A BIG Redpoll Day

Today started breezy from the North-East with full cloud cover throughout the day. The conditions were similar to a couple of days ago with a stiff NE wind coming from Sweden, full cloud cover and a drop in temperature provided good migration conditions. However, with such great conditions it was interesting to see that Redpoll were the only species moving in numbers and this species was a feature at both Nordstand and Grenen. Totals within the first four hours of the morning resulted in an estimated 2010 – 2700 Redpoll recorded, there could have been anything up to 3500 though! The flocks arrived from the South and went low North out to sea at the tip primarily. Some birds gained height and turned around, but the majority continued out to sea, maybe bound for the UK – watch out tomorrow East coast birders! Flock proportions between the species were interesting and it was crudely estimated that about 95% were Mealy Redpoll [Nordlig Gråsisken], roughly 5% were Lesser Redpoll [Lille Gråsisken] and less than 1% were Arctic Redpoll [Hvidsisken]. There were at least four candidates for Arctic Redpoll [Hvidsisken] seen today but the variation amongst these Redpoll [Gråsisken] (sub)species is rather large with many probably missed.

Figure 1: A recent Mealy Redpoll [Nordlig Gråsisken] caught and ringed

Besides the Redpoll influx that is currently happening, Simon, Hayley and I had a challenge to catch the ‘Eastern’ Stonechat [Sibirisk Bynkefugl/Japansk Bynkefugl) that has been hanging around between Worlds End 1 and Worlds End 3 this morning. The bird is currently unknown at the species level and the aim was to catch the bird for DNA sampling to help with the field observations already collated. This task was considered a high priority as we recently received special permissions from the bird ringing centre to undertake this fieldwork, and it was thought best to do during sub-optimal ringing conditions at our usual site. To cut a long story short, we failed to catch the Stonechat after many attempts but managed to somehow catch some of the migrating Redpolls [Gråsisken] and a Meadow Pipit [Engpiber]. I saw 7 Wrens (Gærdesmutte) fly individually in-off the sea and land in some Sea Buckthorn as well as a Chiffchaff (Gransanger) doing the same. Whilst waiting for the Stonechat we also got good views of a White-billed Diver [Hvidnæbbet Lom] migrating North and the Blyth’s Pipit [Mongolisk piber] that has been hanging around for the last 10 days in the same area.

Meanwhile, Gustav was at Nordstand with Knut et al. undertaking the migration count and had a good movement of ducks, Kittiwake [Ride], Redpoll [Gråsisken] and 2 White-billed Divers [Hvidnæbbet Lom]. See DOFbasen for full counts.

We all came back for lunch roughly the same time and with the weather and the night’s drawing in, especially with the changing of the clocks soon, we decided to make the most of the dry weather and go walking/birding. Simon, Hayley and I started at Elle Krattet where we found a Firecrest [Rødtoppet Fuglekonge] (still quite unusual here), flocks of Goldcrest [Fuglekonge], a couple of ‘northern’ Treecreepers [Træløber, Nordlig (ssp. familiaris)] and a few ‘continental’ Coal tits [Sortmejse]. We then went along the tractor tracks and along the beach towards Nordstand. The flocks of Snow Buntings [Snespurv], Twite [Bjergirisk] and Reed Buntings [Rørspurv] were nice to see as well as a single Lapland Bunting [Lapværling]. Let’s hope some of the species are roosting on the beach tonight for nocturnal counts/catching. Our return from Nordstand was a bit quieter for species and numbers but was nice to hear some Crested Tits [Topmejse].

Our evening consisted of our evening meeting, data inputting/checking and a lovely meal.

Now out night-catching so keep updated to see how we do!

Ringing (Grenen):

Total: 19

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Knud Pedersen; Lorne and Lars.