Americans on the Move

Today was a very bittersweet day for me. It was officially my last full day here at Skagen Fuglestation for the 2024 season. Not to fret dear readers, I will make my triumphant return in 2025 just you wait.

The day started off bright and early at Kabeltromelen with overall very few birds but a few good experiences with species I won’t be seeing for the foreseeable future. A nice comparison between an adult (2k+) and a hatch year (1k) Willow Warbler (Løvsanger). In total we caught 12 birds today which may not be the highest number in our history but it was nice nonetheless. But for the sake of Rosa and the rest of the ringing crew, I truly wish for their sakes it begins to pick up in pace over the next few days. On the observation front, Ragnar once again manned Worlds End 3 and had overall little other than three Mediterranean Gulls (Sorthovdet Måge), a European Shag (Topskarv) and the continuing Zitting Cisticola (Cistussanger). 

The remainder of the day continued to be quiet day - a swim was had, data was entered and lots of food was consumed and made to tidy us over for the remainder of the day. I had a short appointment in town that I needed to attend to, but after, I went over to Netto to get some ingredients for my final dinner of my stay - lasagna. We had to eat quite early as we were leaving at 6 PM to go to Aalborg in search of the semi-mythical Great Snipe (Trekædder). Joe opted to stay back to sleep and prep for the trek home, but in my dedication I decided to brave it and head south with the crew. Arriving at a birding locality just south of Aalborg, we looked for a breeding pair of Black-necked Grebes (Sorthalset Lappedykker). We then headed over to Simon’s fathers house for some cake, coffee and beer before heading out. Arriving at the predetermined locality we flushed 2 snipes without success and on the third attempt nearly 3 hours in, Simon and Rosa connected with one!! An adult (2k+) bird which we were able to ring and observe up close. Quite the way to get a lifer (for Rosa, Andrew and myself). 

Topskarv (European Shag)

Without much more luck at this location we headed off to the next field where we were able to find 5 more snipes, but once again we were unable to connect with anymore. We then began the trek all the way back to Skagen for out first Kabeltromelen round at 6 AM. What a night.

On a personal note, I wanted to thank everyone I have encountered at the station: the guests, my co-volunteers and of course Simon. These past few months have been a life changing time for me and I am so grateful to have been a part of this place. I wish everyone luck at the station. To my friends still at the station: LONG LIVE TORNSANGER! Go for some swims for me and please find some good birds -- I'll be watching the blog and DOF Basen. 

And so my time at SKAF has passed (for now), what will tomorrow bring for the rest of the volunteers? Read tomorrows blog to find out. But for now I bid you all farwell!

Vi Ses

Lucas Corneliussen

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) - 4

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) - 4

Chiffchaff (Gransanger) - 1

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger) - 2

Total: 11

People at SKAF: Lucas Corneliussen, Rosa Hicks, Ragnar Smith, Simon S Christiensen, Andrew Commins, Joe Zeno

Link to todays observations from observers in the area