When the alarm rang this morning, Sarah, Louis-Marie and I were up and going. It was once again time to open nets at Kabeltromlen in hopes of birds in the net. Wind had picked up since yesterday but we were still able to open most nets. Unfortunately, they caught more leaves than birds today and we also had one zero round. However, that gave us time to study the varying moult of Redpolls (Gråsisken), discuss identification of their subspecies (cabaret and flammea) and generally admire the birds that we did catch. It still, the day was not without highlights! We caught the first surely identified Bullfinch of pyrrhula subspecies, so of the northern breeding population. We had already heard some in the field in the days prior so finally catching this beautiful female was especially nice.

A nice female Bullfinch of the subspecies pyrrhula (Stor Dompap). Foto: Simon S. Christiansen.

In the same round, we had a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the net – the first for this autumn season. It was a first-year male with a suspended moult in the wing. The first year birds of this species also moult primaries in summer/autumn, but this individual had left the three outermost unmoulted.

 A beautiful 1k male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Stor Flagspætte). Foto: Simon S. Christiansen.

In the meantime, Cora and Mio were at World’s End 3 for our migration count. Our helping hand Knud also joined in the first two hours. Sadly, the sea was rather quiet today, so it was a good training in staying amazed by common species. Still, some good stuff was around like two Mediterranean Gulls (Sorthovedet Måge) and a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) that migrated out onto the sea. What a curious sight!

At this point of the year, sunrise is so late that we only get back to the station after midday. So there, we ate lunch and entered data. Sarah then spend the evening working while I sorted my bird photos and worked in the laptop. Luis-Marie got the famous introduction talk by Simon were everything you need to know about the station is explained, so now he knows what will await him the next weeks. As dedicated birdwatchers, Mio and Cora went outside in the uncomfortable weather but did not see much. A decent flock of Crested Tits (Topmejse) was the highlight.

With everyone back at the station, we decided to finish the day with a SKAF family outing and went on top of the lighthouse. We enjoyed the view and asked ourselves how amazing this place where we live actually is.

Group picture on top of the lighthouse. Foto: Jule Tappe

Now, it has become very dark outside. Everyone is resting except for Cora who is preparing dinner. I’m sure, it will taste great.

Link to today's observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Jule Tappe, Sarah Partridge, Laura Tamminen, Louis-Marie Gourmelon, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen

As Cora and I went out to open the nets at Kabeltromlen, we really enjoyed the calm, windless morning. Some passerines enjoyed the morning as well and ended up in our nets. Today's highlight was definitely two Goldfinches (Stillits)!

Young Goldfinch (Stillits)

But catching and ringing birds isn't the only nice thing you can do at Kabeltromlen: It's also a great place for observing birds in the field, especially passerines. Today, we enjoyed watching the daily Red Crossbills (Lille Korsnæb) flying over and the first flocks of Waxwings (Silkehale) arriving.

The observers also had fun watching passerines. They spotted a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) and a flock of Waxwings (Silkehale). They also saw a Nutcracker (Nøddekrige), which was visible very well from Kabeltromlen as well. But passerines weren't the only exciting encounters during today's count. Jule, Louis-Marie, Sarah and Knud also spotted several different duck species, including Long-tailed Ducks (Havlit) and Scaups (Bjergand). A flock of Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) added to the feeling of late-autumn migration in the air! 

Late autumn was also present in Michael Anchers ringing at Jennes Sø and Nordstjernevej, where he caught lots of Lesser and Mealy Redpolls (Lille og Stor Gråsiskin) and Denmarks 2nd Arctic Redpoll (Hvidsiskin) for this autumn!

After our morning, Cora, Louis-Marie and I didn't have much time to rest before heading out again for a beach walk to look for dead seabirds along the shore. It's a 10 km walk, so Simon drove us to the "Sunset Kiosk" in Gammel Skagen, where we started our survey.

But before heading up there, we stopped at the train station to sadly say goodbye to Laura, who was leaving for Estonia that afternoon. We wish you a safe trip back! It was really nice having you here!

During our beach walk, we didn't find any dead birds today. However, we did see some nice living birds, including at least two 1K Mediterranean Gulls (Sorthovedet Måge).

Beach survey with lots of walking (really, a lot!)

Meanwhile, Sarah and Jule did some office/laptop tasks at the station. Sarah worked on data for her new job, while Jule wrote the September monthly report for the observatory, which you will be able to read next year in our annual report (Årsskrift)!

In the evening, we all enjoyed a lovely and delicious dinner prepared by Sarah.

Tomorrow, the wind is expected to pick up again, so let's see what it brings!

Link to today's observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Jule Tappe, Sarah Partridge, Laura Tamminen, Louis-Marie Gourmel, Simon S. Christiansen, Jeppe Madsen, Simon S. Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Knud Pedersen

Hej I’m back again, and it is so nice to finally see Skagen and its birds in autumn after I have just been here in summer and spring before. 

I was really looking forward to birding here again and the morning observation with Mio and Knud really delivered! 

The sea was really calm and it did not look like there would be much migrating over the sea except steady coming flocks Razorbills (Alk) which were very nice to watch. 

While there firstly was not much going on over the sea there were many different passerines around including tree Waterpipits (Bjergpber),  some Snowbuntings (Snespurv) and tree Horned Larks (Bjerglærke) which also landed on the beach. It was really nice to watch the Horned Larks (Bjerglærke) and one of them also had a ring, so it was probably one of the birds the others ringed the week before.

In the second hour Mio spotted a Nutcracker (Nøddekrige) coming just in our direction, it circled over our heads and then migrated out over the sea. That was a really exciting observation.

Then suddenly Knud spotted two young Shags (Topskarver) flying over the sea quite close to the shore, they also went down to rest on the water so we got some nice views of them. They were actually the first ones for this autumn season.

Not much later there was a big Diver (Lom) passing by and after a few seconds we were sure, it was a White-billed Diver (Hvidnæbbet Lom)!

After we finished the count we went west of the sandormentrack to look if we could find some Lapland Buntings (Lapværling) on our way there we saw another Nutcracker (Nøddekrige) which came just over our heads and then probably  migrated out over the sea. 

On the beach we actually found a Lapland Bunting (Lapværling) and also many Twites (Bjergirisk).
Afterwards we went to Kaberltrommmlen to accompany the ringers, Jule, Sarah, Laura and also Jeppe who helped in the ringing today.

Ringers enjoying the ringing

The ringers also had a very nice morning where they almost caught sixty birds of fourteen different species. The most numerous species were the Wrens (Gærdesmutte) today. They also caught four Twites (Bjergirisk) and a really cute Treecreeper (Træløber). 

Another highlight in the ringing were quite some Bullfinches (Dompap) and two Coletits (Sortmejse).

Treecreeper (Træløber)

When we were back at the station Sarah made us some good lunch. Afterwards  we opened the net in the old lighthouse garden and tried to catch a Nutcracker (Nøddekrige) playing some sound, without success.

Michael Ancher had a busy time at Jennes Sø with more than 200 Redpolls (Gråsisken)!

Later we also welcomed our new Volunteer Louis-Marie.

Now we are looking forward to another nice autumn day tomorrow.

Highlights from the observations:

White-billed Diver - Hvidnæbbet Lom 1

Shag - Topskarv 2

Nutcracker (Nøddekrige) 4

Ringing Kabeltromlen:

Blåmejse 2

Sortmejse 2

Gærdesmutte 18

Rødhals 6

Munk 1

Gransanger 2

Fuglekonge 7

Musvit 2

Træløber 1

Kvækerfinke 1

Grønirisk 1

Bjergirisk 4

Lille Dompap 6

Dompap 3

Rørspurv 1

Total: 57

Nordstjernevej:

Rødhals 1

Skovspurv 1

Musvit 2

Bogfinke 1

Total: 5

Jenne sø

Vindrossel 1

Gærdesmutte 3

Lille Gråsisken 145

Stor Gråsken 51

Træløber 1

Stor Dompap 1

Blåmejse 1

Grønsisken 1

Rødhals 1

Total: 205

Link to today's observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Jule Tappe, Simon S. Christiansen, Jeppe Madsen, Laura Tamminen, Sarah Partridge, Michael Ancher, Knud Pedersen, Louis-Marie.

Today was sunny and a bit windy, and Luis and I cycled to Nordstrand for Luis’s final migration count of the season. There, Knud had cleared us a space in the buckthorn so the three of us sat in our cozy nook. The count was very slow, but we did see a spectacular highlight, a handsome adult Havørn (White-tailed eagle) landed very close to us on the beach. It was so close that Luis could even read its colour rings!

My attemp at reading the Havørn colour ring

Other than that, we saw may alkefugle (auks), a couple of mallemuk (fulmars), and a 1k lille kjove (long-tailed skua), a bit late in the season for this one. There were also quite a few Ride (kittiwakes) migrating today. Kittiwakes have declined by over 99% across their range since the 1970s, due to a combination of factors, including climate change, habitat loss, and food availability. Like many other seabird species, kittiwakes are dependent on sandeels (sandåler) for their diet. Sandeel populations are declining due to both fishing practices and climate change. They are also changing their range due to rising sea surface temperatures, seeking out colder temperatures and therefore deeper water. This affects kittiwakes disproportionately because unlike other sandeel-dependent birds, they do not dive or swim, feeding only by skimming the water’s surface, so they are experiencing more pronounced reductions in prey availability. Another example of the importance of seabird conservation!

So, after that Knud went to go to a birthday party, so Luis and I finished up the count together. Despite the slight lack of birds in the last two hours, we had a nice time, and I will definitely miss all the trivia from Encyclopaedia Luis!

After this, we cycled home and I stopped by Jennes Sø so say hi to Michael and his Redpolls (Gråsisken). He had a whole box of them to show me when I arrived, so we got to compare the Lille and Stor (Lesser and Mealy) subspecies. Luis cycled on without me and was happy to see a Stor Tornskade (great grey shrike).

Meanwhile, Jule, Mio and Laura went to Kabeltromlen for a rather slow day of ringing. The highlight for them was two treecreepers (træløber), who are also one of my favourites! While it was slow, Simon showed them some old photos of when he caught some fun species and thought he was cool.

Ringers taking careful measurementsTræløber (Treecreeper), second cutest bird in Skagen

After some cleaning and bike repairs, we had to say goodbye to Luis, a very wonderful person to work with at the station. We will miss you! Tonight we are looking forward to welcoming Cora back to the station for two weeks.

In the evening Simon went to give a talk together with Michael Ancker for an art club at the art museum at Grenen. 

Ringing Jennes Sø

Rødhals 3
Lille gråsisken 53
Stor gråsisken 17
Kvækerfinke 1
Musvit 4
Stor dompap 1
Gransanger 1

Total 80

Link to today’s observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Luis Q. Langfeld, Laura Tamminen, Sarah Partridge, Jule Tappe, Michael Ancher, Simon S. Christiansen,  Knud Pedersen, Birgitte and Bjørn Dahl Porsgaard

Link to today’s observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Luis Q. Langfeld, Laura Tamminen, Sarah Partridge, Jule Tappe, Michael Ancher, Simon S. Christiansen, Erik Christophersen, Knud Pedersen, Birgitte and Bjørn Dahl Porsgaard, Paul Partridge, Linda Mertz, Anders Østerby + tour, Jørgen Kabel, Lisa Vergin, Sebastian Klein, Jonas Kjærgaard

 Unfortunately, this will be my last blog. I will be leaving on Monday, but words cannot describe the joy I felt being here. I did not expect to learn so much and hopefully I will be able to return soon. BUT! The day had a few exciting moments.

I spent the morning with Sarah ringing. The weather was a bit windy, but we could keep most of the nets open. Despite not getting anything too extraordinary in the nets in Kabeltromlen we spotted a small flock of 4 bearded reedlings (Skægmejse) flying past. Those were a lifer for me! Their name is a bit misleading because they are actually not related to tits (Mejse) at all! An hour or two later I was focused on some birds being ringed when suddenly Simon literally shouted with all his power: “NØDDEKRIGE!!”

I flinched so badly haha. But indeed, a nutcracker flew quite close by, followed by a second one! Everyone grabbed their cameras and binoculars; I always love such moments. It is so precious seeing everyone get so excited and restless to see a special bird. In total we saw 4 nutcrackers! Those birds are vital for reforestation! They cache various seeds for upcoming harsher days. They are able to relocate about 80% of their hidden seeds, but the remaining 20% will sprout into new trees! One of the Nutcrackers we saw flew past us from such a short distance, I could almost see all of its white spots.

Northern nutcracker flying over the people at KAB. Photo by Erik Christophersen (Heres a link to his Flickr profile, where he posts a lot of beautiful photos.)

We were later joined by Luis! Photo by Simon S. Christiansen

Over at Jenne sø there was a very special capture. Michael Ancher caught an Arctic redpoll (Hvidsisken)! It is the first one for all of Denmark this Autumn. He also had a Jay (Skovskade) recapture from last year.. From the data we know its at least 3 years old!

Fluffed up little Arctic redpoll (Hvidsisken). Photo by Michael Ancher.

The observation team consisted of Jule, Mio and Luis, or the “German Trio” as I call it. They reported seeing 2 great skuas (Storkjove) and an Arctic skua (Almindelig Kjove). A flock of 40 Golden plovers (Hjelje) flew by aswell! The razorbills (Alk) have also gotten very active with about 920 migrating birds counted today. I’d say that’s quite a successful count!

After our daily noon routine there was a Zello about a lesser spotted eagle (Lille Skrigeørn) flying close to the lighthouse. All the volunteers ran out to see it and got a great view! I joined a bit later but still managed to see it. These eagles are rare visitors in Denmark and do not breed here.

Great look of the magnificent 1 cy. Lesser Spotted Eagle (Lille Skrigeørn). Photo by Egon Østergaard

Today the others will be going nightcatching at Skarvsøen, fingers crossed they get something exciting!

I will end my last blog with a poem my grandma wrote about Skagen a week after I arrived here. It was originally written in Estonian, but it has been translated!

At the tip of the Jutland Peninsula,

where the waters of two seas meet,

the migration of raptors and seabirds,

and there is so much more to see.

At great speed they plunge into the water,

flocks of gannets diving for food.

Turning and flipping beach stones,

the turnstone with its wedge-shaped bill.

A wheatear with its black and white tail

Peers from a rock, searching for bugs.

On beach stones or in shallow water,

A rock pipit, a small passerine, is seen.

Among the dunes, a redstart,

Eagerly stuffing itself with insects before migration.

The far-reaching voice of the bluethroat, a tundra bird,

Lets it be known that it too is there.

 Large black eyes and a tiny beak,

      plumage like an extraordinary masterpiece,

Often heard, rarely seen,

The mysterious and exciting nightjar.

A tiny wren with an upright tail,

Yet possessing a loud and ringing voice.

Between crevices in bark and debris,

Its dining table is rich and plentiful.

Birds have their own life and language,

By protecting them, we protect ourselves.

-My Grandmother

Loone A.

Link to today’s observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Luis Q. Langfeld, Laura Tamminen, Sarah Partridge, Jule Tappe, Michael Ancher, Simon S. Christiansen, Lars Bo Jacobsen, Erik Christophersen, Søren Skov, Sophie Booker, Páll Vang Kjærbo, Birgitte and Bjørn Dahl Porsgaard, Paul Partridge, Linda Mertz

This morning was a family activity morning. The wind was very strong so we decided not to go ringing. Instead everybody went to the count, with me being a bit late to catch up on university classes before. The count was also supported by Knud and with the boiler suits, everyone felt very warm and cosy (read yesterday’s post to read about them!). Highlights were a Short-eared Owl (Mosehornugle), some Water Pipits on the beach (Bjergpiber) and a Merlin (Dværgfalk). Like on the previous days, there was also an adult Arctic Tern (Havterne), this time resting on the beach.

Short-eared Owl (Mosehornugle) and Hooded Crow (Gråkrage). Foto: Luis Q. Langfeld.

Arctic Tern (Havterne) on the beach. Foto: Luis Q. Langfeld.

After the count, we cycled back through the wind, ate lunch and went our ways: Luis read and rested, Laura doodled in her notebook, Sarah started her new proper and serious job, I went on a walk and Mio biked into town. He wanted to get a haircut, but the hairdresser was on holiday. It’s not too urgent though, since he wouldn’t let me cut it.

In the afternoon, Jeppe, Sophie and Páll came over. Jeppe had baked very delicious bird-shaped biscuits and Sophie and Páll brought gammeldags æblekage. Both were extremely delicious, so thank you!

Eating cake and biscuits.

Jeppe's super delicious seabird biscuits.

The, we started a game of Codenames. That is a game of word association were someone has to name a word that the other people of the team have to associate with certain words layed on the table. The first three games were won by the team of Mio, Sophie and me but in the fourth game, the other team of Páll, Jeppe and Luis made a comeback and also won a game.

On their way back, our three beloved guests found a dead Red Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb) that was lying around the lighthouse. We don’t know what happened to it but registered the bird accordingly.

Just in time for evening meeting, our new guests Birgitte and Bjørn arrived. We are happy to have you here!

Afterwards, Sarah cooked a fantastic dinner, joined by her aunt Linda and uncle Paul. Now after sunset, Mio and I will check a lake behind Ellekrattet to see if we can catch Common Snipe (Dobbeltbekassin) or Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekassin). Wish us luck!

Link to todays observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Luis Q. Langfeld, Laura Tamminen, Sarah Partridge, Jule Tappe, Michael Anker, Jeppe Madsen, Sophie Booker, Páll Vang Kjærbo, Birgitte and Bjørn Dahl Porsgaard, Paul Partridge, Linda Mertz

The day started very calmly, with little wind, but during the morning, the wind picked up. As a result, the ringing team at Kabeltromlen, consisting of Simon, Laura and Luis (and later Jule as well), had to close some nets during the day and eventually close all of them an hour earlier than usual. Nevertheless, they still had a nice day with the usual, but always lovely, birds, such as the colourful Bramblings (Kvækerfinke). Between the rounds, they also found a small Adder (Hugorm) and enjoyed watching the large flock of Jackdaws (Allike) that came in from the sea.

This flock was also spotted by the team at World's End 3 today, consisting of Sarah, Knud and Jule (with me joining later). Here, too, it was a lovely morning, with plenty of Razorbills (Alk) migrating, as well as some Goldeneyes (Hvinand). The highlight was definitely a Nutcracker (Nøddekrige) that flew by very close, right over the dunes.

While Knud, Jule and Sarah were counting the auks (Lomvie og Alk) during the first two hours, I took the opportunity to check some bushes around Stald Grenen, Nedermose and Nordstrand. On my way to Stald Grenen, I spotted a Ring Ouzel (Ringdrossel) flying overhead and later, a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) flew over at Nedermose. 

Michael Ancher had good numbers in the ringing at Jennes Sø of both Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken) and Mealy Redpoll (Stor Gråsisken)

All in all, it was a lovely morning, but we all realised that it was quite cold today. So, later in the afternoon, we decided to try out the boiler suits!

Prepared for every temperature now! 

Earlier, Jule, Sarah and I ate stick-bread session in the lighthouse garden. It was a lovely first lunch after the count and ringing!

Campfire + stick bread = hygge!

In the afternoon, Jule fixed a bike. It wasn't an easy job, and it took quite a bit of hard work, but hard work always pays off in the end! So, she managed to fix it, and now she can cycle out to KAB or WE3 faster than the wind again!

Now, after a delicious dinner, we're looking forward to a movie evening!

Highlights from the observations:

Nutcracker (Nøddekrige)-1

Lapland Bunting (Lapværling)-2 (later 5 Birds west of Sandormentrack by Erik)

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gransanger 1

Fuglekonge 4

Kvækerfinke 1

Dompap 3

Røspurv 5

Rødhals 3

Gærdesmutte 13

Vindrossel 3

Total 35

Ringing (Nørdstjernevej)

Sangdrossel 1
Munk 3
Solsort 1
Musvit 1
Gærdesmutte 1
Bogfinke 1
Grønirisk 1

Total: 9

Ringing (Jennes Sø)

Gransanger 5
Rødhals 2
Rørspurv 1
St gråsisken 18
Lille gråsisken 45
Vindrossel 2
Fuglekonge 2

total: 75

Link to todays observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Jule Tappe, Mio Brix, Laura Tamminen, Luis Q. Langfeld, Sarah Partridge, Simon S. Christiansen, Páll Vang Kjærbo, Sophie Booker, Jeppe Madsen, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen, Oluf Lou + Tour, Michael Ancher

Good evening!

Our two teams experienced two very different mornings today.

Sarah and me were at the count. We were so grateful when the sun finally came through the morning clouds. Before that it was freezing with cold winds coming from the north. Not the best conditions to stand at the highest dune around. If we'd be distracted by a lot of birds migrating over the sea, but we could only count lower numbers. At least, two skuas showed up, one was identified as an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove), the other was too far away to decide wether it was a Pomarine or Arctic Skua (Mellem eller Almindelig Kjove). To cheer us up a Lapland Bunting (Lapværling) flew by. I also enjoyed some migrating Western Jackdaws (Allike) and Hooded Crows (Gråkråge).

Bundled up Luis at the count to withstand the cold (photo: Sarah Partridge)

Meanwhile, the ringing team had a busy day with 56 caught birds in total. A special surprise during the first round and definitely today's favourite was a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin)! Especially adorable are the green and violet iridescent feathers on the back that are hardly ever visible in the field, even more as Jack Snipes are very secretive and elusive birds that rely on perfect camouflage during the day rest.

Mio at the mist nets with a freshly extracted Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) (photo: Laura Tamminen)

Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) after ringing (photo: Mio Brix)

The wonderful back plumage of a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) (photo: Simon Christiansen)

The afternoon activities were mostly related to data entry, paperwork and walks around Grenen with again two Lapland Buntings (Lapværling) as well as a very confiding Razorbill (Alk) hunting just next to the beach.

Jule entering ringing data in the afternoon sun (photo: Sarah Partridge)

Razorbill (Alk) hunting close to the beach (photo: Luis Q. Langfeld)

As last night's attempts for catching birds were not successful, we try again tonight. Fingers crossed that we'll get to ring some more birds! We'll let you know.

Highlights from the observations:

Lapværling – 2

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Enkeltbekkasin – 1

Vindrossel – 1

Sangdrossel – 1

Jernspurv – 1

Blåmejse – 4

Musvit – 2

Gærdesmutte – 9

Rødhals – 6

Gråsisken (Lille) – 2

Dompap – 5

Kvækerfinke – 7

Rørspurv – 8

Gulspurv – 1

Fuglekonge – 6

Gransanger – 2

Total: 56

Link to todays observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Jule Tappe, Mio Brix, Laura Tamminen, Luis Q. Langfeld, Sarah Partridge, Simon S. Christiansen, Páll Vang Kjærbo

Good afternoon readers! Today was a very good day for us and now we are happy to be warming up in the lighthouse.

First, some excitement from last night after the blog was written. Mio and Jule went night catching at Grenen to try to catch the storflock of Bjerglærke (Shorelark/Horned lark), and they had success with four in two rounds! They brought their treasures back to the lab to ring them there, where Simon and Lisa also joined us. The Bjerglærker were extremely round and soft and cute.

Two of the Bjerglærke from last night

A handsome male in winter plumage

Jule and Mio checking their birds for active moulting

After a slightly shorter sleep, Mio and I went to open the nets at Kabeltromlen, and were then joined by Simon. We had a very busy first round, which was made busier by my forgetfulness so I had to bike back to the lighthouse twice while Mio was extracting birds. The day was very productive, with 52 birds ringed and five retraps.

The best bird of the day was our foreign visitor, a female Munk (Blackcap) ringed in Chzechia . She is a great representation of evolution in action. Historically, blackcaps always travelled south to Africa for winter, but a larger portion of the population is now skipping the migration and instead travelling north to Scandinavia and Britain. This is likely a response to changing climate, thought to be also influenced by the abundance of bird feeders in Britain (about half of British households feed birds). The reverse-migrating birds were found to have slightly increased survival, smaller fat reserves (making escape from predators easier), higher wintering site-fidelity, as well as longer beaks and rounder wings (showing adaptations suited for a more generalized diet). They also return to their breeding grounds ten days earlier (on average) than their southern-migrating counterparts; although, all blackcaps now leave later and return earlier, for an average breeding season 63 days longer than it was in the 1960s. This incredible flexibility allows blackcaps to adapt to changing environments, and will help the species survive in the face of rapidly changing climates. Therefore, this Munk from Chzechia who has come to winter in the north is the winner of evolution. Also, Blackcap was bird of the year in Chzechia in 2026.

The winner of evolution

Some other highlights from the ringing included two Lille Gråsisken (Lesser Redpolls) together with one Stor Gråsisken (Mealy Redpoll), two male Kvækerfinker (Bramblings), an adult and a young one, and a few glorious Fuglekonge (Goldcrests).

Two Lille and one Stor (middle) Gråsisken

Meanwhile, Jule, Laura, and Luis went observing at World’s End III. They were very cold but enjoyed seeing the migration today, with some highlights of 3 Lapværling (Lapland bunting), one Toppet Lappedykker (Great Crested Grebe), and at the very end, a snespruv (Snow bunting), and a Dobbeltbekkasin (Snipe).

After lunch, we completed the Novana count of resting waterbirds. Mio and Luis went to Skarvsøen and Nørdstrand, while Laura, Jule and I went to the top of the lighthouse to count Kattegat. We also welcomed our new guests to the apartment this afternoon.

Tonight we will try night catching again and see what we get.

Highlights from the observations:

Toppet Lappedykker – 1

Sodfarvet Skråpe – 1

Lapværling – 3

Snespurv – 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Vindrossel – 2

Gulspurv – 1

Musvit – 1

Gærdesmutte – 12

Rødhals – 4

Gråsisken (Lille) – 2

Gråsisken (Stor) – 1

Munk – 1

Dompap – 10

Kvækerfinke – 2

Rørspurv – 9

Bogfinke – 1

Fuglekonge – 3

Gransanger – 2

Total: 52

Link to todays observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Jule Tappe, Mio Brix, Laura Tamminen, Luis Q. Langfeld, Sarah Partridge, Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin.