Stormpetrel and Nightjar night the second

After we had set up the nets at the beach last evening for storm petrels and opened the Nightjar “Natravn” net in the old lighthouse garden, it was the second night that we got called out of bed for - this time two - birds. Simon took the nightwatch, he was joined by Alfred and some birders that had come to stay the night here with us, hoping for some Stormpetrels “Stormsvale” or Nightjars “Natravn”. We had luck with the Nightjars “Natravn” this night, not with the Stormpetrels “Stormsvale”. Around midnight, Simon and Alfred found two Nightjars “Natravn” in the net, one a first calendar year bird, the one born that year, that we caught. The second was a 2K+ male.

Nightjar "Natravn". Picture: Alfred Godsk Geckler

The rest of the night was quiet and we could get some sleep before Sarah and I were the first one getting up to open the nets at Kabeltromle, followed by Markus and Alfred going to the morning observations at Verdens Ende III. 

It was a calm morning with very low winds. For Sarah it was the first morning ringing at Kabeltromle which she enjoyed quite a lot, we did not have that many birds, one good second round but apart from that it was rather slow. Nevertheless, we stayed a bit longer. Highlights were a first calendar year Robin “Rødhals”, seeing them in juvenile plumage is always a pleasure.

Robin "Rødhals". Picture: Sarah Partridge.

But also some first calendar year Willow Warblers “Løvsanger” were very nice as well as a juvenile Reed Bunting “Rørspurv”.

Ringing totals KAB:
Kærsanger 2
Gærdesanger 3
Løvsanger 3
Tornsanger 8
Munk 2
Rørspurv 1
Gransanger 2
Total 21

Nightringing:

Natravn 2

In the meantime, Markus and Alfred were joined by Ole at the morning obs. It was rather slow but nevertheless, they enjoyed the beautiful morning. Highlights on the sea were nine juvenile resting Black Guillemots “Tejst”. In the air some Common Crossbills “Lille Korsnæb” made it out to Verdens Ende III, to the pleasure of the observers.

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

Highlights Ringing:

Natravn

Highlights Observations

Tejst

Lille Korsnæb

After ringing, Sarah and I checked if we could find some more Ringed Plover “Stor Præstekrave” chicks, but we did not. So we headed back to the station and had lunch with Rose, Markus and Mio, who had arrived at the station today for a three week stay. 

Simon found a Harald "Kæmpefluen" in the yard of the station. Picture: Simon S. Christiansen.

Apart from data entry, there were some small office tasks to do. Later in the afternoon, a second new volunteer, Louise, arrived. We repaired one more net and now, it is time for dinner and after Storm Petrel “Stormsvale” night the third, wish us luck!

At the station: Sarah Partridge, Markus Kemp Clément, Rosemary Fricke, Simon S. Christiansen, Ole Christiansen, Alfred Godsk Geckler, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Hanelie Sidhu and our guests Jesper and Mette as well as guests for the Stormpetrel catching