Steppe Monday

What a thrilling day back in Skagen, greeted by beautiful clear skies this morning. I joined Esben, Michaeland Jakob for ringing at the CES site. The melodious Great Reed Warbler from yesterday was still singing by the Cormorant Lake and this avian celebrity emerged from the lush foliage towards the end of the ringing session. There were many cuckoos calling and flying around the site, and an uncommon brown morphed (likely female) cuckoo! We ringed a Blackbird and some Marsh/Reed Warblers along with other familiar species. A Reed Warbler was also caught with an egg in tow, which was swiftly released after banding and weighing her to return to her nest.

Over at radar and observations, Troelse, Lisa, Zach, Jane, and Jens had an eventful day, with a Black Kite, Red Kite, Ospreys, Sparrowhawks, and both the Black and Red Throated Diver. Bird migration is in its full bloom now, with many Honey Buzzards filling up the skies within the first two hours, also counted an astonishing flock of ten migrating towards the North. And then, in an unexpected twist, a Steppe Eagle arrived and captivated many for a half-hour, becoming the crowning glory of the day, a true feast for the eyes and the envy of every birder present.

People: Esben Hansen, Jakob Bjarkholt, Lisa Vergin, Michael Colley, Simon S Christiansen, Toh Ying Ying, Troels Eske Ortvad, Zach Pannifer, and our guests Jane & Jens Peter Brenøe

Ringing Total (CES):

Solsort (Blackbird) - 1

Kærsanger (Marsh Warbler) - 1

Rørsanger (Reed Warbler) - 17

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat) - 6

Today's Observation:

Steppeørn (Steppe Eagle) - 1

Sort Glente (Black Kite) - 1

Rød Glente (Red Kite) - 1

Hvepsevåge (Honey Buzzard) -27

Havørn (White-Tailed Eagle) - 2

Ringdrossel (Ring Ouzel) - 1

Stenpikker (Wheatear) - 1

Sortstrubet Lom (Black Throat Diver) - 2

Full list of observations entered in Dofbasen by Observers in the area