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.

En sløv dag med en rigtig fin afslutning!

Ragnar, Thomas og jeg kørte igen i morges ud til verdens ende 3 for at tælle træk. Desværre var sigtbarheden forfærdelig grundet tåge, så vi brugte en del af observationsperioden på at kratluske ved Grenensøen og strandengene hvor vi så rigtig mange rørspurve og gulspurve og en flok almindelige ryler, sandløbere og store præstekraver. Vi sluttede obsen 1 time tidligere end normalt, kørte hjem, og så lavede Ragnar hans legendariske morgenmad. Toastbrød ristet i smør, med spejlæg på den ene side og smeltet ost på den anden side. Mega lækkert. Ude ved kabeltromlen havde ringmærkerne Mara, Rosa og vores praktikant Carl en stille og rolig morgen, med fede fugle som dompap og vindrossel.

Efter et hurtigt bad var jeg klar til at kratluske med Thomas og Ragnar. Vi besluttede os for at tjekke krattene omkring Jennes sø, hvor vi fandt en cool og meget tillidsfuld spidsand. Ved søen mødte vi Michael Ancher, som viste os rundt ved nettene på sin sidste netrunde. Da vi kørte fra Jennes sø, besluttede vi os for lige at prøve “MobGang” af ved krattet overfor redningsstationen og BINGO! En virkelig smuk hvidbrynet løvsanger tittede frem i busken. Vi nåede at få flere gode billeder af den og hørte den kalde, før den forsvandt lige så hurtigt som den dukkede op. Vi forsøgte derefter at trylle endnu en hvidbrynet løvsanger frem ved Guldmajssøen og ved Skagen Camping, men uden held. 

Vi kom hjem til duften af kage på stationen. Mara havde besluttet sig for at bage en banankage som smagte virkelig dejligt! Nu er Rosa i gang med at lave aftensmad, og det dufter også virkelig godt! Imens sidder Ragnar og jeg og kvalitetstjekker vores Dofbasen indtastninger for fejl (som der selvfølgelig ikke er nogen af). 

I morgen trækker jeg hjemad, og jeg kan se tilbage på en rigtig fin uge med søde mennesker og fantastiske fugle:) Det har været en fornøjelse at være tilbage på Skagen Fuglestation, nu glæder jeg mig endnu mere til foråret, hvor jeg skal være frivillig fra midt marts til slut juni:)

Vi ses derude! 

Highlights:

Enkeltbekkasin

HVIDBRYNET LØVSANGER

Ringmærkning fra Kabeltromlen

(Opdateres)

Ringmærkning Jennes sø

(Opdateres)

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Carl, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Seán Walsh

Hej!

The sunrise starts later and later and as Rosa and I were cycling out to Kabeltromlen it was still quite dark. After opening the nets sadly there weren't many birds around and we only caught a few in the first rounds. Soon we were visited by Simon guiding a tour with people from the Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland in Sweden. The next international visit was from Ireland, as Seán came by to visit the station for one day. He is now cooking a nice dinner for us as he spontanously decided to stay the night, by the way. And another visit from a different country was a Blue Tit/Blåmejse that got caught in our nets with a ring from Norway! Looking forward to hear when and where it was ringed.

Blue Tit/Blåmejse with a norwegian ring

The tour from sweden also visited Ragnar, Thomas, Rasmus and Carl at the migration count at World's End 3. Just in time to see an Arctic Skua/Almindelig Kjove. The observers also had a nice sight on some Shovelers/Skeand flying over. On their way back they luckily saw and heard a Lapland Bunting/Lapværling.

Back at the station, the people from Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland had a meeting with a presentation by Egon Østergaard, Birdlife Danmarks Chairman.

The afternoon we waited for the rain to come and pass so we could go out again. The rain somehow never showed up so Ragnar and Rasmus were the first to leave the station to look for the wierd bunting they had earlier. Rosa, Thomas and I followed later. We all were able to find the two Crested Larks/Toplærke again, running around between the grass and dunes, but the bunting was nowhere to be found.

Rain finally arrived on our way back to the lighthouse

Highlights of the observation:

Arctic Skua/Almindelig Kjove

Great Egret/Sølvhejre

Black Throated Diver/Sortstrubet Lom

Caspian Gull/Kaspisk Måge

Lapland Bunting/Lapværling

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gransanger - 1

Fuglekonge - 2

Blåmejse - 1

Rørspurv - 1

Munk - 1

Jernspurv - 1

Rødhals - 1

Gærdesmutte - 4

Ringing (Jennes Sø - Michael Ancher):

Gærdesmutte - 1

Munk - 1

Gransanger - 1

Fuglekonge - 2

Blåmejse - 1

Musvit - 1

Nordlig Træløber - 1

Lille Gråsisken - 2

Rørspurv - 2

Ringing (Nordstjernevej - Michael Ancher):

Musvit - 1

Total = 25

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glane, Rasmus Matthiesen, Carl, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Seán Walsh

Looking at the weather last night, we knew it was going to be a change to the recent days of sun and calm winds and that was very correct. The day started very dark, and it was a long time before we saw any sign of the sun, and even at the time of writing we still have not seen the sun. The wind was a breezy SE wind, and this increased throughout the morning making it difficult conditions for our surveys. There were some impressive waves and more prolonged rain in the late afternoon/evening.   

Today started with Mara and Rosa setting off from the observatory just after 6am to open the nets and start ringing at Kabeltromlen before 7am. The wind and showers lead to the team closing around 10:30, having only caught 10 birds in the 3.5hrs of ringing. Their highlights were Goldcrest [Fuglekonge], a few new Blackcaps [Munk] and a Blue Tit [Blåmejse]. They decided to come back and complete some data inputting and checking of the recent ringing activities as well as lunch and chill.

 Meanwhile, Ragnar, Rasmus, our week intern Carl, and I decided to walk to migration counts due to the weather. A short period of time passed before the birds started moving and this continued on and off throughout the morning with some highlights throughout. The seabirds were moving throughout with a high count of 678 Gannet [Sule], a few Kittiwakes [Ride], Guillemots [Lomvie], Black Guillemots [Tystie], and Razorbills [Alk] were all seen. There were some shorebird movements with 4 Grey Plover [Strandhjejle], an arrival of 4 Ringed Plover [Stor Præstekrave], an increase in Dunlin [Almindelig Ryle] and a slight increase in Sanderling [Sandløber] too! We had an unidentified Shearwater species [Skåpe spp] fly by, a Sandwich Tern [Splitterne] fly SW, 2 Caspian Gulls [Kaspisk Måge] with the roosting gull flocks, and a migrating Yellow legged Gull [Middelhavs-sølvmåge] SE. For Ragnar, the highlight was a Pochard [Taffeland], a rare duck for Skagen, for Rasmus and Carl the highlight was the Middelhavs-sølvmåge and for me a pair of Light-bellied Brent Geese [Knortegås ssp Hrota] that flew close SW.

A Pied Wagtail [Hvid Vipstjert ssp. Yarrelli] in the carpark.

After the four hours, the migration team walked back to the observatory to join the ringing team. By walking through the carpark, Ragnar found a Pied Wagtail [Hvid Vipstjert ssp. Yarrelli] feeding between the cars. The bird was not associated with the local White Wagtails [Hvid Vipstjert ssp. Alba] and was the first in Denmark this Autumn. Back at the observatory, a quick lunch before Simon arrived, and evening meeting was undertaken early. The team completed their relevant ‘office’ tasks and had a more relaxed afternoon ready for nightcatching later.

Highlights from the observatory:

• A Pochard [Taffeland] flew NW
• Yellow-legged Gull [Middelhavs-sølvmåge] – 4^th individual recorded this year
• A Pied Wagtail [Hvid Vipstjert ssp. Yarrrelli] in the carpark – 1^st of the Autumn.

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Total: 10

Ringing (Jennes Sø)

Total: 5

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Michael Ancher, Thomas Weston, Ragnar Smith, Mara Glan, Rasmus Matthiesen, Carl, Simon Sigaard Christiansen.