No wind and sunshine accompanied us this morning at Grenen. The lack of bird migration was compensated for by good conversation and company. It was the first morning Ragnar joined, who will be here for a couple of days. But we still managed to see some nice birds including a young Goshawk (Duehøg) and a Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove).

Counting at World's End 3

A yellow legged gull took our attention, but a more detailed look into the primaries revealed its identity as a Herring Gull (Sølvmåge) – the yellow legged omissus-type. 

Herring Gull (Sølvmåge) omissus type

After finishing the count, we headed to Kabeltromlen. The ringers had a very satisfying day, that started with a young Bluethroat (Blåhals). This species was quite rare in the ringing, but numbers increased this year. Some new birds including a Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper) gave some of the volunteers the nice opportunity to gain ringing experience and get a new bird species in the hand. While the ringers closed the nets we counters saw several Adders (Hugorm) and I caught this nice Heath Grashopper Chortippus vagans (Steppegræshoppe), that is just spread in Skagen area up to Ålbæk in Denmark.

Heath Grashopper Chortippus vagans (Steppegræshoppe)

Ragnar found a Silver Spotted Skipper Hesperia comma (Kommabredpande) just south of the lighthouse. That is a very nice record, since this species is usually just seen south of Skagen By. A good day for SKAF entomology!

Back at the station we enjoyed a variety of food including a tasty and spicy soup Sarah made.

In the afternoon we watched the Danish award winning movie Another Round (2020), which is about the both positive and negative affect of alcohol. We celebrated the midday movie with a wine. Just kidding, but it was a chill group activity.

In the evening we headed out again and Ragnar found a Black-thorated Diver (Sortstrubet Lom) and Mio a Little Gull (Dværgmåge). The wind is picking up now and – like always – we are looking very forward to the next days. We will be ready to welcome some new birds in Skagen!

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Blåhals (Bluethroat) 1

Kærsanger (Marsh Warbler) 2

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler) 1

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat) 2

Broget Fluesnapper (Pied Flycatcher) 1

Gulbug (Icterine Warbler) 1

Munk (Blackcap) 3

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat) 9

Rørspurv (Reed Bunting) 2

Gransanger (Chiffchaff) 3

Total: 25

Highlight of the observations:

Little Gull (Dværgmåge) 1

Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) 1

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Rosemary Frikke, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Hanelie Sidhu, Ragnar Smith.

My day started at 2 AM  because we woke up to see the young Nightjar (Natraven) which was catched in the old lighthouse garden. After seeing this beautiful bird I went back to bed to get some more sleep before opening the nets at Kabeltromeln. 

1K Nightjar (Natraven)

Today Mio and I went to open the nets at Kabeltromeln and Simon JR.joined us for the first round. We had a really good day of ringing today. We already caught good numbers of birds onthe first rounds. On the third round we caught a nice 1K Treepipit (Skovpiber) and a very beautiful 1K Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper), the first one of the autumn ringing season. We also caught two young Yellow Hammers (Gulspurv), a Blue Tit (Blåmejse),  a Great Tit (Musvit) and many Marsh Warblers (Kærsanger).

1K Pied Flycatcher (Boget Fluesnapper)

In total we ringed 39 birds and almost all of them were young birds which hatched this year. This morning also Jørgen Kabel and Igor visited us at Kabeltrommeln, it was very nice to see them again. 

On our way back to the station we saw six Great White Egrets (Sølvhejre) flying out to Grenen. 

Back at the station we met the observers who had a bit of a slower day. Their highlight was a resting Little Gull (Dværgmåge). Another highlight was two Arctic Skuas (Almingdelig Kjove). 

After lunch the most of us took a good long nap.

Later Hanelie, Markus, Sarah and Rosemary went out to change the position of some nets at Kabeltrommeln. They did a great job and now the reed nets will maybe catch a bit more than before.

While they were out Simon Sr. and Ragnar passed by the station before they went out to do some seawatching at Nordstrand. Ragnar will stay at Simon's place the next few days and will help us with some migration counts.

Simon also told us that one of the Kestrels we ringed near Tårs in July made it up to Skagen, which you can see in the GPS Data from its tagg.

Map with GPS Data of one of the tagged Kestrels (Tårnfalk)

Later Simon Jr. and I did some datawork and Mio prepared us a delicious dinner.

Ringing Kabeltrommlen: 

Munk 2

Gærdesanger  4

Gransanger 11

Tornsanger 8

Rørsanger 2

Kærsanger 7

Blåmejse 1

Skovpiber 1

Gulspurv 2

Broget Fluesnapper 1

Total: 39

Ringing Det Grå Fyr:

Natraven 1

Highlight of the observations:

Little Gull (Dværgmåge) 1

Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove)

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Rosemary Frikke, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Ragnar Smith.

As is often the case here at the Observatory, last night brough a very special guest. A storm  petrel (lille stormsvale) was caught in our nets and it was ringed just before midnight. Between net checks, Simon, Mio, and Cora also spotted two bitterns (rørdrum) migrating southwest. What a fantastic surprise! After such a successful evening, both Simon and Cora could head to bed.

The storm petrel ringed last night. 

This morning was a CES day, so Hanelie, Mio, and I made out way to Skarvsø. We had an absolutely brilliant session, ringing a total of 48 birds and catching 2 recaptures. This was especially exciting for me, as I’ve never had a ringing day with more than 15 birds before. It was so busy I didn’t even have time to finish my breakfast/lunch. The day ended on a high note when the last bird of the session turned out to be a stunning adult male bearded reeding (skægmejse).

bearded reedling

Meanwhile, Makus, Rosemary, and Sarah headed out for morning observations. The calm weather made for some pleasant views with the highlights from their watch included several yellow wagtails (gul vipstjert), 1 great white egret (sølvhejre), 2 arctic skuas (almindelig kjove), and 1 bloated dead seal. While chatting with curious tourists they also noted plenty of redshanks (rødben) and some guillemots (lomvie).

In the afternoon, while some of us enjoyed a well-earned nap, Makus, Mio, Simon, and Cora explored reservatet, looking for both birds and insects before making their way back via Nordstrand. Reservatet was bustling with life. Among the many birds, they spotted another great white egret (sølvhejre), a honey buzzard (vepsevåge), and a goshawk (duehøg).

A few brave souls even attempted a swim, though the waters were full of jellyfish (after all, what’s a swim without a little risk?) hopefully, we’ll see fewer of them over the coming days.

Tonight’s dinner duty fell to Simon, who treated us to a delicious vegetarian curry with homemade naan bread, served in the lighthouse garden. We shared the meal with plenty of good stories and laughter. Others went up in the lighthouse to see the sunset and do some birding. Here they saw a great skua (stor kjove).

Dinner in the lighthouse garden with all the volunteers

The evening wound down with data entry from the day’s activities and preparations for another round of storm petrel (lille stormsvale) and nightjar (natravn) netting. Tonight, Rosemary and Sarah are on watch. Wish them luck.  

Here is a little video of the storm petrel from last night, where you can see it flying around just before it flies into the net!

Ringing at Skarvsø: 

1 Musvit

5 Kærsanger

27 Rørsanger

1 Rørspurv

3 Gærdesanger

1 Skæjmejse

3 Munk

4 Tornsanger

3 Gransanger 

Total: 48 birds

Ringing at the Grey Lighthouse: 

1 lille stormsvale

At the Station: Hanelie Sidhum Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Cora Kørberle, Simon S. Christiansen. 

This morning, Rose and I went out to open the nets at Kabeltromle. We were joined by Markus for the first round. It was his first day in the ringing and he got to extract and ring his first birds. We did not have many birds in the nets. The first round only brought one bird, but it was a nice one: A juvenile Tree Pipit “Skovpiber”. Simon also came by for a bit at the ringing and saw the Pipit.

 Tree Pipit "Skovpiber".

Ringing totals Kabeltromle:

Løvsanger 1

Gransanger 1

Skovpiber 1

Jernspurv 2

Tornsanger 3

Kærsanger 1

Total 9 

Then he went to the observers at Verdens Ende 3, where he found some Orcas “Spækhugger”.

Orcas on the sea, observed from Verdens Ende 3.

The observers saw them for quite a while but unfortunately we did not see them from Kabeltromle. But it sounded like a really nice observation day with Little Gull “Dværgmåge” and three Great Scuas “Stor Kjove”. 

In the afternoon Sarah and Rose went for the Fulmar survey. They did not find any dead Fulmars “Mallemuk”and also no dead birds in good condition to put in the freezer.  But they found a tooth from an animal, probably a deer. Also a little statue of a Santa Claus. But the highlight was definitely a fossilized banana. We did not expect a banana to fossilize and are wondering how long it took so it looked like that. 

Treasures from the beach.

This evening we are trying for Nightjars and Stormpetrels “Stormsvale”. 

 High expectations for tonight at Det Grå Fyr.

Highlights Observations

Stor Kjove

Spækhugger

Mallemuk > 300

Dværgmåge

Highlights Ringing

Skovpiber

Today´s observations of observers in the area can be seen here.

At the station: Rosemary Frikke, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Cora Kørberle, Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu

Førend vi når til dagens begivenheder, vil jeg lige slå et slag for Kiesé og Cora’s succesfulde natfangst i går. Efter solnedgang begav de sig ud på en runde om Grenen, hvor det, ved brug af den termiske kikkert, lykkedes at fange hele 2 fugle: 1 ung Fjordterne og 1 ung Sanglærke.

De to fugle blev, under påsyn af samtlige frivillige, ringmærket i laboratoriet.

1k Sanglærke ringmærket ved Det Grå Fyr. 

1k Fjordterne ringmærket ved Det Grå Fyr. 

I morges cyklede jeg, til synet af en utrolig lyserød solopgang, ud ad Sandormsporet til min hidtil køligste morgenobs ved Verdens Ende 3. I selskab med Cora, Rose, Kiesé, Mio og Knud holdt jeg opsyn med Skagerrak og Kattegat. Der var færre fugle end i går, men alligevel nok til at holde os underholdt gennem alle fire timer.

Blandt andet talte vi 165 Mallemukker der trak mod NV, samt 3 Storkjover. Det er virkelig en fornøjelse at have mulighed for at opnå erfaring med havfugle jeg sjældent har set på Sjællands nordkyst, hvor jeg indtil nu har kigget på havfugle. I den seneste uge har jeg set ca. 1.000 Mallemukker! Derudover havde vi efterårssæsonens første indtrækkende Fiskeørn, en gammel hun der kæmpede sig ind fra havet på trods af en hård modvind.

I de tidligste timer af morgenobsen lagde jeg desuden mærke til en specielt udseende sejlbåd der rundede Grenen ude i horisonten. Det lignede en båd der var bygget til kapsejlads, og den havde ganske vidst også virkelig meget fart på. Efter lidt research viser det sig, at det var en af de både der deltager i det netop igangsatte The Ocean Race Europe, hvor første etape går fra Kiel til Portsmouth. Det var sjovt lige at få synet af en sådan båd med på morgenobsen.

Kapsejladsbåden Team Amaala, der deltager i The Ocean Race Europe, rundede Grenen i de tidlige morgentimer.

Grundet megen vind havde vi blot 120 net meter åbne ved Kabeltromlen. Derfor var fangsten begrænset til 6 ringmærkede fugle, fordelt på Gransanger, Munk og Løvsanger. Kiesé, Cora, Mio og jeg brugte efter morgenobsen lidt tid omkring Kabeltromlekrattet på at eftersøge græshopper og spiselige bær. Der er fortsat en del velsmagende Havtorn, Hindbær og Brombær i området!

Tilbage i haven ved Det Grå Fyr havde vi nettet åbent i løbet af eftermiddagen. Det viste sig spøjst nok at være mere frugtbart end at have nettene åbne ved Kabeltromlen. Vi fangede nemlig 7 fugle, herunder en smuk ung Skovsanger. Det er i min optik den fineste hjemmehørende Phylloscopus-sanger vi har i Danmark og jeg er glad for at have set den i hånden.

Da ældre fugle gennemgår deres komplette fældning i løbet af deres overvintring i Vestafrika, syd for Sahel-regionen, vil disse forventeligt have en slidt fjerdragt på dette tidspunkt af året. Da vores ringmærkede fugl havde en frisk fjerdragt, kunne den bestemmes til en 1K.

1k Skovsanger ringmærket ved Det Grå Fyr.

Highlights Morning Observations:

165 Mallemuk

3 Storkjove

3 Almindelig Kjove

1 Fiskeørn

Highlights Ringing Det Grå Fyr:

1 Skovsanger

1 Sanglærke

1 Fjordterne

Eftermiddagen blev brugt på at spille brætspillet Klask, samt på at studere lidt fugle.

I morgen skal jeg for første gang for alvor give mig i kast med ringmærkning ved Kabeltromlen, det ser jeg frem til.

Inden da må jeg dog se mig nødsaget til at hoppe en tur i bølgen blå, her kl. kvart over ti. Jeg har nemlig endnu ikke har været i vandet i dag. Da jeg har sat mig for at skulle en tur i havet hver eneste dag i løbet af mit ophold på stationen, må jeg nu en tur ud i mørket inden sengetid.

Today’s observations by observers in the area of Skagen typed into DOFbasen can be found here.

Ringing totals Kabeltromlen:

Gransanger 4

Løvsanger 1

Munk 1

Total 6

Ringing totals Det Grå Fyr

Gråspurv 3

Skovsanger 1

Havesanger 1

Tornsanger 1

Fjordterne 1

Sanglærke 1

Total 8

Hanelie and I were today the first ones who got up to open the nets at Kabeltrommeln. Cora joined us for the first round. Because of the quite strong wind, we weren’t able to open all the nets. That was also why we only caught 4 new birds today. But we had a nice Garden Warbler (Havesanger) recapture and for me it was also nice to be back for the first time during my stay here in August at Kabeltrommeln.

Garden Warbler (Havesanger) at KAB

We used the time between the rounds to watch a bit to the sea and also inland. We had some passerines and 2 close Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove), which were chasing a Grey Heron (Fiskehejre). We also used the time to look a bit at other species groups, and we caught some nice grasshoppers like the Steppe Grasshopper (Chorthippus vagans / Steppegræshoppe). At the closing round we found a Golden-dimpeled Ground Beetle/Dyndløber (Carabus clatratus), a very nice and beautiful beetle.

Golden-dimpeled Ground Beetle (Dyndløber/Carabus clatratus)

To come back to birds – the observers, Simon Jr., Markus, Louisa, Rose and Sarah started the count from sunrise, and Knud and Erik joined them. They were very successful and got 246 Fulmars (Mallemuk) in total and a Great Skua as their highlight. Both were lifers for Louisa, congrats!

After ringing and observing we all headed back to the station, some ate something, others went directly to bed for a nap. But Hanelie, Rose and Sarah were so nice and went to the shop in town to buy all the stuff we need for the next days. And they did a huge shopping, because many people eat a lot of stuff in few days.

Cora and I used the afternoon to collect a dead Eider (Ederfugl), which was found by Louisa, Sarah and Rose at Grenen at the morning, and on our way back we found a dead Cormorant (Skav) near the beach by Det Grå Fyr. We put them in the freezer, so that they can be used for scientific purposes.
Meanwhile, Markus and Simon (Lille Simån) decided to go to World's End 3 and they saw a Great Skua (Storkjove) and 6 Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove), so it was a good decision from them to go out again.
Rose and Sarah went out again as well to the top of Det Grå Fyr to have an awesome look over the landscape around Skagen.

view form Det Grå Fyr

After our activities at noon and in the afternoon we were all a bit exhausted, and it came at the perfect moment when Hanelie called us that dinner was ready. She cooked a delicious pumpkin soup and after that awesome dinner we weren’t finished with eating, because Rose baked a very nice cake as a dessert. It’s always nice to be with all the other volunteers at the table and have such nice and funny talks as we had today.
Now Simon Jr. and Cora are out for night-catching and we all hope that they will have success and bring some nice birds back to the station, so that we can ring them to know more about their migration and roosting places. We’ll let you know in the next blog if they caught something!

Ringing totals KAB:

Munk 1

Solsort 1

Kærsanger 1

Gulspurv 1

Total 4

Observation Highlights:

246 Fulmars (Mallemuk)

14 Arctic Skua (Almindeling Kjove)

Great Skua (Storkjove)

Little Stint (Dværgryle)

Today's observations by observers in the area typed into DOFbasen can be seen here

At the station: Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Cora Köberle 

Today Cora arrived so we are a full house with eight! Louise, Mio, Markus and I began our day with the observation, which was nice and calm. Highlights included some arctic skuas (almindelig kjove), fulmars (mallemuk), razorbills (alk), yellow wagtails (gul vipsjert), and lots of migrating European golden plovers (hjejle). We also had a spectacle of a Gannet (sule) feast, with over 300 individuals feeding together, which was captivating to watch. After this Mio went to search for gull colour rings and was happy to report seven ringed kittiwakes (ride).

Rosemary, Hanelie and Simon went ringing at Kabletromlen, where they had a successful day of ringing. They were excited to see a rosefinch (karmindompap) and a green sandpiper (Svalekire), and to hear a penduline tit (pungmejse). When they called it over the radio we also searched for the pungmejse at Wrold’s End III but did not see it either.

When we got back to the lighthouse, Hanelie, Markus and I opened Hanelie’s moth traps. Among other lovey creatures there was a glorious garden tiger, a pale prominent, and several fine Archer’s darts.

Pale prominent from the moth trap

We all met for lunch at the lighthouse where we were joined by Cora and we all had some lovely chats together. Then we split up to complete the quarterly waterbird count. Markus and Mio enjoyed their trip to Nordstrand where they saw a little stint (dværgyle) and a little tern (dværgterne). Rosemary, Simon and Cora went up to the top of the lighthouse where they saw over 200 cormorants (skarv) and Mio and Markus on the beach.

Waterbird count from the lighthouse tower

Markus photographing during the waterbird count

Hanelie, Louise, and myself went to Cormorant Lake. There we were thrilled to see an adder and Louise was nearly in tears of happiness. We spent some time touching up the nets, making sure everything is secure in the wind, and enjoying some stories about Danish bog bodies from Louise.

We concluded our day with a family swim in the waves which was quite bracing and very fun!

Today's observations by observers in the area typed into DOFbasen can be seen here.

At the station: Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Cora Köberle, Simon S. Christiansen.

After the storm of the last few days, we ran to World's End 3 at 5 a.m. this morning, motivated to start the migration count. The wind dropped and we directly noticed that there were fewer seabirds. This did not stop Rose, Sarah, Markus, Mio and me from having a nice morning. One Great Skua (Storkjove) and three Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) showed us and we noticed some migration of Golden Plovers (Hjejle) and Red Knots (Islandsk Ryle) flying southwest. Even Simon Sr. tried to migrate but stopped to say Hi and join our count for a bit. The best bird was a Shag I found flying in Skagerrak. After losing sight of the bird when it quickly landed on the water, I was able to find it again and we could follow it for six minutes. A scarce bird here in summer.

Rose and Sarah on their way back to the lighthouse.

While we were standing in the dunes, Hanelie and Louise walked net rounds at Kabeltromlen. They were joined by Jeppe and Linda Rørbæk and Henrik Møller Thomsen. I‘m glad they got a Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger), since I know how much Hanelie loves them. Interestingly, all birds ringed were young birds, hatched this year. In total they ringed 11 new birds and recaptured 5. One of the really interesting parts about bird ringing are recaptures, so I had a quick look at them. The most interesting one was a old Icterine Warbler (Gulbug). It was ringed here one month ago on the first of July, indicating a local breeding bird. Maybe a parent of the young one ringed today?

When we came back to the station, Mio opened nets in the lighthouse garden. That was a good idea and we quickly caught three young Tree Sparrows (Skovspurv). They were starting to moult their primaries, so soon they will look like their parents. Mio has gained experience with this species after discovering that, like Wrens (Gærdesmutte), they take every opportunity to escape.

Two juvenile Tree Sparrows (Skovspurv).

We completed our daily tasks, which include data entry, napping, and for some of us swimming in the sea. Markus went for a 70 km bike ride to see the area around Skagen and Mio went to Skarvsøen. Sarah and Rose brought some pastries from Skagen Bakery. So delicious, mange tak!

Markus during his stop at Råbjerg Mile.

On Tuesday (5^th of August) I photographed a Seabuckthorn Fruit Fly Rhagoletis batava (Havtornflue) at World’s End 1, Grenen. I first noticed how rare it is, when Ragnar texted me that it is the first record for Jutland, with the closest record in Copenhagen area. On arter there are just three records from Denmark, so this fly is a real star, even if it is only a very small one (5 mm).

Seabuckthorn Fruit Fly Rhagoleti batava (Havtornflue).

It is so nice to be back at Skagen Fuglestation. After spending the entire autumn 2023 and spring 2024 at the station I started my biology studies in Berlin, Germany. I really enjoy my studies and it's nice to get a more scientific approach to fieldwork and complex ecological relationships. To be honest, though, I missed waking up early every day to spend day in, day out with birds. But for me, it's even more important who you can share these experiences with, and I'm amazed at how quickly the ‘Skagen feeling’ has returned. We have a really great team right now!

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger): 1

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger): 1

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 4

Blackcap (Munk): 2

Icterine Warbler (Gulbug): 1

Chiffchaff (Gransanger): 2  

Total: 11

Ringing (Lighthouse Garden)

Tree Sparrow (Skovspurv): 3

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 2

Total: 5

Today's observations by observers in the area typed into DOFbasen can be seen here.

At the station: Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Linda andJeppe Rørbæk, Henrik Møller Thomsen, Simon S. Christiansen.

Sunrise at Grenen.

This morning Sarah and I walked the opening round together to decide which nets to open as conditions were not perfect, some nets were too exposed in the wind. We could open about half of the nets. Many people showed up to the first round, two more expected people, Henrik and Louise. Apart from that, we got a surprise visit from Jeppe, a former guest in the apartment and his son . We were a big group walking the rounds and unfortunately did not get many birds. In total we had eleven, two juvenile Yellowhammers “Gulspurv” found their way in the nets, we do not catch them frequently and one of them got the first bird Louise ringed.

Juvenile Gulspurv

Apart from that, we also had a juvenile Grey Wagtail “Bjergvipstert”, it is also quite uncommon, that these fly into our nets.

Bjergvipstjert 1st calender year

Ringing totals

Gransanger: 4
Gærdesanger: 2
Tornsanger: 1
Bjergvipstjert: 1
Munk: 1
Gulspurv: 2

Total: 11

While we were at Kabeltromle, we received several zello messages. The observers, 

Simon jr., Mio, Markus, Rose and Simon sr., who also went out for a bit and also said hi to us at Kabeltrommle, saw a Manx Shearwater “Almindelig Skråpe”, two Great Skuas “Stor Kjove” and there were also two Sooty Shearwater “Sodfarvet Skråpe” very far out.

Part of the team is at World´s end three again now to do some more seawatching. We saw several Arctic Scuas “Almindelig Kjove”, two resting Manx Shearwaters “Almindelig Skråpe” and a Great Skua “Stor Kjove”.

It was a good decision to go out.

Markus at the evening obs.

Highlights ringing:

Bjergvipstjert

Highlights Observations:

Almindelig Skråpe

Sodfarvet Skråpe

Stor Kjove

Todays observations from observers in the area can be seen here.

I did not catch moths the last nights, but I will turn on the light again tonight and I would like to show some nice ones from the last days to you.

At the station: Simon Kiesé, Mio Brix, Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Simon S. Christiansen, Henrik Møller Thomsen, Markus Kemp Clément, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Jeppe Rørbæk and his son, Hanelie Sidhu

Today’s adventure actually began the night before when Sarah, Rosemary, Mio, and I went out night netting around Grenen. Although attemps were made on Common Sandpipers (mudderklire), Little Terns (dværgterne), Common Terns (fjordterne), and a Common Ringed Plover (stor præstekrave), we were unsuccessful. However, it was still an awesome trip. We also spotted two young Harbour Seals (spættet sæl) resting on the beach. Just before calling it a night, did manage to catch a young House Sparrow (gråspurv) right in front of the lighthouse. At around 1AM, we woe Simon so the bird could be ringed. It was totally worth it!

House Sparrow (Gråspurv).

Early the next morning, at 04:30, Marcus, Hanelie, Simon, and Mio were up for the morning observations at worlds end III. Here they saw loads of birds including 3 artic skuas (almindelig kjove), 1 Little Stint (dværgryle), 1 Red Knot (islandsk ryle), and 140 Fulmars (mallemuk)! At 08:30 Sarah, Rosemary, and I joined for the last hour of the count, and we stayed a bit longer for some extra action.

Arctic Skua (almindelig kjove). 

Afterwards, we went back to the lighthouse. Here we caught a Whitethroat (tornsanger). The bird was ringed while curious visitors watched and learned about the ringing process. The rest of the afternoon was spent on various tasks: mending bird bags, preparing for an upcoming presentation, adding the collected data into the database, and in my case, making pancakes for the team.

A giant stack of pancakes!

After dinner Marcus, Mio, Simon, Sarah, and I went birdwatching near World’s End III. Here we saw a bunch of Arctic Skuas (almindelig kjove), some Great Skua (stor kjove), and a Manx Shearwater (almindelig skråpe). Straight after that tour Marcus, Mio, Simon, Sarah, and Rosemary went night netting, rounding off a full and fantastic day.

The sunset from Grenen.

Click here for today's observations on DOFbasen. 

Highlihghts:

Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove)
Fulmar (Mallemuk)
Manx Shearwater (almindelig skråpe)

Ringing at the lighthouse:

1 House Sparrow (gråspurv)

1 Whitethroat (tornsanger)

At the station: Sarah Partridge, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Hanelie Sidhu, Markus Kemp Clément, Rosemary Fricke, Simon Kiesé, and Simon S. Christiansen