In the reedbeds!

After what feels like a few days of no sun and constant cloud and wind, it was lovely to see the rays and feel some nice warmth on the face. It really does bring a smile to the team and the birders around as everything glows in a Skagen way.

Our 'Crossbill' Blue tit (Blåmejse)

The day started well. Mara, our guest Søren, and I went to ringing at Kabeltromlen and it was certainly dark to begin. We were there earlier than the first birds started moving and there was surprisingly no thrush migration which was the theme of the last week. The morning was lovely with the sun appearing after a while and a nice mix of species coming through with each round. The Bullfinches (Dompap) have really started to move with flocks circling around as well as Southern (Lille Dompap), Northern (Stor Dompap) and intermediate Bullfinches (Dompap) all caught. The ringing was consistent with birds caught in each round. We had a funky looking Blue tit (Blåmejse) who had a bill similar to a crossbill, and another Goldfinch (Stillits) adding a big splash of colour to the ringing. Overhead, migration was strong with nice numbers of finches moving: Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb), Brambling (Kvækerfinke), Siskin (Grønsisken). A Ring ouzel (Ringdrossel) feeding on berries only a few metres away was a personal highlight, making all kinds of calls and vocalisations. This bird has been seen/heard a few times over the last week, so it seems very set. No photos from the team yet.

An amazing picture by our guest Søren of the Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynnet løvsanger).

One slightly quieter round where a quick close of the eyes and a little sunbathe by the team lead to the distinctive single call of a Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) in the bushes just below us. The single call was not enough for Mara, who had yet to see the species in the field, and only once in the hand a few weeks ago. However, the next round, the Yellow browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) had made it into the net, and it was good timing as the migration team were passing so they popped on in. A couple of close by birdwatchers came too and saw the bird. Søren took some amazing photos for the photo archive, and the bird was soon back in the bushes.

Close encounter with a Rough legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge).

Emma remained and joined the ringing team and had the delight of ringing Blue tits (Blåmejse), a lovely species who have great personality and look incredible! Mara and I started to close the nets very soon after as we had gone past the 5hr ringing mark, making it even past the 6hr mark today – a great effort! It was lucky we did as it start to rain rather heavily as we closed the last few nets. After an incredible flypast by our 6^th Rough legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge) over the last 3 days, and the 18th over the past couple of weeks, we cycled back and had some lunch before getting on with a mix of personal and observatory tasks.

We said goodbye to Simon as he is taking some holiday birding elsewhere (our mission to find some good birds here we come). Mara posted the new recruitment video for next year’s team, a massive achievement and if you are interested, please do get in contact - no matter how old you are! Emma inputted this morning’s migration count data from Worlds End 3. This morning, data was collected by Knud and Emma with the standout highlights including 2 Great northern Diver (Islom), a Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe), a passage of 221 Gannet (Sule), 159 Kittiwakes (Ride), the 2 Arctic Terns (Havterns) and a Black Guillemot (Tejst). I ended up helping with data inputting from this morning’s ringing, some Greylag stuff and a short walk south to the bunkers. We all had a lovely meal cooked by Mara this evening, a festive pumpkin pasta dish. Emma also got some cheese from her family back home but we do not have any photos of that for the blog unfortunately. It's a little bright out there tonight to go nightcatching so a chilled one here at Skagen Fuglestation. We look forward to tomorrow and hopefully some more birds to come. Keep posted...

Highlights from the observatory:

• A Yellow browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) caught and ringed
• A push of Kittiwakes (Ride)
• A flock of 24 Bearded reedlings [Skægmejse].
• A Lesser Redpoll (Gråsisken, Lille (ssp. cabaret)) recaught at Kabletromlen had been ringed in Brovst 100.5km away in 1^st September 2023 and recaught on the 16^th October 2024, 411 days later.

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Total: 50

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Søren Wilhelsen and Knud Pedersen

This morning I went to the obs with Knud at World’s End 3. The first two hours were particularly good and we had the chance to see one Great Northern diver (Islom). We was also a really high number of Razorbilll (Alk) with 716 individuals going Southeast. In comparison, yesterday we only had 49 Razobril (Alk).

A flock of Snow bunting (Snespurv) was resting on the beach. The young Arctic Tern (Havterne) with the broken feather was still here, feeding with another young Arctic Tern. Two Purple Sandpipers (Sortgrå Ryle) were resting on the beach with some Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle) and Sanderling (Sandløber).

Two Purple Sandpipers (Sortgrå Ryle) and five Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle)

Knud found a total of twelve Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge) among the other gulls on the beach, with all ages, 1k, 2k, 3k and adult. It was a good exercise to identify these Gulls. We also had a flock of six Pintails (Spidsand) going Southeast. There were other species present, we had a good number of Kittiwake (Ride), Red-throted Divers (Rødstrubet Lom), Gannets (Sule) and some Little Gulls (Dværgmåge).

One Caspian Gulls/Kaspisk Måge (middle), lot of white one the wings, long bill

One young Caspian Gulls/Kaspisk Måge flying, we can see the white undercover

For the ringing it was too windy. They caught only three bird with one recapture. They ringed one Siskin (Grønsisken) and a Bullfinch (Lille Dompap). They also saw one Common Buzzard (Musvåge) and one Rought-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge). They closed the nets early, and joind us to the migration as well as Simon and Søren . By the end, we were all at the migration count together. Mara took the last videos for the recruitment video.

Siskin (Grønsisken)

In the afternoon, Mara finished the recruitment video, and I went for a walk. In the evening, we all helped Thomas to make pizza for the dinner.

Highlights of the observation:
Great Northern diver (Islom) - 1
Razorbill (Alk) - 716 SE and 10 NO
Purple sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) - 2  resting                                                                                                                        Caspian Gulls/Kaspisk Måge - 12 resting

Ringing (Kabletromlen):
Grønsisken – 1
Dompap, Lille (europaea) – 1

Total: 2

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Søren Wilhelsen

Hej!

We can really feel it quieting down here at the observatory. Ragnar left the station this morning for a well deserved vacation and many tourists found their way back to their routines outside of Skagen. With less people around at the station we sadly had to realise that the birds seem to be gone as well, at least for today. At the ringing this morning, Thomas and I ringed 18 new birds. But we had our first Greenfinch/Grønirisk for this season.

Greenfinch/Grønirisk

While Thomas and I were closing the nets a little earlier than usual, we saw two Rough-legged Buzzards trying to fly against the wind. At the same time, Simon spotted two additional ones from the panorama view of Kabeltromlen. Emma was joined by Knud at the observations, so she had some company while counting the seabirds. The Arctic Tern/Havterne still hangs around on the beach and they sighted two Slavonian Grebe/Nordisk Lappedykker.

Arctic Tern/Havterne

We then all had a cozy sunday afternoon, doing some admin work, me editing a social media video and Emma analyzing some NocMig recordings. Søren arrived at the guest apartment today and sweetend the afternoon with some cake.

Tea and cake - it was delicious!

Highlights of the Observation:

Slavonian Grebe/Nordisk Lappedykker - 2

Snow Bunting/Snespurv

Arctic Tern/Havterne

Rough-legged Buzzard/Fjeldvåge - 4

Crested Lark / Toplærke - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gærdesmutte - 6

Jernspurv - 1

Rødhals - 3

Solsort - 1

Munk - 1

Fuglekonge - 3

Grønirisk - 1

Dompap - 1

Lille Dompap - 1

Total = 18

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Søren Wilhelsen

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