This morning, I went to the obs. There were some interesting divers, unfortunately I didn’t see them. These included a single Great Northern Diver (Islom) and a duo of a Great Northern (Islom) and a Yellow-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom). There was a lot of corvid movement with Hooded Crows (Gråkrage) and Jackdaws (Allike), arriving from the sea with one Carrion Crow (Stortkrage) among the flocks. Two barnacle Gooses (Bramgås) were migrating alone. During the last hour, three groups of Golden Plover (Hjejle) flew around Grenen. One of them landed right in front of me, so I could take a picture of them.

Golden Plover

During this time, Ragnar was leading a guided tour.

For the ringers, the birds were quite. They ringed 13 birds, with one Song Thrush (Sangdrossel) and two Bulfinch (Dompap, Lille europaea).

Song Trush

This afternoon we went out to film the recruitment video. We got distracted by some Kittiwake (Ride) near to the lighthouse. But we finally took some videos. Then the rain came, so we had to stop and go back to the lighthouse. Later in the evening we continued to take some videos.

Now Thomas and I are going out for a night catch! We hope to catch some of the Water Pipits (Bjergpiber) resting on the beach.

Highlights of the observation:
Great Northern diver (Islom)
Yellow-billed diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom)

Ringing (Kabletromlen):
Sangdrossel - 1
Gærdesmutte – 3
Rødhals – 2
Munk - 1
Dompap, Lille (europaea) – 2
Kvækerfinke - 3
Fuglekonge - 1

Total: 13

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

Peope at the saqtion : Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.

A change in the wind direction led to the wind coming from the south. This weather brought a moist warm front that brought birds and fog to Skagen. A very different, but much appreciated change for the team as the temperature did not require as many layers as the previous few days which have been a little on the chilly and sandier side.

Myself and Mara ringing at Kabeltromlen. Thanks Emma for the photo of us at work.

Due to the fog, migration counts were not undertaken as nobody could see the sea. As a result, Mara, Simon and I went to Kabeltromlen where we managed to open all of the nets. The first two net rounds were surpringly busy with birds migrating through the bushes rather than the sky. This resulted in nice numbers of Redwing (Vindrossel), Mistle Thrushes (Misseldrossel) and Fieldfare (Sgagger) flying around the lighthouse/Kabeltromlen just before dark before diving into any bushes they could see as the sun rose. The rounds were not only joined by our feathered friends, but Ragnar and Emma too so the whole team united for a moment in the field. We were also joined by a couple of couples, our guests, some passing birders and one very cute dog (Igor) so a busy little session.

Due to the lack of visibility at Worlds End 3, Emma undertook an inland observation watch where she counted all the visible migrants passing the ringing site overhead. Highlights from her observations included Water Pipit (Bjægpiber), a flock of Bearded Tits/Reedlings (Skægmejse), a Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel) in the bushes, and 2 Sparrowhawks (Spurvhog) using the lifting cloud base to find smaller passerines. On the other hand, Ragnar enjoyed a little lie in as he was running a tour for a group this morning for a couple of hours. There were in fact two groups walking around, and Ragnar’s arrived at the right time seeing Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) and Redwing (Vindrossel) in the hand is not an everyday occurrence for people and showed just how crazy these migrants are! His group wandered off to Elle Krattet and the tip looking for wildlife. The group had a great time, despite poor visibility, and were very very happy. For the guests, seeing small and large birds up close was fun and interesting but what I find crazy is the number of migrant Wrens (Gærdesmutte) we caught today, making up over half the number of the catch, followed by Robins (Rødhals). Two migrants most people assume are ‘just their usual garden birds’, but here migrants leaving the colder weather that will sink through soon.

Look at this funky looking Wren (Gærdesmutte) who obviously had a hard time growing its last two primary feathers (P1 and P2) ahead of migration! A nice pic by Mara showing this odd bit of leucism.

An unexpected gift from one of the kind couples who watched the ringing all morning was some cake! This was much appreciated, and it did not make it back the observatory which is not a problem as on arrival to the observatory, we had been gifted even more cake by Simon’s family. I have stared to get some de ja vu to last autumn when cake was a staple diet for the observatory team. However, we ate lunch, Mara and I opened a couple of the garden nets (with no success) whilst we inputted ringing data from today. We also checked previously entered data with very few corrections needed, good work team! Ragnar, Emma and Simon went out on a trip to the industrial estate to find migrants and came back with news of lots of Goldcrests (Fuglekonge). Evening meeting was undertaken and the team have either been napping or undertaking odd bits and bobs as the fog is really making people feel sleepy today. Anyways, Ragnar went shopping and at the time of wiritng is making some food and we will be going out nightcatching for a little all being well and the weather is not too damp.

The team completed their relevant ‘office’ tasks and had a relaxed afternoon ready for nightcatching later.

Highlights from the observatory:

• An impressive number of Wrens (Gærdesmutte) caught and ringed today.
• A couple of Water Pipits (Bjægpiber) in the reedbeds.
• Thrush movement continues….
• A flock of 12 Bearded reedlings [Skægmejse].

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Total: 36

Ringing (Jennes Sø)

Total: 6

Overall total: 42

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Michael Ancher, Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Emma Fabré, Jeppes and Linda, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.

Strong SE winds braced Skagen today gusting up to 15 – 20 metres per second which I think translates to about 30 -40mph winds so it was pretty strong and not the warmest overall. A day of being wrapped up and embracing the weather to complete the tasks of the observatory.

Full team out at migration counts. Thanks to Simon SSC for the team photo, we now have a pic of Ragnar trying to immitate a seabird or something? I am not particularly sure, but either way we did see birds!

No ringing was undertaken due to the wind so the whole team went to migration counts (apart from Mara to begin with who had a leisurely lie-in, fried breakfast, and a casual walk out to the observations joining the other team members after the first hout)!! Woop Woop, the team was united!! Cycling was not going to be fun today as getting to World End 3 would have been very very quick but getting back would have been a proper slog, so an observatory team walk was required this morning. In some of the warm clothes, there was no way we were going to be cold to begin!

Migration counts from World’s End 3 started well with a couple of Skuas seen almost instantly. One looked very much like a Long tailed Skua (Lille kjove) but was seen for only a few seconds, and the other looked good for an Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove) but passed all too briefly after harassing the distant gulls to get a good enough view of either of them. However, the third skua, found by Emma as it came close offshore as it came out of Kattegat, was a stunning first year Pomarine skua (Mellemkjove) and showed well. If we were stood at the tip, it would have been breathtaking, not only with the strong wind, but the views of this beast of a skua as it flew only a few metres away. Other birds seen throughout the morning included a nice little passage of waterfowl including Goldeneye (Hvinand), Red-breasted Merganser (Toppet skallesluger) who mostly associated themselves with the Common Merganser/Goosander (Stor skallesluger), Eider (Ederfugl), Velvet Scoter (Fløjlsand) and the ever-present Common Scoter (Sortand)! The latter have been moving quite a bit so it will be interesting to see how the numbers change over the coming weeks.

A Great Grey Shrike (Stor tornskade) from Worlds End 3 by Ragnar.

A few other bits and pieces included a Puffin (Lunde), over 450 Gannets (Sule) in an hour, healthy number of corvids coming in off the sea, large numbers of thrushes moving over the land, a Merlin (Dværgfalk) and Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg) in off and a Great white egret (Sølvhejre) headed NE out towards Sweden – I wonder if it ever made it in a strong headwind. A highlight for the team was a very showy Great Grey Shrike (Stor tornskade) hopping between post and branch behind the main observation spot. Great photos Ragnar!

The team came back for some much-needed lunch and said farewell to Rosa who headed off back to the UK today. Rosa has been here for 3 months and in her own words has enjoyed her time and adventures at the observatory. Rosa starts a job in the coming months so we wish her luck with her next adventures and all the experiences she will get over the coming years. //Added in subsequently// Randomly, Rosa inadvertently took one of the observatories Bananas back to the UK, so that is currently getting a tour of the local reserves away from Skagen

.

Bike cleaning team in front of the observatory.

Back at the observatory, I got a lift into Skagen with Simon and completed some shopping before cooking food for the team later. I walked back and there were not many birds in the wind but good to be out. Whilst I was walking back, the rest of the team were having naps and taking it steady, as well as inputting the sightings from the morning.  On arrival, we cleaned the bikes and we all got a bit of a soaking from the hose, oops – sorry about that! We had showers, evening meeting was complete and the evening was chill and relaxed for sure. A much needed early night too for the team.

Highlights from the observatory:

• Pomarine Skua (Mellemkjove) plus two other skuas (kjove sp.)
• A Puffin (Lunde) flew SE, then NW later this morning
• Great Grey Shrike (Stor tornskade) showing very well at Worlds End 3.

Ringing totals

No ringing due to the weather today

Overall total: 0

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Mara Glane, Emma Fabré, Jeppes and Linda, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.

Hej!

Today was rather busy for the autumn team at Skagen Fuglestation but started in much the same way as every other day – instant coffee being made with anticipation at what the weather might bring with it, followed by the bird ringing nets being opened and scopes being raised seaward.

The ringers caught 32 new birds, with highlights of Redwing (Vindrossel), Bullfinch (Dompap), and a lovely Long Tailed Tit (Halemejse), which was especially nice to see as it was northern subspecies, Caudatus, with an entirely white head, unlike the darker headed Europaeus southern relatives most of us volunteers are used to.

The Long Tailed Tit (Halemejse) – look at that face.

Meanwhile, the observers had a busy day for auk migration across the sea, and corvid migration over the sea – we counted over 870 Jackdaws (Allike)! Other highlights included 2 Barnacle Geese (Bramgås), 1 Grey Wagtail (Bjergvipstjert), 1 Water Pipit (Bjergpiber), 1 Barn Swallow (Landsvale), 1 Lapland Bunting (Lapværling), and 20 Twite (Bjergirisk).

After the morning activities, we had the privilege of attending Simon’s Sensational Sternidae Session, where he taught us all about identifying and ageing Common Terns (Fjordterne) and less common terns, such as Forster’s Tern (Prærie-Terne) and Lesser Crested Tern (Bengalsk Terne) – we can only hope.

The group then zoomed to Jerup, some faster than the rest of the team thanks to a lift in a Tesla. We were paying a visit to a rescue centre to ring a juvenile Mute Swan (Knopsvane) before it gets released. Once the swan was adorned with its new unique identification leg ring, we got to have a look around the centre. We saw Parrots, Quail, Marmosets, Meerkats, and even Wallabies!!

Simon and Lisa ringing the Mute Swan.

En route home from this side quest we got a text from Ragnar, who had stayed behind to do some handy work, telling us the restaurant Blink next door had kindly invited us for dinner. We had a delicious meal and a lovely evening together, which was a great way to end a great day! Even more so, it was a great way to end a great time at Skagen Fuglestation, as I leave tomorrow back to the UK, after three months at the station. Thank you to all the wonderful people I’ve met and been mentored by during my time here, I’ll always look back on the experience fondly.

The delicious spread, courtesy of Blink. Thank you very much!

Vi ses!

Highlights of the Observation:

- 870 Jackdaw (Allike)

- 1 Water Pipit (Bjergpiber)

- 1 Lapland Bunting (Lapværling)

- 1 Grey Wagtail (Bjergvipstjert)

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Vindrossel - 3

Solsort - 2

Gærdesmutte - 5

Jernspurv - 1

Rødhals - 5

Dompap - 9

Rørspurv - 2

Gransanger - 1

Fuglekonge - 1

Halemejse - 1

Kvækerfinke - 1

Total = 32

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Solsort - 1

Fuglekonge - 1

Lille Gråsisken - 14

Total = 16

Ringing (Nordstjernevej):

Grønsisken - 1

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen and family, Lisa Vergin, Jeppe, Linda, Michael Ancher.

Af Emma Fabre

This morning, Ragnar, Thomas and I went to the observation. We had nice species on the sea and on the land. At sea, a Shag (Topskarv) arrived from the southeast and flew towards the northwest, before it returned to the southeast. We also saw an Atlantic Puffin Lunde flying over the waves. We had the first Scaup (Bjergand) of this Autumn.
On the land, some interesting passerines flew around us. We observed six Ring Ouzels (Ringdrossel), one Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) moving through the bushes, we saw a Rosy Starlings (Rosenstær) flying around the lighthouse and then with a flock of Starings (Stær) at the top a bush. We also had a group of Bearded Tits (Skægmejse) flying over the wetland.

Brambling (Kvækerfinke)

The ringers had a good day with 51 birds ringed. They had a good diversity of birds with 12 species, like Brambling (Kvækerfinke), Redpoll (Gråsisken) or Eurasian Treecreeper (Træløber)

The dunes at Stokmilen

After the observations I went looking for the Bearded Tits (Skægmejse) and the Rosy Starling (Rosenstær). I found the Bearded Tits (Skægmejse) around Word’s End II but I didn’t see the Rosy Starling.
Ragnar went for a walk to the north beach. Rosa, Thomas and Mara went for a walk at Stokmilen. This is a beautiful place with some nice birds like Crested Tit (Topmejse).

Crested Tit (Topmejse)

Late afternoon Søren Munch Kristiansen from Aarhus University held a very interesting lecture about the geology and landscape development of the Skagen peninsula related two which bird species that was living here in the past

Lecture held by Søren Munch Kristiansen

Right now Ragnar and Niels Eriksen is out for the night tour with a big group of people. We are hoping they will see some nice things.

Highlights of the observation:
Atlantic Puffin - 1
Shag (Topskarv) - 1
Rosy Starling (Rosenstær) - 1

Ringing (Kabletromlen):
Vindrossel – 3
Gærdesmutte - 14
Rødhals – 7
Gråsisken, Lille (cabaret) - 1
Stillits -2
Kvækerfinke – 3
Dompap, Lille (europaea) – 3
Munk – 2
Blåmejse - 1
Gransanger – 2
Træløber – 2
Fuglekonge – 11

Total:51

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Gærdesmutte – 1
Gransanger - 2
Fuglekonge -3
Blåmejse – 5
Musvit  – 1
Bogfiinke – 1
Stor Gråsisken  - 1
Lille Gråsisken  – 11
Dompap – 3

Total: 28

Ringing (Nordstjernevej):

Gærdesmutte – 1
Solsort - 1
Musvit  -3
Skovspurv – 6
Grønirisk  – 1

Total: 12

Grand Total: 91

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Jeppe, Linda, Kevin and Nina Kuhlmann Clausen + kids, Knud Pedersen, Niels Eriksen, Michael Ancher, Søren Munch Kristiansen.

Hej!

With a little too much hope to stay dry today, Rosa and I went out to open the nets this morning. After our first control round and a good amount of birds, reality came with big clouds of rain and no wind to blow them away from us. Luckily we had help by Lisa and Simon, who could then ring the birds while Rosa and I closed all the nets we just opened. Our visitors Kevin and Nina and their kids also went out to join us at the ringing and could see some birds first out at Kabeltromlen and then at our trusty tent for rainy weather.

Simon teaching them young

Patientily, Rosa and I waited for the rain to stop, so we could continue the ringing. At 10:30 we could open the nets again and caught some beautiful Bullfinches/Dompap in the following hours. Even the sun came out to dry our wet clothes and equipment. We were also joined by Jeppe and Linda today. They were very happy about the Goldcrests/Fuglekonge we caught.

The observers also had a very cold and wet morning. The migration started only after the rain, but then with some good numbers of passerines migrating in the 45 minutes after the rain. They also saw the Lapland Bunting/Lapværling again. A little Goldcrest/Fuglekonge and Chiffchaff/Gransanger also made it to land on their miration, which is a quite impressive sight to see these tiny birds coming in from the open sea.

After the ringing and observations Rosa and Thomas were driven to Gammel Skagen to start the Fulmar Survey, where they walk along the tip to look for washed up dead Fulmar/Mallemuk. On their walk they found two. But of course they also looked for live birds and had some nice encounters on the way.

A Guillemot/Lomvie came pretty close to the shore, so Thomas could take a nice picture

After the two came back from their walk, Rosa held a little presentation she prepared about night catching and ageing of common waders at Grenen. Now we are prepared for more successfull nights out in the night with a thermal and a torch!

Totally not staged photo, after the talk was already over, because we wanted a picture for the blog

Just as the sun was setting and jet another rain cloud came we were surprised by a very beautiful rainbow. We understood it as an excuse for the rain shower this morning.

Every glance out of our windows might hold a surprise

And the ringing history of a Purple Sandpiper/Sortgrå Ryle, that Jonas Kjærgaard was able to fotograph and read the ring numer of yeterday, came in to our Email inbox today. It was ringed as a juvenile on the 22.9.24 on Svalbard (Spitsbergen). That means, it travelled 2286 km in 20 days!

Highlights from the observations:

Lapland Bunting/Lapværling

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gærdesmutte - 4

Rødhals - 11

Rørsanger - 1

Munk - 1

Fuglekonge - 5

Dompap - 1

Lille Dompap - 4

Total = 27

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Jeppe, Linda, Kevin and Nina Kuhlmann Clausen + kids

The last few days have been amazing, especially with the sheer amount of shearwaters, divers and other rarities/scarcities and today was no different.

The day started as usual with Rosa and Mara going to the Kabeltromlen and me, Thomas and Emma going to Worlds End 3. With the strong winds from east I was a bit worried about where to find cover from the wind, so we could actually do the observation, but in the end we managed, especially as the wind slowly died down. Good numbers of migrating kittiwakes (Ride), some divers and a nice Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) with Simon, Lisa and Joanna joining us at the obs, with Simon and Lisa going back some time after. But October in Skagen means that now there will be good birds every day, and today was no exception! At 1024 I spot a weird looking small gull 700 meters out migrating southeast, it doesn’t look like a kittiwake but more like a mix between a tern and kittiwake, with broad wings and tail, flappy and fast wingbeats, a uniformly dark back and forewing with a large white area in the wing like a kittiwake and also a dark neck and head that extends down the side of the neck, BOOM Sabine’s Gull (Sabinemåge) 1k! A dream species of mine and one I have been talking about every day for the last three months, something that all the other volunteers can attest to, with me saying every evening, that tomorrow looks good for Sabine’s Gull. Almost everyone got onto the bird, and we saw it disappear into Kattegat.

A field sketch of todays star

What a nice bird and now I can open the champagne that I got as gift when I found the Brown Booby (Brun Sule) in august. While smiling about the Sabine’s Gull, Thomas called out a Great Northern Diver (Islom) going southeast, what a day. While we were having fun in the wind, the ringers had a more quiet morning as the wind made ringing difficult with seven birds in total.

A nice Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) found by Thomas during the NOVANA counting

Back at the observatory we did some cleaning, admin work and then went out to do NOVANA counting at Kattegat, Nordstrand and the cormorant lake, late in the evening. Now Simon and Lisa has gone nightcatching, hopefully bringing back a Crested Lark (Toplærke), and we are enjoying a nice glass of champagne, hopefully it comes back tomorrow, otherwise there will probably be another good bird tomorrow, it is after all Skagen we are talking about!

Celebration with some nice champagne at the obs, we deserve it

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Sangdrossel - Song Thrush: 4

Rødhals - Robin: 1

Gærdesmutte - Gærdesmutte: 1

Bogfinke - Chaffinch: 1

Total: 7

Highlights from obs:

Sabine’s Gull – Sabinemåge 1 1k migr. SE, in recent decade, less than annual autumn visitor, though this is the second one seen this year. Last record from 2021.

Great Northern Diver – Islom 1 3k+ migr. SE

Caspian Gull – Kaspisk Måge 5 roosting

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

af Emma Fabre

Last night, Thomas and I went night catching. Many birds saw us in the moonlight and flew away. At the end we successfully caught a Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle).

Sunrise at World's End III

Today was a great day for the migrating seabirds! The south wind brought many interesting species. We started with a small auk species. Then, a Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe) appeared, then an other, and an other… Throughout the day we recorded 41 Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe)! Additional 4 individuals was seen by others bringing the total up on amazing 45 birds! This is the third highest record for Skagen. The first was November 19, 1978, with 59 birds and the second was October 10, 1997, with 52 birds. Among the Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe), one Cory's/Scopolis Shearwater (Kuhl's Skråpe) flew far away. There was also a nice migration for the Kittiwakes (Ride).
We also had nice passerines, 8 Horned Larks (Bjerglærke) roosting on the beach and 1 Lapland Bunting (Lapværling) flying into the dunes.
In the afternoon, Ragnar and Thomas continued the counting, joined by Rosa after the ringing. They saw other nice seabirds like a Little Auk (Søkonge), a Great Northern Diver (Islom) and a Pomarine Skua (Mellemkjove).

Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe) 

For the ringers, the first hours were nice, before they had to close the nets because of the wind. They had a total of 32 birds with 6 Blue Tit (Blåmejse), 2 Blackbirds (Solsort) and one Song Thrush (Sangdrossel).

Mara ringing a Blackbird (Solsort)

Highlights of the observation:
Sooty Shearwater / Sodfarvet Skråpe - 45 migr. NV  - Highest count in Skagen since the 90's and the third highest ever!
Little Auk / Søkonge - 1 migr. SE
Great Northern Diver / Islom - 1 migr. SE
Cory's/Scopolis Shearwater / Kuhl's Skråpe - 1 migr. NV - 20th record for Skagen
Lapland Bunting / Lapværling - 1 roosting
Pomarine Skua / Mellemkjove - 1 roosting/Migr. SE
Horned Lark / Bjerglærke - 8 roosting

Firecrest / Rødtoppet Fuglekonge - 1 roosting

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):
Sangdrossel - 1
Solsort - 2
Musvit - 2
Gærdesmutte - 8
Rødhals - 4
Jernspurv - 1
Munk - 2
Blåmejse - 6
Gransanger - 4
Fuglekonge - 1
Dompap, Lille (europaea) - 1

Total:32

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area 

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Thomas, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Mette Møller Christensen, Lisa Vergin, Kevin and Nina Kuhlmann Clausen + kids

A change in the wind direction led to the wind coming from the southwest, a noticeable change to the recent days. Today, the wind felt noticeably colder, but with sunny intervals it was rather warm when you tucked yourself away. The change in temperature and cold weather sinking through Sweden and Norway resulted in a very nice movement of birds noted across the Skagen area.

Today started with Mara, our intern Carl, Simon, and me going to Kabeltromlen. We managed to open just over half of the nets due to the weather and were very vigilant with the gusts. Mara’s hands froze this morning with the wind. However, it was all good and a decent number of birds were caught and processed. The highlights were the first ‘northern’ Bullfinch [Stor Dompap] of the season, a large, beasty male who made the ‘southern’ Bullfinch [Lille Dompap] look quite small in comparison. There was also a good movement of Chiffchaffs [Gransanger], Goldcrest [Fuglekonge] and Robins [Rødhals] with numbers of each seen and caught throughout the morning. The session was complete just after midday and was timed by Ragnar arriving and saying there was a Great Grey Shrike on the other side of the track, which unfortunately we did not see when we were leaving the site.

Meanwhile, Ragnar, Rosa, Mara, and Emma went to migration counts. Many Gannets [Sule] were feeding just offshore with over 4000 birds seen this morning which sounded incredible. The videos of the birds diving in front of the sunrise looked stunning and we hope they attract the Brown Booby [Brun sule]. Other highlights included Black Guillemot [Tystie], a passage of birds arriving in off the sea including Swallow [Landsvale] which flew right over the observers heads; 2 Mute Swans [Knopsvane] which are an unusual species to see from the tip; an Arctic Skua [Almindelig Kjove]; a juvenile and adult Common Terns [Fjordterne], the latter age a bit of a weird one for this time of year; a passage of passerines heading in at the tip throughout the morning; the first big movement of waterfowl with geese flocks coming from the south; and 2 late Arctic Tern [Havterne].

On arrival to the observatory, we said goodbye to Carl and wish him well with his future studies and birding adventures. Lunch was had, the weather deteriorated, and so everyone completed their personal tasks. This included momentarily saying goodbye to Ragnar who went off to meet up with friends for the day; Rosa found out one of the Great Black Backed Gulls we resighted recently had been resighted near her house a couple of years ago at the nearby Lidl, now on the point before having an interview and went for a walk where she saw flocks of up to 300 Pink footed Geese migrating south [Kortnæbbet Gås]; Mara warmed up from earlier and completed some university work before doing some data inputting with myself; and Emma took it nice and easy after here recent travels to Estonia for migration counts out there.

The team completed their relevant ‘office’ tasks and had a relaxed afternoon ready for nightcatching later.

Highlights from the observatory:

• An impressive 4000 Gannets [Sule] off the point
• A continuous arrival of migrant passerines and waterfowl this morning.
• A flock of 8 Bearded reedlings [Skægmejse].
• A Blackcap [Munk] ringed in Autumn 2022 was caught and processed in September 2024 in Surrey, near London, England.

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Total: 40

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Michael Ancher, Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Emma Fabré, Carl Simonsson, Natacha Gaedecke, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.

Hi!

As we are now well into autumn, once again we can start the blog with some night catching success - as Thomas, Mara and I went out to Grenen last night. We caught a dunlin and jacksnipe, with no sign of any of the larks and bunting species seen during the morning observations, unfortunately.

The morning then rolled around and we headed out to Kabeltromlen and Worlds End Three. The ringing brought Wrens (Gærdesmutte), Blackcaps (Munk), Robins (Rødhals), and Chiffchaffs (Gransanger). Joined by Carl again, between us we processed 36 birds, with 24 newly ringed today.

Meanwhile the guys out at Worlds End Three were being treated to some great birds, starting strong with the rear end of a White-Billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom). This was later followed by another which flew right over their heads as well as a Gret Northern Diver (Islom). Alongside Red and Black Throated Divers made for a 4 diver species session. They also had a Yellow Legged Gull (Middelhavs-sølvmåge), Lapland Bunting (Lapværling), Slavonian Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker), Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove), a Fulmar (Mallemuk), a handful of Shore Larks (Bjerglærke), 7x Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge), 3x Little Gulls (Dværmåge), and the first 2x Water Pipits (Bjergpiber) of the year. If that wasn’t good enough, they heard a Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) and saw a distant Minke Whale (Vågehval).

White-Billed Diver

The group then said goodbye to Rasmus – thank you for all your help if you’re reading this! After, we went on a bike ride, and only went and saw ANOTHER Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger)!! While it is likely the same as yesterday, two in one day is still an incredible record for Skagen.

Bringing more good news to the day, we had a reply from the Ringing Centre about our Norweigan recaptured Blue Tit (Blåmejse), caught on October 8^th.  It was rung 377km away on Utsira, an island in West Norway…. Exactly a year before it was recaptured! Very cool!

Recaptured Blue Tit / Blåmejse / Blåmeis, celebrating its one year ringing birthday with us at Kabeltromlen.

Just as we thought the day couldn’t get any better, we have been treated to a spectacular show from the Aurora Borealis (Nordlys)!

Good night!

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Gærdesmutte - 7

Munk – 5

Rødhals - 4

Blåmejse – 3

Gransanger – 2

Fuglekonge - 2

Rørspurv -1

Total = 24

Ringing (Jens Sø)

Gransanger – 4

Gærdesmutte – 2

Lille Grasiskin - 2

Rødhals – 1

Munk – 1

Fuglekonge – 1

Musvit – 1

Blåmejse – 1

Total = 14

Highlights from the Observations

• White-Billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom)
• Great Northern Diver (Islom)
• Yellow Legged Gull (Middelhavs-sølvmåge)
• Lapland Bunting (Lapværling)
• Slavonian Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker)
• Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger)
• 7x Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge)
• 3x Little Gull (Dværmåge)
• 2x Water Pipit (Bjergpiber)

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People at the Station: Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Carl Simonsson, Natacha Gaedecke.