Hej!

The day started with perfect weather for ringing. So that's what we did. Rosa, Emma and I, joined by Karen, had a great time at ringing and a good amount of birds (58!). The highlight was probably a female Brambling/Kvækerfinke. A first for Emma was a beautiful adult Lesser Redpoll/Lille Gråsisken. Other than that we had a lot of Chiffchaffs/Gransanger, Blackcaps/Munk and Robins/Rødhals.

Adult female Brambling/Kvækerfinke

The observers also had a great migration day. Ragnar and Augustin at World's End 3 saw a lot of Reed Buntings/Rørspurv, Grey Wagtails/Bjergvipstjert, Yellow Wagtails/Gul Vipstjert and Goldcrests/Fuglekonge migrating, After 10:30 around 3000 Meadow Pipits/Engpiber flew over. The highlight of the observation, and luckily recorded, was the call of a Richard's Pipit/Storpiber!

In the afternoon Ragnar brought the bike to town to be fixed. So we soon will have three working mountain bikes again! We are looking forward to a little talk about Skua-/Kjove-identification and ageing by Augustin tomorrow, on which he worked on in the afternoon. After that he had a blast observing a lot of Fulmars/Mallemuk on the sea in the rain. I did a quick trip to Jennes Sø before the rain started, which propaply won't stop before we go out tomorrow.

Planning the next day at the evening meeting, joined by our Guests Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen

Higlights of the observation:

Meadow Pipit/Engpiber: around 3000

Arctic Skua/Almindelig Kjove: 1

Richard's Pipit/Storpiber: 1 - first one for the season

Ringing (Kabletromlen):

Fuglekonge: 2

Gransanger: 14

Blåmejse: 2

Kvækerfinke: 1

Rørspurv: 5

Munk: 8

Rørsanger:2

Jernspurv: 4

Lille Gråsisken: 1

Rødhals: 12

Gærdesmutte: 7

Total = 58

Ringing (Jennes Sø):

Gærdesmutte: 2

Rødhals: 4

Gransanger: 9

Fuglekonge: 3

Blåmejse: 4

Bogfinke: 1

Lille Gråsisken: 15

Total = 38

Ringing (Nordstjernevej):

Fuglekonge: 1

Blåmejse: 2

Musvit: 4

Total = 7

Combined total = 103

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon Sigaard Christiansen, Philip Sigaard Christiansen, Ben McLauchlan, Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen, Michael Ancher, 

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

Today started the usual way with the crew cycling to Kabeltromlen and Worlds End 3, however we got there much faster due to a strong tailwind. As we began opening the nets we realized the gusts were worse than anticipated, so after some evaluation we only opened six nets. As the wind increased the six open nets became five, and then four, before we ultimately made the decision to close to not pose any risk to the birds.

I then joined for the remainder of the observations, where they had already spotted a Long-Tailed Duck (Havlit).  Another highlight were two Snowbuntings (Snespurv), sat in the dunes right infront of us! Today was a high autumn count of Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove), with at least 15 seen. Towards the end of the counting period, Ragnar spotted a flock of skuas and gulls circling high above the water like raptors – this was quite the spectacle, although the fast-approaching rain meant they couldn’t be confidently identified and counted. Ultimately, the rain caught up with us and we all got very soggy on the cycle ride home.

The lucky Snowbunting's (Snespurv) point of view all morning.

In the afternoon, Simon, Ragnar, and Det Grå Fyr took a joint tour for Danish Geodata where they discussed bird ringing, bird navigation, and the local area with the sixty guests. Meanwhile, the rest of the volunteers got on with some cleaning and admin. I then went for a walk where I was very pleased to see a Red Squirrel (Egern)! Everyone else at the station (from continental Europe) laughed at this, but in the UK, they are incredibly localised due to being outcompeted by invasive grey squirrels. Unfortunately, my phone battery had died so I couldn’t take a photo, but it was very cute.

Tomorrow’s weather is looking rather spicy – with wind direction changes throughout the day. We’re looking forward to seeing the effects of this on Grenen’s birds.

Goodnight!

Highlights from the Observations:

Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) - 15

Long-Tailed Duck (Havlit) - 1

Snow Bunting (Snespurv) - 2

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Total = 0

Ringing (Jennes So)

Solsort - 1

Munk - 2

Gransanger - 8

Løvsanger - 1

Fuglekonge - 5

Topmejse - 1

Lille Grasiskin - 1

Rørspurv - 1

Total = 20

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Sigard og Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen, Michael Ancher

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

24/9 was a day amongst many. Obs was spotty, since me and Augustin heard what was a tick-bunting call over us, so we/I ended up spending an unreasonable amount of time trying to record it and photograph it. We didn’t succeed, but we had a very nice 2k Great Northern Diver (Islom), but otherwise migration was very slow with nothing too noteworthy. While it was only me and Augustin at the obs, Emma tried her hand at ringing with Mara and Rosa and they had a nice Grey Wagtail (Bjergvipstjert) in the hand.

Grey Wagtail 1k

One of probably many birds Emma will handle this autumn

After standardized counting everyone except me went home as I wanted to try my luck. No dice, but I met the young birder Noa Vedel. We checked Ellekrattet which only had a Northern Treecreeper (Træløber). I went back, took a nap and got some food, then I got ready for the guided tour with Simon. The day was short and average, as many other days will be in autumn. But still in the short hours between sunrise and sunset, that is where the extraordinary happens and we are still waiting.

France vs Germany

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Blåmejse (Blue Tit) - 1

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler - 1

Munk (Blackcap) - 6

Gærdesmutte (Eurasian Wren) - 2

Solsort (Blackbird) - 1

Rødhals (Eur. Robin) - 3

Bjergvipstjert (Grey Wagtail) - 1

Rørspurv (Reed Bunting) - 2

Total: 17

Highlights from OBS:

Great Northern Diver – Islom 1 2k NW

Eurasian Hobby – Lærkefalk  1 1k SW

Great Skua – Storkjove 1 NW

Wood Sandpiper – Tinksmed 1 R, getting late

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Sigard og Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen

In the morning me and Rosa opened the nets for the ringing, we were joined by our guest Karen who helped us in the ringing. We had a very average morning without any particularly special birds today in the ringing. Later Karens husband also came by and we got good views on a young Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg), before that he was at the beach taking pictures of some Red-breasted Mergansers (Toppet Skallesluger) and Gannets (Sule). While that Emma and Ragnar were out on the beach for morning observations, they saw a adult light morph Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) and two Snow Buntings (Snespurv).

Ragnar and Emma during the morning observations, photo by Søren Leth-Nissen

After that we gathered at home to have lunch together and cleaned the apartment. Our guests of the week went to Højen Fyr in the afternoon to look for the Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk) and got really good looks at it, they also saw a Osprey (Fiskeørn) while out there. 

Adult Female Osprey (Fikeørn) near Højen Fyr photographed by Søren Leth-Nissen

In the afternoon Simon came back to the station and we declared the winner of our little birding competition. The Volunteer team obviously won with a great observation of the Red-footed Falcon(Aftenfalk)! After that the new guests for this week Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen.

Red-footed Falcon(Aftenfalk) photographed by Søren Leth-Nissen 

 Tonight we will atttempt to catch Tengmalm Owls (Perleugle) as there were some seen on islands in the Baltic sea, so don’t get fooled by the calls tonight if you are planning to go on a night hike:)

Highlights from the observations:
Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) - 1
Snow bunting (Snespurv) - 2
Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):
Musvit -1

Blåmejse - 1
Rørsanger - 8
Gærdesmutte - 2
Rødhals - 3
Munk - 3
Gransanger - 7
Fuglekonge - 2
Total: 26

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Sigard og Karen & Søren Leth-Nissen

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

af Emma Fabre

Today, there was more wind than yesterday. The passerine migration was good with,134 Jay (Skovskade). Two Snow bunting (Snespurv) flew over us for a few minutes before landing at our feet. On the sea a Great Skua (Storkjove) appeared above the horizon. When the seabird migration calmed down, Ragnar checked the gulls on the beach and he found a total of 5 Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge).

For the ringers, it was a nice morning, 38 birds were ringed, with 6 Eurasian Wren (Gærdesmutte), Common Chiffchaff (Gransanger) and Blackap (Munk).

The Bullfinch/Dompap, Lille (europaea)

After the ringing and the observation, we tried to find some birds in Elle Krattet, but we found nothing...

In the afternoon, Ragnar found a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) and a young Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk) at Højen Fyr, so everyone went to see them. The Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk) flew over us and landed at a top on a tree, for an hour. It was nice. We also saw the Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) at the top of a bush for a few minutes - So I think we won the bird competition against Simon this weekend!

The Red-footed Falcon

Highlights from the observations:
Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) - 5
Snow bunting (Snespurv) - 2
Great Skua (Storkjove) - 1
Jay - 134

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):
Sangdrossel - 1
Musvit -1
Rørsanger - 5
Gærdesmutte - 6
Rødhals - 2
Jernspurv - 2
Munk - 6
Dompap, Lille (europaea) - 3
Gransanger - 6
Fuglekonge - 1
Total 38

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Emma Fabre

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

We knew today would be good when Simon challenged us to a bird competition while he is away for a few days. “Best bird wins” – game on!

We made a strong start to the competition, when I heard an unfamiliar Phylloscopus call whilst opening the nets at Kabeltromlen. Luckily, I managed to get a recording of the warbler as it moved through the bushes which we could later investigate. Unluckily, even with the sonogram we are still left scratching our heads between a few species – but stay tuned for updates!

The excitement of hopefully rehearing, spotting, or even catching the bird meant the ringing session went very quickly. We caught 35 new birds, with the numbers coming predominantly from Blackcaps (Munk), Robins (Rødhals), and Wrens (Gærdesmutte). Highlights aside from the Phylloscopus sp. were a caught Garden Warbler (Havesanger), and an observed Kingfisher (Isfugl).

The ringing team were joined by Mette and Igor today.

Meanwhile, the observers were out at Worlds End Three where they were engulfed with fog, barely able to pick out each other in the haze, let alone the birds. During the few intermittent periods of clear skies and seas they also spotted a Kingfisher (Isfugl), as well as a colour ringed Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge), and a Yellow Legged Gull (Middelhavs-søvmåge). On the way back, Ragnar stopped by Elle Krattet where the day continued to prove to be one for the records as he heard Skagen’s first Yellow Browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) of the season and a Nutcracker (Nøddekrige)! Another two great birds, adding to our clearance against our opponent, Simon.

The fog lingered at Grenen for most of the afternoon.

After some lunch and sonogram dissection, the rest of us headed back out on the bikes to some nearby patches of woodland to try and spot the Nutcracker (Nøddekrige). Unfortunately, we didn’t spot it, however we did see two Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Stor Flagspætte) and a Kingfisher (Isfugl), which are always nice.

Surprisingly, Augustin didn't fall off after this photo was taken!

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Rødhals – 7

Munk – 7

Gærdesmutte – 7

Gransanger - 3

Fuglekonge – 2

Rørspurv – 2

Rørsanger - 2

Blåmejse – 2

Havesanger – 1

Skovpiber – 1

Jernspurv – 1

Total = 35

Highlights from Observations

Caspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge) – 1

Yellow Legged Gull (Middelhavs-sølvmåge) – 1

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Emma Fabre, Mette Cristensen, Simon S. Christiansen.

Panorama of Kabeltromlen this morning

Today Ragnar and Emma went out to Worlds End 3 for morning observations, they had a couple of cool observations! They saw a Great Northern Diver (Islom) in Summer plumage close to shore, that’s not something you see everyday here. Later they also found a Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk) which few close to Kabeltromlen, where me and Rosa were ringing today, so we also got a good view of a young Red-footed Falcon. We had an otherwise beautiful morning in the ringing with the fog over the reedbeds around us. Unfortunately not to man birds found their ways in to our nets today, the highlight was probably a first Year Water Rail (Vandrikse).

Red-footed Falcon/ Aftenfalk from this morning

In the afternoon I went on a walk with Emma to Grenen to find the Crested Larks, wich decided to stay hidden from us today. Rosa also went on a walk and found around thirty Goldcrests (Fuglekonge) in Elle Kratttet. In the afternoon Ragnar and Simon gave a guided tour to the staff of 'FF Skagen', they had a little competition on who could find the most birds on their tours, Ragnars Team won, so congratulations to them!

The participants of the guided tour for the staff of 'FF Skagen', and Simon S. Christiansen

Today we also go a mail regarding the Red Knott (Islandsk Ryle) with the Norwegian Metal (!) ring which I was able to read on the Fulmar Suryey walk on the 6^th of September with Mara, read the blog from that day here. The Red Knott (Islandsk Ryle) was orn this year and go ringed near Farsund in Norway on the 29^th of September. So this individual traveld 241km in 8 days!

Map of the Red Knot with ringing site in Norway and 'recapture' in Skagen

Higlights from the observations:

Great Northern Diver/Islom - 1, scarce visitor

Red- footed Falcon/Aftenfalk - 1,  scarce visitor

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gærdesmutte - 1

Rødhals - 5

Munk - 7

Fuglekonge - 2

Gransanger - 5

Jernspurv - 3

Total = 23

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Christiansen.

Hej!

Another day of sun and nice birds. The day started with Ragnar, Emma and Augustin going to the observation point, while Rosa and I had already finished opening all the nets. A little soaked from the wet vegetation and countless of spiderwebs we brushed through, we waited for the first birds under the glow of the full moon. The early hours brought many Robins/Rødhals, Chiffchaffs/Gransanger and Reed Buntings/Rørspurv. After the numbers slowed down, we caught another Jay/Skovskade. This one wasn’t as snappy as the last one a few days ago, and so an even nicer birds to ring.

At the observation at World's End 3

Over at the observation point, Ragnar spotted a Little Bunting/Dværgværling flying over – the first one of the autumn, and hopefully not the last. He also heard a Red-throated Pipit/Rødstrubet Piber, which, luckily, was recorded on our all-time recording recorders. Listen to it here.
Rosa was so kind and close all the nets on her own, giving me the chance to go for a walk, and I finally saw my first Snow Bunting/Snespurv, sitting in the sand amongst all the tourists heading to the tip of Denmark. So very cute! At 2 pm, we all gathered at the station for a little talk by Simon on identifying the Phylloscopus warblers. Naturally, Ragnar, with his years of experience, won the Kahoot quiz at the end. Now, we all feel prepared for any rare warblers or first-time records for Denmark that come our way to Skagen!

Simon challeging us with a Kahoot quiz after his talk

After the presentation, everyone went off on their own little adventures around the lighthouse to enjoy the sun and birds. Both Ragnar and Augustin spotted the same two Crested Larks/Toplærke independently. Dinner then motivated Rosa and Ragnar to now head out for night catching, aiming to capture one of them. Good luck! Meanwhile Peter Østrin gave his talk about his interesting encounters with whales and orcas once more, this time in danish for others to enjoy!

Peter Østrin and his listeners on tonights presentation

Higlights from the observations:

Little Bunting - Dværgværling:  1 roosting, 41st record for Skagen, first this autumn

Red-throated Pipit - Rødstrubet Piber: 1 migrating, scarce almost annual autumn visitor. 

Mediterranean Gull - Sorthovedet Måge: 3 roosting

Caspian Gull - Kaspisk Måge: 2 roosting

Great Northern Diver/Yellow-billed Diver - Islom/Hvidnæbbet Lom: 1 migr. SE, either one of those two species, but too far for identification

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Skovskade - 1

Solsort - 1

Musvit - 1

Gærdesmutte - 3

Rødhals - 5

Rørsanger - 3

Munk - 4

Rørspurv - 4

Blåmejse - 1

Fuglekonge - 1

Gransanger - 5

Total = 29

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Christiansen, Peter Østrin, Jayne Østrin

With a weather forecast almost identical to the one yesterday, we knew what to expect. Rosa and Mara went to Kabeltromlen as per usual while me, Augustin and Emma went out to Worlds End 3. The sea was somewhat quiet, but we got some good looks at migrating Black-throated Divers (Sortstrubet Lom), Mediterranean Gulls (Sorthovedet Måge) and Little Gulls (Dværgmåge). Again today we also had some good migration of passerines with highlights being Grey Wagtail (Bjergvipstjert) and this autumn seasons first siskins (Grønsisken). Far away a perching Goshawk (Duehøg) 1k caused some initial headaches, but the migrain of the day was when Augustin, while covering the inland migration, called out “Pochard!”. I immediately swung the scope in the general direction he was looking and I simply couldn't find the bird. While I was looking he started saying strange stuff like “It looks like a Red-crested Pochard (Rødhovedet And)” and right before it went below the bushes above the Cormorant Lake I saw a dark duck with seemingly pale/whiteish wings. Red-crested Pochard is more rare than Black-browed Albatros (Sortbrynet Albatros), with only one record ever in Skagen. After some quick deliberation I jumped on the mountainbike and went to the track that leads to the Cormorant Lake and started walking. After some wet shoes and quick walking, I was finally at the lake, but no Red-crested Pochard. Instead a nice female-type Garganey (Atlingand) was swimming around! Not as rare as the pochard, still a really good bird in Skagen during the autumn, with three autumn records ever in Skagen, it was a nice consolation price.

From a strictly local perspective, this is the bird of the day, but in broader sense, long-tailed got it beat.

While looking for the pochard I received a call from Erik about a Long-tailed Skua (Lille Kjove) 1k roosting in reef out of the tip, so I called Augustin and told him that there was a Long-tailed Skua at the tip, but they had already seen it and videoed, nice! I started my long walk back, and out at the Simon was out with us looking for the Long-tailed Skua, but they hadn’t seen it for some time. Otherwise it was quiet, except the Snow Bunting (Snespurv) had returned and we could see from close range feeding until a Wheatear (Stenpikker) scared it away!

confiding small snowball, though this one is a bit early

When the standardized period was over, Emma went back and Augustin went to the Cormorant Lake to look for the pochard, while I stayed back. It resulted in some of the best views of a Long-tailed Skua I have ever had. After two hours I went back to the station, cleaned up and went to the Skagen Art Museum to experience something other than birds. Sadly the birds followed me as I found a taxidermied Spectacled Eider (Brilleederfugl) female! Quite a surprising location to a taxidermied individual of a species that is otherwise restricted to the NE parts of far east Russia and NW most Alaska, combined with the fact that is a relatively small population makes we wonder where this specific individual is from…

A live one would be quite the sensation, as there is only five records in the western palearctic, all of them from Northern Norway

After watching art and eating ice cream I returned back to the station to have a half-way meeting with Simon about my stay at the station, as I have now been at SKAF for two months and three days. The others had also returned, Rosa had also been out for a walk and have had a meeting with Simon, Mara was out with her boyfriend and Augustin didn’t find the pochard. A quick evening meeting later we were down at the birders club to hear a special talk about the orcas (Spækhugger) in Skagerrak by Peter Østrin, a very interesting presentation with some very interesting data, thank you so much Peter! Now we are all heading back to bed after a long day.

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Gærdesmutte - Wren: 6

Rødhals - Robin: 14

Jernspurv - Dunnock: 2

Munk - Blackcap: 5

Rørspurv - Reed Bunting: 1

Gransanger - Chiffchaff: 5

Fuglekonge - Goldcrest: 2

Rørsanger - Reed Warbler: 2

Total: 37

Highlights from the observation:

Long-tailed Skua - Lille Kjove 1 1k light morph, very scarce migrant, third recorded by SKAF this autumn

Garganey - Atlingand 1 female-type, very rare autumn visitor, third autumn record ever

Mediterranean Gull - Sorthovedet Måge 2, still hanging around

Possible Red-crested Pochard - Rødhovedet And 1, second record for Skagen if refound

Goshawk - Duehøg 1k, scarce autumn visitor

Snow Bunting - Snespurv 1, still hanging around

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Mara Glane, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Christiansen, Erik Christophersen, Peter Østrin, Jean Østrin

On my first day at the station, I was happy to see a Snow bunting (Snespurv) and a many Common Eiders at the World’s End 3. They are rare in France. Otherwise, seebird migration was slow. But there are some interesting birds set on the beach like Kaspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge). Also some Meadow Pipit (Engpiber) flew over us, calling. For the ringers, there were more birds than yesterday, with many European Robin (Rødhals) and Eurasian Blackcap (Munk).

My first observation

In afternoon Ragnar went to a walk on the beach. Augustin, Rosa and me wanted some adventure, so we tried to find a way through into the stamp to reach the dunes. From the dunes, we spotted some nice birds like Horned Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker) or Artic Skua (Almindelig Kjove). So Ragnar join us to see these birds.

Seewatching on the dunes

Highlights from the observations:

Kaspian Gull (Kaspisk Måge)
Little Gull (Dværgmåge)
Snow bunting (Snespurv)

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):
Vandrikse - 1
Rødhals - 12
Rørsanger - 2
Gærdesmutte - 2
Rødstjert - 1
Munk - 13
Gransanger - 5
Fuglekonge – 2
Total 38

Link to today's observations from observers in the area

People at the station: Ragnar Smith, Rosa Hicks, Augustin Sticksel, Mara Glane, Knud Peterson, Emma Fabre, Simon S. Christiansen, Jørgen Kabel og Erik Christphersen.