Caught the first Water Rail (Vandrikse) for this year

Finally, the wind went down, so Laima, Michaëla and Jonas went ringing at Kabeltromlen this morning. Kristine, Martin and I went observing with Knud at Worlds End 3. The observation started quite nice with a roosting Merlin (Dværgfalk). It hunted successfully a Chaffinch (Bogfinke), which it was eating quite close from us on the beach. Just when we were enjoying this interesting observation, I got a call from Laima, that they caught a Water Rail (Vandrikse) in their first round. So, we left Knud alone and went into the ringing site to see this amazing bird. Actually, it was Laimas first Water Rail to see and not only hear and for all of us volunteers the first to see in hand. It was very exciting. It´s pretty amazing to realize how long their legs are and how beautiful their colours, especially because we caught an adult bird (3k+). Just in the moment we were about to release the bird, Simon spotted a Glaucous Gull (Gråmåge) migrating North, another nice observation this morning.

Male, adult Water Rail

Unfortunately, not many birds followed after the Water Rail. The nets kept quite empty, although we had relatively many recaptured birds. They are interesting, because we get a lot of data from recaptures. Jonas was very happy to age a Blackcap (Munk) correctly. These ones are tricky birds to age sometimes, so we had a moult session on how to age these birds yesterday. Apparently, Laimas little presentation already helped us understanding their moult better and to know for what to look in these birds. Besides that, its also noteworthy that we have new waders now. It is very nice to be in the ringing area now without getting wet feet. After the Water Rail was released, I went back to Knud helping him counting some birds. A bit later also Simon, Kristine and Martin were joining us. It turned out to be a fairly good observation morning with quite some Fulmars (Mallemuk). Also, we had one lonely Snow Bunting (Snespurv) left on the beach, while the others already left to their breeding grounds. In the afternoon Michaëla took some pictures again with the station’s camera. She got some Eiders (Ederfugle) and a Great-spotted Woodpecker (Stor Flagspætte) in front of the lens. Jonas helped us by doing some of the less fun office tasks during the afternoon. In the evening Laima made Sushi. It turned out to be amazing, and the rolling of it was also really fun. It was a very lovely dinner! Unfortunately, Kristine and Martin needed to leave for Copenhagen this afternoon, but we hope they can come back soon.

Making Sushi

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gransanger - 1
Gærdesmutte - 3
Rødhals - 1
Bogfinke - 1
Vandrikse - 1

Sum = 7

Klik her for at se dagens observationer indtastet i Dofbasen af observatører i området

Klik her for at se opsummeret observationer af rovfugle i Skagen

Folk: Simon S. Christiansen, Kristine Rasmussen, Martin Bjerre Nielsen, Knud Pedersen, Michaëla Berdougo, Laima Bagdonaite, Jonas Pedersen og Daniel Bloche