A few raptors and a Norwegian knot

Hej!

We started today a little extra sleepy after yesterday’s big adventure. We set the nets up at Kabeltromlen, joined by Augustin today, who was keen to be back after last ringing in Skagen in 2021. While only 17 new birds were ringed, passerine migration seemed to have picked up with common Sylvia warblers moving through the shrubbery and wagtails and Tree Pipits (Skovpiber) overhead. Highlights of the ringing included two new species in the hand for Mara - a first-year Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsiskin) and Reedbunting (Rørspurv). We were also joined by guests Ole and Birgitte, who got to see many new species in the hand and learn about the ringing process.

Out at Worlds End Three, Ragnar and Fredrik were conducting the daily observations. Their count started off with a Black Scoter (Amerikansk Sortand) roosting on the Skagerrak. There was also a variety of raptors migrating including one young male Osprey (Fiskeørn), one Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg), and three Merlin (Dværgfalk).

After lunch, the crew split up to tackle some tasks. Augustin and Mara headed to Solnedgangspladsen Gammel Skagen to begin a Northern Fulmar (Mallemuk) survey. They spent several hours walking around the tip of Grenen back to the station, searching for washed up dead Fulmar, for research coordinated by Aarhus university, investigating fulmar diets. They didn’t find any Fulmar, however, did bring the scopes to spot some other wildlife on the route home. And it was a good job that they did, because at Højen Fyrvej they spotted a ringed Red Knot (Islandsk Ryle) and were able to read the ring! It was a Norwegian ring, so we’re excited to discover more about this bird.

The ringed first year red knot read by Augustin and Mara. 

Meanwhile, Ragnar, Fredrik, and I went to the Skarvsøen to collect old net poles form the 2024 summer CES project. We returned in time for a quick swim as our guests Ole and Birgitte were kindly cooking dinner for us all.

The crew with empty plates after clearly enjoying the delicious pasta cooked by Ole and Birgitte - thank you!

We have a busy day planned for tomorrow with early observations and ringing and a night tour – hopefully we will have the excitement of some nice birds to keep us going over the day.

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Rørsanger – 4

Gransanger - 6

Rørspurv – 1

Tornsanger - 1

Munk - 2

Løvsanger – 1

Lille Gråsiskin – 1

Rødstjert – 1

Total = 17

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

If you wanna learn more about the current volunteers, or previous volunteers, then you can learn more about them here!

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Frederik Johansen, Mara Glane, Ole and Birgitte