This morning started very windy, I got up two times in the early morning, one time at normal waking up time for opening the nets but as it was too windy for ringing, I turned the alarm off again. The second time it woke me up was was a bit later for going to the morning obs. Rose and Emma were already up and Rose proposed I could also sleep in today. I did not mind that and went to bed again. Outside, the wind was still howling and after some more hours in my warm and comfortable bed I did office work which meant the picture archive for me, I was quite behind… After, I started reporting gull rings that we had read in the field.

The others returned from the morning observations; Knud joined them a bit later. They had some Arctic Terns “Havterne”, an Arctic Skua “Almidelig Kjove” and Knud saw a Fulmar “Mallemuk” very far out. A Grey Plover “Strandhjeile” was resting at the beach very close to the observers.

Grey Plover. Picture: Rosemary Fricke

Highlights

Arctic Scua - Almindelig Kjove

Fulmar - Mallemuk

Arctic Tern - Havterne

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

While Rose and Emma took a nap and I still did office work, Simon came by for an hour to also do some work.

Saturday is cleaning day so we cleaned the station today and after, Emma and I went grocery shopping while Rose took a swim in the sea.

Tomorrow looks a little less windy, so we hope to be ringing again.

At the station: Rosemary Fricke, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Hanelie Sidhu

Yesterday evening we installed the nets to catch Storm-petrels (Stormsvale) on the beach and Nightjars (Natravn) in the lighthouse garden. Simon and the others took the rounds during the night, while Rose, Hanelie, and I went to sleep to be ready the next morning for the migration count and the ringing.

This morning I went to the migration count. In the first hour, I had four Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom) resting together quite close to the shore, and I had some migrating terns. While I was watching the sea, I suddenly saw all the resting gulls fly away. There was a young Goshawk (Duehøg) flying over them, then it landed for a couple of minutes before leaving World’s End III.

Sunrise

During the second hour, Knud joined me. We had a really nice flock of 23 Arctic Terns (Havterne) flying northwest. On the land side, we had two nice resting birds: one Whinchat (Bynkefugl) and one Cuckoo (Gøg) being chased by starlings (Stære).

Two birders said they saw a flock of five Penduline Tits (Pungmejser) close by, so I tried to find them, but I didn’t. In the last hour, we had some raptors coming through — some Honey-buzzards (Hvepsevåge) and Common Buzzards (Musvåge).

young Bluethroat (Blåhals)

The ringers had a good number of species, with 11 species caught. In the first round, they got a young female Bluethroat (Blåhals). They also had a Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) with active molt, the first young Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger) and a Sedge Warbler (Sivanger). During the round, Hanelie heard a Bee-eater (Biæder); unfortunately, we didn’t see it from WEIII. They almost caught a Water Rail (Vandrikse), but it escaped from the net before they reached it.

Sedge Warbler (Sivanger)

After the morning in the field, Rose and I took a nap while Hanelie checked some data with Simon, then she checked her moth traps. In the evening, I went for a walk.

Ringing totals
Gransanger 2
Blåhals 1
Gærdesmutte 1
Rødhals 1
Løvsanger 1
Gærdesanger 1
Topmejse 1
Sivsanger 1
Kærsanger 1
Munk 2
Tornsanger 7
 Total 20

Highlights

Sedge Warbler (Sivanger) : 1

Bluethroat (Blåhals) : 1

Arctic Terns (Havterne) : 23

At the station: Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu,Simon S. Christiansen, Lars Askholm, Andreas, Mikkel, Knud Pedersen, Jørgen Kabel

Link to todays observations in DOFbasen from Observers in the area.

Today we snagged up the opportunity of good weather to get the ringing at our constant effort site done for the week. For this, Hanlie and I cycled out to Cormorant Lake instead of to Kabeltrummeln. This was my first time there, and the namesake was no disappointment! When we arrived we had plenty of Cormorants (Skarv) to see on the lake, as well as a roost of Starlings (Stær), and a few Bearded Reedlings (Skægmejse) amongst the reeds of the lake. I got lost in the dark (oops), but after that it was smooth sailing. We were expecting a rain shower in the last hour and were vigilant of the visible rain coming our way. However, it split in two around us, raining mostly only north and south of us. We luckily only caught a small part of the rain for about ten minutes, meaning we could keep the nets open. Winner in numbers by far today were our Reed Warblers (Rørsanger). They breed here in the reedbeds so we caught a decent mix of adults and juveniles. This was punctuated with a singles of other species (see ringing totals). We also saw four Greenshank (Hvidklire) flying East over the lake, and while closing the nets heard some Cranes (Trane) behind the reeds.

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger)

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv)

Meanwhile Emma was out again at World End III for the morning count. Along with the regulars, Sandwich Terns (Splitterne) and Common Terns (Fjordterne), she saw a couple of Razorbill (Alk) resting, a young Black Guillemot (Tejst), some Oystercatcher (Strandskade), and a Great White Egret (Sølvhejre). Afterwards she went out to read some rings off the gulls sitting on the beach.

The afternoon was spent on our daily paperwork, as well as some much needed catch up on sleep, especially since tonight we will be trying for Storm Petrels (Lille Stormsvale) and Nightjars (Natravn)! Simon will be coming tonight for the night watch, as well as Lars and Andreas, letting us volunteers sleep. But we have hopes of being woken up to a catch! In preparation we will be cleaning up a bit around the laboratory and cutting some overgrown grass around the Nightjar (Natravn) nets and setting up the nets on the beach.

We also said goodbye to Mikkel, Louise and Nor Østergaard, our guests in the apartment, we hope they had a lovely stay!

Ringing totals Skarvsøen, CES

Gransanger 1
Rørsanger 12
Blåmejse 1
Tornsanger 1
Rørspurv 1
Total 16

Highlights ringing:
Lots of reed warblers! (Rørsanger)

Highlights in the field:
Great White Egret (Sølvherje)
Black Guilemot (Tejst)

At the station: Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Simon S. Christiansen, Lars Askholm, Andreas, Mikkel, Louise and Nor Østergaard.

While the wind was very low the last days, this morning started more windy. Nevertheless, Rose and I went out to Kabeltrommle. Some nets in the reeds were to exposed but we could still have half of the nets open. The birds did not seem to like the weather to much (or they slept in today ;), however, we caught the first birds after 06:00. It was a rather slow ringing day, with few birds, I used the time between the rounds to start on a social media post on Barn Owls „Slørugle” and Rose read a book. After ringing, we exchanged a net and then went back to the station.

Ringing totals
Rørsanger 2
Tornsanger 2
Munk 1
Gærdesanger 1
Gransanger 4
Total 10

Net exchange. Picture: Rose Fricke.

I had the UV light on last night and went straight to my moths trap. I had some new species and I would like to show you some highlights from the last nights when I had the UV light on.

Moths highlights of the last days. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu.

In the meantime, Emma had already returned to the station after morning observations. There were some more birds than the last days, the highlight was a lightmorph Arctic Scua ”Almindelig Kjove”.

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

Highlights:

Arctic Scua - Almindelig Kjove

Peter came to the station with his dog Olga and he and Simon exchanged a cable of the radiotelemetry receiver. Now it is functioning again.

Peter at the radiomast. Picture: Simon S. Christiansen

In the afternoon, we had a meeting, after Rose and I went outside to repair a net while Emma was cooking.

Tomorrow we will be out for observations and ringing at the CES site Skarvsøen.

At the station: Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Simon S. Christiansen, Peter Kristensen and Olga, Louise, Nor and Mikkel Østergaard.

This mornig I went to the migration. I was welcomed by a nice little flock of Arctic Terns (Havterne). Apart from that, migration over the sea was quite slow. Still, there were some resting birds, including a beautiful Razorbill (Alk) in breeding plumage close to the shore, along with a young Black Guillemot (Tejst) and three Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom). Later, another Black Guillemot (Tejst) joined them.
On the wader side, there weren’t many individuals, but I had a good diversity: Sanderling (Sandløber), Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle), Bar-tailed Godwit (Lille Kobbersneppe), Grey Plover (Strandhjejle), Curlew (Storspove)... I also spotted a migrating Red-necked Grebe (Gråstrubet Lappedykker).
For the first time, I saw the two baby Ringed Plovers (Stor Præstekrave) from the pair that’s nesting right in front of where I was sitting.

Sunrise from World's End III

Knud and Erik joined me during the second hour and then took care of the last two hours, which allowed me to go to the ringing. They had only caught a few birds. When I arrived, I ringed an angry young Reed Bunting (Rørspurv). In the last round, we had a Crested Tit (Topmejse) that didn’t want to let go of my finger.

Crested Tit - Topmejse

After that, we went back to the lighthouse and left directly to ring the Barn Owl (Slørugle) in the southwestern Vendsyssel. We stopped along the road because we heard that the Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) was on our route. But by the time we arrived, it had already flown back north — exactly where we had come from. So, we continued on to the Barn Owls (Slørugle).
We started with the farm we had visited before, but the adult owl had already escaped. We were ready now: Rose and I were holding the mist net in front of the exit, and the others placed a telescopic net in front of the owl box — but it was empty.
Then we went to another farm. Simon climbed up to take four chicks from a nest box, so each of us could ring one. They were already quite big.

Barn Owl  (Slørugle) 

The last farm had four chicks as well, but they were younger and still fluffy. All the farmers were very nice and offered us something to eat and drink.

A break between the Barn Owl ringing

On our way back, we stopped at the dunes south of Skagen, where the Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) had last been seen — but unfortunately, we didn’t see it, so we returned to the lighthouse.

Highlights from the field:

Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge). 4th day. Seen by others at Hulsig

Black Guillemot (Tejst) : 2

Arctic Terns (Havterne) : 5

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gransanger (Chiffchaff) - 5

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat) - 2

Kærsanger (Marsh Warbler) - 3

Rørsanger (Reed Warbler) - 2

Topmejse (Crested Tit) - 1

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat) - 8

Rørspurv (Reed Bunting) - 1

Total: 22

Ringing (Vendsyssel):

Slørugle (Barn Owl) - 8 

At the station: Emma Fabre, Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen,  William Aarestrup, Andreas Bennetsen Boe the guests in the apartment Louise, Nor and Mikkel Østergaard, and the farmer Hans, Peter, Erik and their families.

Link to todays observations in DOFbasen from Observers in the area.

We are welcoming clouds and a bit of wind back to Skagen after a few hot days recently. This meant working today was a much less sweaty affair! Hanelie and I opened the nets at Kabeltromlen half an hour before sunrise, and were joined by a number of people throughout the session. Simon was there early morning, followed by Daniele who helped with the rounds, Emma later on, as well as Mikkel, Erik, Ornella, and Gino who came to watch some of the action.

Hanelie giving Gino a good cuddle!

The morning was dominated by Common Whitethroats (Tornsanger) on the rounds. We had an early highlight - this stunning male Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken).

Lesser Redpoll – Lille Gråsisken

Meanwhile, Emma started the migration count this morning, seeing a Whimbrel (Småspove), a couple of Wigeon (Pibeand), and a Velvet Scoter (Fjølsand). Knud came to assist the monitoring and together they saw a fourth calendar year Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge)! He took over for the latter half so that Emma could join us for the last few rounds of ringing, where we bookended the day with a juvenile Dunnock (Jernspurv), which was showing a nice set of contrasting spots on its greater coverts.

Juvenile Dunnock – Jernspurv

Ringing totals

Musvit 2
Rødhals 1
Kærsanger 2
Gærdesanger 1
Rørsanger 1
Blåmejse 1
Jernspurv 1
Tornsanger 10
Rørspurv 1
Munk 1
Gransanger 3

 Total 25

After the ringing session Hanlie and I took garden tools to some shrubbery growing too near the nets, to prevent them catching on vegetation Wihle simon had the task to try changing a cable of the station’s radio tracking receiver, which is used to pick up signals from radio tagged birds. Despite a good effort, and help from Mikkel the problem seems to be with the antenna, which will have to be replaced in the near future instead.

Our radio tracking receiver

We volunteers have still had no luck with the Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) yet, but we have been hearing reports of it resting on the ground near Hulsig, so maybe we still have a chance!

Link to todays observations in DOFbasen from Observers in the area.

Highlights at the ringing:

Lille Gråsisken
Kærsanger
Jernspurv

Highlights for morning observation:

Kaspisk Måge
Småspove
Fjølsand
Pibeand

At the station: Emma Fabre, Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen, our Italian guests Daniele Lavicoli and Ornella Cobianchi,  and the guests in the apartment Louise, Nor and Mikkel Østergaard.

From today on it is early mornings for all of us every day, as also the autumn ringing season started. Rose and I went to Kabletrommle for ringing while Emma went to Verdens Ende III for the migration count.

While opening we heard the Grashopper Warbler “Grasshoppersanger” again. It was very active this morning. For the first round, we were joined by Daniele, an Italian ringer and Simon.

It was a nice morning and Roses first full ringing morning of passerine ringing, she has mainly ringed seabirds before. In total we caught 56 new birds, mainly first calendar year birds. Highlights were an Icterine Warbler “Gulbug”, a partially leucistic Lesser Whitethroat “Gærdesanger”, which had some white feathers on its head.

Lesser Whitethroat "Gærdesanger" with white on its head.

Also a juvenile Willow Warbler “Løvsanger”. It is mainly juvenile Chiffchaffs “Gransanger”, that we catch, so it is important to be careful and always check the emarginations on the primaries, only five in the Willow Warbler and six in the Chiffchaff “Gransanger”. This should always be a routine in these two species, but especially at that time of year it is very important, as the juvenile Willow Warblers “Løvsanger” can have Chiffchaff-like dark legs, which will get lighter when the bird gets older.

Juvenile Willow Warbler "Løvsanger".

Ringing Kabeltrommle

After ringing, Rose and I fixed the wader hanger and then went back to the station.

Emma had a very slow sea migration count today. Very few birds were migrating but there was still one highlight, a Black Guillemot “Tjeist”! And she had some passerine highlights: She saw a Kingfisher “Isfugl” and there was a bird with a weird call. Emmas guess was Penduline Tit “Pungmejse” and luckily, she had a recording of the call. It was indeed a Penduline Tit “Pungmejse”, which is quite rare out here, it is not seen yearly in Skagen.  I wish we would have it in the net!

While we were still at Kabletrommle and Emma took a nap after the count, the Long-legged Buzzard “Ørnevåge” had been seen again. It was the same bird as yesterday, Knud again managed to take very good pictures. Also Simon saw it today, yesterday he had missed it.

When we all met at the station, we decided to look for it together and went to North beach on top of the bunker. We saw some raptors but did not manage to find the Long-legged Buzzard Ørnevåge”.

At the end we decided to explore the inside of the bunker and after going back to the station. While it was very hot outside today and the last days, it was refreshingly cool inside the bunker.

Juvenile Løvsanger

Highlights Morning Observations:

Pungmejse

Isfugl

Tjeist

Highlights in the field:

Ørnevåge

Today´s observations by obsers in te area can be seen here.

Later in the afternoon, our new guests, Louise, Nor and Mikkel arrived at the station. Mikkel is working for Ørneclubben, the kids group of DOF.

After data entry we had the evening meeting with Simon. Now we are looking forward to another exciting day in the field, hopefully this time with Long-legged Buzzard “Ørnevåge” for us.

At the station: Rosemary Frikke, Emma Fabre, Hanelie Sidhu, Simon S. Christiansen, our Italian guests Daniele Lavicoli and Ornella Cobianchi and the guests in the apartment Louise, Nor and Mikkel Østergaard

Today was my last full day at the station, but at the same time the first one where I could finally sleep in a bit! Last night, Rosemary took over the night shift as we set out to catch some European Nightjars (Natravn) in the Lighthouse Garden. Unfortunately, we had no luck catching any, but it was a warm summer night, which made it a nice experience for her nonetheless.

This morning, Hanelie and Emma headed out for morning observation. It was quite calm overall, but they were lucky to see an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) chasing a tern offshore. Later Erik joined them out at the tip, and together they also saw some Honey Buzzard (Hvepsevåge) coming in from inland.

View from World'end III

Later in the day, we received message about a rare Long-legged Buzzard (Ørnevåge) found by Erik C. from his garden in town! Unfortunately we missed it before it returned, but it gave us some hope for more raptor activity in the coming days.

2cy. Long-legged Buzzard - Ørnevåge Photo by Knud Pedersen)

Since it was cleaning day, we spent the afternoon tidying up the station but as the heat became almost unbearable, we decided to head out for a swim together. It was the perfect way to cool down. Emma even found a big crab on the beach!

Crab

To end the day on a sweet note, I treated everyone to ice cream! I’m incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent here at Skagen Fuglestation: the birds, the beautiful landscape, the late nights and early mornings, but especially the people I met! Thank you for the amazing memories and the chance to learn and contribute.

Link to todays observations in DOFbasen from Observers in the area.

People: Pauline Nähring, Hanelie Sidhu, Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Erik Christophersen

The day started with a win, as on our way to Lands End III this morning Emma and I heard Grasshopper Warbler (Græshoppesanger) singing, a new bird for my life list! 

A still sea and little wind today meant quite a calm migration count for us, something I am grateful for while I get the hang of the method! Early on we had a couple of Greenshank (Hvidklire) stood at the tip of the beach before heding south east, a green Sandpiper calling as it headed north west and a light morph Artic Skua (Almindelig Kjove). Later, Simon and Erik also joined us, and amongst regular Gannets (Sule), Common Scoter (Sortand), Sandwich Terns (Splitterne) and some Common Terns (Fjordterne) highlights included four Honey Buzzards (Hvepsevåge) heading east, a Turnstone (Stenvender), and a Rosefinch (Karmindompap). 

Grasshopper Warbler (Græshoppesanger) by Emma 

After the count I went to find a Crested Lark (Toplærke) that Erik had seen near Sandormsporet but did not get lucky this time. Instead, I watched some Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) chicks that seem soon ready for their first flight, one of which was already ringed by our team in the past weeks. I also had a go at reading some gull rings with mixed success in the impressive heat haze for 9am.

A ringed Ringed Plover chick (Stor Præstekrave)

Meanwhile, Pauline and Hanelie spent the morning ringing at Kabeltrommel for Pauline’s last time before leaving tomorrow. They were joined for a while by our guest Frank. Their highlights included a juvenile Eurasian Treecreeper (Træløber), a Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken) two young Robins (Rødals), and a Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) that was ringed here in 2020!

Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken) photo by Pauline

Juvenile Eurasian Treecreeper (Træløber)

The afternoon was spent cleaning and oiling bikes in the sunshine. We also said goodbye to our guests Karen and Frank this afternoon - it was a pleasure to meet them, and we hope they enjoyed their stay!

Today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area can be seen here.

Ringing totals KAB:

Highlights:

Rosefinch - Karmindompap
Grasshopper Warbler – Græshoppesanger
Hobby - Lærkefalk

People: Pauline Nähring, Hanelie Sidhu, Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Erik Christophersen, Karen and Frank Andersen.

In the morning, we all left for the migration count at Word’s End III. The weather was calm. We started with a slow movement of Scoters (Sortand). Then migration activity picked up a bit, with some Sandwich (Splitterne) and Common Terns (Fjordtern) on the move. We also saw a nice flock of Greylag Geese (Grågås). Inland migration was happening as well, with several flocks of Swifts (Mursejler) heading northeast.

Sunrise at World's End III

Knud and Erik joined us for the count. We also recorded some Kittiwakes (Rie). The highlight of the morning was an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) spotted by Erik — a light morph. It passed close to the beach, then quickly flew northwest and disappeared. Erik also detected a Bar-tailed Godwit (Lille Kobbersneppe). After that, he and Knud went down from the dune to the beach to read some gull rings. Then the migration slow down, but we had a nice flock of Velvet Scoters (Fløjlsand).

The team counting birds

After four hours of counting, we returned to the lighthouse. In the afternoon, we started installing the nets to prepare them for sewing. We managed to finish two nets. Then, while we were tidying up the nets, a man came to me and said there was a snake in the toilet!
We went to check and found a medium-sized Common Viper (Hugorm) near the door. Pauline put on her gloves and Hanelie grabbed a butterfly net — together they managed to catch it. We then released it in the grass behind the lighthouse.

While we were outside, we saw a Great Egret (Sølvhejre) flying over the sea near the beach — a beautiful bird.

Commom Vipera-Hugorm

Highlight :
Arctic Skua - Almindelig Kjove
Great Egret - Sølvhejre
Common Viper - Hugorm

People: Pauline Nähring, Hanelie Sidhu, Emma Fabre, Rosemary, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen, Karen and Frank Andersen