I dag startede dagen atter tidligt. Hebe og Dante satte sig ud på Grenen for, at holde øje med trækket. Simon, Marie og jeg åbenede nettene på Grenen kl 05:00. Dagen bød på flere fugle i nettene end vi har haft et stykke tid. Dog blev det kun til 28 fugle denne morgen, men sammelignet med de seneste dage var det rigtigt fint. Det er i sær Afrika-trækkerne, som satte sit præg på denne dag. Især løvsanger og munk dominerede i dag. Deuodover fandt også 2 rødstjert og en skovpiber vej til nettene.

Dette gav god mulighed for, at få taget blodprøver af fuglene. Det gør vi for at teste for vest-nil-virus . En sygdom som fuglene kan få en Afrika og bringe med sig hjem til Danmark. Vi samarbejder med universiteterne, som for tilsendt prøverne og analysere dem.

Derudover var det rengøringsdag, så kosten og støvsugeren blev hevet frem for en stund.

Herudover ankom Jørgen Rabøl, som holder et spændene foredrag i morgen om studier af rovfugle.

OGSÅ starter fuglefestival jo i morgen! Det glæder vi os til, og vi håber at se mange af jer! Det bliver super fedt! Det er bare ud og finde nogle fede fugle!

Folk på stationen: Jørgen Rabøl, Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny and Marie Heuberger

Ringmærkning på Sardinkrattet:

Skovpiber: 1

Bogfinke: 1

Rødstjert: 2

Gærdesmutte: 1

Gærdesanger: 5

Munk: 7

Løvsanger: 10

Rørspurv: 1

Total: 28

Her en munk fra i dag. Dette er en hun-fugl, med brun kalot.

It was a lovely start to the day, sunny and a glowing sunrise as usual. It is still so exciting to wake up and see the sea! 

Joakim, Marie, Dante and I headed out to Grenen for observations, where we joined Rolf and many other bird watchers. It was quite a quiet morning again, but we did see some Storkjove (Great Skua) which was very lovely, theyre so big and beautiful!! And also three Rød Glente, which is always exciting. There was also a Bjerglaerke hanging around at the tip which some people also got to see.

At nine am i headed back to the obs with Marie to show her where the old lihgthouse garden nets are, which we opened in preparation for a ringing tour with Simon. I then headed back to grenen for a little while. 

Back at the Obs, we got on with daily tasks. DOF basen, raptor summaries, blogs etc.. and Simon headed out to the post office to send away the blood samples we had taken from african migrants in the pas few days. These will be used to test for west nile virus in their blood, which is a very interesting project for us! 

In the afternoon, we spoke with Simon about the coming bird festival and prepared a little. Exciting! We look forward to meeting any of you who will be coming along!!! 

In other news.. we had the exciting arrival of an Otter at the Skarv Colony!! It was spotted by Michael Fink. A really lovely find. 

Anyhoo!! Another day of bliss at the Fuglestation. Until next time!! 

 Marie and I observing in the morning!! lovely and sunny, but a wee bit chilly!!

Ringmarkening Det Gra Fyr:

Lovsanger - 1

People: Michael Fink, Joakim, Dante, Marie, Hebe, Simon and Rolf. 

Today was a calm day to gain some energy for the upcoming bird festival, which will start on Thursday. We saw a Storkjove (Great Skua) and Ride (Kittiwakes) at Grenen, which was quite nice! We also tried to catch the Husrødstjert (Black Redstart), which was jumping around in our garden. Unfortunately, we didn't make it, but instead we caught a blackbird. A little comfort, after all. Besides, Joakim showed me my first Sortstrubet bynkefugl (Stonechat), which is rare, where I live in Germany. And here it has a favorite branch in our garden, incredible! In the evening I tried our awesome Olympus camera and watched the Ederfugl (Eider) and Splitterne (Sandwich terns) near the Lighthouse. Unfortunately, the SD card was broken, so I can’t show you any pictures. Later in the afternoon Hebe and I went for a swim in the sea. It was my first one here in Skagen and it was so cold! But we enjoyed the refreshing, salty adrenaline rush.

And besides that, we got a present from Axel Mortensen & Else Marie Collin: A painting made by Peter Nilsson of Ottenby Bird Observatory, one of the three observatories which are part of the Scandinavian Triple (= a great internship opportunity to get to know three observatories in different Scandinavian countries in three months). We hung the painting in the kitchen, and it really changes the atmosphere of the room in a positive way. Thank you very much for this present Axel & Else!

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr):

Solsort            1

Total: 1 Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny and Marie Heuberger

There were almost no birds moving in the morning due to the cold weather. However the morning quickly turned from quiet to manic when a pod of 7 Spækhuggere/Killer Whales appeared in my telescope! Wow! My initial views of the pod were very brief and very distant. I let the other birders I was with know I had seen them and we waited for them to surface again. The 5 minutes it took them to show themselves felt forever as I started to think I had imagined it! But they did come up again to my relief and were enjoyed by many for about an hour before they disappeared to the north east. Amazing! A video of the animals can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSUSzjd_uNY In the afternoon a danish TV crew came to film me for the news later in the day. That clip can be found after 15 mins here: https://www.dr.dk/tv/se/tv-avisen-med-sporten/tv-avisen-23/tv-avisen-2019-05-05?fbclid=IwAR2nWvoVvFc2N2sEND-ZRdOC7wOPHvENpqF1BgMMGtIR7zy1PadgXhO-wxc Simon cooked something danish and traditional for dinner (can’t remember the name of it) which was really good.

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepherd, Marie Heuberger, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Brian, Kirsten.

Ringmærkning Sardinkrattet and Jenne So:

Bogfinke - 2, Munk - 1, Gærdesmutte - 3, Gransanger - 2, Løvsanger - 6, Rødhals - 6, Skovskade - 1

Total 21

Selvom dagen startede næsten som normalt var det dog med et lidt andet motiv dag. I dag var nemlig Tårnenes Dag. Det betyder, at man kan melde et hold til eventet og derefter tælle arter ved sit fugletårn fra kl 05:00 til kl 13:00. Det gælder ganske enkelt om, at finde flest arter. Vinderene er sjovt nok det hold, som finder flest forskellige arter i løbet af de 8 timer. Derfor stod vi alle 5, Dante, Hebe, Marie, Simon og jeg ude på grenen kl 05:00. Her fik vi besøg af nogle lokale birdere samt Mad og Fugle, som hjalp os med at finde arter denne dag.

Den opmærksomme læser har nok bemærket er der jo ikke er noget fugletårn ude på Grenen. Derfor kan vi ikke deltage i den ’rigtige kokurrence’, da man jo skal have et tårn. Derimod deltog vi som de sidste par i den uofficelle konkurrence, hvor alle kan være med fra en ’obs-post’. Skagen plejer ALTID at vinde.

Marie og jeg gik ned i sardinkrattet og åbende nettene for, at se om vi kunne fange en fugl eller to som vi kunne vise til holdet på Grenen og derved forbedre deres vinderchancer. Det blev dog ikke til mange fugle, men vi fik da ringmærket et par stykker.

Da dagen bød på meget blæst skete det uventede. Vi vandt ikke i år! Desværre var kulde og blæst for meget for trækfuglene og vi endte med kun 66 arter sammenlignet med 109 sidste år. Den bedste art i dag blev en trækkende islom. Vi tager revanche næste år!

Herefter havde Simon et møde med Micheal Ancher om ringmærkning. Brian og Kirsten tog en tur til Gyvelstien efter at have sovet lidt længe i dag. I Byfogedskoven afholdte Poul Hald-Mortensen en guidet tur, som gik rigtigt fint trods den hårde vind.

Om aftenen fik vi sagt farvel til Brian og Kirsten, som nu har været her i en uges tid. Det har været herligt at have dem på besøg!

Folk på stationen: 

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Marie Heuberger, MAD OG FUGLE, Micheal Ancher, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Poul Hald-Mortensen, Brian, Kirsten. 

Ringmærkning Sardinkrattet:

Gransanger - 2

Vinddrossel - 1

Munk - 1

Gærdesmutte - 1

Total 5

Arkivbillede af islom

We woke up to a bit of a wild and blustery day, but nevertheless were excited and ready for a morning of observations! The four of us, (Joakim, Dante, Marie and I) headed out to Grenen again to join Rolf in the cold and the wind!

The weather proved to be a bit anti bird, and we had a very quiet morning, although alongside the usual passers by, there were some lovely highlights as always, such as the first Rørsanger for the year!

Mid morning, we were joined by Brian, who heard us talking about the Lille Gulben (lesser yellow legs) and very kindly offered us a loan of their car for the day!! so this was an exciting surprise for us!! and so the four of us drove down to Ulvedybet to see the Lesser yellow legs! It was quite exciting to be outside of skagen for the first time in a few months!

We got some lovely views of the bird, as well as an incredible view of a Southern Blue throat resting in a Rapeseed field!! There were lots of other waders there too; Rødben (redshank), Strandskade (oystercatcher) and Recurvirostra (avocet) among others!

Joakim, Dante and Marie watching the birds

Back at the observatory, we got on with some tasks before a much needed dinner of Dantes signature quiches!!

Thanks everyone for another brilliant day in Skagen!!

No ringing today

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Anna Moulin, Micheal Ancher, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Jan Heilmann, Brian, Kirsten og Rolf Christiansen.

I just arrived at Skagen yesterday and today was my first day working. We (Joakim, Hebe, Dante and myself) went to Grenen around five o’clock in the morning with one of our guests, Brian and Kirsten and we also met some local birders. It was windy and therefore not a good birding day. But anyway we saw many Sule (Norhtern gannets) and even more Malamuk (Fulmars). In the evening Joakim gave a lecture about counting birds. He especially explained how to count flocks. I really enjoyed my first day here, even if it was a bit calm and I’m looking forward the next two months here. I’m sure I will learn a lot!

Rining:

no ringing today, due to bad weather conditions

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepherd, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Marie Heuberger, Brian and Kirsten

All of us were up super early (3:30am) for the first CIS ringing of the year at Jennes So with Michael Ancher. It was a very quiet morning with only 5 birds ringed but we caught the first Mallard/Graand ever for the observatory. Anna had to leave for Lista mid morning and we all said goodbye. You will really be missed Anna! Marie, a new volunteer from Germany, arrived around midday. In the afternoon Simon, Joakim and I had a guided tour with 40 people which went really well. Brian and Kirsten cooked an amazing dinner! Afterward Jan had a talk about plants in the birders club. 

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepherd, Anna Moulin, Micheal Ancher, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Jan Heilmann, Brian og Kirsten, Marie

Rinkmarkening Jenne So and Det Gra Fyr:

Graand - 1, Gaerdesmutte - 2, Munk - 1, Gransanger - 1, Musvit - 2, Rorspurv - 2

Total 9

Ja i kan jo næsten selv gætte jer til hvordan dagen startede? Nemlig! Morgenobs. Hebe og jeg sad ved Nordstrand og Dante og Anna sad på Grenen. Vejret var fint og vinden var lav. Det betød, at vi faktisk havde nogenlunde forventninger til dagen, men de vidste sig hurtigt ikke at blive indfriet. Det var simpelthen dødt ved Nordstrand, MEGET dødt. Vi brugte 4 timer ved Nordstrand, hvor højdepunktet blev én fiskeørn. Derefter prøvede vi med lidt rovfugle-obs, hvilket sådanset gik nogenlunde.

Brian og Kirsten, som bor i lejligheden kiggede forbi Nordstrand og fik set nogle af de få fugle, som faktisk valgte at ligge vejen forbi.

Imens vi gjorde dette havde Simon en guidet tur for en 4.klasse. De fik lært lidt om ringmærkning, trækfugleobservationer og fugle i det hele taget. Turen gik godt og børnene var meget interesserede. Måske vi ser dem heroppe i form af fuglekiggere eller måske endda firvillige på stationen i løbet af de næste år?

Da Anna desværre skal rejse videre onsdag, ville sige godt farvel til hende. Derfor drog vi til Skagen Bryghus og spiste en rigtigt fin frokost/aftensmad en drak en øl. Derefter gik vi alle en tur op i fyrtårnet, så Anna også fik den oplevelse med herfra. Derefter var der lidt praktiske ting som skulle ordnes. De blev dog afbrudt da to aftenfalke hanner havde valgt, at ligge deres rute lige hen over Det Grå Fyr. Hold nu op hvor er de fede!

Dagen sluttede med, at vi bagte en kage og spiste nogle is og bare generelt hyggede os, da det jo desværre desværre desværre var Annas sidste aften her.

 Anna, Hebe, Dante og Joakim, de 4 frivilllige på stationen lige nu, efter en tur i fyrtårnet. 

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Anna Moulin, Micheal Ancher, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Jan Heilmann, Brian og Kirsten

Ringmarkening Det Gra Fyr: 

Munk -1, Gransagner - 2, Musvit - 1

Total 4

This morning started early again, with Dante and Anna, joined by Kirsten and Brean, headed out to Northstrand and Joakim and i went to Grenen. It was a really good morning for birds, particularly raptors, some highlights being: Steppehøg (Pallid harrier), Kirsten and Brian's first Sort Glente (Black Kite), Hvidnæbbet Lom (White billed diver), Mellemkjove ( Pomarine Skua), Ringdrossel (Ring ouzel) and 400 plus Spurvhøg. Later in the morning, i joined Simon on a ringing tour, Anna headed into town for some shopping and Dante headed to a different location for some raptor migration counting, where he spotted an Adult male Aftenfalk. (Red footed falcon)

In the afternoon, Joakim and i headed out for a wee bit of exploring and raptor watching and saw some lovely insects and birds! Anna got on with some things at the observatory and spoke to some Chinese guests as she has learnt some Mandarin! Simon spent the afternoon planning the Fugle Festival which begins next week!! Later in the evening his Dad arrived which was nice! 

After a delicious noodly dinner cooked by Joakim, we hit bed. 

Folk: Joakim Matthiesen, Dante Shepard, Anna Moulin, Micheal Ancher, Simon S Christiansen, Hebe Denny, Rolf Christiansen, Ian Heilmann, Brian og Kirsten

Ringmarkening Det Gra Fyr: 

Rodhals - 2, Sangdrossel - 2, Gransanger - 1

Total 5