Nightjar

As the wind was good again, we didn't want to miss the next chance to try ringing Storm Petrels (Lille Stormsvale). So we set up the nets again in the evening, as we had done the last few times. On our early notice, several observers from Denmark, partly from Copenhagen, had arrived. So we really hoped to have success this night. But unfortunately we did not catch the target species, at least in the Storm Petrel net.

On the other hand, the Nightjar (Natraven) net was once again a complete success! Already in the first round we were able to catch and ring a young bird. How cool!

Look at the fresh feathers of this juvenile Nightjar. (pictures: Simon Kiesé)

Later that night we caught a second one, an adult male, which to our joy was already wearing a ring. This bird was ringed by us last summer about 10 kilometres away in the breeding area, as Simon (the first) was able to tell us directly. Exciting to see one of the birds again. Unfortunately, I didn't wake up for this bird, which is better, as we had to get up shortly after 3am the next morning to go to Skarvsøen for CES ringing.

So while Martina and I had our hands full with ringing Reed Warblers (Rørsanger), Reed Warblers (Rørsanger) and Reed Warblers (Rørsanger), Seán went to World's End to do a quick migration count. He then went back to rest up from the night he had spent doing the net checks for us.

Both he and we finally saw the young Goshawk (Duehøg) that has been flying around here for a few days. At home in Germany I see the species quite often, but now I am of course motivated to see as many species as possible here in Skagen.
At 1pm Seán was picked up by Knud to be taken to the station. Seán's time here is unfortunately over again. It was nice to meet you and I look forward to seeing you here again next May. Have a safe journey to Ireland via Aalborg and Amsterdam!

Also Tine and her family left this morning. They got the chance to see the nightjar last night as their good-bye present. Thank you for all the interest you showed in our work and for being such lovely guests!

After a necessary and well-deserved break, the two remaining volunteers got back to work. Martina cooked and I started writing this blog and vacuuming the floor. Then our two new guests also arrived at the flat. As the next days are full of wind and storm, we unfortunately can neither ring nor do the standard migration count. Yay, finally a good night's sleep. I had almost lost faith in being able to sleep in here ;-) But as soon as it's dry, I'll use every minute to go seawatching. Hopefully the wind will bring some great birds. When the wind dies down again, conditions will be good for catching Storm Petrels. It has to happen again sometime, doesn't it?

I hope you have better weather or use the weather to hope for some shearwaters!

Ringing (Skarvsøen )

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat) - 2

Rørsanger (Reed Warbler) - 27

Gransanger (Chiffchaff) - 5

Blåmejse (Blue tit) - 1

Munk (Blackcap) - 3

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whiterhroat) - 4

Lille Gråsisken (cabaret) (Lesser Redpoll) - 1

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler) - 1

Total: 44

People: Seán Walsh, Martina Hillbrand, Simon Kiesé, Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Karen and Henrik Toft, Lise, Tine and Elinor

 A link to today's observations from volunteers and local observers.