Due to the rise of a strong wind we had to cancel the ringing today but that allowed me and Augustin to get some extra sleep and join the observation team later, welcomed by a bright and shining sun... and of course a lot of nice birds!

Robbie and Justine could enjoy the view since early morning, together with Knud, Erik, Thomas, and Paul. They were rewarded by some Great skuas (Storkjove), Kittiwakes (Ride), Fulmars (Mallemuk) and a Mediterranean gull (Sorthovedet måge), but Justine was particularly happy because she saw some harbor seals for the first time. Thanks to the high visibility the observations lasted 5 hours today, after which we all gathered back here at the station to enjoy a nice meal together, while Rosalina did some watercolors at the beach during her day off.

During the afternoon we had the pleasure to attend Simon´s class about moult strategies which was very informative and interesting and helped us clarifying some doubts. Two German colleagues – Leona and Ingo – were there as well, and teamed up with us for the exercise with the moult charts.

But the day is not over yet because we set up the nests hoping to catch some owls and storm petrels by means of sound playing. Fingers crossed for us! Hopefully tomorrow we can share with you some really nice pictures.

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler Angela Di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Bjarne, Edle, Marianne, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen, Thomas Hillelund Andersen and Paul B. Jørgersen, Leona Gottschalkson og Ingo Ludwichowski

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

Today observations were undertaken by Augustine and Thor with Knud Pedersen. The highlights out to sea were 8,000 Common Scoters (Sortand). 135 Sanderlings (Sandløber) and c. 20 Great Skuas (Storkjøve). We also had 4 Caspian gulls (Levantmåge), a Purple sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle), and 1 resting bar-tailed godwit (Lille Kobbesneppe) on the beach. 

The other half of the team went out ringing, catching around 50 birds. Whilst there were no standout species in the nets, we did manage to spot a juvenile hen harrier (Blå Kærhøg) over the dunes.

Høgesanger. Foto: Michael Ancher

Away from Kabeltromlen, Michael Ancher had a successful day ringing at Jennes Sø, including the second Barred warbler (Høgesanger) for the autumn.

 All-round it was a successful day, but we are sad to say goodbye to Thor, Amelie, and Michael Fink, all of whom we hope to see in the future.

Ringmærkning (Kabeltromlen)

Blåmejse 11  
Fuglekonge 3
Gærdesmutte 10
Gransanger 7
Jernspurv 6
Munk 3
Musvit 1
Rødhals 6
Rørsanger 1
Rørspurv 3
Sangdrossel 1

Ringmærkning (Jennes Sø)

Blåmejse 5
Musvit 5
Gransanger 6
Høgesanger 1
Fuglekonge 5
Gærdesmutte 3
Rødhals 6
Solsort 1
Jernspurv 1
Skovpiber 1
Bogfinke 2
Lille Gråsisken 43
Grønsisken 1

Total: 132

 Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler Angela di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Bjarne, Edle, Marianne, Oluf Lou, Jørgen Kabel Michael Fink og Knud Pedersen

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

As the weather was so poor today we decided not to send anyone out ringing, instead, a few of us decided to try our luck at Kattegat Bunker. The weather started off poor and just got worse. We did however manage to spot a few species worthy of note, including Golden Plover (hjejle) , Red Knot (islandsk ryle), 6 Red Throated Diver (rødstrubet lom), and A resting Wigeon (pibeand) on the beach. We also managed to see large numbers of Common Scoters (sortand) and Eiders (ederfugl).  Thor saw a Red Throated Diver (rødstrubet lom) resting quite close to the shoreline, which is always a nice birding moment.

Michael, Alex and Rolf, and some other local birders went out at World’s End 1 today at Grenen and saw several interesting species including a Great skua (storkjove), purple sandpiper (sortgrå ryle), and Little Gull (dværgmåge). Ralf found a Cory’s Shearwater/scopolis shearwater species (Kuhls skråpe/Scopolis skråpe) and Alex found a Sabine’s Gull (Sabinemåge).  Yesterday Alex also spotted a Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet løvsanger) behind the dunes. Hopefully with the Westerly winds some more rarities turn up soon.

Despite the weather, it was a reasonably successful birding day.

Bjarne, Edle, and Marianne cooked beef bourguignon for all the volunteers today, which made a real difference to our usual pasta. Thank you so much. We also have to thank Angela for providing two amazing desserts which rounded off the night.

We are back rining tomorrow, fingers crossed for an American rarity.

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Thor, Angela di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Bjarne, Edle, Marianne,  Jørgen Kabel, Michael Fink og Knud Pedersen

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

Today was a good day at the ringing station! We had many birds during the first round (about 40 birds) and surprisingly less during the next rounds, but it was a good occasion for Justine to train at ringing.

Rosalina and Angela worked for a fulmar (Mallemuk) project today, looking for dead fulmars from Højen around the peninsula back to the Grey Lighthouse in Skagen. They didn´t find any fulmars but two Gannets (Sule). The goal of the program is to study the gut contents of the fulmars to see if can find some plastic, which could explain how are they are affected by this pollution.

Robbie and Thor also had a great day today observing the migration with Knud. They counted ; around 3000 Common Scoters (Sortand) in one hour; 300 Meadow pipits (Enpiber) in an hour; about 500 resting Eiders (Ederfugel) and two Grey Wagtails.

Ringmærkning –

Kabeltromlen

Blåmejse              2

Bogfinke              1

Fuglekonge         1

Gærdesanger      1

Gærdesmutte     7

Gransanger         15

Jernspurv             13

Munk                    5

Rødhals                25

Rørsanger           2

Rørspurv              1

Tornsanger         2

Total – 75

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Thor, Angela di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Bjarne, Edle, Marianne, Oluf Lou, Jørgen Kabel Michael Fink og Knud Pedersen

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

Justine, Augustin og Angela var ude at observere i morges, og så en Caspisk måge, en dværgfalk og en topskarv på Grenen. De så også tre sæler og en hval i morges. Robbie, Amelie, Thor, Michael og jeg var ude og ringmærke, og vi fik bl.a. en rørspurv, en sjagger og en dobbeltbekkasin i nettet i dag. Trods det dårlige vejr fortsatte vi igennem dagen med at ringmærke. Gæsterne Bjarne, Edle og Marianne har gået en lang tur og så to musvitter, og mødte to mennesker på turen som de kendte.

Michael var en tur på havnen og så to topskarver. Da han var hjemme igen, så han en havørn gennem vinduet og meldte det til Zello-kanalen. Den endte med at flyve helt ud til Grenen.

Ringmærkning – Kabeltromlen

Rødstjert – 1

Rødhals – 3

Munk – 6

Løvsanger – 1

Jernspurv – 2

Rørspurv – 2

Gransanger – 1

Gærdesmutte – 1

Fuglekonge – 3

Kvækerfinke – 1

Gærdesanger – 1

Dobbeltbekkasin – 1

Blåmejse - 1

Total – 24

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Thor, Angela di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Bjarne, Edle, Marianne, Oluf Lou, Jørgen Kabel og Knud Pedersen

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

We went ringing this morning with Oluf. Amelie and me opened the nets, Robbie and Angela came for the first round. Angela had her first ringing experiences at Kabeltromlen and enjoyed it a lot she did great with handling the birds! Robbie also got some more practice on the ringing. Jørgen and Igor also came out to see the ringing, on later rounds the guests from the appartment came as well. Rosalina, Thor out intern for the week from Kopenhagen and Knud went out observing in the morning Thor saw his first Mediterrenian Gull (Sorthovedet måge) and black guillemot (Tejst) today.

In the afternoon Amelie and me went to town to buy some postcards while Robbie and Angela went out to explore the peninsula surrounding the lighthouse. On his way back Robbie got a reallly close look of the Marsh Harrier (Rørhøg), Thor went to the Skagen harbour to see some Shags (Topskarv) another lifer for him today! In the evening Justine arrived at the station, she’s our new volunteer at the station and will stay until decmeber now the team of volunteers for the autumn is completet.

Ringmærkning – Kabeltromlen

Rørsanger – 4

Rødstjert – 3

Rødhals – 10

Munk – 3

Løvanger – 1

Jernspurv – 8

Havesanger – 1

Gulspurv – 1

Gransanger – 7

Gærdesmutte – 1

Fuglekonge – 2

Engpiber – 1

Dompap – 2

Total – 44

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Thor Vincent Hansen, Angela di Pumpo, Justine Costa, Oluf Lou, Jørgen Kabel og Knud Pedersen.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

Today we welcomed Thor for the next week, A Danish intern who is hoping to get to see some rarities this week; let’s hope the birding gods are smiling down upon us. With Simon away, we didn’t get out ringing this morning. Angela, myself and Rosalina went out observing at World’s End this morning.

It was a bit of a slow day in species today, however Autumn is heating up with a few more Razorbills and Guillemots being seen the last week.

We are heading back out ringing tomorrow, so let’s see what these recent high winds have brought onto the tip of Denmark. We have some interesting weeks ahead with a lot of people in and about the observatory, with more sets of eyes let us see if more birds can be found.

Maybe these eyes will help.

Folk på stationen: Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Thor Vincent Hansen, Angela di Pumpo.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

Yesterday evening Amelie arrived in Skagen she is a former volunteer from last autumn and will be staying for a week at the station. We went ringing this morning at Kabeltromlen, we didn’t catch a lot of birds but we caugt a Whinchat (Bynkefugl) and a Song Thrush (Sangdrossel) in the first round that was pretty cool!

In the afternoon Rosalina baked some delicious Muffins. Amelie and me went to the city and had a beer at the beach, on our way home we quickly checked Batteriskoven for the wasp spider but we unfortunately couldn’t find them but we saw two Crested Tits (Topmejse) and a flock of Siskin (Grønsisken). When we came back the new volunteer Angela arrived she is from Italy and will be working here until december

Ringmærkning – Kabeltromlen

Total – 19

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Amelie Zeller, Angela di Pumpo, Erik Christophersen, Jørgen Kabel og Knud.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen

I dag tog Augustin og Robbie ud for at observere på Grenen. Det var meget, meget koldt og blæsende og vådt. Derfor tog de også hjem lidt tidligere. 

Simon og jeg tog afsted til Foreningsfestivalen 2021 i morges kl. 7, som er en sportsdag for forskellige skoleklasser fra Skagen. Der var fem klasser som på skift skulle rundt til fem forskellige aktiviteter i løbet af dagen. Simon havde arrangeret at vi skulle spille Stratego, men med fugle i stedet. Ungerne fik uddelt en bunke kort, og de var klassificeret i forskellige styrker. Myggen var den laveste, så kom Løvsangeren der slår myggen, derefter Tornskaden som slår Løvsangeren og myggen, dernæst skaden, duehøgen, kongoørnen, og sidst men åbenbart ikke mindst: mennesket som kan slå alt bortset fra myggen. Og billedet som blev brugt til at repræsentere mennesket, dyret over alle, var ...naturligvis... Simon. Det synes skolebørnene og jeg var lidt skægt :)

Jeg deltog selv i de to første Stratego-spil, det var vildt skægt, og jeg blev virkelig opslugt af det. Jeg var dog slet ikke den eneste, børnene var virkelig engagerede, hvilket jeg har stor respekt for, da de trods alt tilbragte hele dagen i regn og blæst. Det var nogle virkelig søde unger som deltog, og jeg er rigtig glad for at jeg tog med :)

Om eftermiddagen kom Dirk og Sandra fra Tyskland på besøg. To venner til stationen som har været her ved tidligere lejligheder, og som var glade for igen at kunne komme på besøg efter at coronarestriktionerne er væk. De skal i morgen videre til vores venner på Lista Fuglestation! 

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, Knud Krog, Lisa Vergin, Dirk & Sandra.

I dag havde vi en guidet tur for en skoleklasse der kom syd for Aalborg. Den guidede tur gik godt, trods vejret, og det var rigtig sjovt at deltage i Simons undervisning i ringmærkningens proces og i trækflyvning for børnene.

Det har ellers været meget dårligt vejr i dag, så vi har ikke ringmærket ved Kabeltromlen i dag. Til gengæld har Robbie og Augustin haft tid i dag til at reparere net, og vi har alle fået færdiggjort nogle praktiske opgaver og hængepartier. 

Ringmærkning - Fyrhaven

Rødstjert - 1

Total – 1

Folk på stationen: Simon S. Christiansen, Augustin Sticksel, Rosalina Sø Leth-Nissen, Robbie Lawler, og Knud.

Klik her for at se dagens observationer fra Dofbasen af fugle i Skagen