The day started well with an early morning ringing session, where nets were open by 4:15 am at Kabeltromlen. We had a good morning session with 19 birds of 8 species, including the first marsh warbler for this spring and it was my first marsh warbler I have seen and ring, it is a great day for me because Simon and Lisa help me in knowing the difference futures between Reed warbler and the marsh warbler. I have a lot of experience here which will help me as a young Ornithologist. The guests in the apartment where with us at the ringing site, Kristen Bregn and Jan Speiermann . We had about 27 visitors at the ringing site that included Benjamin who was a volunteer here last year and møtter millet Christensen who works at the stations light house.

The ringing totals 19 Birds

Garden Warbler / Havesanger 7

Common Whitethroat / Tornsanger 1

Blackcap / Munk 3

Lesser Whitethroat/ Gaerdesanger 3

Wren / Gærdesmutte 1

Willow Warbler / Løvsanger 1

Marsh Warbler / Kærsanger 1

Today is the second day of the Bird festival at the station and I had the opportunity to attend the talk about whales which made me know their family structure, with their life expansion.

The observation this morning was so positive with some good species seen around that include all the five (5) species of Divers in Europe.

picture taken by JAN SPEIERMANN

The observation for today is as follows.

White- billed Diver / Hvidnæbbet Lom 1

Great Northern Diver / Islom 1

Black-throated Diver / Sortstrobet Lom 17

Red-throated Diver / Rødstrobet Lom 1

Pacific Diver / Stillehavs Lom 1

Bee­­­­-Eater / Biæder 1  

Skagen Fuglestation: Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Kirsten Bregn,Jan speiermann.

Today was the first day of the annual Bird Festival here in Skagen- a three-day festival with talks, guided tours, stalls, a bird race, competitions and more!

Michael and Lauren had the nets open at Kabeltromlen for sunrise and were later joined by Lisa and Kirsten and several different visitors from the Bird Festival. Unfortunately, they had a rather slow morning with only 7 new birds caught but this did give them the chance to go and see the 2 Pomeransfugl (Dotterel) which were resting outside the lighthouse.

Pomeransfugl (Dotterel). Photo: Lisa Vergin.

I headed to World’s End and was joined by at least 75 birders from the festival throughout the morning! The highlights of the morning included 6 Islom (Great Northern Divers), 2 Topskarv (Shags) and 10 Mallemuk (Fulmar). The male svecica Blåhåls (Bluethroat) also remained in the lighthouse garden.

We also said goodbye to Yehonatan this morning, whose ringing expertise and excellent cooking has been a core part of the observatory these last three months and will be sorely missed. We welcomed Jens Speiermann who is staying with us for the duration of the festival.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Kirsten, Jens Speiermann & Kirsten Bregn.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat)- 3

Gærdesmutte (Wren)- 1

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 2

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat)- 1

Munk (Blackcap)- 3

Gransanger (Chiffchaff)- 1

Total: 11

Strong north-westerly winds meant there was no ringing at Kabeltromlen and made us doubt how fruitful our morning observations would be. Dante and I headed to World’s End at sunrise regardless, while Yehonatan and Michael enjoyed a well-deserved lie-in, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good the morning turned out to be! Lots of birds were moving over the sea and the highlights of the morning included 1 adult Mellemkjove (Pomarine Skua), 3 Storkjove (Great Skua), 1 Almindelig Skråpe (Manx Shearwater) and 1 Islom (Great Northern Diver).

Meanwhile, Simon, Michael and Kirsten joined Ander Østerby and local children on a Bioblitz around the station. The aim of a Bioblitz is to find as many different species as possible and one group even managed to find a rather rare butterfly- a Gråbåndet Bredpande (Dingy Skipper). It was a good day for rare Lepidoptera as later, Ragnar Smith spotted a Svalehale Sommerfugl (Swallowtail Butterfly) down the coast.

Despite the weather, we still managed to get some ringing in! Simon spotted a male Blåhåls (Bluethroat) in the lighthouse garden which quickly found its way into the garden nets. After waiting months to catch one, this is the third individual we have caught in 3 days!!! We also received the recovery information of the Swedish-ringed female Rødstjert (Redstart) which we caught at Kabeltromlen a few weeks ago. This individual was ringed at Ottenby Bird Observatory (Simon’s old workplace!) in August 2022.

Male Blåhåls (Bluethroat) being enjoyed by the local children. Photo: Ander Østerby.

In the evening, Yehonatan gave us an informative presentation on the blythi and halimondendri subspecies of Lesser Whitethroat as well as ageing in the hand. We also had to have a small party since it was Yehonatan’s last evening with us and tomorrow, he heads back to Israel after 3 months at the station.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans & Kirsten Bregn

The day started well an early morning ringing session, where the nets where open by 4:30am at Kabeltromlen. We had a slow morning session with 16 birds of 9 species, including the second Bluethroat / Blåhals for this spring. We had to close the nets for an hour because it was raining, but later we open the nets again than first round there not much birds than decided to close the nets on our second round, it was not a great day but the Bluethroat/ Blåhals had put more positive in our todays ringing session. The gust in the apartment Kirsten Bregu joint is at the ringing site and she was so please to ring her first Bluethroat / Blåhals.

A special thank you to Magnus Mygird  who brought us delicious cake last night that we took it at the ringing site and we enjoyed it all.

The picture of the Buzzard was taken by Patrick Hasager Lauritsen

The ringing totals 16 birds 

Chiffchaff / Gransanger  1

Bluethroat / Blåhals   1

Blackcap / Munk   2

Common Whithethroat / Tornsanger   5

Garden Warbler / Havesanger   2

Wren / Gærdesmutte   1

Lesser Whitethroat / Gærdesanger  2

Willow Warbler / Løvsanger   2

Common Redstart / Rødstjert  1

The observations this morning was quieter because there was rain. The weather was so cloudy less windy but that the migration was not much but they were good birds seen around, The most exciting part of the observation was one tag Rough-Legged Buzzard/  Fjeldvåge

List of the observation today 

Shag / Topskarv   1

Bee-Eater / Biæder   1

Red- Tooted Falcon / Afterfalk  1

Serin / Gulirisk 1

Great Northern Diver / Islom  2

People: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Lauren Evans , Dante Shepherd , Michael Colley and Kirsten Bregn

Yehonatan, Michael, and I headed to Skarvsøen for the second CES session of the spring, and were later joined by our guest Kirsten. As we headed out at 3.30am, Yehonatan spotted a Natravn (Nightjar) in the garden. It was a still, warm day (which unfortunately bought quite a few mosquitoes!) but we still had a nice catch of 27 birds of 16 species. The highlight for most of the morning was a young, male Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk) until we took our closing round and had a young, male Nordlig Blåhals (Bluethroat) of the subspecies svecica, in the net!

Young, male Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk).

Nordlig Blåhals (Red-spotted Bluethroat).

Dante headed for morning observations alongside the 30+ other birders gathered at World’s End. There was les visible migration than there has been in weeks previously, but it was still a good morning with 2 Hvid Stork (White Storks), 2 Pirol (Golden Oriole), 2 Lille Skrigeørn (Lesser Spotted Eagles), 1 Steppehøg (Pallid Harrier), 1 Hedehøg (Montagu’s Harrier) and numerous Aftenfalk (Red-footed Falcon) throughout the day.

Simon and Lisa headed south to collect a road-kill deer to replenish the raptor traps. Michael, Dante and I spent the afternoon entering data whilst Yehonatan worked on his presentation on the Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat) complex and ageing which he will give later this week. Whilst cooking, Dante spotted a male (Hvinand) Goldeneye resting on the sea just outside the kitchen window which was a lovely end to a great day.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans & Kirsten Bregn

Skarvsøen (CES) Ringing Totals:

Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk)- 1

Solsort (Blackbird)- 1

Blåhals (Bluethroat)- 1

Havesanger (Garden Warbler)- 1

Rørspurv (Reed Bunting)- 3

Munk (Blackcap)- 1

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat)- 1

Bogfinke (Chaffinch)- 2

Rørsanger (Reed Warbler)- 5

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 2

Sivsanger (Sedge Warbler)- 1

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat)- 2

Gærdesmutte (Wren)- 2

Gransanger (Chiffchaff)- 2

Fuglekonge (Goldcrest)- 1

Skægmejse (Bearded Reedling)- 1

Total: 27

Another still, sunny day here in Skagen with plenty of spring birds to keep us entertained. Yehonatan, Michael, and Lauren, later joined by Simon and Lisa, went ringing at Kabeltromlen and had a good morning catching 30 birds. The ringing site had a very spring-feel this morning with more Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroats), Tornsanger (Common Whitethroats) and Munk (Blackcaps). The highlight of the ringing was an unexpected Stenpiker (Northern Wheatear)- a new species for Michael.

Stenpiker (Northern Wheatear).

I headed to World’s End for morning observations where the highlights included a singing, male Blåhals (Bluethroat), 2 Islom (Great Northern Divers), 7 Biædere (Bee-eaters), Gråmåge (Glaucous Gull) and a Pirol (Golden Oriole). The spring-feel continued when Lauren walked down the Kattegat coast and saw a Gulirisk (Serin) near the campsite.

Biæder (Bee-eater). Photo: Erik Christophersen. https://ecskagen.blogspot.com/

We said goodbye to our guests Jesper and Mette today who we’ve had a lovely time eating, ringing, and twitching with this past week! We also welcomed our new guest Kirsten to the apartment.

A full list of today’s observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans & Kirsten Bregn

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Gærdesmutte (Wren)- 6

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 3

Sivsanger (Sedge Warbler)- 1

Lille Gråsisken (Lesser Redpoll)- 1

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat)- 2

Broget Fluesnapper (Pied Flycatcher)- 1

Rødstjert (Redstart)- 1

Munk (Blackcap)- 4

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat)- 5

Havesanger (Garden Warbler)- 5

Stenpiker (Wheatear)- 1

Total: 30

Morning started early in Kabletroumle with many visitors, and some nice birds showed up aswell. It was a very nice and warm day with very early sun that kept us all warm. Many of the people that visited today got lucky to see 2 Hawfinches (Kernebider) that we caught early in the morning. 2 Woodwarblers (Skovsanger) were also ringed, which makes 2023 the best season for that species in the ringing with 6 ringed by now.

Hawfinches, Male in the left side and Female to right.

Highlights from the field are 2 Red-throated pipits (Rødstrubet piber), Golden oriole (Pirol) , Great-northen diver (Islom) and that was it for the morning, until we got the message that the 3rd record  for Skagen of Woodchat shrike (Rødhovedet Tørnskade) was found! all of the many birders rushed to see and it waited for everyone and showed very well next to a Red-backed shrike ( Rødrygget Tornskade). What a great bird too see here, the last record of one is Skagen was 30 years ago!

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Ringing Totals Kabletroumle:

Lesser redpoll (Lille gråsisken) - 1

Tree pipit (Skovpiber) - 1

Chaffinch (Bogfinke) - 1

Wren (Gærdesmutte) - 1

Garden warbler (Havesanger) - 3

Blackcap (Munk) - 10

Willow warbler (Løvsanger) - 3

Whitethroat (Tornsanger) - 6

Lesser whitethroat Gærdesanger) - 18

Robin (Rødhals) - 2

Chiffchaf (Gransanger) - 5

Wood warbler (Skovsanger) - 2

Hawfinch (Kernebider) - 2

Total: 55

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Jesper & Mette.

The day started well an early morning ringing session, where the nets where open by 4:30am at Kabeltromlen. We had a positive session with 52 birds of 13 species, including the first Icterine Warbler and Hawfinch for this spring. It was a great day for me because I got to see both the Hawfinch and the Icterine Warbler in the hand. It was a great start to today's ringing although later in the morning it be came slow as it was sunnier and warm. A special thank you to Jørgen Hulbaek who brought us delicious cake at the ringing site, and enjoy by all of us. We had some visitors from Australia who came at the ringing site to see some of the birds.

 The observation this morning was quieter because there was less migration going on but by late morning, when it be came more warmer, more raptors started migrating and we recorded Common Buzzards, Rough-Legged Buzzards, Red Kites, Honey Buzzards, Ospreys and Marsh Harriers. Dante could not go out today for observation because he was not feeling well.observation around Skagen .

- Thrush Nightingale/ Nattergal 

- Red-Backed Shrike /Rødrygget Tornskade

- Golden Oriole / Pirol

- Golden Eagle / Kongeørn 

- Glaucous Gull / Gråmåge 

Lauren was out at the Aarhus University radar station with Snåphor and they had a good morning using the laser binoculars and radar. The raptors they recorded on the migration today included Marsh Harriers, Honey Buzzards, Osprey and many more.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Raptor summary of the day can be found here

people: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Lauren Evans, Dante Shepherd and Michael Colley

After a day off yesterday, Michael and Yehonatan had the nets at Kabeltromlen open at 4.30am. They had a quieter morning than expected but still managed to catch 26 birds including our fourth Skovsanger (Wood Warbler) of the spring.

Sunrise at Kabeltromlen.

Dante again headed to the outer dunes whilst I joined Snäphor at the radar station for the day. We all had an excellent day observing including an adult, female Aftenfalk (Red-footed Falcon), 1 Topskarv (Shag), 1 Sodfarvet Skråpe (Sooty Shearwater) and 3 Dværgmåge (Little Gulls). Yet another adult, female Hedehøg (Montagu’s Harrier) was seen migrating and we even managed to observe it heading out to Sweden using the radar alongside numerous Hvepsevåge (Honey Buzzards), Rørhøg (Marsh Harriers) and Tårnfalk (Kestrels).

Yehonatan, Michael, Jesper, Mette and I spent the evening at Skarvsøen attempting to catch roosting Landsvale (Swallows) and Digesvale (Sand Martins) using playback. Unfortunately, we didn’t catch any this time, so we maybe need to rethink our technique before trying again.

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Jesper & Mette.

Kabeltromlen Ringing Totals:

Munk (Blackcap)- 6

Tornsanger (Common Whitethroat)- 5

Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat)- 11

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 2

Skovsanger (Wood Warbler)- 1

Bogfinke (Chaffinch)- 1

Total: 26

Skarvsøen Ringing Totals:

Løvsanger (Willow Warbler)- 1

Rørsanger (Reed Warbler)- 2

Rødstjert (Redstart)- 1

Total: 4

Strong south-easterly winds meant it wasn’t possible to open the nets at Kabeltromlen in the morning but bought warm temperatures and a fantastic day for migration to make up for it. Lauren and I started the morning by leading a guided tour for a Birdlife Austria tour group, comprising of 20 visitors and our guests from the station apartment, Jesper and Mette. We head out through Grenen and along the tractor tracks to the beach and showed our group Gul Vipsjert (Yellow Wagtails), 2 Hedehøg (Montagu’s Harrier), 1 Steppehøg (Pallid Harrier), 2 Gøg (Cuckoos) and had amazing views of 4 Fjeldvåge (Rough-legged Buzzards) which were resting on the beach.

After our tour, Lauren and I headed back out to join Rolf, Alex and Henrik among the Grenen outer dunes. We had a fantastic few hours with 11 Biæder (European Bee-eaters), incredible views of an adult, male Aftenfalk (Red-footed Falcon) and another Hedehøg (Montagu’s Harrier). Throughout the day, a total of 11 different Hedehøg were seen in the area which represents a Skagen (and possibly a Danish?) record.

2k Steppehøg (Pallid Harrier). Photo: Erik Christophersen. https://ecskagen.blogspot.com/

Michael spent the afternoon out at the Aarhus University radar station with Snäphor using the laser binoculars and radar. They had a productive afternoon estimating the flight height and distance of migrating Rørhøg (Marsh Harriers), Hvepsevåge (Honey Buzzards) and Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawks).

A full list of today's observations can be found here.

Skagen Fuglestation: Yehonatan Ben Aroia, Michael Colley, Dante Shepherd, Lauren Evans, Jesper & Mette.