A Jack Snipe and some garden ringing

Last night, Simon Jr and Thomas headed out to the beach with the hand net. They saw four Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin), six Skylark (Sanglærke), nine Snow Buntings (Snespurv) and six Teal (Krikand). The conditions were really good for catching waders and they soon came back with a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin). This was the first of this species that we’ve caught for a couple of weeks so we were really happy to see it. Our bird was a juvenile and its age was determined using the white in the outer tail feathers.

Photo: Simon Jr.

We were all up before sunrise this morning planning to go to the migration count at Nordstrand and ringing at Kabeltromlen. However, the weather had other ideas! It rained on and off all morning so we had to change our plans. Instead, we opened the two garden nets in between the rain showers and managed to catch a few birds. We used the extra time to practice taking good photos for the picture archive. It was nice to have the time to appreciate the birds we catch often but wouldn’t normally photograph such as this beautiful adult Blue Tit (Blåmejse).

In between net checks we had time to check lots of ringing sheets and play some games. Simon Jr cut the vegetation under the garden net so no branches will get tangled in the net. He then did some sea watching out the front of the lighthouse and Thomas helped him to set up some traps on the beach hoping to catch Rock Pipits (Skærpiber). There were also lots of Snow Buntings (Snespurv) hopping around nearby but unfortunately none of them went in the trap. Simon saw quite a few birds migrating including six Whooper Swans (Sangsvane), six Red-breasted Mergansers (Toppet Skallesluger) and a flock of Pink-footed Geese (Kortnæbbet Gås). He also saw a Great Northern Diver (Islom), a Black Guillemot (Tejst) and had a nice view of a White-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet).

Thomas, Gustav and I went for a birding walk to Ellekrattet, then to Jennes Sø and around the fields in a big circle back to the lighthouse. We saw lots of Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), flocks of Fieldfare (Sjagger) and Redwing (Vindrossel), a flock of Waxwing (Silkehale), and a mixture of Blue Tits (Blåmejse), Great Tits (Musvit) and Coal Tits (Sortmejse). We also saw a flock of Redpoll (Gråsisken) and heard some Crested Tits (Topmejse). It was really nice to be outside again and get some fresh air! Simon also went out later and spotted the Blyth’s Pipit (Mongolsk Piber) again in a similar place near World’s End 1.  

Photo: Simon Jr.

Simon came back via Ellekrattet where he also saw a Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel). Later on, the picture archive was updated and we all really enjoyed some spider muffins kindly donated by a visiting family.

Our guests, Lars and Lone, also enjoyed a quieter day. They went for a walk with their friend Christopher and saw 10 Bearded Tits (Skægmejse) at Jennes Sø. They also visited the buried church in Skagen and spotted Parrot Crossbills (Stor Korsnæb), Crested Tits (Topmejse) and a large flock of Waxwings (Silkehale).

Photo: Parrot Crossbill (Stor Korsnæb) by Lone

Ringing (Fyrhaven):

Robin (Rødhals) – 1

Blue Tit (Blåmejse) – 2

Great Tit (Musvit) – 1

Total: 4

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Lars and Lone.