Shearwaters, Sun, and a Sandpiper

The day started off well with the team sticking to their tasks. There was another change in wind direction with the wind decreasing and veering slightly SE. Changes in wind are always great for Skagen and today did not disappoint.

Mara, and I went to ringing at Kabeltromlen. The morning started quite quiet with the reduced wind allowing us to open all the nets. We had some migration overhead which was nice with finches moving about today. This included flocks of Bullfinches (Dompap), Chaffinch (Bogfinke), Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb) and Brambling (Kvækerfinke) moving after a slow start. A migration highlight we do not generally see in the UK, are the flocks of Blue tits (Blåmejse) trying to migrate and showing signs of Zugunruhe: migration restlessness where they circled, gained height calling very excitedly before dropping back down and dispersing within the bushes. It is no surprise these are genuine migrants here. Three flocks of Golden Plover flew South equating to roughly 230 birds (Hjejle). The morning was slow but steady round wise with a single Redwing (Vindrossel) one of the highlights, and one of very few seen today. No Fieldfare (Sjagger) or Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel) were seen today, though the former is still in very very low numbers this autumn. We packed up around 13:15 today.

Our guest Søren went to see the Crested Lark (Toplærke) and found one before joining us.

One of two migrant Peregrine (Vandrefalk) that came in off the sea today. Photo Emma.

In comparison, Emma was joined by Knut and Jorgen for the migration watch from World’s End 3. There were less numbers of Kittiwake (Ride), Razorbill (Alk) and roughly the same number of Guillemot (Lomvie) as yesterday. There were some standout highlights from the morning with 3 Sooty Shearwaters (Sodfarvet Skråpe), a very lost Manx Shearwater (Almindelig Skråpe), 2 3^rd calander year plus Shags (Topskarv), a Common Tern (Splitterne), an Arctic Tern (Havterne), 2 Peregrine (Vandrefalk), and a Fulmar (Mallemuk). Once the migration counts ended around midday, Jorgen and Emma joined the ringing team in the final closing round.

Sunset from Det Grå Fyr by Thomas

Back at the observatory, lunch was had and data from today was inputted. Everyone felt quite tired so we all did our own little things. This resulted in me ending going up the lighthouse just before sunset to share a sunset virtually which was very lovely in all ways and was very stunning and orange. It was one of those evening's that were worth sharing and I'm glad I did.

1st year Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) caught and ringed this evening. Photos by Mara.

Meanwhile, Mara and Emma tried to find Purple (Sortgrå Ryle) Sandpipers between the lighthouse and the Seal Bunker and had no luck. However, just after sunset, whilst Mara was holiday organising with her partner, Emma stumbled across a Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) closer to the bunker than the lighthouse. Based on previous success, Skagen Fuglestation has found a great way of catching these classy waders and we were able to catch the individual and ring it before dinner.

Highlights from the observatory:

• Three Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe)
• One Manx Shearwater (Almindelig Skråpe)
• Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) caught and ringed – our second of the year.

Ringing totals

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Total: 27

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr)

Total: 1

Overall total: 28

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Mara Glane, Emma Fabré, Søren Wilhelsen and Knud Pedersen, Jorgen Hulbaek