Night Tour

the ringing today was another exciting discovery - a Siberian Chiffchaff (Sibinsk Gransanger) noticeably different to its common cousin thanks to a duller appearance - devoid of any yellow or green - and with whitish under parts rather than the typical cream colour. This bird was one of 26 new birds ringed at Grenen.

James and I went out observing - first with Rolf at World’s End where we saw another Richard’s Pipet (Stor Piber) - it gave us good views as it flew overhead. We then joined Knud and his friend Thom on the beach. A good look at a large group of gulls roosting on the beach revealed Caspian Gulls of various ages, some Great Black Backed (Svartbag) and Herring (Sølvmåge) gulls with colour rings which Knud and James did an excellent job of reading from a great distance (and we look forward to knowing whereabouts they are from once the rings are checked) and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull (Gråmåge).

After lunch, we processed the day’s data and did various jobs down in Birder’s Club, whilst welcoming visitors at the beginning of the Danish October holidays (Week/Uge 42). There’s a full programme of events this week (more details here), starting with a night tour this evening. The lighthouse garden nets were opened to see if we could catch any owls and Molly stayed to check them hourly.

Nine people attended the tour and Simon, James and I went out onto the beach with flashlights, searching for birds and animals that are on the move at night. Our investigations showed that there’s lots going under the cover of darkness at Grenen! We saw deer, seals, a hare, and lots of ducks and waders roosting on the freshwater pool near the tip that unfortunately were too distant to catch. Back at the lighthouse, Molly hadn’t had any luck with owls in the nets, but a sole Robin (Rødhals) was waiting for us on the path and we managed to catch it and ring it which was great for the group to see before they left. A video is here of everyone meeting the little visitor!

Birds caught - 26: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff (Sibinsk Gransanger), 2 Blue Tit (Blåmejse), 1 Great Tit (Musvit), 1Chiffchaff (Gransanger), 1 Song Thrush (Sangdrossel), 4 Robin (Rødhals), 3 Wren (Gærdesmutte), 2 Chaffinch (Bogfinke), 3 Blackcap (Munk), 3 Bullfinch (Dompap) and 5 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)

People: Sarah Bedford, Molly Brown, James Butcher, Rolf Christensen, Knud Pedersen and Simon S. Christiansen