it was also a slow morning with 10 birds ringed and 12 recaptures. As yesterday, there were many Blackbirds (Solsort), 5 in total. In the next days, the ringers plan to put GPS track on the Blackbirds (Solsort) to see where they travel.

Thomas with the thermal camera

In the afternoon we enjoyed the cake that Mara cooked. Then, Thomas and I went to try catching some birds. We tried to catch the Sanderlings (Sandløber) but they flew away. We didn’t find any Purple Sandpipers (Sortgrå Ryle). We tried to catch the Shore Lark (Bjerglærke) at Word’s end II, but it also flew away. We returned at the lighthouse, a little bit wet and without any birds.

Highlights from observations:
Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom) – 1
Iceland Gull – 1
Shore Lark - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Blåmejse - 2
Fuglekonge - 1
Vindrossel - 1
Solsort - 5
Rødhals – 1
Total: 10

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone; Jorgen

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

Today we went out to the obs and the ringers went out to open the nets. Even though we can sleep a bit longer than before with late sunrise, the dreary weather puts a damper on the mood, today was no different. The morning obs was quiet, though a effort was made to relocate a tick-bunting found by one of the many visiting birders that are in Skagen at the moment, as the danish rarity committee are having their meeting in Skagen to assess the many rarity reports that they receive. The fruits of their hard labour can be seen by the fact that the Balearic Shearwater (Balearskråpe) and Greater Short-toed Lark (Korttået Lærke) that me and Frederik Johansen found earlier this year have been accepted! But back to morning observations. The weather was still a bit rainy which made it somewhat hard to count the few birds that were migrating, with a very nice Great Skua (Storkjove) being the highlight of the morning!

Great Skua over the beach

Otherwise a Shorelark (Bjerglærke) and a Woodlark (Hedelærke) were nice additions. The ringers had a quiet day too, with thrushes dominating the nets. Plenty of blackbirds so they focussed on weighing them for the harnesses that are planned to be put on the blackbirds for GPS-tracking them.

Redwing!

But we packed up the equipment and went back to the station were we have had a quiet evening to reload after a whole day of no sunshine. Tomorrow looks the same but hopefully we can refind the bunting from today and HOPEFULLY it will turn out to be a black-face bunting (Gråhovedet Værling)

Get ready for this little fella tomorrow!

Highlights from obs:

Great Skua

Woodlark

Shorelark

Jack Snipe 

Caspian Gull 6

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Jernspurv - Dunnock: 1

Rødhals - Robin: 1

Solsort - Blackbird: 14

Vindrossel - Redwing: 8

Fuglekonge - Goldcrest: 2

Blåmejse - Blue Tit: 1

Bogfinke - Chaffinch: 2

Total: 29

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

Hej!

The observations today were done by Emma alone this morning. Luckily, or not, the counting of birds was very well possible to do alone, as not many birds were flying by World's End 3. Emma got some company by Knud and Jørgen. They saw a Great Skua/Storkjve, a Great Northern Diver/Islom flying and 3 Turnstones/Stenvender resting at the beach. Ragnar and Simon in the meanwhile had a look again at the 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat/Gærdesanger to take some better photos of it. 

'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat/Gærdesanger

At Kabeltromlen Thomas and I had a busy start to the ringing morning, as a flock of Redpolls/Gråsisken flew in one of our nets. Also a couple of Bearded Reedlings/Skægmejse got ringed in that round and released together. But it didn't get boring after that round, as we caught a Firecrest/Rødtoppet Fuglekonge.

Goldcrest/Fuglekonge and Firecrest/Rødtoppet Fuglekonge

In between the rounds we enjoyed to watch the passerine migration, with Hawfinches/Kernebider flying over and many Blackbirds/Solsort migrating. In a later round we caught another Redpoll/Gråsisken. Becuase Emma really wanted to see a Redpoll up close she stopped migration count for a bit and came over to Kabeltromlen. While ringing all the Blue Tits we also caught in that round, Thomas voiced his suspiciuons about the Redpoll, it gave Arctic Redpoll/Hvidsiskin vibes. But because we where so busy with the other birds, we took some pictures and send it on his way. We later concluded that it was indeed an Arctic Redpoll! It was quite a good ringing day with 38 new birds.

Artic Redpoll/Hvidsiskin

In the still grey and cloudy afternoon, Ragnar had a walk and found a White Wagtail/Hvid Vipstjert on the beach south to the lighthouse, but other than that nothing special came across his path.

White Wagtail/Hvid Vipstjert

Thomas spent the afternoon with Lone in Skagen to do some food shopping and they enjoyed a hot chocolate in a cafe. Perfect activity for weather like this. I spent my afternoon freezing on the beach, as I tried to catch some Rock Pipits/Skærpiber, they of course only showed up after I took down the trap. Thomas joined me later as the sun was setting (in theory, we never even saw the sun today), to try and catch Purple Sandpipers/Sortgrå Ryle. Emma spotted and photographed them on her walk earlier. We indeed found the flock of 5 individuals resting on the beach, but one catching attempt and they all flew of, probably to the harbour.

Purple Sandpiper/Sortgrå Ryle

Highlights from the observations:

Great Skua/Storkjove

Great Northern Diver/Islom

White Wagtail/Hvid Vipstjert - very late individual

'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat/Gærdesanger

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gærdesmutte - 1

Rødhals - 2

Solsort - 5

Fuglekonge - 5

Rødtoppet Fuglekonge - 1

Skægmejse - 2

Blåmejse - 7

Bogfinke - 2

Hvidsisken - 1

Nordling Gråsisken - 2

Lille Gråsisken - 7

Total = 38

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Mara Glane, Knud Pedersen, Jorgen Hulbaek, Ragnar Smith, Lone & Lars, Simon Sigaard Christiansen

The day started with a swap in the job roles today with Emma joining Mara at ringing and myself joining Ragnar at Worlds End 3 for observations and migration counts. The day started with some sun, yay, and then it went cloudy and grey again but it was kinda warm and no wind = no sand in the face!

Whooper Swans (Sangsvane), including one 1st year/cygnet completing its first ever migration, and 3 Greylag Geese (Grågås) migrating from their breeding grounds further North and East to wintering areas further South.

Mara and Emma left before dawn to open the nets. The duo had a quiet day with few birds per round and few birds’ overhead. Although there were few birds being caught, there were apparently quite a few thrushes, finches, tits, and Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) present in the bushes. One of the highlights was a Blackbird (Solstort) with an older ring series than the present. Possibly a bird ringed in a previous year or another location – we will find out soon when we input the data this evening. The team closed at the five-hour mark with Mara ending up staying to sew some of the nets as it was nice and calm, and not damp in the air today. A few birds were migrating overhead including some Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) and some juveniles amongst them too. Looking in the flocks, it has been a mixed bag for the swans with some broods of 4 noted and others of just 1. It will be interesting to see how this translates across the flyway and throughout the coming weeks.

One of two Sooty Shearwaters (Sodfarvet Skråpe) from the observations.

Whilst the other two were ringing, Ragnar and I had a very good migration count from World’s End 3. In the first half an hour, I found a Great Northern Diver (Islom) heading out of Kattagat and getting more distant went low NW. Simon at Kabeltromlen could see it which was very nice. Soon after, and following along the same route, I saw a small black bodied bird with very long wings and a distinctive bat-like flight fluttering over the waves also heading NW. I could see it was a petrel species (Stormvale spp.) and the size, behaviour, plumage features, and lack of a large white on the rump pointed it to be a Leach’s Storm Petrel (Stor Stormsvale). The most likely Storm petrel spp (Stormvale spp.) at this time of year. I quickly got Ragnar and the others on to the bird, and we enjoyed about 20-30 seconds of activity as it flew more and more distantly NW. This was the second of the week, second individual seen in Skagen this autumn and the second seen in Denmark this autumn too! So, a very good record, and always nice to pick up one of the smallest seabirds in the area in November. Following the same trajectory again, Ragnar saw a Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe) close inshore coming out of Kattagat. The bird landed with a Gannet (Sule) just next to the tip before heading off NW and out of view. The same line also hosted Fulmar (Mallemuk), including a very nice ‘Blue’ Fulmar (Mallemuk) and several gulls throughout the morning. Another standout highlight was a flock of 26 Shorelarks (Bjerglærke) which flew over and landed on the beach, a nice count for Skagen and the highest of the autumn so far.

More Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) migrating south just overhead allowing us to see their yellow on the bills.

We decided to do an extra hour due to the last hour being really good for Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) migrating south.

I recognise you! A Grey Seal who matched to a previous Grey Seal female who was seen last year on the beach near the Bunker but now hanging out near the tip.

Ragnar then stayed an extra extra hour. After the fifth hour of migration, I left to check out the Grey Seals. This species is quite uncommon here and I was lucky to see two females and a large bull on the tip. One of the females looked familiar and looking at photos from this year and last year when I was here, it looked identical to the female from last year! They have unique patterns on their neck and chest and this one matched, very cool and nice to see here again at Grenen.

The 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) in Skagen.

We ended up all having lunch at random times with Emma coming and then going for a walk. I had food and then went for a walk, bumping into Emma on the beach near the tip and seeing some Snow Buntings (Snevspurv). I went down the Sandormen track where a pair of Stonechat (Sortstrubet bynkefugle) and a Reed Bunting were the additional highlights. Emma continued to Nordstrand not adding too much to the tally. Mara ended up caring for our mealworms and making sure they were all good and healthy. Ragnar came back from migration and got a call from Simon. Simon found an ‘eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) near his house and came and picked up Mara and Ragnar who were at the obs to see it and hope to confirm the identity of this individual in the next couple of days. They picked up some ringing equipment but no luck today.

Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) to finish the day before dinner and bed!

All back for evening meeting and chill. We decided on a quick nightcatching session before dinner and ended up seeing 7 Woodcock (Skovsneppe), 3 Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin), a Common Snipe (Dobbeltbekkasin), and 20+ Blackbirds (Solsort) overhead. Talking of Blackbirds (Solsort), we have some very interesting news coming your way, but you will just have to keep reading the blog for more details…

Highlights from the observatory:

• A Leach’s Storm Petrel (Stor Stormsvale)
• Two Sooty Shearwaters (Sodfarvet Skråpe)
• A ‘blue’ Fulmar (Mallemuk)
• 24 Shorelarks (Bjerglærke)
• Caspain Gull (Kaspisk Måge)
• ‘Eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger)

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Overall total: 12

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Mara Glane, Knud Pedersen, Jorgen Hulbaek, Ragnar Smith, Lone & Lars, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.

This morning Ragnar and I went to the obs. The weather was not good, we had an alternation of light rain, clouds and sunshine. The migration was quiet, no movement during the rain and then a few migrating birds when it stopped. We saw some Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom) flying over us in flocks of 2 to 6. Among these Divers, we spotted 3 Yellow-billed Divers (Hvidnæbbet Lom) migrating alone, flying over us, forcing us to kept an eye on the sky and Kattagate. Ragnar heard the first Waxwing (Silkehale) of the season but we didn’t see it. We also saw three Barn Swallows (Landsvale) coming in from the sea as well as two male Long-tailled Duck (Havlit).

Then, around 12h, when the migration decreased, we stayed to see if any more Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom) might appear. We scanned the sea and the sky, hoping to find a rare bird. We began to discuss about what bird we would like to see. I said to Ragnar “Maybe we can try to find a Black Scoter (Amerikansk) among the resting Common and Velvet Scoter (Sortand og Fløjlsand)”. He resplied to me “No that’s boring. We need to find a Surf Scoter (Brilleand), it’s a beautiful bird”. So he was explaining me how it looks like when we heard on Zello “Surf Scoter (Brilleand) going east”. We grabbed our scopes, and there it was! It flew in and landed among the other scoters, a beautiful adult male. It stayed for about 30 minutes on the water, giving the time to Mara and Thomas to join us. We went down on the beach to try to take some photos. Later we saw it flew away, with a flock of Velvet Scoter (Fløjlsand), going southeast. Nice obs!
Then we returned to the dune to try spotting a Yellow or a Great Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom eller Islom) but without success.

Surf Scoter (Brilleand)

Mara and Thomas went to the ringing, they caught 21 new birds despite of the bad weather. They ringed many Blackbirds (Solsort) and a nice Redpoll (Gråsisken). They heard and saw a Waxwing (Silkehale), maybe the same as us. Then, they closed the nets around 11h due to the cold and the dampness.

Redpoll (Gråsisken)

We all returned around 14h, had some lunch and went to the rescue center. We made a quick stop at the beach, just before the center, to see the Kentish Plover (Hvidbrystet Præstekrave). We found it quickly, put it in the scope, and continued to the center.

We arrived to the rescue center to ring a Barn Owl (Slørugle) and a Wood Pigeon (Ringdue).

Barn Owl (Slørugle)

Feather of the Barn Owl (Slørugle), we can see the comb, it is why the fly of the Owl is silent

Highlights from observations:
Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom) - 3
Surf Scoter (Brilleand) – 1 adult male
First Waxwing (Silkehale) of the season

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Sangdrossel – 1
Gærdesmutte - 3
Rødhals – 1
Solsort - 6
Munk - 2
Musvit - 1
Gråsisken, Nordlig (ssp. Flammea) – 1
Gråsisken, Lille (ssp. Cabaret) – 2

Gråsisken sp. - 1
Dompap, Lille (ssp. Europaea) – 3

Total: 21

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone; Jorgen; Knud Peterson

Hej!

How many Yellow-billed Divers do you want to see today? Ragnar: Yes!

But first, let's start with the rigning. Finally, the wind let us open all the nets today. And our first round started with 8 birds and we were joined by Lorna and Lars. We then caught a very yellow and fancy looking adult Yellowhammer/Gulspurv.

Yellowhammer/Gulspurv - sophisticated gentleman

Now we come to the exciting day at the migration count. During the regular 4 hour count Ragnar and Emma saw a Great Skua/Storkjove, a European Shag/Topskarv and good numbers of Whooper Swans/Sangsvane. The Leach's Storm Petrel/Stor Stormsvale thought it was sneaky, when it passed by World's Ends 3 only after it saw that Emma left to visit the ringing. But it did not realize that Ragnar was still hiding in the dunes with the scope ready for every bird that flies by. And so it was seen by Ragnar, who was really happy about the first record of this species for this year in Denmark!

The nice observations only continued from there and Ragnar stayed almost until sunset. He was very busy counting all the Yellow-billed divers/Hvidnæbbet Lom flying by. He had some nice views on these beautiful birds. Today the record of 9 Yellow-billed Divers/Hvidnæbbet Lom in one day for Skagen was almost broken, but it ended up being a tie.

Because the last days where so stormy, today was the perfect day for a Fulmar-Survey, where we walk 10 km along the beach and collect/note down all the dead birds washed up on the shore (with a special focus on Fulmars/Mallemuk). Thomas, Emma and Lone went out to do the survey and found one dead fulmar among some other interesting (mostly dead) findings. At Højen they spotted a very late Northern Wheatear/Stenpikker.

Norther Wheatear/Stenpikker

I spent my afternoon/evening trying out some night catching by myself. I was not succesfull, but I think I got better with every Snipe/Dobbeltbekkasin I sneaked up on. They all flew away eventually, but I'll keep on practicing.

Highlights from the observation:

Yellow-billed Divers/Hvidnæbbet Lom- 7 seen by the Skaf-team and 2 more seen in around Grenen today!

Leach's Storm Petrel/Stor Stormsvale

Great Northern Diver/ Islom

"Viking Gull" - Hybrid of a Herring Gull/Solvmåge and a Glaucuis Gull/Gråmåge

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Vindrossel - 3

Solsort - 2

Gulspurv - 1

Rødhals - 2

Gærdesmutte - 5

Jernspurv - 2

Blåmejse - 3

Munk -1

Dompap - 1

Fuglekonge - 1

Total = 21

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Gærdesmutte - 2

Fuglekonge - 1

Stor Gråsisken - 1

Lille Gråsisken 21

Total: 25

Ringing (Nordstjernevej):

Sortmejse - 1

Musvit - 1

Skovspurv - 1

Total: 3

Grand total: 49

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lars & Lone

This morning I went to the obs with Ragnar. I was getting settled when Ragnar said, “large diver over us !”, he put it in the scope and it was a Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom), a nice start! We oberved the migration of the usual species : auks (Alk/Lomvie), Kittiwakes (Ride), Common and Velvet Scoters (Sortand og Fløjlsand) and Gannets (Sule).
During the whole morning, a large flock of Snow Buntings (Snespurv) flew around us, making me want to try to catch them during the next days.

Female Rough-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge)

In the first hours, a Great Skua (Storkjove) came close, chasing some gulls then went to the Northwest. We saw a Woodcocke (Skovsneppe) coming from the sea and disappearing into the dunes and some late Barn Swallows (Landsvale) flew toward the tip, circled around, and then continued south. A beautiful female Rough-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge) flew close to us and we also saw some Water Pipits (Bjergpiber), calling around us. During the last hour the number of Fulmars (Mallemuk) increased, but we didn’t do extra time because of the wind and the blowing sand.

Thomas and Stella woke up for the ringing and cycling through the rain. They flushed a Woodcocke (Skovsneppe) on the path. They opened 11 nets because of the wind. They didn’t catch many birds, only 4, including one recapture. So they close the nets early and returned to the lighthouse.

Feeding the gulls

Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge), 1k

In the afternoon, we said goodbye to Stella. Then, Simon took us to the harbour, to feed some gulls. We counted a total of 7 Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge). Near to the rocks we spotted 15 Purple Sandpipers (Sortgrå Ryle) with some Sanderlings (Sandløber), 2 Rock Pipits (Skærpiber) and some Eiders (Ederfugl). But the highlitght was watching Ragnar try to retrieve his cap, after it fell into the water among the gulls, because of the wind.

Purple Sandpipers (Sortgrå Ryle)

Ragnar

Then we came back to the station. Ragnar and I took a nap, leaving Thomas alone in the apartment. Then we did some cleaning. Our new guests arrived Lorna and Lars.

Highlights from observations:
Great Skua (Storkjove)
Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom)
Rough-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge)

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Blackbird/Solsort 1
Bullfinch/Dompap 1
Siskin/Grønsiskin 1

Total: 3

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Ragnar Smith, Stella Bråmer, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.