A Jack Snipe, Mistle Thrush and Great Grey Shrike

Last night Simon Jr and Gustav headed out with the hand net, flashlight and thermal hoping to catch one of the birds roosting on the beach at Grenen. There are some ponds near the Sandormen track where we have seen several species roosting including Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle), Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin), Common Snipe (Dobbeltbekkasin), Golden Plover (Hjejle) and Bar-tailed Godwit (Lille Kobbersneppe). Even though it was very windy they managed to catch a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin). A very successful night!

This morning, Simon and Gustav went to World’s End 3 to do the migration count. The wind was blowing the sand everywhere which made counting difficult, but they did see some nice birds including a Great Skua (Stor Kjove) and six migrating Shelduck (Gravand). They also saw three flocks of Parrot Crossbill (Stor Korsnæb), a flock of Twite (Bjergirisk) and four Shore Larks (Bjerglærke). A couple of Woodpigeon (Ringdue) were seen coming in from the sea which we also saw flying over Kabeltromlen.

As the wind had dropped since yesterday, Thomas, Kirsten and I were able to open most of the nets at Kabeltromlen this morning, and Simon Sr joined us too for a few rounds. It was a steady morning with some nice species ringed. The biggest highlight of the morning was a beautiful young Mistle Thrush (Misteldrossel). This is a large species of thrush with a proportionally longer tail and more upright stance than the similar but smaller Song Thrush (Sangdrossel). You can see our bird’s stunning plumage in Simon’s photos below.

Michael was also out ringing at Jennes Sø and had a great morning. He caught both Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken) and the larger and paler Common Redpoll (Nordlig Gråsisken). He also caught the larger subspecies of Bullfinch (Stor Dompap, ssp. Pyrrhula) and a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade). He sent this amazing photo of the shrike. What a stunning bird!

We closed the nets when the wind started to pick up again and, after fixing Thomas’ bike chain again, we cycled back in the strong headwinds. It was hard work! It then started to rain and Kirsten kindly gave Simon Jr a lift to the shop to buy food so he didn’t have to cycle in the bad weather. We entered all the data, updated the picture archive, and Simon Jr worked on the rarity report for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Alaskavipstjert) found at Grenen at the start of October. We are now preparing to go out night catching again. After last night’s success we are keen to try again. Fingers crossed we’ll catch something tonight!

Ringing (Kabeltromlekrattet):

Total: 24

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Total: 71

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

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