A Day of Exploring & Baking

Pinch, punch, first of the month and not only the countdown until Christmas but also the countdown until the closing of Skagen Fuglestation for another year.

The day started with an additional, unofficial for the bird obs data, migration count being undertaken by Ragnar, Mara, and Alfred. The observations were slow with highlights being the gulls. In fact, 10 Black-headed gulls (Hættemåge), 155 Common gulls (Stormmåge), 825 Herring Gulls (Sølvmåge), 105 Great Black-Backed Gulls (Svartbag), and 9 Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge) all recorded. Other bits and bobs included Mara finding a surfing Hooded Crow (Gråkrage), a migrant female Blackbird that came in from the sea, as well as a Carrion Crow (Sortkrage).

Meanwhile, after a lie-in and nice breakfast Eleanor and I popped on the waders (as you do) and went on an adventurous cycle ride to find some species away from World’s End 3/Grenen and explore some of the more niche Skagen sites.

 Eleanor in the reeds.

The first was to Kabeltromlen to explore the reeds. This was the first time Eleanor experienced the Kabeltromlen reedbed net round and found it very enjoyable. We found a flock of Bearded tits (Skægmejse), a flock of Chaffinches (Bogfinke), a few Blue tits (Blåmejse), and a couple of Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) too.

Golden Reedbeds

The reeds were as beautiful as ever and it was nice to wander round the net rounds since closing a few weeks ago. Emerging from the reedbed, we bumped into Eric and it was great to have a birdy chat together whilst cycling back towards the observatory. We parted ways and went to Elle Krattet where we saw a couple of Blackbirds (Solsort) and almost went the wrong way... but our journey continued to Jennes Sø. The lake was calm and out of the wind so a great spot to stop, watch and listen. We heard a Crested tit (Topmejse), saw a female type Hen Harrier (Blå kærhøg) quartering around the moorland, and the rarest of them all, a Kingfisher (Isfugl). A scarce species in the Skagen area and nice to see a flash of blue on a grey day. Light was fading quick so a cycle back along the boardwalk and sandy paths to the observatory was super lovely in the wind. We hiked up the lighthouse and sat watching the sunset from the top. It was a cloudy, windy evening but the lighthouse light beamed the area. We were encouraged to have a wander along the beach and noticed the tide was high and the water was coming up to only a few metres from the bottom of the closest dunes.

The baking crew

Our bird-shaped seabird makeshift cutouts for gingerbread baking

Arriving back to the observatory, we joined Mara in the kitchen for some Glogg and a baking session. Between the three of us, we made seabird shaped gingerbread, Jødekage, Zimtsterne, and Husarenkrapfen. This was good fun, and the treats went down a treat! This was followed by a tasty risotto cooked by Mara. A cosy evening followed ahead of tomorrow’s adventures.

Highlights from the observatory:

• Kingfisher (Isfugl)

Ringing totals

Jennes Sø

Overall total: 3

Today’s observations on Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Thomas Weston, Eleanor Harris, Mara Glane, Ragnar Smith, Eric Christophersen & Alfred Godsk Geckler.