Black booted beauty

As the days are getting earlier, the hope for good species is also increasing. The day started with a good variety at the ringing with a female bluethroat “Blåhals”, waterrail “Vandrikse”, a redwing “Vindrossel” and two long tailed tits “Halemejse”  as highlights. One of the long-tailed tits was a newborn of this year, the first 1k of this year! Not only the nets took care of good species. Later during the morning, the first migrants arrived as well, with a black stork “Sort stork” attempting to migrate several times. The whole team was present and enjoyed the good species and weather together with visiting birdwatchers. It was especially nice to have Rita at the ringing who we would like to thank for her generous donation.

A bit later in the morning, they called a bee-eater “Biæder” out on Zello and we were so lucky to see it hunting above our heads. This bee-eater was having a big bumblebee as lunch! While Manuel and I continued the ringing and Hanelie cut the grass around the nets, the others left already to take a nap. The migration slowed down with only a few honey buzzards “Hvepsevåge” left but we got a wake up zellocall about a dark morph booted eagle “Dværgørn”. Unfortunately, this one didn’t fly our way, so we could only talk and dream about this species.

After some sunbathing and enjoying Manuel’s delicious cake; Hanelie, Manuel and I went back to the station. Leona and Alice were awake again and went to Bateriskoven where their found two new butterflies for their list: the mazarine blue “engblåfugl” and the large skipper “stor bredpande”.

I tried to take a nap but another bee-eater surprised me with his beautiful call.  Simon was out with Jan Speiermann to observe the raptors but unfortunately, they flew really high. The evening ended with a short session about entering data and a quiz about how to react in the ringing during some exceptional cases. Followed by an amazing Georgian bread made by Manuel and a short talk with the new guests Jan and Kristine.

For me it’s probably my last blog, but it is definitely not my last visit to Skagen. I saw some pretty amazing species in the best conditions possible (close birds in good company!). The next days may be the icing on the cake with the easterly winds. Let’s keep or fingers crossed!

I hope to see you in the field one of the next days. Good evening.

Robbe

Observations of birds seen in Skagen entered on Dofbasen today

Raptor summary of the raptors entered on DOFbasen today

People at the station :Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Manuel Tacke, Leona Gottschalkson, Robbe Cool, Esben Hansen, Lisa Vergin, Jan Speiermann, Jan Hjort Christensen, Kristine Kleffel

Ringing totals at Kabeltromle: 54

Vindrossel: 1

Løvsanger: 3

Gulbug: 2

Gærdesanger: 4

Kærsanger: 5

Rørsanger: 5

Blåhals: 1

Rødstjert: 3

Munk: 17

Havesanger: 1

Tornsanger: 2

Bogfinke: 4

Skovpiber: 1

Gransanger: 4

Halemejse: 1