Guests from Norway and an adult Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge"

Hi everyone!

On Thursday morning, I did not go to Grenen. There was still „office work“ to do as my laptop was Wednesday night apparently even more tired than me and it decided to go on strike and I couldn´t do anything but turn it off. During the course of the morning, Simons father also arrived at the bird station and at noon, two leaders from Store Fjærder Bird Observatory, Terje and Hans, visited us. Karin had brought cake again and we first had coffee and cake and Simon was talking with the two Norwegians about cooperation and projects. In the morning I had already filled nearly all pots I could find at the station with hot water to defrost the freezer, which is now empty, as all our seabirds are in Aarhus. Simon already mentioned the day before, that it was a little sad that all the birds were gone now and I realized it while cleaning. But of course, we are curious, about what the scientists in Aarhus will find out. Empty and defrosted, the freezer now looks like this, a very unusual sight.

Now I need another project but soon, it will be time to start ringing and I am really looking forward to it. Simon and the Norwegian guests went to Grenen in the afternoon but then, a Zello call reached us: Two Iceland Gulls "Hvidvinget Måge" were at the harbour, a 2K but also an adult. Simon, Terje and Hans came from Grenen and picked me up in the car and we drove to the harbour. Simons parents also came to the harbour. There, Simon found the adult Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge" immediately for us but we could not find the young one. Nevertheless, it was very nice and a small crowning of their stay in Skagen for our Guests. Form me, it was the first adult Iceland Gull and we were all very pleased with this afternoon, which was now slowly coming to an end. So this day, we went with our guests to a restaurant in the city. But that was not the end of the day because afterwards, we went to catch Woodcocks "Skovsneppe" and Henrik and Laila joined us. Unfortunately, without success, we came so close to a mouse, that we could have caught it, but we renounced that. Next time we´ll catch a bird!

Today, on Friday, the weather was really nice so I started the day with observing at Grenen. Several rather large flocks of Guillemots "Lomvie" were flying by. When the migration slowly became less, I went to Nordstrand. On the way, I met this sleeping seal on one of the dunes.

At Nordstrand, there were also Cormorants "Skarv" resting and when I turned around, I saw lots of Fieldfares "Sjagger".

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (25.02.2022)

Terje and Hans met Simon at the station while I was observing and left in the late morning. So Simon, Gunnar, Karin and a new cake were at the station when I came back. Simon was busy with meetings. In the afternoon, I went grocery shopping, as the day after tomorrow, a bird station where only I live will be history because, on Sunday, the second volunteer in 2022 will arrive and also a new guest, this time I will have family visit. As it became a habit, a made a stop at the harbour on my way back. There, I met Henrik again and other birders, the young Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge" had been on the harbour again, I missed it but Henrik showed me where it usually is and I have seen it a few times this February now. When I came back to the station Simon and Karin drove away, the station was quiet again and I noticed that tomorrow would be the last day alone at the station. What a strange feeling, but I am looking forward to the new arrivals. In the fridge, Simons parents left a Shrimps Sandwich for me, thanks, it was very good!

So let´s see, what tomorrow brings for me, maybe I´ll find the sleeping place of the Partridges "Agerhøne"?

See you soon and take care,

Hanelie

People: Terje Axelsen, Hans Erik Karlsen, Henrik Knudsen, Laila Neermann, Gunnar Simonsen, Karin Christiansen, Simon S. Christiansen and Hanelie Sidhu