Hi there !

People : Simon S. Christiansen, Robbe Cool, Hanelie Sidhu, Knud Pedersen, Marion L'Huillier-Hunsinger, Alice Scalzo, and Karin.

Hello fellow birders and bird enthusiasts,

I hope some of you had the chance to catch the lovely sunrise this morning and enjoyed the clear sky and sunny weather. From our side, we were already on our way to Grenen and during our walk there we got to admire the sky painting in bright colors and the sun slowly rising. This morning was particularly nice to go bird watching as there was very limited wind and the warmth of the sun. It was under these nice conditions that Alice, Robbe and I met Knud for the first time during our walk and we all settled down with our telescopes ready to observe the daily migration.

For any of you that have the time, the next two days should hopefully also be sunny with very little wind so it could be a nice opportunity to watch the sunrise. From the beginning, all of us appreciated the golden lighting turning some of the majestic birds into silhouettes carved out in the sky. Knud explained to us how we count and record these numerous birds and spread out the task. The observations then started with all five of us ready. We especially appreciated seeing all these birds flying past after seeing so many dead ones yesterday. For some of us, we had our first sightings of some sea birds, for others it was a chance to see more individuals than they had in the past.

Some of the species that granted us the pleasure of their presence today include numerous Common Eiders (Edderfugl), Northern Gannets (Sule), Common Scoters (Sortand). In lesser numbers, but nevertheless, interesting sightings, included Eurasian Wigeons (Pibeand) and Light-Bellied Brent Geese (Lysbuget Knortegås). The highlights was a young Iceland Gull (Hvidvinget måge) and a Shag (Topskarv). The latter quite far away though, migrating out of Kattegat. On the other hand, we are still waiting to see our first living Atlantic Puffin (Lunde). This session was also truly useful to get used to the species commonly seen at this time of year and the communication within the group as well as Knud's expertise promoted a great learning experience.

Today's observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

From now on, we will also summarize all the raptor observations made in Skagen the previous day and add the link to that summary. Today's summary is very short as only one observation was entered.

Sum of the Raptors in the area based on observations typed into Dofbasen the same day

When we came back to Skagen Bird Station, we got to enjoy a fresh and yummy meal to refuel our bodies. This food was offered to us by lovely people who met up yesterday at the station to have a discussion session around the theme of the sea. Their goal was to raise questions and give their opinions on what the sea inspires them on a poetic level but also the economic and ecological aspects that come with it. We had the chance to get introduced to some of them while unknowingly attempting to catch mice as mentioned in yesterday's blog by Robbe. Around this meal, we also learn more about each other and the joyful atmosphere in these moments shows great promise for the future and the team cohesion.

For a short digestive walk, Hanelie, Alice and Robbe climbed up the lighthouse to see the view from the top. Later on, we tried to capture some European Rock Pipits (Skærpiber) using traps and audio recordings on the beach. We had previously spotted individuals with rings and were hopeful to trap one of these. As soon as the trap was in place and the call was playing, a ringed individual approached it! Unfortunately, dogs and people enjoying a nice walk passing by scared it away a couple of times. In the end, even with no distractions, it got close to the trap again but did not end up going in. So, this mission is postponed to another day so look out for future updates on it.

Meanwhile, Simon also had multiple meetings, one of which was around the idea of ??building an educational platform around birds. While this project is still far away, you should keep an eye out for it as it could be a great tool and more accessible than regular written guides. He also got his car back thanks to Rie Voertmann again who gave him a lift. He will then be off to Aalborg tomorrow. Karin discovered more of Skagen today and enjoyed a visit to the art museum which she has now recommended to all of us.

Afterwards, Simon introduced us to multiple guidelines and in particular the ones used to conduct night recordings. He then went to place a recorder outside, in Skagen, which will record sounds from 18:30 to 6:30 in the hope of hearing some special or rare birds. To this night-time activity, we added night captures. For this, we use audio recordings and nets as well as thermal binoculars to locate and capture species that can otherwise be very cryptic and discrete. While birds were quite absent tonight, we saw a couple of deer. Cloudy conditions might help for the next time.

However, even before we did these night captures, we got a really exciting capture at the station: a Gray Partridge (Agerhøne)! After yesterday's failed attempt and subsequent time spent chasing mice, a partridge granted us to pleasure to fall into the trap we had set up. Simon was the one who found it and then invited us to the lab to ring the first individual of this species by Skagen Fuglestation. Hanelie was in charge of putting the steel ring on the bird and managed to do it perfectly. After that, we spent quite a while trying to figure out the age and sex of this individual. We established it was a young 2k partridge, but we could not determine the sex. Luckily, we had the time to take photos of the different elements that can help sexing which include: primary feather and primary covers, the belly area, and the head. We will further investigate these photos to determine the sex and keep you updated if we manage to reach a conclusion. Alice then released the bird which ran away in its characteristic, and quite funny, walking style.

It is quite likely that this partridge alongside numerous others was released last July by a local hunter close to Grenen Camping. But this does not take away from the fact that it is a beautiful bird and we hope to ring more in the future.

One new addition we thought could be nice is to add the meals we make in the evening as we all have different cooking skills and recipes.

Dinner of the day: Volcano, for the recipe contact chef Robbe

We will now also be posting on social media and you can go check the first Facebook post on the account “Skagen Fuglestation”.

Tomorrow, you will discover Alice's first blog which will give all the interesting details on the observations at Grenen but also information on any bird we might catch and ring tomorrow at the station's garden.

Ringing (Fyrhaven):

Partridge: 1

Total: 1

People: Alice Scalzo, Robbe Cool, Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Knud Pedersen, Marion L´Huillier-Hunsinger and Karin.

Hey blogreaders!

Today was the first full day at the station of me and Marion and we immediately started with the Fulmar survey at Gammel Skagen. It took us only some minutes before we found our first dead guillemot "lomvie", but it wouldn’t be our last.  While walking along the beach, Hanelie explained to us how we had to write down the dead birds and which we had to collect. Meanwhile, we taught Marion about the common seabirds in the area. Surprisingly, we found the first (and second) ringed plover "stor præstekrave" for the season, accompanied by some sanderlings "sandløber".

While searching for dead birds, I was really focused on the gulls on the beach because there would be an Iceland gull "hvidvinget Måge" and glaucous gull "gråmåge" present around Skagen. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any of those beautiful gulls. Nevertheless, I paid special attention to the subspecies of herring gull "sølvmåge": argentatus/argenteus and we found a nice pair of wings of the latter.

At the tip in Grenen, more snow buntings "snespurv" than the days before were present (around 40), which makes us hopeful to catch some of them later this week. Our survey took longer than expected because we found no less than 62 dead birds which is a sad record. We mainly found guillemots "lomvie" but also five puffins "lunde" and a fulmar "mallemuk". We were glad we could closely observe a young male common scoter "sortand" at the end of the survey.

After seeing two dead seals, I could finally see a living one here. We were all adored by this creature and Marion could take some nice pictures.

Back at the station, we put the collected birds in the freezer and filled our hungry stomachs with some delicious food from yesterday. We continued our afternoon by completing the excel sheets. Meanwhile, Simon got a lift from Rie Voertmann to the station. Back at the station, he prepared an exciting project for later in the spring. Karin made a walk and found some nice seals on the beach.

We interrupted our computer work with an excursion to the grocery store. We met Alice Scalzo, our fourth volunteer, at the parking. She had had a long day with waking up at 1 AM, taking two plains and a train. Thomas Mose, a local birdwatcher, was so kind to bring her to the birding station. The four of us will be the team for the next two weeks, then a Danish volunteer will join us for the rest of the weeks.

When we arrived back from the shop, Hanelie was thrilled to catch the partridges "agerhøne" that are foraging around the station. She thought of a master plan to catch them, involving the four of us. We immediately found them with the thermal camera and tried to chase them in the nets. Unfortunately, after many attempts, we couldn’t catch or find them. After looking with the thermal camera again, I realized there were no partridges "agerhøne" but we were tricked by mice! We had a good laugh at ourselves and called it a day.

In the evening, we split the tasks to gain time. We cooked and we continued with entering the data. Our chef, Marion, thought about a great meal and all of us were eating together.

Observations during the Fulmar survey

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

Tomorrow, the four of us are going to Grenen to observe the migrating seabirds helped by the skills of Knud.

Keep updated on our posts because next days, some exciting tasks are waiting for us!

Robbe

People: Alice Scalzo, Marion L´Huiller-Hunsinger, Robbe Cool, Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu and Karin

Hello everybody!

Today was really an eventful day. Knud is back from his skiing vacation and we were at Verdens Ende 3 today since sunrise. It was again very good to have an experienced observer at my side. So you see much more birds and do not have to concentrate on so many different species. It was very sunny but also very windy and the observing was a very sandy affair. But it was worth it, we saw an adult female Marsh Harrier "Rørhøg", it looks like it was the first one this year, and it is really quite early for it. There was also a White-tailed Eagle "Havørn" and several Buzzards "Musvåge", one of them very tuff so it even migrated across the sea. There were also Lapwings "Vibe" - and, the month started and ended with a young Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge".

Returning to the station, I met Robbe, who had arrived late at night yesterday due to problems with the train and therefore was not with us at sunrise. He comes from Ghent in Belgium and will work at the bird station for three months. He was on his way to a Corona test in town and so I had time for a few words with Simon and Karin. Simon had a lot of office work to do today, but hopefully, the result of his work will be a new thermal binocular and a new assistant, who will take some of his tasks, so that Simon can be more at the station. Karin went to Skagen and for a walk in the surrounding of Det Grå Fyr. Robbe and I also took a little walk to Grenen and I taught Robbe how to sew nets in the attic afterwards. When we looked down again Simon had just picked up Marion, who will stay here for two months. She is from Nice and had a long journey from France, two different planes plus train and bus. And then we went to the first real evening Meeting in 2022! After the meeting, Simon left and we four, Marion, Robbe, Karin, and me were cooking together, Flammkuchen today. And it was very nice to have a full table with lots of conversation and nice company.

The team is growing: Hanelie, Robbe, and Marion

Tomorrow, there will be a Fulmar "Mallemuk" survey and we are looking forward to welcoming the fourth volunteer in 2022!

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

See you tomorrow, from now on, there will be Blog articles for every day.

Take care,

Hanelie

People: Marion L´Huiller-Hunsinger, Robbe Cool, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Hanelie Sidhu and Karin

Good evening everybody!

And then it came, the last day where I had the place to myself. Simon had gone away for the weekend and saw a super cool Walrus "Hvalros". But I also had a nice Saturday. On Friday evening Simon had pointed out to me that a Golden Eagle "Kongeørn" had been seen south of Skagen and might show up here tomorrow. Maybe it could show up in Hulsig or Flagbakken, he typed for me. That suited me very well because that was on the way to Råbjerg Mile, where I wanted to go since my arrival. So I fell asleep on Friday evening expectantly. The weather on Saturday was just perfect for a bike ride, sunny and with very little wind. Yes, the spring seems to come slowly to Skagen, probably thought the Skylarks "Sanglærke", who welcomed me in Hulsig Hede with a real concert. On my way to Råbjerg Mile I stopped often to check the trees and bushes. It was a nice day for me to practice bird songs, because besides the Skylarks "Sanglærke" also Crested Tit "Topmejse", Coal Tit "Sortmejse", Great Tit "Musvit" Grønirisk", Yellowhammer "Gulspurv" and Greenfinch "Grønirisk" were singing. I also saw two Redpolls "Gråsisken" and passed a pretty little lake and despite the spring-like day, there was still a thin layer of ice on it.

At the Råbjerg Mile I was already quite impressed, such a moving sand dune is for me from southern Germany but already what special. After an exploration tour on the Råbjerg Mile I made my way back.

Also this time no Golden Eagle "Kongeørn" in Hulsig but it had been nevertheless a worthwhile trip, I thought to myself. The lighthouse was already in sight and then - an Eagle, in Storsig, very close to the road where I was cycling. I had really not expected that today anymore and I was already a little excited. It was really the Golden Eagle "Kongeørn", I could really watch him for quite a long time and see the white tail base with the black band at the end and the white patches on the underwings and the golden brown breast and belly. It was still a young bird and it flew partial circles and turns, maybe looking for food. I stayed until I couldn't see it anymore and sometimes ran along the road a bit when it changed direction. Thus this last day alone had become nevertheless actually still something special and I have even more knowledge of Skagen to share with the new volunteers and guests.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (26.02.2022)

Today I was then again in the morning at the world´s end observing. It was quite busy because many large swarms of Guillemots were on the way. Also, I saw two Oystercatchers "Strandskade" and I was happy about that because I had already missed them in winter at the beach. But now they come back!

Oystercatcher "Strandskade" at Grenen

Jørgen and Igor also stopped by at the world´s end and we talked a bit, also about the Golden Eagle "Kongeørn".

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (27.02.2022)

At noon Simon also came back to the station and soon it was time to go to the train station, because from today on for almost a week my mother, Karin, is visiting. In the afternoon we both went for a little walk which unfortunately ended a bit sad because we found an exhausted Guillemot "Lomvie", that wouldn't have made it much longer and therefore I had to euthanize it back at the station.

For dinner we had delicious lentil-bolognese and tonight, the second volunteer in 2022 will arrive and the third will follow tomorrow. So there will be lots of innovations at the station and I am curious.

Take care and see you soon!

Hanelie

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu and Karin

Hi everyone!

On Thursday morning, I did not go to Grenen. There was still „office work“ to do as my laptop was Wednesday night apparently even more tired than me and it decided to go on strike and I couldn´t do anything but turn it off. During the course of the morning, Simons father also arrived at the bird station and at noon, two leaders from Store Fjærder Bird Observatory, Terje and Hans, visited us. Karin had brought cake again and we first had coffee and cake and Simon was talking with the two Norwegians about cooperation and projects. In the morning I had already filled nearly all pots I could find at the station with hot water to defrost the freezer, which is now empty, as all our seabirds are in Aarhus. Simon already mentioned the day before, that it was a little sad that all the birds were gone now and I realized it while cleaning. But of course, we are curious, about what the scientists in Aarhus will find out. Empty and defrosted, the freezer now looks like this, a very unusual sight.

Now I need another project but soon, it will be time to start ringing and I am really looking forward to it. Simon and the Norwegian guests went to Grenen in the afternoon but then, a Zello call reached us: Two Iceland Gulls "Hvidvinget Måge" were at the harbour, a 2K but also an adult. Simon, Terje and Hans came from Grenen and picked me up in the car and we drove to the harbour. Simons parents also came to the harbour. There, Simon found the adult Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge" immediately for us but we could not find the young one. Nevertheless, it was very nice and a small crowning of their stay in Skagen for our Guests. Form me, it was the first adult Iceland Gull and we were all very pleased with this afternoon, which was now slowly coming to an end. So this day, we went with our guests to a restaurant in the city. But that was not the end of the day because afterwards, we went to catch Woodcocks "Skovsneppe" and Henrik and Laila joined us. Unfortunately, without success, we came so close to a mouse, that we could have caught it, but we renounced that. Next time we´ll catch a bird!

Today, on Friday, the weather was really nice so I started the day with observing at Grenen. Several rather large flocks of Guillemots "Lomvie" were flying by. When the migration slowly became less, I went to Nordstrand. On the way, I met this sleeping seal on one of the dunes.

At Nordstrand, there were also Cormorants "Skarv" resting and when I turned around, I saw lots of Fieldfares "Sjagger".

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (25.02.2022)

Terje and Hans met Simon at the station while I was observing and left in the late morning. So Simon, Gunnar, Karin and a new cake were at the station when I came back. Simon was busy with meetings. In the afternoon, I went grocery shopping, as the day after tomorrow, a bird station where only I live will be history because, on Sunday, the second volunteer in 2022 will arrive and also a new guest, this time I will have family visit. As it became a habit, a made a stop at the harbour on my way back. There, I met Henrik again and other birders, the young Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge" had been on the harbour again, I missed it but Henrik showed me where it usually is and I have seen it a few times this February now. When I came back to the station Simon and Karin drove away, the station was quiet again and I noticed that tomorrow would be the last day alone at the station. What a strange feeling, but I am looking forward to the new arrivals. In the fridge, Simons parents left a Shrimps Sandwich for me, thanks, it was very good!

So let´s see, what tomorrow brings for me, maybe I´ll find the sleeping place of the Partridges "Agerhøne"?

See you soon and take care,

Hanelie

People: Terje Axelsen, Hans Erik Karlsen, Henrik Knudsen, Laila Neermann, Gunnar Simonsen, Karin Christiansen, Simon S. Christiansen and Hanelie Sidhu

The weather was really not good for Monday morning. Simon had suggested an indoor day for me. An indoor day? That didn't sound tempting to me at all. And I was already out of bed early, so I couldn't spend the day indoors. Although I was almost about to turn back when the wind blew the rain in my face, I opened my notebook at Verden's Ende 3 exactly at sunrise. I checked the seagulls again, but at least Iceland "Hvidvinget Måge" or Glaucous Gull "Gråmage" didn't seem to be at the world´s end in this bad weather. Instead, I spotted several resting Kittiwakes "Ride" and also Black-headed Gulls "Hæettemåge" among the gulls. I also counted the seals: 11 Grey Seals "Gråsæl" were lying there, I had only met one Harbour Seal "Spæettet Sæl" on the way to Grenen. When it started to hail after the first hour, I gave up and returned to the station.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (21.02.2022)

Meanwhile, a local reported a dead Fulmar "Mallemuk" to Simon in the north of Kandestederne. The weather had improved a bit and so we went for a walk on the beach. However, without success. Maybe the sea had taken over the Fulmar "Mallemuk" again, or maybe an animal had had a good meal on it. At least we found a nice tennis ball on the beach, which we kicked around for quite a while on the way back. Finally, we left it on the beach instead of bringing Igor this great souvenir from Kandesterne.  This pretty rubbish flag was also on the beach and Simon took this great picture of "the new pirate".

Soon it was the moment of truth for the new pirate because on the way back we made a stop at the supermarket to buy new cleaning supplies and then it was time for me to do the "Big Skagen Fuglestation cleaning". After that, it smelled good like Brun Sæbe, and to crown all this new order and cleanliness, Simon sorted out books and put them in order, but also added other books.

This new order was explained to me in the evening and the day ended exceedingly clean and orderly and tidy.

On Tuesday, another Fulmar "Mallemuk" survey was on the agenda. This time I had a lot of company at the beginning from Simon and a local TV crew of TV2 nord, to whom Simon explained the reason for the beach surveys, namely that Aarhus University wants to find out how much plastic is in the stomachs of the Fulmars "Mallemuk". But Fulmars "Mallemuk" don't lie in droves on the beach; the most frequently collected dead birds are Guillemots "Lomvie", which are often washed up dead by the sea and just sometimes die injured or weakened on the beach. We also found Guillemots "Lomvie"  with the TV team. While Simon and the TV team drove back to the station after the first Guillemots "Lomvie", where Simon showed and explained the freezer and its contents to the three of them, I still had the most oft he way to go.

To see the TV2 nord feature, click here...

...and here!

I really did not return empty-handed, because in the lab I was able to stock the freezer with two new Fulmars "Mallemuk", two Puffins "Lunde" and six Guillemots "Lomvie".

Dead Fulmar "Mallemuk"

Now the University of Aarhus could come, which had announced itself for Wednesday. But while I was still busy in the lab, Simon came in. Outside, very close to the nets, we had already observed Partridges "Agerhøne", and they were now flying over the house past the lighthouse. We hope to catch them soon, of course!

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (22.02.2022)

Wednesday started early, Simon arrived at the station already at about 5:45, then for him, it went straight on with appearance on TV, today in Godmorgen Danmark. It was again about the dead birds on the beach and the Fulmar "Mallemuk" project. This time the topic was explained together with Sebastian Klein, who was in the TV studio in Copenhagen. I was ready long before sunrise so that I could have a nice breakfast before I left for Grenen. Today the weather was much friendlier than the last time at the world´s end. I observed many Jackdaws "Allike" today, but nothing very exciting, but I left Grenen also after not quite two hours, because at the station a tour took place.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (23.02.2022)

The nets in the garden caught two recaptures, a Great Tit "Musvit" and a Yellowhammer "Gulspurv". Simon explained ringing and birds were fed and the contents of the freezer were shown.

Simon shows blowing fat of a bird.

Feeding the birds at the nets.

Annelise Jensen brought two more birds for the freezer, so the yield for Aarhus was even bigger, thank you! And Aarhus was already there, in the person of Ib Kragh Petersen and a friend, Nico. So Annelise, who had worked at Aarhus University met Ib again after many years, here in Skagen. Simon, Ib, and Nico then met the Nature Agency to agree on a place to catch raptors. They also identified potential places for a radar. I cleaned up the lab, had lunch on last night´s leftovers checked the freezer lists, and prepared something for the ringing folder. Simon meanwhile had picked up his mum from the train station. Now the freezer was emptied, everything was loaded into the car and Ib and Nico left for Aarhus with all the frozen birds. Simons mum had brought cake which we three ate. When it was dark we tried to catch the Partridges "Agerhøne", but unfortunately without success, next time! Now it´s late again, not without reason, I was called I „Night owl“ from an early age. There are just things, as I said, you can not change, even with the best will. I am afraid, that is also one of them. Well, then, there is only to say: See you tomorrow, bright and early and until the next blog soon!

Hanelie

PS: Sorry, because of technical problems this blog could only go online today, Thursday morning.

People: Karin Christiansen, Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Ib Kragh Petersen and Nico

Good evening, dear Blog readers!

When I arrived at Grenen yesterday it was to keep distance. It wasn´t because of Corona or because so many birders had come to see the Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge". But in fact, my observing place was occupied. Namely by a seal. It was very cute and I placed my scope more to the left than usual, at a proper distance in order not to disturb the seal. Again, a big flock of gulls was very close to my observation point. I had already confessed to Knud, that I think Gulls are difficult and I wasn´t sure if I would be able to find a rare Gull in a flock of gulls. Nevertheless, I was curious and wished to find the Iceland Gull on my own. So I scanned the Gulls and I thought to be successful, here it was! When I sent Simon the pictures of the Gulls, it turned out, that it was a Glaucous Gull "Gråmåge", and about an hour later, I found even a second Glaucous Gull "Gråmage" in the flock. But at least this was progress, and I was very happy about these two Glaucous Gulls. Besides, you learn from your mistakes and now I know that it applied in particular of the bill to pay attention, which is short and dark in young Island Gulls whereas it is longer and just dark on the tip in Glaucous Gulls. Also, I had seen both Gulls.

In addition, there were quite a few Gannets "Sule" migrating and also fishing that day.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (19.02.2022)

In any case, I was confident with my observations and the weather was very nice when I returned to the station. So I decided to go grocery shopping and make a detour to the harbor. On the way, I heard some birds, especially Greenfinches "Grønirisk" and Great Tits "Musvit" and it almost sounded a little like spring. At the harbor, there was nothing special, I also checked the Gulls, but I had already had my Gulls for today. Perfect timing, when I arrived at the station it began to rain. Time for sewing nets...

Today, there was not so much happening at Grenen.

So I turned my attention back to the Gulls, I think I am beginning to make friends with them. But just as I was about to check them out, they all flew off towards Nordstrand. I decided to follow them and indeed, again a Glaucous Gull "Gråmåge" for me.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (20.02.2022)

I took another way back to the station, I had already heard that there are some Stonechats "Sortstrubet Bynkegugl" and I also saw one. Simon was there when I came back. He was working on a new project for FUGLE FOR ALLE and checking last year's ringing data. I was sewing nets again but in the evening we were cooking and eating together and it was a very good meal.

Now I am quite tired and I wish you all a good night! See you soon!

Hanelie

People at the station: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu

Good evening, dear blog readers!

Don´t worry, Skagen Fuglestation has not gone into hibernation, I have still been spared from Corona and have also been active in the last few days, which I will of course tell you about in this blog.

On Saturday I went to Grenen with the telescope and a bag with seeds for the Snow Buntings “Snespurv”. When I arrived at Verdens Ende 3, an observer was already sitting there. That's how I met Knud and we counted together. It was very good to have an experienced observer by my side. For example, before, I was not sure how to tell the difference between the winter and summer plumage of the Guillemots, but at the end of this observation, it was easy to tell the difference in the plumage by the different coloring of the head. There was also a lot going on with the seabirds, it was a busy Saturday. Knud had counted the full standard four hours and I had joined him after the first for the other three hours.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (12.02.2022)

After this time, our feet really were ice blocks that needed to be warmed up as quickly as possible. I had a snack at the bird station, and my wonderful timetable told me: Saturday is cleaning day, and so I cleaned and washed. 

The next day Egon Østergård showed Grenens birds to a group of birdwatchers and Knud and some friends of the bird station came and sorted out books. Knud also brought not only a new dead Fulmar "Mallemuk" for the freezer but also two beautiful stuffed Fulmars. Many thanks for that! The Fulmar is definitely one of the birds that I would like to see fly by happily and cheerfully, whereas up to now I have rather taken over the task of carrying them dead, but with stuffed Fulmars, you can imagine these birds much better.

Stuffed Fulmars "Mallemuk"

The friends of the bird station finished their work quite quickly, at least that's how it seemed to me, as I was in the attic sewing nets and wishing I could do the work as quickly. At least Knud had two sandwiches for me and that was a good small reinforcement.

On Monday it rained quite heavily in the morning. Nevertheless, I wanted to start the day with a few birds. So I grabbed the telescope and my freshly washed jacket. I was happy that it finally didn't smell slightly like a dead bird anymore, even though that will probably change again soon, Simon has already announced that, but that's just the way it is. After an hour at Verdens Ende 3, everything was pretty wet, but I had seen some nice birds in the rain, especially lots of Common Scoters "Sortand", Guillemots "Lomvie"  and Eiders "Ederfugl".

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area  (14.02.2022)

My jacket was about as wet as when I got it out of the washing machine, at least on the outside. So I decided to move on to drier activities, which meant repairing nets. A packet of biscuits, a good new audio book and a pot of warm tea made the work a little easier and at the end of the day I had 6 fixed nets. Not all of this Monday, of course, but in total, sewing nets takes longer than you think…

Today I went to Grenen again and sat there for three hours. I had to think of the first time observing in Blåvand last September when it was very difficult for me to see the birds the other volunteers told me about. In the meantime, I enjoy the observations and luckily, I find much more birds, although there is of course still a lot to learn. But I have to take advantage of that here because no matter how much good will I have, a sea for southern Germany is an unattainable goal….

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (15.02.2022)

There was also another reason to be happy today: The Snow Buntings "Snespurv" ate my seeds and I was even able to take a photo of this for you!

Snow Buntings "Snespurv" eating seeds at Grenen

Enjoy your meal as well and see you soon!

Hanelie

People at the bird station: Knud Pedersen, Hanelie Sidhu and Friends of Skagen Fuglestation