What a Beautiful Day!

After yesterday’s beautiful weather, a strong thrush passage occurred overnight with both Blackbird [Solsort] and Redwing [Vindrossel] heard in good numbers while we were night catching. After a late night with no birds caught, it was an early start for Hayley and me as we opened the nets ready for the morning ringing. 

Figure 1: Sunrise from migration watch by Gustav

This morning was dark to start, however, as the sun began to rise above the horizon it led to one of the most beautiful sunrises with a fiery red sky. The first net round saw the arrival of our new guests Karen and Soren who came to help with the ringing. The morning was busy with flocks of Wren [Gærsmutte], Goldcrest [Fuglekonge] and a few thrushes caught in the first round. The birds continued to arrive with flocks of Blue tits [Blåmejse], Coal tits [Sortmejse], Siskin [Grønsisken] and even a Nuthatch [Spætmejse] flying over calling. The Nuthatch [Spætmejse] was most unexpected for us, a bird we associate with woodlands was currently flying around a reedbed and sand dunes!

Ringing continued for the whole of the morning with quite a few people coming to see what was going on and watching the ringing process. Alongside the birds caught (see totals below), a birding highlight came when a flock of Greylags [Grågås] came high in off the sea from the direction of Sweden! This was closely followed by a flock of eight Waxwing [Silkehale] which flew in off the sea and landed in the sea buckthorn near the ringing table. They then made several flights around the area and provided nice views. These were Hayley’s first ever and a sign of what was to come later in the afternoon. Brownie then followed soon after, courtesy of the guests, which was much appreciated and went down a treat. We then completed the last round and packed up for the day. After some technical issues with the bike (somehow getting a bungie cord caught in the chain) we got back ready for lunch.

Simon and Gustav came back from a very productive sea-watch. They saw a Puffin [Lunde], Long-tailed Skua [Lille Kjove], Great-northern Diver [Islom] and a nice mix of other birds. They were quickly out birding again with Simon relocating the Great Grey Shrike [Stor tornskade]. Hayley went to join whilst I sorted the bike and the trio put up a new owl net. Meanwhile, bungie cord extracted; the bike was good to go again.

Figure 2: Sun halo and circumzenithal arc by Simon

However, an atmospheric phenomenon occurred causing excitement amongst the visitors and volunteers as a sun halo and circumzenithal arc occurred over the bird observatory. This drew crowds of guests (and us volunteers) to look at the sky and many photos were taken. A quick run up the lighthouse and we had stunning views across the area, and we watched a flock of Jackdaws [Allike] arrive in/off. After we came down, we opened the mist nets in the observatory garden whilst data inputting and caught three birds including a ‘Northern Treecreeper’ [Træløber ssp familias], Goldcrest [Fuglekonge] and Wren [Gærdesmutte]. A Norwegian couple passing by were very interested in what we were doing and when they saw the Goldcrest [Fuglekonge] and the Wren [Gærdesmutte], they explained the Norwegian folk law these two species shared between the species which was very interesting to hear.

Figure 3: Waxwing [Silkehale] in Skagen by Simon

Meanwhile, Gustav went Waxwing [Silkehale] searching in the city and found at least 80 birds in one flock which we all later saw in varying flock sizes. Apparently, this is the highest flock counts so far in Denmark! Simon’s beautiful photo shows the beauty of this whirring berry eating bird.

A great day!

Ringing totals

Ringing [Kabeltromlekrattet]

Total: 61

Ringing [Fyrhaven]

Total: 3

Ringing [Grenen]

Total: 1

Ringing [Jennes Sø ]

Total:106

Overall total: 171

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Knud Pedersen; Michael Ancher; Karen Marie & Søren Leth-Nissen.