Some Sea Watching Surprises and a Little Bunting

Figure 1: Good morning from Worlds End 3 today. Photo by Gustav Nyberg

A change in wind direction to the North overnight and rain in the early morning was promising for some new migrants at Skagen. The team split up with Hayley and me going ringing and Gustav and Simon joining Knud for migration watch at Worlds End 3 (Figure 1).

Ringing started off dry with a light breeze and full cloud cover. All nets were open before sunrise and Redwing [Vindrossel], Song thrush [Sangdrossel] and Common Crossbill [Lille Korsnæb] were some of the first birds heard this morning. Small flocks of each species were regularly seen flying across the ringing site trying to migrate onwards. As a result, the first net round was relatively quiet, but included a few Redwing [Vindrossel], Song thrushes [Sangdrossel] and Wrens [Gærdesmutte]. While walking through the reedbed, I accidentally disturbed a Jack Snipe [Enkeltbekkasin] who was on the path, a species that does not tend to fly unless you are very close! The second net round was busier with an arrival of Goldcrests [Fuglekonge], Robins [Rødhals] and Reed Buntings [Rørspurv] so we called in additional support from Simon. A couple of minutes later I heard a bunting giving a ‘tik’ call as it flew over my head towards the migration watchpoint. An unidentified bunting at this time of year is exciting, I knew it was something more unusual, but the size was hard to tell. When Simon arrived, he said that he heard it too and that it landed next to him on the path. It was a Little Bunting [Dværgværling]! We were both very happy to confirm this bird and many birders tried to see it again. However, due to poor weather arriving we decided to close the nets for the day but was pleased to see two slightly more unusual species from the nets: two ‘Northern’ Treecreepers [Træløber] and an adult male Brambling [Kvækerfinke].

Migration watchpoint was busy today with highlights of two Sooty Shearwaters [Sodfarvet Skråpe], 640 Fulmar [Mallemuk], single Great Skua [Storkjove] and many Kittiwakes [Ride] bringing excitement to the observers. After we closed the nets and packed up, we all went to see a gorgeous adult Great northern diver (Islom) moulting from summer to winter plumage and feeding just offshore from the bird ringing station. Not only it was still in nice plumage, but it was Hayley’s first ever which made it even more exciting. This species is not that rare here but is still noteworthy for most of the local birders.  

Figure 2: One lucky Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) who was rescued by our guest this morning. Photo by Søren Wilhelmsen.

After a quick lunch, an afternoon of data inputting and cleaning followed. Søren, our current guest, made us a really nice chocolate cake so a cake-break was necessary. He told us about a Goldcrest [Fuglekonge] that was flying around the visitor centre below the bird observatory! It was captured by himself and released unharmed (Figure 2). Just to think where this bird could have migrated from in just one night to end up at Skagen is amazing.

The calm weather this afternoon and a keen team inspired us to open the garden mist nets and test a couple of traps. We were not expecting much so a Wren [Gærdesmutte] and two Great Tit [Musvik] was really nice! By normal standards, and for most ringers, this is not very exciting but for the first garden session since arriving, and in the afternoon, it was very rewarding. In between net rounds Hayley cooked us all a lovely dinner, Gustav went birding and Simon found a Red-necked Grebe (Gråstrubet Lappedykker) out at sea. 

Almost time for night catching, stay tuned for any updates.... 

Ringing [Kabeltromlekrattet]

Total: 48

Ringing [Furhaven]

Total: 3

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Knud Pedersen; Søren Wilhelmsen.