Mosquitoes

I left the station this morning early to do a morning count at Grenen. Leaving at 03:45, 45 minutes before sunrise, I thought that I might be spared of the mosqitoes. Even normally they're not usually present right outside the door all the way to the beach. My brief, 20 minute walk led to many bites and much discomfort during a usually comfortable walk/cycle.

I spent the next 4 and a bit hours standing almost in the one spot at World's End 3, Grenen. There was little wind and the sunrise made for a beautiful morning. Of course, it also made for some difficult birding. The main roost at that time was mostly sat directly in front of the sunrise. While I could mostly discern species from species by size and some colour, the silhouettes of birds made identification of one particular problem gull an issue. In the end I decided to leave it, assuming it to be the more common option, Ride (Black-legged Kittiwake). Aside from my difficulties with this bird, there was some nice migratory passage of other birds; 1 Hjejle (Golden Plover), 1 Gravand (Shelduck) and 1 Tinksmed (Wood Sandpiper). These three birds were new for me in Denmark. As I left, I also came across a 'flock' of sorts of young Kestrels who didn't seem very wary of me.

Aside from birding, Simon and I welcomed the new guests next door into our routine with the daily meeting and shared some of the delicious cake they brought. Later in the evening a new volunteer Kalina, also from Galway, joined me so I'm not alone working at the station anymore for the time being. 

Link to todays observations from observers in the area

People: Seán Walsh, Kalina Siwek, Simon S. Christiansen and our guests Jesper & Margit.