Battle of the Towers

Yehonatan, Michael and Ying had the nets open at surnise at Kabeltromlen and were joined by our guests, Martin and Kristine. After an initial slow start, they managed to ring 15 birds including a young, male Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk), 3 Lille Gråsisken (Lesser Redpoll) and 2 Brøget Fluesnapper (Pied Flycatchers) which were definitely worth getting up early for. 

Dante and I headed to World's End, alongside Simon and Lisa, and met the 25 or so other birders gathered for the 'Battle of the Towers'. This is a friendly competition held across Scandanavia where the aim is to see the highest number of species between 5am and 1pm. Despite migration feeling rather slow, we altogether managed a highly respectable 98 species including highlights of Gulirisk (Serin), Lærkefalk (Hobby), Islom (Great Northern Diver) and Mallemuk (Northern Fulmar). 

Birders gathered at World's End for the 'Battle of the Towers'.

After a rather slow morning, raptor migration really picked up in the afternoon with an adult, female Aftenfalk (Red-footed Falcon), a 2k Steppehøg (Pallid Harrier) and Hedehøg (Montagu's Harrier) all seen across Skagen. The undoubted highlight of the day was a 2k Høgeørn (Bonelli's Eagle), found south of the station near Skagen Camping. Dante, Ying and I all jumped into the car with Martin and raced to Hulsig but unfortunately it had disappeared by the time we arrived- fingers crossed it heads our way tomorrow!

Back-of-camera shot of the 2k Høgeørn (Bonelli's Eagle). Photo: Jan Eske Schmidt.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Toh Ying Ying, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Martin & Kristine.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 2

Lille Gråsisken (Lesser Redpoll)- 3

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat)- 6

Sivsanger (Sedge Warbler)- 1

Brøget Fluesnapper (Pied Flycatcher)- 2

Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk)- 1

Total: 15