Rosenterne, and last blog post

Hey you all!

This post will be my last, as I am leaving Monday morning.
I have to say, this has been a surprising experience. I arrived here, worried that I wouldn't make it for 4 months. I had very little knowledge of European birds, and when I got to know that the person I was going to be with, Jonas, was a great birder very involved in DOFung at only 19 yo, well I freaked out even more.
The first week was a tough one: I was not expecting to be sitting for four hours in the cold in so much wind. I think I cried a little one of the days. I had to go buy snow pants and a big coat which saved me for most of the season.
Morning obs late March. Left to right: Michaëla, Jonas og Knud Pedersen.

Little did I know that I would miss going observing when I was put on ringing most of the days. I missed out on some great observing days at Nordstrand, especially the big finch and thrush days. I did have an amazing one though, with a lot of Pallid Harriers - Steppehøg, and it was just amazing seeing everyone's excitement about rarities being called out.
Never would I have expected to have been the one taking pictures that allowed the find of a new species for Denmark, the Yellow-Billed Kite - Gulnæbbet Glente (and no, I did not keep the bird secret as some might say ;))
This is the picture used for identifying the Gulnæbbet Glente

I was not ready for such short nights in May, but it has been surprising to see how my body adapted. I always thought I needed my 8 hours, but five hours of sleep went from being not enough to being a restful night of sleep.
I wasn't expecting to meet such weird people that are now some of my best friends, and I don't think I have laughed so much in such a short period of time. We had such a great team and such great times together.
Twitching Gulnæbbet Glente the morning after. Left to right. Bottom: Laima, Anders, Michaëla. Top: Mikkel, Rasmus, Jonas.

Left to right: Laima, Igor, Michaëla

Left to right: Anders Rasmussen, Mikkel, Rasmus, Laima, Michaëla, Jonas og Daniel.

Meeting the local birding community has been such a pleasure, as well as meeting visiting birders in May. Getting to know our weekly guests has brought many adventures, surprises, and so much knowledge.
Jonas, Martin og Kristine, two of our guests, looking for Stor Tornskade

I have had such a great time here, and while I am ready for new adventures in yet another new country, I feel sad leaving this place that I've been calling home for nearly four months.

To the local community: big thanks to Knud for helping me with observations at the beginning of the season, to Oluf for being such great help and company during the ringing, to Jørgen for your presence at ringing, your kindness, and your generosity, to Erik for always bringing your smile and happiness, to Igor for being the sunshine of my day and for all the hair you left on my clothes.
To Lars Bo for taking us ringing Nightjars - Natravn, to Jan Speiermann for your kindness, your help, and your patience on busy days at Kabeltromlen, and to Henrik Kisby for your lovely long-term presence at Kabeltromlen.
To all of our guests for bringing such diversity and excitement to our everyday life.
To all the volunteers that have come and gone, you're so fucking awesome.
To Simon, for giving me such a great opportunity.

Now that I've shed a few tears, here is how our day went.

Following the barbecue and a few drinks, Jonas was the first one to wake up. I followed shortly after and started sorting my future out. Taïma and Frank got then woken up by Jonas, as a Rosean Tern - Rosenterne got called out, seen on Grenen. Off we went, met with Agnita, Jørgen, Erik, and Knud. We got to see it resting on the beach with other terns which was the best view to observe differences. A rosey breast, a black bill, short bright red/orange legs (with a ring!), and very bright compared to a Common Tern - Fjordterne or Arctic Tern - Havterne. It also went foraging, and the difference in its flight was actually quite obvious: a faster wingbeat, a lighter bird with a breezier flight.

Rosenterne på Grenen. Photo: Kund Pedersen

Taïma, Frank, and I went home, Taïma made some incredible crepes for our late breakfast, and I started packing. Jonas came back later and was on a meeting with DOFung to organise their next trip.
Jesper and Anne went to the Fishermen's sheds and said there were about 150 of them including some fresh ones, meaning that they seem willing to keep it going as it is. :) They then went to the coastal museum where they learned about shipwrecks and the sailors' lives.

In the afternoon, Taïma and Frank worked on the freezer list, Jonas worked on the Netfugl article on the Roseate Tern - Rosenterne, we both worked on the rarity reports, I continued cleaning my gannet skull in the hope of taking it with me, and Jesper and Anne went to pick Elderberry flowers for dessert.
Frank went on a walk to Grenen, and found a young dead Beech Marten - Husmår. :( There are no apparent signs of the cause of its death, it is in good condition and doesn't seem to have gotten hit by a car.

Jesper and Anne cooked dinner for their last night, some fresh cod in a delicious curry and vegetable sauce accompanied with potatoes, and for dessert... Deep-fried elderberry flowers! Absolutely delicious.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen.

Klik her for at se opsummeret observationer af rovfugle i Skagen

Folk:  Agnite og Jørgen Kabel, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen, Oluf Lou, Taïma Lorentzen, Frank Osterberg, Jesper og Anne, Jonas Pedersen, og Michaëla Berdougo.

Following, the incredible Igor

Igor cracking up some jokes to Mag-Britt and Knud