Here comes the sun

Early in the morning, as in the last few days, we are greeted by a brilliant sunrise over the Kattegat. There is a light fog over the areas and warm clothes are still a must, even though it already feels like spring during the day. Hanelie and Robbe open the nets for ringing at 5:15am, Alice and Manuel joined the little crowd at Nordstrand for migration counting from 6am and look up at the (somewhat too) clear blue sky.

The bird migration is steady these days, but not spectacular. This allows us to make many beautiful observations, as we can also take our time for individual birds. About 20 Arctic Skuas Almindelig kjove gave great views, as some of them migrate eastwards quite close to the beach. It is also a good occasion to take the time to get more familiar with the different calls of the still numerous Chaffinches Bogfinke and Brambling Kvækerfinke, as well as Linnet Tornirisk and Siskin Grønsisken.

A few Long-tailed Ducks Havlit (and other duck species) can be found amongst the hundreds of migrating Common Scoter Sortand, also keep a sharp eye on flying Red-throated Divers Rødstrubet lom as single Black-throated Divers Sortstrubet lom can be seen daily. The first Tree Pipits Skovpiber (a handful of birds migrating) mingle with the troops of Meadow Pipits Engpiber. Swallows can now be seen every day, today Barn Swallow Landsvale, but still very few. However, it is exciting to see the changes in the birdlife already within a few days. This will continue to gather pace over the coming days.

By the way, the Black-winged Kite Blå Glente is still in the area and thus nice to watch from close range for the third day in a row. This fantastic bird still attracts many observers not only from the region.

Ringing was also done today at Kabeltromlen, of course. In addition to the usual Robins Rødhals, Wren Gærdesmutte, etc., again some Willow Warbler Løvsanger were in the nets. What is particularly interesting now is that you can make a direct comparison between the Willow Warbler and the Common Chiffchaff Gransanger in hand. This is of course a totally different thing than reading about it in books or seeing it in pictures! A few Ring Ouzels Ringdrossel flew over the ringing station and gave nice viewss. Apart from that, the sun has also lured some European Vipers Hugorm out of hiding, exciting!

Data entry and checking the ringing data always takes a lot of time, but that is the only disadvantage of of high numbers in ringings and observations ;-)

We spent most of the afternoon relaxing, birdwatching and doing other things. So, Robbe went to Grenen Camping for some botanical observations. There he managed to discover what is supposed a first record for this region: the tiny and beautiful Crassula tillaea.

By the time writing, the delicious smell of roasted vegetables wafts through the flat and the sun shines through the windows from the other side of the lighthouse now.