Of Hen Harriers, Coal Tits and Ornithosis

This morning started slow at Kabeltrommle with just one Wren (Gærdesmutte) in the first round. Simon had a guided tour and they arrived at the second round at Kabletrommle which luckily brought some birds, the third Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) for the season and some Chiffchaffs (Gransanger). So it was a good opportunity to show the difference between the two species.

Hayley, Isis, Lars and I had some rounds with very few birds but a flock of twelve Coal Tits (Sortmejse) gave us some work for one round.

Ringmækening Kabletrommle

Gransanger: 7

Blåmejse: 1

Rødhals: 1

Løvsanger: 1

Gærdesmutte: 3

Sortmejse: 11

Total: 24

Also at Noth beach, at the morning observations, it was not very busy for Knud, Magnus, Simon and our goests Oliver, Margit and Claus, but raptors are arriving: there were thirteen Hen Harriers (Blå Kærhøg), a Black Kite (Sort Glente), eight Merlins (Dværgfalk) a close Osprey (Fiskeørn) and more Shags (Topskarv) on the sea. After the morning obs, Simon and Magnus had a Golden Eagle (Kongeørn) and two Black Kites (Sort Glente).

Goalden Eagle Kongeørn by Margit Madsen

Todays observations from observers in the area

Back at the station, after lunch, data entry and some short naps, Simon sr., Simon jr. and I went south of Skagen to a garden of a couple, as one of them got ornithosis in winter. So our goal was it to collect shit samples and catch some birds to get some fresh bird shit from them. The samples will be sent in to be examined for ornithosis. Furthermore, Simon talked with the couple to find out, how they could have gotten infected. Unfortunately, we didn´t catch any birds but we successfully collected some bird shit and saw 23 species in and around the garden, the highlight was the first singing Redstart (Rødstjert) we heard this spring.

When we came back to the bird observatory, it already smelled delicious of the lentil dal Magnus cooked and after the evening meeting and dinner, we were joined by a friend of Isis, who is on a visit to Skagen this week, we were all ready for bed.

See you again fresh and happy in the morning!

Hanelie

Sum of the raptors in the area based on observations typed into Dofbasn the same day

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