Common Ringed Plovers

Magnus was the number one birder at World’s End 1 this morning, the only person to brave the wet and windy weather out there! Although it was generally very quiet with birds, he did see two Manx Shearwaters (Almindelig Skråpe), a new life species of him.

A bit later in the morning, when the rain had stopped, Søren kindly gave Simon Jr, Isis, Karen-Marie and I a lift to Gammel Skagen where we started the 10km Fulmar (Mallemuk) survey along the beach all the way back to Det Grå Fyr. We were looking for dead Fulmars (Mallemuk) to collect for Aarhus University where the stomachs will be analysed for their plastic content.

Fulmar survey team. Photo by Søren Leth-Nissen

Unfortunately, we didn’t find any Fulmars (Mallemuk) this time but we did find some onions which were great for a spontaneous game of football on the beach!

The walk was very wild and windy with bright sunshine and a very dramatic sea. We saw several pairs of Common Ringed Plovers (Stor Præstekrave); these are the only wader species breeding along the beach here and we were lucky enough to see three cute little chicks running around near the dunes.

Later in the afternoon we returned to Nordstrand with steel rings and ringing equipment and walked back along the beach to where we had seen the chicks. We found them again within ten metres of where they had been in the morning and the three cute little balls of fluff each got themselves a shiny new ring.

Common Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) chick. Photo by Søren Leth-Nissen.

The adults remained close by and watched as we quickly and carefully ringed the chicks. It was interesting to watch their behaviour and how they try to distract potential threats away from their chicks.

Simon Jr also found a Common Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) nest. You can see how well camouflaged the eggs are in the photo below.

Common Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) nest

On our way back to the lighthouse we were treated to an absolutely amazing view of the Steppe Eagle (Steppeørn) flying right over our heads. It was so close that we had to duck! Søren got some incredible photos as it passed over us.

Steppe Eagle (Steppeørn). Photo by Søren Leth-Nissen.

We returned to the station just in time to celebrate Constitution Day with Magnus and his family. They brought delicious bread and cake and we had a great time celebrating altogether in the garden.

Søren and Karen-Marie are now cooking our dinner; it already smells delicious!

Ringing (Nordstrand):

Common Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) – 3

Total: 3

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, Karen-Marie and Søren Leth-Nissen.