Woody's Double Act and a Lesser Surprise!

Ahoy there friends, I don’t suppose you can guess what I have to say about the progression of our morning, given there has been no considerable change in the weather lately. That’s right, it was excruciatingly slow at best. That’s not to say we didn’t enjoy it, though. We started the day with two recaptured Blackbirds (Solsort), one male and one female. The female had a brood patch, and since they were next to each other in the net (and shared the same grumpy attitude) we assume they were a lovely young couple! We also got to watch a cruise ship float in from the distant ocean, into the Kattegat, and then dock at the Harbour. The town is full of life now!

The grumpy lovebirds.

 

After this, unfortunately, we had quite a few rounds with no birds. Our highest round (and the only ones we ringed so far) by 8 in the morning: 3 birds. We had started losing hope, so we decided to close half an hour earlier than usual… and what happened during the closing round fell right in line with the usual tomfoolery of the birds up here, 5 new birds! They really find a way to play with your toes, those feathered fiends. 

 

Though as compensation for the lack of birds, we did have two Wood Warblers (Skovsanger) today. Kirsten was very excited to be able to ring one of these vibrant little warblers. Considering how few birds we caught and ringed today, two Wood Warblers (Skovsanger) is quite good. 

 

And who doesn’t love looking at those little faces:

 

Wood Warbler (Skovsanger).

 

The count went as usual, with the main highlight being a singing Greenish Warbler (Lundsanger).

 

We also lost two of our team members today, Hayley and Simon (Jr), who have migrated to Gothenburg, Sweden in a most traitorous manner to enjoy a jazz concert, the station is very empty now. All jokes aside, we wish them a safe journey and lots of fun during their little field trip!

Hayley Land at Trafalgar Sqaurd. 

 

When we got back from the station, we immediately got to work entering data and checking sheets. Then we had a little bit of free time before Simon (Sr) came around to enter more data and check more sheets, but now all of that is done so we can focus on being out in the field the next few days as the birds (hopefully) pick up again!

 

I also spent some time updating the picture archive, so we don’t fall behind on that either.

 

Now the day is coming to a close, and Magnus is preparing dinner. It will be an early night for us at the station.

 

Catch us in the field!

 

UPDATE: We DID NOT in fact have an early night… As we neared the end of our dinner, Magnus received a Zello message from Erik Christophersen announcing a Lesser Kestrel (Lille Tårnfalk) by Storsig! This is only the 3rd record for Skagen, and a big wish list bird (and lifer) for me! Magnus was out in a flash, Seán and I were a bit slower, trying to see if we could catch it on foot first, before rushing back to get our bikes. 

 

In all the chaos, though, everybody was very glad to get a great look at this beautiful bird, along with a Red-Footed Falcon (Aftenfalk). Many pictures were taken, many new mosquito bites were received, and many happy birders paraded the streets. Now it nears 21:30, much beyond our bedtime. Let us dream of all sizes of Kestrels (Tårnfalk) as we prepare for the birdy days to come.

 

Lesser Kestrel (Lille Tårnfalk) and Red-Footed Falcon (Aftenfalk). Photo by: Magnus Houen Lauritsen.

Lesser Kestrel 2cy. Male with The Grey Lighthouse in the background. Video by Kent Olsen

Ringing (Kabeltromlekrattet)

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) 1

Eurasian Blackcap (Munk) 1

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) 1

Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) 1

Common Chaffinch (Bogfinke) 2

Wood Warbler (Skovsanger) 2

Total: 8

 

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area.

Sum of the raptors in the area based on observations typed into Dofbasen the same day.

 

People: Seán Walsh, Hayley Land, Isis Khalil, Magnus Houen Lauritsen, Simon Kiesé, Simon S. Christiansen, Kirsten Bregn