Double take

 As yet another CES session loomed on us volunteers, it was once again Skarvsøen vs. Kabeltromlen. Teams: IK, SK, HL, KLN (Karen-Marie Leth Nissen) vs. SSC, SW and HKN (Henrik Knudsen). The catch numbers in the last split day were equally as poor in both sites, but Skarvsøen took the trophy home with a Buskrørsanger (Blyth's Reed Warbler), 3rd for Skagen Fuglestation. 

Rare image of SSC in waders (foto: Hans Rytter)

As the sole net-opener for Kabeltromlen, I was the first out of the observatory this morning. I began opening nets at 02:50, and had all nets open an hour later. I was joined by Simon and Henrik for the first round to begin ringing. Kabeltromlen got off to a good start with 8 birds in the initial net check, followed by a whopping 19 in the second (plus two Bogfinker (Chaffinches) ill with avian papilloma virus which we do not ring). The next couple rounds were done in rapid succession because the weather wasn't the best. During one of these hectic rounds, I came back with a Buskrørsanger, 4th for the Observatory and the first time more than one had been caught by us in one year. This one was especially surprising for Simon because him and Henrik could still hear a totally different Buskrørsanger, that they found singing close by short time before. Unfortunately, we weren't succesful in catching the other individual. It would've been too good to be true. In the end, there were a total of 38 ringed and recaptured birds (excluding sick birds).

But more Buskrørsangere (Blyth's Reed Warblers) was observed in the area during this day bringing the total up to at least 4 individuals (including birds found at Butterstien and Guldmajssøen) - a new record day for this species in Skagen! You can listen to them on recordings oploadet to Dofbasen.

Henrik Knudsen, Simon (Senior) a Blyth's Reed Warbler (Buskrørsanger) and some cool caps from Zeiss. Foto: Hans Rytter

Buskrørsanger (Blyth's Reed Warbler). Foto: Knud Pedersen

While us at Kabeltromlen were kept busy in the first hours of the morning, Skarvsøen struggled to catch as many birds. But they caught a 'weird looking Chiffchaff' - it was a Sibirisk Gransanger (Siberian Chiffchaff)! also an incredibly cool bird (but not a full species, so Kabeltromlen still got the cooler bird of the day). The CES session finished off with 15 ringed and recaptured birds. It's worth noting 6 of these were recpatures, which is a far higher rate of recaptured birds than at Kabeltromlen, which focusses on migratory birds.

Sibirisk Gransanger (Siberian Chiffchaff)

In observations news, there was a Brilleand (Surf Scoter) and a Amrikansk Sortand (Black Scoter) seen in the Skagerrak from Grenen today. There were very many Sortand (Common Scoter) in the Skagerrak too, with estimates by midday reaching minimums of 10,000 birds, more than twice the usual amount for the time of year.

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Redwing (Vindrossel) - 1

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) - 2

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger) - 3

Blyth's Reed Warbler (Buskrørsanger) - 1

Icterine Warbler (Gulbug) - 1

Chiffchaff (Gransanger) - 1

Blackcap (Munk) - 18

Garden Warbler (Havesanger) - 3

Chaffinch (Bogfinke) - 3

Total: 33

 

Ringing (Skarvsøen):

Chiffchaff (Gransanger) - 1

Siberian Chiffchaff, ssp. tristis (Sibirisk Gransanger) - 1

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) - 2

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesager) - 1

Blackcap (Munk) - 3

Total: 8

 

Ringing (Fyrhaven):

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) - 1

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) - 1

Total: 2

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

Sum of observations of raptors on DOFbasen from today.

People: Seán Walsh, Hayley Land, Isis Khalil, Magnus Houen Lauritsen, Simon Kiesé, Simon S. Christiansen, Henrik Knudsen, Karen-Marie and Søren Leth-Nissen, Hans Rytter, Tommy Kaae