Julian was out, trying to catch Quails (Vagtel) again, in the night, but sadly Alix and I did not get any wake-up calls. Instead we went birding at Grenen in the morning. There were many Gulls, plenty of juvenile Black-headed Gulls (Hættemåge) and a few cute terns resting on the beach. There were also two Temminck's Stints (Temmincksryle) that landed on the beach before flying out to sea. It was very warm and humid, and shortly after realizing we had not brought any rain jackets, an ominous dark cloud approached us, luckily it just passed to the west of us, and we did not get rained on. We saw some pretty cool thunder out at sea though.

Thunder-clouds out at sea

When we got back, we checked the moth trap and opened the garden net for a little while.

Ground Lackey (strand-ringspinder)

For lunch Alix and I went to the restaurant De 2 Have and ate a scrumptious meal.

View from the restaurant terrace

In the afternoon we did a big deep cleaning of the station so the summer team has a clean place to be when they arrive :) After that Julian went for a swim in the calm sea.

I had just published this blog and was sat in the station kitchen by the Lighthouse doing computer work. Suddenly heard multiple Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale) calls just outside the open window. Went to check and it flew just a meter away from the window! Ran out quickly but could not find it again around the Lighthouse. Knud and Erik arrived soon after and together we went to the parking lot out at Grenen because we thaught that it could be together with the oather swallows there. And after some looking I found it again. We walked a little more closer and suddenly there was a lark in the middle of the parking lot. Knud immediately called it out as a Crested Lark (Toplærke). Both of them could be observed nicely for the rest of the evening. Verry unexpected ending to the day! 

Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale)

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr)
Gransanger - 1
Munk - 1
Total: 2

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig

Today, waking up early did in fact work out for us just as planned, and we biked to Skarvsøen at 02:40 to open nets for another session of CES. Along the way, we heard a Quail (Vagtel) singing from Ellekrattet – maybe it’s time for me to go out “quailing” again tonight… There was almost no wind today, and we caught quite a few birds, especially on first and second round. We had many newly fledged birds among them like Chiffchaffs (Gransanger) and Lesser Whitethroats (Gærdesanger). And also the very first ringed bird in active primary moult of the season: A Blackbird (Solsort) moulting its inner three primaries.

Freshly fledged Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger).

Blackbird (Solsort) in active moult of primaries.

At one point, I saw a Water Rail (Vandrikse) fly under one of the nets. What a shame it didn’t go in, it’s one of the species that all of us would love to see in hand, after hearing them squeak, and grunt, and screech in the reeds almost every day. Whilst ringing, we also enjoyed watching all the young birds in and around the lake, like the Red-necked Grebes (Gråstrubet Lappedykker) and all the baby Cormorants (Skarv). We had many wading birds like Greenshanks (Hvidklire), Curlews (Storspove), Wood Sandpipers (Tinksmed) and more fly over us, as autumn migration has already started for them. Simon also came by to join us for a bit. He has been on the radio this morning talking about birds and drones on radar. In the end, we got very warm in the sun, and after the six hours done, we felt we needed a good refreshment. So after closing nets, we packed our stuff and walked up to Nordstrand to go for a swim there. What a privilege to have the refreshing sea always in reach! Swifts (Mursejler), Honey Buzzards (Hvepsevåge) and a White-tailed Eagle (Havørn) were circling high up in the blue sky as we enjoyed our bath in the waves of Skagerrak. Back at the station, we met Simon, and did some planning with him, since we won’t see him tomorrow. After lunch, I went for a little walk around the lighthouse before taking a good nap. After that I went for a longer round through Storsig, but couldn’t find anything interesting. Alvin made a whole wok pan of fantastic gnocchi for dinner, and as a desert we had some lemon sorbet I made, topped with water mint that I picked at Skarvsøen yesterday when cutting the reeds there.

Lemon sorbet with water mint.

People: Alvin Johansson, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig, Simon S. Christiansen

This morning started out a bit messy as all 3 of us (Alvin, Julian and I) overslept and ended up being way too delayed to conduct the CES ringing session we had planned on doing. In the end, after deciding we were too late and after a few more hours of sleep, we got up and spent some time with our beloved János who was leaving in the late morning. 

We were all so sad to see him leave, and it was hard to see such an important part of the spring team leave us! We all enjoyed multiple months together and working on many projects, but now it was time for him to go back to Germany to prepare for his next adventure, Mongolia!! We all wish him well and thank him for all he taught us. 

After his departure, Julian set off to go trim some vegetation at the CES site while Alvin and I went on a walk on the beach to try to located some Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave) nests or chicks, and we got lucky to find one nest with 4 eggs! 

Ringed Plover nest with 4 little eggs! 

We will be monitoring this nest and hopefully the chicks will be successful and Julian and the Summer Team can go ring these small guys later. 

On the way back we went swimming as the day had gotten quite warm, and so did Julian before coming back from the CES site at Nordstrand. 

In the meantime, Simon was going some big spring cleaning and organising in our attics at the station and in the lab. 

The day ended with a nice meal made by Julian, and we all got some rest, as now a team of only three… 

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

In the morning Julian woke up to bake some choklate bunns, and together with the blueberry cake that Jànos made yesterday we had enjoyed Jànos life changing Gull (Måge sp.) presentation.

After that me and Alix made flower crowns and I also baked a bread.

Julian started working on the design for the station T-shirts and Janos packed his things and wrote in the guest book sice he is leaving tomorrow :(

For dinner we had haulumi burger and after that we went out to look at Gulls (Måge sp.) Continuing the gull presentation but actually applaying our new skills in the field.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

János was the only one of us to wake up early, he went out birding at Grenen and had several different waders there such as a Whimbrel (Småspove), Curlews (Storspove), a Grey Plover (Strandhjejle), Temminck’s Stints (Temmincksryle), Greenshanks (Hvidklire) and Redshanks (Rødben). He came back at six and made a fantastic blueberry cake which I woke up to. Togehter, we released the poor pigeon which has recovered a lot since we caught it in the lighthouse garden, after having prepared water and food nearby. We will observe its behaviour closely in the next days and hope that it will do well.

The pigeon is finally out again :)

At eleven, Simon came by and held us a little presentation about his trip to Iceland, and the field projects going on there. Søren Leth-Nissen and co. are in town again at the moment, and also came to listen to Simon’s presentation. Thank you for all the cake, Søren! :) Simon showed us some fantastic pictures, and talked about the highly interesting activities, especially the water bird ringing and tagging. Now we’re all inspired take a trip to Iceland ourselves one day. Later on my little lunchtime walk, I noticed how the weather has changed a bit: It’s still very warm, perhaps even warmer than before, but the air feels pleasantly fresh and less heavy.
After János woke up from his nap, he and I visited Maj Lou’s great exhibition at Skagen Fyr which she hosts together with a fellow local artist. We were greeted with wine by Maj and Oluf, and looked at all the beautiful pieces arranged on the different floors of the landmark. Then we moved further into town to have some ice cream together and wait for Alix and Alvin to join us for pizza on the beach. On the very same beach, the big and famous Sankt Hans fire was lit sending the witch to Blocksbjerg and delighting the huge crowd watching this special event.

Pizza on the beach.

Big fire, big crowd.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

While Julian and Hannah stayed out all night to try and catch Quails (Vagtel) again, we others had a lazy morning sleeping until 7 am, followed by a long breakfast. After breakfast, Alix and Alvin had to visit a doctor in town as Alvin had a red mark on his leg that might be Lyme disease. They also went shopping, and then we celebrated midsummer, putting extra effort into lunch, and Alvin and Alix even bought themselves some fish.

At some point in the morning, a young Whitethroat (Tornsanger) flew against the window, but seemed fine and flew off after a bit.

Common Whitethroat sitting by the window

It was also the first day Simon was back from his trip to Iceland, so it was good to see him again.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area 

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Simon S. Christiansen

This morning started slow with all of us sleeping in, and with some freshly made pancakes from János for breakfast. 

Julian had been out night catching quails (Vagtel) tonight and enjoyed some extra sleep after coming home after the sunrise which he enjoyed at the top of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, no quails were caught, and he only heard two as well as tried to approach one of them but it sort of disappeared and went silent. 

During the day we all did some cleaning around the house as is our weekly schedule, and in the afternoon we all went to enjoy some fresh water and sun at the beach! Everyone was brave enough to get into the cold water but me ahahaha I admire them! I am too used to the warm Mediterranean Sea for the nordic temperatures, but I am trying to get better at that! 

Our guests Anne and Jesper who had been staying in the apartment for a while sadly left us today, and we hope to see them again soon. It was a pleasure having them around!

In the evening, we made a nice fire outside the lighthouse and enjoyed some Midsommar treats with some watermelon and fire roasted marshmallows. 

Nice fire enjoyed with watermelon, roasted marshmallows, beer and nice people!

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Simon S. Christiansen

In the night Alix was out catching Nightjars (Natravn) around Storsig and Julian was out trying to catch another Quail (Vagtel) since many could be heard singing. In the end Alix caught a Nightjar (Natravn). A second calendar year female which she was very happy about since it was her first one:)

Nightjar (Natravn) in profile

Nightjar (Natravn) wing, second calendar year because of the two outermost Alula-feathers beeing of juvenile type, also some greater coverts and one secondary. 

One the toes, the Nightjar (Natravn) has combs, that is used for cleaning.

Today was the last day of standardized ringing for the spring season and we had a nice morning with some thunder in the atmosphere wish was cool. 

The highlights from the ringing was definitely a Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wish was the first of the season caught here. It was a female based on the slightly shorter tail streamers. Also we caught two Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies.

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) closeup

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wing

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) tail, female because of the relatively shorter outer tail feathers than males

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies 

János also went observing at the tip for a little while and saw many Common Scoters (Sortand) and an Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove).

The last bird caught for the standardized ringing for the spring season was a female Blackcap (Munk).

The last bird with the team

The rest of the day was spent napping and some of us went to get Icecream in town since it was very warm outside.

In the evening Anna and Jesper cooked an amazing dinner for us.

Highlights from the observations:
Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Rørsanger - 5
Landsvale - 1
Munk - 15
Tornsanger - 3
Rørspurv - 2
Havesanger - 1
Gransanger - 1
Total: 28

Ringing (Storsig)
Natravn - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Alix Bortolussi, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

János staying sheltered from the sun – is there anything a Kabeltromle would not be useful for??

Closing nets at 12:00.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Jesper & Anne

My day started extra early at two o’clock in the morning, as I went out to try night catch one of the Quails (Vagtel) that have been singing all throughout the Storsig area in the past nights. Already on my first hundred meters in, I heard at least three males vocalising their characteristic trisyllabic song that reminds of water drops. Locating them precisely however turned out to be very challenging, because they usually only sing a few times and then pause for a minute or more. The thermal binoculars I brought with me weren’t of any use, since the overall temperature was already to warm. But somehow I managed and was able to approach one of the birds, the overcast sky and strong northwesterly winds probably helped me get close enough. I found the tiny nocturnal singer in the beam of my flashlight and caught it with the hand net. With the Quail (Vagtel) in hand, I called Alvin to wake him and the others up and meet them in the lab to ring the bird. János and Hannah only had time to take a quick look at the Quail (Vagtel) before heading out to Kabeltromlen, but Alvin and I could take our time to process the bird, which was behaving very calmly, and take good photos. It was my first ever steel ring closed, so now I can call myself a more experienced ringer than I was before. Not only the song, but also the throat and breast pattern proof the bird to be a male; we aged it as 3cy+ (3rd calendar year or older), as it doesn’t show a moult limit in the primaries. As dawn slowly broke, we released the Quail (Vagtel) at the same spot where it was caught and watched it fly off well immediately. What a great experience, I will definitely try again as it worked so well on my first try.

3K+ male Quail (Vagtel). Such a lovely little bird. 

János and Hannah came back early from Kabeltromlen: After opening only very few nets due to wind, and having caught one single bird, they decided to close everything, and were back at the station at 07:00. Alvin tried some birdwatching first, but there was almost no movement out at sea, and so he quit soon after and caught a bit more sleep instead. János and I occupied ourselves with indoor work, Hannah went for a walk to the Pencil first. After lunch, Alvin and I checked some ringing sheets. Our dear guests Anne and Jesper went into town, where they visited the museum and had lunch at the restaurant. Back in the apartment, they watched the flocks of birds resting along the shore, just through the window – one of the most convenient forms of birdwatching there is. Towards the evening, we all went out again. Despite the winds still present, it was quite warm and both Hannah and Alvin had a little swim. After dinner, Alvin picked up Alix at the train station. She will stay with us until the end of June, and we are all so happy to have her back again!

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Anne & Jesper