Julian was out, trying to catch Quails (Vagtel) again, in the night, but sadly Alix and I did not get any wake-up calls. Instead we went birding at Grenen in the morning. There were many Gulls, plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls (Hættemåge) and a few cute terns resting on the beach. There were also two Temminck's Stints (Temmincksryle) that landed on the beach before flying out to sea. It was very warm and humid, and shortly after realizing we had not brought any rain jackets, an ominous dark cloud approached us, luckily it just passed to the west of us, and we did not get rained on. We saw some pretty cool thunder out at sea though.

Thunder-clouds out at sea

When we got back, we checked the moth trap and opened the garden net for a little while.

Ground Lackey (strand-ringspinder)

For lunch Alix and I went to the restaurant De 2 Have and ate a scrumptious meal.

View from the restaurant terrace

In the afternoon we did a big deep cleaning of the station so the summer team has a clean place to be when they arrive :) After that Julian went for a swim in the calm sea.

I had just published this blog and was sat in the station kitchen by the Lighthouse doing computer work. Suddenly heard multiple Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale) calls just outside the open window. Went to check and it flew just a meter away from the window! Ran out quickly but could not find it again around the Lighthouse. Knud and Erik arrived soon after and together we went to the parking lot out at Grenen because we thaught that it could be together with the oather swallows there. And after some looking I found it again. We walked a little more closer and suddenly there was a lark in the middle of the parking lot. Knud immediately called it out as a Crested Lark (Toplærke). Both of them could be observed nicely for the rest of the evening. Verry unexpected ending to the day! 

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr)
Gransanger - 1
Munk - 1
Total: 2

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig

This morning started out a bit messy as all 3 of us (Alvin, Julian and I) overslept and ended up being way too delayed to conduct the CES ringing session we had planned on doing. In the end, after deciding we were too late and after a few more hours of sleep, we got up and spent some time with our beloved János who was leaving in the late morning. 

We were all so sad to see him leave, and it was hard to see such an important part of the spring team leave us! We all enjoyed multiple months together and working on many projects, but now it was time for him to go back to Germany to prepare for his next adventure, Mongolia!! We all wish him well and thank him for all he taught us. 

After his departure, Julian set off to go trim some vegetation at the CES site while Alvin and I went on a walk on the beach to try to located some Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) nests or chicks, and we got lucky to find one nest with 4 eggs! 

Ringed Plover nest with 4 little eggs!

We will be monitoring this nest and hopefully the chicks will be successful and Julian and the Summer Team can go ring these small guys later. 

On the way back we went swimming as the day had gotten quite warm, and so did Julian before coming back from the CES site at Nordstrand. 

In the meantime, Simon was going some big spring cleaning and organising in our attics at the station and in the lab. 

The day ended with a nice meal made by Julian, and we all got some rest, as now a team of only three… 

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

In the morning Julian woke up to bake some choklate bunns, and together with the blueberry cake that Jànos made yesterday we had enjoyed Jànos life changing Gull (Måge sp.) presentation.

After that me and Alix made flower crowns and I also baked a bread.

Julian started working on the design for the station T-shirts and Janos packed his things and wrote in the guest book sice he is leaving tomorrow :(

For dinner we had haulumi burger and after that we went out to look at Gulls (Måge sp.) Continuing the gull presentation but actually applaying our new skills in the field.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

This morning started slow with all of us sleeping in, and with some freshly made pancakes from János for breakfast. 

Julian had been out night catching quails (Vagtel) tonight and enjoyed some extra sleep after coming home after the sunrise which he enjoyed at the top of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, no quails were caught, and he only heard two as well as tried to approach one of them but it sort of disappeared and went silent. 

During the day we all did some cleaning around the house as is our weekly schedule, and in the afternoon we all went to enjoy some fresh water and sun at the beach! Everyone was brave enough to get into the cold water but me ahahaha I admire them! I am too used to the warm Mediterranean Sea for the nordic temperatures, but I am trying to get better at that! 

Our guests Anne and Jesper who had been staying in the apartment for a while sadly left us today, and we hope to see them again soon. It was a pleasure having them around!

In the evening, we made a nice fire outside the lighthouse and enjoyed some Midsommar treats with some watermelon and fire roasted marshmallows. 

Nice fire enjoyed with watermelon, roasted marshmallows, beer and nice people!

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hanna Bangart, Simon S. Christiansen

In the night Alix was out catching Nightjars (Natravn) around Storsig and Julian was out trying to catch another Quail (Vagtel) since many could be heard singing. In the end Alix caught a Nightjar (Natravn). A second calendar year female which she was very happy about since it was her first one:)

Nightjar (Natravn) in profile

Nightjar (Natravn) wing, second calendar year because of the two outermost Alula-feathers beeing of juvenile type, also some greater coverts and one secondary. 

One the toes, the Nightjar (Natravn) has combs, that is used for cleaning.

Today was the last day of standardized ringing for the spring season and we had a nice morning with some thunder in the atmosphere wish was cool. 

The highlights from the ringing was definitely a Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wish was the first of the season caught here. It was a female based on the slightly shorter tail streamers. Also we caught two Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies.

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) closeup

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wing

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) tail, female because of the relatively shorter outer tail feathers than males

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies 

János also went observing at the tip for a little while and saw many Common Scoters (Sortand) and an Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove).

The last bird caught for the standardized ringing for the spring season was a female Blackcap (Munk).

The last bird with the team

The rest of the day was spent napping and some of us went to get Icecream in town since it was very warm outside.

In the evening Anna and Jesper cooked an amazing dinner for us.

Highlights from the observations:
Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Rørsanger - 5
Landsvale - 1
Munk - 15
Tornsanger - 3
Rørspurv - 2
Havesanger - 1
Gransanger - 1
Total: 28

Ringing (Storsig)
Natravn - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hanna Bangart, Alix Bortolussi, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

Today was very windy so we only had the nets open for around two hours in the morning. Nonetheless we got three birds, two Blackcaps (Munk) and one Garden Warbler (Havesanger).

Garden Warbler (Havesanger)

Today was also the last day of the standardized migration count of the season which János conducted today, with the highlight being the Fulmars (Malemuk)

Julian is feeling better today as well, being ill yesterday. He had a nice breakfast outside and rested in the morning.

Not being tired enough from waking up early haha, Hanna went for a 10 km run and ended it by swimming in the ocean.

In the afternoon our new apartment guests, Anna and Jesper arrived. We are already looking forward to what you will cook for us tomorrow for dinner since we have heard a lot of good things about that :)

Highlights from the observations:
Fulmar (Mallemuk) - 42

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Munk - 2
Havesanger - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hanna Bangart, Agnes Hjortsberg, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

After coming back from nightjar (Natravn) ringing, we had 5 minutes before going out to set up nets for the morning ringing at Kabeltromlen. Today was the last morning for Dylan and Olga and they ringed their last birds for this season.

Dylans last bird, Ictarine Warbler (Gulbug)

Olgas last bird, Garden Warbler (Havesanger)

The migration count was slow but luckily there was some gulls to look at, resting on the beach.

The rest of the day was spent sleeping for most of us, except for Dylan and Olga who left the station.

In the evening we went to Skagen Kiltplantage again to do some more nightjar ringing. Check out tomorrow's blog to see how it went ;)

Highlights from the observations:
Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Kærsanger - 1
Rørsanger - 5
Gulbug - 1
Tornsanger - 1
Havesanger - 2
Munk - 10
Dompap - 2

Ringing (Skagen Kiltplantage)
Natravn - 1
Total: 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Olga Fernández Enríquez, Mathilde Sund, Hanna, Lars Bo, Knud Pedersen

This morning most of the team was at the ringing. It was a steady session with mainly Blackcaps (Munk) but a couple nicer species like Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger) and Icterine Warbler (Gulbug). One of the last birds of the morning though was this female Red-backed Shrike (Rødrygget Tornskade). This is the fifth Red-backed Shrike (Rødrygget Tornskade) that we have caught here this spring which is higher than the previous spring totals of this species. My favourite bird of the day a leucistic Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger). We have seen this same bird hanging around the nets since late April, so it was nice to see it up close one last time. The spring, however, has not yielded a Danish rarity yet so the whole team has their fingers crossed that one makes its way into the nets soon.

Female Red-backed Shrike (Rødrygget Tornskade)

Skagen's famous leucistic Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger)!

János was the only one on the migration count this morning. He had an enjoyable morning with quite a few Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) and some gulls to look at in detail on the beach. Though the best thing of the morning was a massive flock of over 2500 Velvet Scoters (Fløjlsand)! Almost double the previous day record in Skagen. Unfortunately, they were a bit far out to look for rarer species, but it was still an amazing sight.

After a quick lunch I went on a walk around a few sites like Skarvsøen and Ellekrattet to look for some later spring scarcities. Species in mind were Great Reed Warbler (Drosselrørsanger) and Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Buskrørsanger) as neither had been found in the field yet the spring. However, to my surprise, I was able to find a Bonelli’s Warbler (Bjergløvsanger/Balkanløvsanger)! I managed to get a nice twenty second view of it allowing me to see all the important features. The bird did not call for me though, meaning I could not be certain whether it was an Eastern Bonelli’s (Balkanløvsanger) or Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Bjergløvsanger). I didn’t mind though. As it is still a very nice bird to see in Denmark. The others came out to try and re find it with me, but we had no luck. Maybe it turns up somewhere else in the coming days.

In the late afternoon Alvin also caught a Black Redstart (Husrødstjert) in the lighthouse garden. This is the first nice bird that the net in the garden has caught this spring, so we were all pleased. Plus, it is only our second Black Redstart (Husrødstjert) caught this spring.

Young Black Redstart (Husrødstjert)

Because the wind was low, we decided to go out and try catch some Nightjars (Natravn) over the night. We went a bit South of Skagen to the plantation and set up nets for 11pm and left them out with playback for three hours. We were super happy to find one young male Nightjar in the nets. It is a species we all really wanted to catch because of their amazing cryptic plumage and other very strange features (like combs on their claws!). We were absolutely mind blown by how amazing this bird was, and we hope to catch more in the coming nights. Nightjar (Natravn) catching does require to stay up ll night which can be very tiring! Each year the station tries to catch Nightjars (Natravn) in Skagen which sometimes means that we get some really nice recaptures. At the same site we also heard a few roding Woodcock (Skovsneppe) which was also nice as we haven’t really seen them since late March. My last day here in Skagen has been absolutely brilliant and I don't think I could've asked for a better ending.

Young male Nightjar (Natravn)!

Today was in fact my last full day in Skagen as I leave tomorrow morning to head back to Scotland. I have had the most amazing time here and have learnt so much. Not only have I gained some very valuable skills, I have also met some amazing people that I have been able to get super close to. So, this goodbye is harder than I imagined it would be. I am sure we will all meet up in the coming years again. I also want to thank all the local birders from Skagen who have passed on all their skills to me across the spring. The scene here is very special and I am sure I will be visiting here again soon! I hope you all have an amazing rest of the spring filled with lovely birds.

Today I had the pleasure of sleeping about thirty minutes longer than usual, since I have been lacking a lot of sleep the days before. I joined Alvin and Olga at Kabeltromlen from the second round on, whilst János was out counting at World’s End 3, and Dylan slept in to say goodbye to his family later, who took the plane back to Scotland today. For the ringing, the conditions were almost perfect, with overcast and almost no wind at least in the beginning, but still we didn’t catch as many birds, ten in total. One of them however was a species we haven’t caught yet this spring: An adult female Black Redstart (Husrødstjert). Dylan immediately came to see it after we called him, it was a new species for him to see in hand, since they are rather rare in Scotland.

Adult female Black Redstart (Husrødstjert).

Beautiful red tail feathers.

On his way to the observations, János flushed a Lapwing (Vibe) that was resting on the Sandormtracks. During the count, he also had a Mediterranean Gull (Sorthovedet Mage), five Caspian Gulls (Kaspisk Måge) and a Little Gull (Dværgmåge) resting on the beach. Among the many Fulmars (Mallemuk) out at sea today, he picked out two of the darker (“blue”) morph. Knud joined him a bit later. The biggest highlight came after the count though, when a Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) was called out approaching Grenen. Our observers had very nice views of the bird as it went straight overhead on a migration attempt and then turned south again. We at the ringing just were on closing round and for some reason didn’t receive the Zello messages. Because of that, we got the information a bit too late to see the Buzzard on its first attempt. But luckily for us, the Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) came up north again and this time we did manage to see it, just like Dylan who saw it from around the lighthouse. It was a lifer both for Dylan and for Alvin. Within the following hours, the buzzard was seen again and again many times.

Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge)!

Back at the station, Alvin opened the net in the lighthouse garden mainly because we saw the Swallows (Landsvale & Bysvale) flying very low today. We didn’t get one of these unfortunately, but Alvin had a recaptured male Great Tit (Musvit) and realised that the female it’s breeding with in one of the nest boxes was ringed with the very next subsequent ring number on the same day some time ago. It seems like they have been sticking to each other for a while now :)
After some of the station work and much needed napping, we all went out to town to meet Simon at the ice cream shop. He lost a bet the other day when he promised us that there would come a rare raptor, and if there wouldn’t, he’d get us all an ice cream – so here we are, happy that the Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) turned up today and not before. So we got the ice cream and went to the harbour to enjoy it there. After that, we went to a nice little restaurant, where we had fries, and beer, and nice chats, while the rain pelted on the roof to make it even more cozy. In the end, Simon said goodbye to Olga and Dylan; he’ll go to Iceland with Lisa tomorrow morning to do some field work there, and won’t be here when the two of them leave. After having had so much food in the evening, we didn’t feel like any dinner was needed, so we just went to the supermarket to buy some stuff we need and then headed back to the station. We were all a bit surprised when we realised how late it was already. János spent the rest of the evening re-counting birds in pictures he took during his time in Georgia; he just sat in a chair for a long time clicking black dots on his computer screen. It was very tiring for him, but definitely with it, because the precise numbers were even higher than his previous estimate.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Olga Fernández Enríquez, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen

Yesterday evening, we thought of trying to catch some birds like barn swallows (Landsvale) and quails (Vagtel). However, it looked that we were not going to be very successful, so most of us came back to sleep. On the contrary. Alvin was more persistent and decided to stay awake the whole night to try night catching. He could hear a spotted crake (Plettet Rørvagtel) singing the whole night, so decided to give it a try. He walked very slowly, closer and closer, but when there were just five meters left between them, it stopped to sing. He thought it was gone, but then it started to sing again. He turned the light on and approached very slowly. It was moving to the weeds and then he moved very quickly to catch it in the net. It took him a while to believe what had just happened, that he had just caught a spotted crake!

He took it to the lab and woke us up. We all were so excited to see the bird, it was just gorgeous.

The beautiful Spotted Crake that we ringed tonight

After ringing, photolabing and just enjoying the beautiful bird, Alvin and Julian released it. They also saw two quails and for a moment, they thought of trying to catch them, but they were far away, so they decided to close the nets and come back home. Trying to sleep was no longer worth it, so instead, they celebrated the catching with a big coffee, some biscuits and a big smile. Soon, it was time to open the nets. Alvin, János, Dylan and I joined the ringing today. It was a very nice day, with quite a lot of birds, especially Black caps (Munk) and Marsh Warblers (Kærsanger). We also caught a Sedge Warbler (Sivsanger). Besides, we could also see a Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet skråpe) and some orcas (Spækhugger) from Kabeltromlen.

Dylan’s family left Skagen today and went back home, and so did Kirsten and Alfred. On the other hand, a new intern arrived. Her name is Mathilde, she is from Skagen and started to be interested in ringing since she visited the station with her school some time ago. Welcome!

Meanwhile, Julian was at the migration count. The first hours he was alone, and then Knud joined him. The also saw the orcas, which were one male and two females, and the shearwater, in addition to several Arctic skuas (Almindelig Kjove), two-second-calendar-year terns (Terne), a Mediterranean gull (Sorthovedet Måge) and many velvet scouters (Fløjlsand).

Sooty Shearwater

After the ringing and the counting, Julian went with Alfred to Grenen and saw some Mediterranean gulls, a Kittiwake (Ride) and could ring some rings from the birds.

In the afternoon, Simon appeared with a pigeon (Due) on his hands. Julian and him brought it to Knud’s home as he has a place for pigeons and one of his was missing. They left the pigeon home, where it could eat.

The pigeon back home

Total: 39

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr):
Plettet Rørvagtel - 1

Total: 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Olga Fernández Enríquez, Simon S. Christiansen, Alfred Godsk Geckler, Kirsten Bregn, Lisa Vergin, Knud, Mathilde