Another Day of Stormy Weather

After the storm arrived yesterday, it was yet another day of storm force winds from the West but luckily no rain. As a result, no mist netting was undertaken today but it did result in the whole team completing the migration counts.

Figure 1: The Common Scoter (Sortand)

On the way to the migration counts, an unexpected Common Scoter [Sortand] emerged from the dunes, presumably from a pool where it had roosted overnight. The bird flew around the beach before dropping down close to the shore near us! The team managed to catch the bird and on closer inspection it was healthy, had good fat on the body and was a strong flyer (see photo above). The bird was taken back to the bird observatory where it was ringed and released. On release it flew strongly out to sea before it was watched swimming and diving underwater for food.  

Migration watchpoint was quieter than expected. Highlights included a Sooty Shearwater [Sodfarvet Skråpe], four Long-tailed ducks [Havlit], two Goldeneye [Hvinand], Kittiwakes [Ride] and the usual Gannet [Sule] flocks. Simon went for a walk and found a Purple Sandpiper [Sortgrå Ryle] on the beach as well as some Reed Buntings [Rørspurv].

After we packed up, we all came back to the observatory for lunch and a photo ageing session lead by Simon C. This is a session to discuss individuals that we found difficult to age in the field, or just birds of particular interest. The session works best by taking standardised photos of the individual bird so everyone can talk through the relevant features together. Today our focus was on the Jack Snipe [Enkeltbekkasin] and a couple of tricky Reed Buntings [Rørspurv] we recently caught. This session was highly productive, and I think it was great because of the wealth of knowledge within the team.

After the photo session, we completed a bit of vegetation clearance for some upcoming catching efforts and some of the team went birding to find some passerines. However, due to the wind it was incredibly difficult and there were very few birds about. Early evening came and it was the task of Hayley and I to help put up some nets for a visiting ringer in a nearby woodland. The woodland itself was very quiet but it was nice to find a Little Grebe [Lille Lappedykker] and Eurasian Wigeon [Pibeand] on a small pool nearby. We timed our arrival back to the observatory perfectly and arrived back to our guest cooking food for us all, thank you so much Kirsten!

Gustav and Simon have just gone out night catching so we wish them luck! 

Ringing [Grenen]

Total: 1

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Knud Pedersen; Kirsten Bregn; Simon S. Christiansen.