Common Crossbill in the net!

Today my morning started with observations at the dunes next to the sea. The weather was, apart from the wind, very good. I used the observation time to solidify all the knowledge I have already learnt here at the station by identifying the sea birds and repeating the english species names and the most important characteristics. Because it was raining yesterday evening there were some water paddles on the beach - unexpectedly nearly without waders. During the morning only a few Red Knots (Islandsk Ryle) and Ringed Plovers (Stor Præstekrave) showed up. In and above the sea the species were more numerous. Gannets (Sule) and Common Scoters (Sortand) could be find nearly everywhere. By taking a closer look behind the waves Redthroated Loons (Rødstrubet Lom) and a Redbreasted Merganser (Toppet skallesluger) appeared.

Furthermore, the first Longtailed Skua (Lille Kjove) in this year was seen in Grenen and the Barred Warbler (Høgesanger) from yesterday is still in the area.

Christian, Yehonatan and Simon went for ringing to Sardinkrattet. The first two rounds were really good and especially many Robins (Rødhals) and Dunnocks (Jernspurv) were caught. Unfortunately, in the next rounds were not many birds catched and they already thought about closing the nets a little bit earlier. However, the decision to go further with the ringing was worth it. In the last round only one bird was in the net, but this was a big highlight: a Common Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb). A beautiful species that we rarely catch even though there are flocks of them coming everyday on migraton attempts

(Picture: Yehonatan Ben Aroia)

Back in the observatory station we opened the fridge on search for some food for lunch and realized that we have to go shopping. So, Yehonatan and I took the bike and went to Skagen, of course with wind against us.

After Christian had a short nap, and I had checked the nets in the old lighthouse garden we went for a swim. The refreshing water helped us to feel awake again and so we were ready to do some computer work and put the ringing data into the database.

In the evening we had a delicious curry, prepared by Yehonatan.

Ringing (Sardinkrattet, Grenen):

Dunnock – Jernspurv: 5

Robin – Rødhals: 11

Common Redstart - Rødstjert: 4

Reed warbler – Rørsanger: 3

Eurasian Blackcap - Munk: 5

Common Chiffchaff - Gransanger: 2

Willow Warbler - Løvsanger: 3

Great tit - Musvit: 1

Common Crossbill - Lille Korsnæb: 1

Total: 35

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Christian Stolz, Judith Kloibhofer, Anders & Agnete, Knud Pedersen, Jørgen Kabel, Igor.