Spring Birding!?

Today was the warmest weather we have had in a while with a light Southernly breeze throughout the day raising temperatures into the double digits.

Figure 1: Morning ringing by Simon Sr

The day started with Simon Jr and I opening the nets and Simon Sr joining soon after. We had over three quarters of all the nets open which was ample for the three of us. Throughout the morning we were joined by our guests and many other local birders who came to see what we had caught. The morning was promising, the now wintering flock of 600 Fieldfare [Sjagger] remained and three flocks of Redpoll [Nordlig/Lille Gråsisken] flew over totalling ~120 birds, some of which we caught whilst opening the nets which was nice. Numbers in nets were steady and quickly rose throughout the morning with flocks of Long-tailed tits [Halemejse], Blue Tits [Blåmejse] and Great Tits [Musvit] filling some of the nets on multiple occasions. Besides the Paridae, we caught another Firecrest [Rødtoppet Fuglekonge] (our 4^th in three days), some lovely Bearded Tits [Skægmejse], a nice range of thrushes, a Chiffchaff [Gransanger], and a noticeable increase in Blackcap [Munk].

Figure 2: ‘Northern’ Long-tailed Tit [Nordlig Halemejse (ssp. caudatus]

The spring warblers and Firecrest [Rødtoppet Fuglekonge] were not the only odd birds seen this morning. Whilst Simon Jr was looking at the Great Grey Shrike [Stor tornskade], a bird currently feasting on passerines in the dunes, we had a House Martin [Bysvale] arrive from the SE. The bird was seen flying around the reedbeds before presumably continuing its migration and heading SW. With the arrival of an ‘Eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat [Gærdesanger (ssp. Blythi?)] yesterday, could this be one of the ‘Eastern’ House Martin species? Unfortunately, views were distant, and the origin of the bird could not be determined. After roughly an hour, another hirundine was spotted, this time a Barn Swallow [Landsvale]. This bird was on a mission and quickly followed in the tracks of the martin departing SW along the beach. Very strange! Additional to our sightings, Simon Sr and friends saw the Blyth’s Pipit [Mongolsk Piber] (day 19 now) and found a few Water Pipits [Bjergpiber] in the reeds. More sightings can be found on DOFbasen (see link below)

While we were out, Gustav decided to go to migration counts with Knut, Jørgen and Eric at Nordstrand. Numbers of auks were high with Guillemots [Lomvie], Razorbills [Alk] and a single Little Auk [Søkonge] counted in the four hours. Today’s migration watch stand-out highlight was apparently a Rough-legged Buzzard [Fjeldvåge] seen migrating in off the sea being followed by a gull who was seen attacking it for quite a while. After the counts Gustav came back and then quickly went out birding again whilst we were out and there was still some light. Ringing ended up lasting about 7hrs today and by the time we got back Simon Jr, and I were pretty hungry and very much tired. Even if we were feeling tired, the morning was a big success with almost 150 birds processed when taking into recaptures. Once we had a quick break, data input had to be done and after another couple of hours was completed for the day.

With a dark, wet night upon us our evening plans are to relax and chill for a bit, maybe a bit of night catching but you shall have to keep posted about that.

Ringing totals

Ringing [Kabeltromlekrattet]

Total: 108

Ringing [Jennes Sø]

Total: 88

Overall total: 196

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Lorne and Lance, Chris, Simon S.C, Jørgen (and Egor), fellow ringers Oluf Lou and Jorgen Hulbaek.