Cormorants, Red Knots and a Honey Buzzard.

Today started at 4.20 am for me and Gustav as we had to get to the harbour for the Cormorant count 1 hour before sunrise. There were many gulls feeding around the fishing nets which was a little unusual, however, this occurrence could have been a response to the fishing boat workers cleaning the nets, which could have attracted the gulls as they are opportunistic feeders. There were many passing Cormorants and a very low number of roosting Cormorants. It is obvious to state that Cormorants are sensitive to fishing boats and the noise produced from them, as they often fly away quickly once a boat reaches close to the nets.

The others went to do the morning routine migration counts at World’s End Three as usual, and the weather was good, albeit a little windy. The migration was slow again like the other previous days, but there are still some interesting birds to count. There is always a Great Skua (Stor Kjove) and good migration of waders. The most exciting bird species counted for today were Red Knots (Islandsk Ryle). As the migration was slow this morning Hayley, Simon and Bjorn decided to walk to the point for the first time to see where the two seas meet and were mesmerised by the colours created as the water clashed against each other. They also spotted a Honey Buzzard on the way home (I am jealous).

Later after the Cormorant and migration count, we all said goodbye to Bjorn as he left this afternoon. Later in the evening we had our meeting with Simon to plan and go through daily tasks for the week ahead. Hayley and Simon fixed a bike up so that I can use it to get around Skagen.

Then we all had a nice dinner made by Gustav and went to sleep to get up early to open the nets to bird ring! Yay! ????

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Rebecca Cheape, Simon Kiesé, Bjørn Laursen,