Coldcrest and Croissants

The day started with the moon setting and a change in the weather resulting in more wind and a decrease in the temperature too. The team awoke a little tired today after a late night watching a movie in the conference room which was really nice.

The morning of ringing summed up in one photo, need I say any more??

Ragnar left quite early this morning to go to university so he could complete some lectures. Mara and I said goodbye to him as we were leaving for ringing and continued to Kabeltromlen. The wind was moderate, but it looked to be a sunny day and sheltered around some of the nets. Alas, 11 nets were opened, and the sun rise was quite nice with a mix of colours with every cloud passing. We sat, waited for the rounds, tried to see if there was any migration, but unfortunately the wind was slightly too strong. However, in one of the alders I saw a couple of Redpoll (Gråsiskin). The only bird caught in the couple of hours we ended up keeping the nets open was a recapture Goldcrest (Fuglekonge). We came back.

 With Ragnar gone, Emma undertook migration with Knud at World’s End 3 today. She had the wind but had a lot more birds. The Razorbills (Alks) were moving in numbers again, several thousand yesterday heading SE, and good numbers of Kittiwake (Ride) and Gannets (Sule) moving too. Other than that, the standout highlight was a Great-northern Diver (Islom) and there is some hope for something special in the next few days with the wind increasing and turning colder and more from the NW. Emma returned to find us eating brunch.

I completed some personal work; Mara fell asleep for most of the afternoon and Emma was keen for some more Waxwings (Silkehale). As a result, a trip into Skagen to find some Waxwings (Silkehale) and to buy some food for the next few upcoming meals led to none being found, and the return of the grey and cloud. However, birding highlights included 14 Woodpigeon (Ringdue) and a few passage flocks of Redwing (Vindrossel) and Fieldfare (Sjagger). Amongst the food highlights were croissants, fresh bread and a nice mix of vegetables. The wind gradually increased and it took no time at all to get back as the cycling was super fast!

It's me and a Herring Gull (Sølmåge) in the lab.

On arrival, cake dropped off earlier by Simon and Lisa was had and all three of us say a big thank you to both of you. A Herring Gull (Sølmåge), a 1^st calendar year (probably male), that was initially picked up by Ragnar last week after being found a little underweight in the carpark and taken into care, was rehabilitated, and brought to the station for ringing and release today which was nice. The gull flew off from the beach and rested in the water before joining the other passage gulls. Let’s hope he lives a long and prosperous life. He certainly had attitude.

Darkness fell, and with just us as a trio, we had a short evening meeting, and an evening of odd jobs and chill is the plan. We may have a short wander looking for Woodcock (Skovsneppe), but we shall see, keep posted….

Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) weighing in at 91.7g, a real chunky bird and ready to migrate south ahead of the cold next week!?

.... An update I saw 6 Woodcock (Skovskeppe), 6 Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) and caught one of the latter. It was 91.7g and a fat 9!!! The heaviest ever Jack snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) I have ever handled or seen. Where are you off too???

Highlights from the observatory:

• A passage of Razorbill (Alk)
• Great-northern Diver (Islom)

Ringing totals

Jennes Sø

Elle Krattet

Jack snipe         Enkeltbekkasin        1

Fyrhaven

Herring Gull       Sølmåge                  1

Overall total: 10

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Emma Fabre, Mara Glane Ragnar Smith, Simon Sigaard Christiansen & Lisa Vergin.