Catching a Blyth pipit!

I woke up for my first day back in Skagen and weather was good – no sun but low winds and no rain- so ringing was on! Me, Simon Jr and Thomas headed towards Kabeltromle to set up while Gustav headed to Nordstrand for migration count.

KAB ringing was not so busy today but a step up from yesterday with a high variety of species landing in our nets. Only 38 birds but 13 species not including some exciting recaptures which was a nice treat for my first day back. For recaptures, we greeted the two Firecrests (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) and a Siberian chiffchaff (Gransanger, Sibirisk) again. First timers in the nets included Redwings (Vindrossel), Blue tits (Blåmejse) and Blackbirds (Solsort) and other smaller passerines. Although many fieldfare were present, flying around and over Grenen, only one recaptured bird ended up in the nets. Some nice surprises were the three Bearded tits (Skægmejse) and five Bullfinches (Dompap).

After yesterday’s near successful capture of the Blyth’s Pipit (Mongolsk Piber), the Simons decided to give it a second go and left me and Thomas after seeing that KAB ringing was relatively quiet. Heading towards the dunes and the bird’s known hanging out spot. It took a few hours of looking and flushing out the bird but they were determined to catch him. And successful they were! We receive a message around 11am, they were headed back to Kabeltromle with the prized bird! This is the first time a Blyth’s pipit has been rung in Denmark and neighbouring countries. We now know this birds take an X ring! It was very cool to get so close and see so much of the feather detail on this rarity.

Photos by Simon Kiesé

On the side of migration counts, some of highlight consists of the now daily sighted of the White-billed diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom) as well as many of the other species, an unexpected sighting of a Black swan (Sortsvane) slightly far from its original range, flocks of Greylag geese and Whooper swans and a nice Peregrine falcon (Vandrefalk) fly by. Ducks have finally moved on from Denmark and the usual auks were present. Gustav was saved by the long last hour by the catching of the Blyth’s pipit., usual auks, saved from last hour by blyth’s pipit

Now time for night catching near the station. Fingers crossed for some interesting catches! (Update: three woodcocks were spotted but not caught :()

Ringing (Grenen):

Blyth’s pipit – Mongolsk Piber 1

Total: 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlekrattet):

Wren – Gærdesmutte 4

Dunnock – Jernspurv 1

Robin – Rødhals 2

Blackbird – Solsort 4

Redwing – Vindrossel 7

Chiffchaff – Gransanger 1

Goldcrest – Fuglekonge 3

Bearded tit – Skægmejse 2

Blue tit – Blåmejse 4

Great tit – Musvit 3

Treecreeper – Træløber Nordlig (ssp. familiaris) 1

Chaffinch – Bogfinke 1

Bullfinch – Dompap 2

Bullfinch – Dompap Lille (ssp. europaea) 3

Total : 38

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Wren – Gærdesmutte 4

Robin – Rødhals 3

Redwing – Vindrossel 1

Crested tit – Topmejse 1

Blue tit – Blåmejse 6

Great tit – Musvit 5

Mealy redpoll – Nordlig Gråsisken 23

Lesser redpoll – Lille Gråsisken 4

Total : 47

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

People: Mathilde Ducroz, Gustav Nyberg, Simon Kiesé, Thomas Weston, Jacob, Simon S. Christiansen.