Hi everyone,

This morning Frank, Hanelie, and I went to Kabeltromeln to ring, while Elena joined Knud at World's End 3 to ring.  Highlights at the ringing included a stunning adult male redstart (rødstjert), an icterine warbler (gulbug), and a young yellowhammer (gulspurv), amongst the swarm of willow warblers (løvsanger).

Rødstjert

Løvsanger

At world's end 3, there wasn't much in the way of migrants, but as it was Elena's first time seawatching, some teal (krikand) flying by, juvenile black guillemots (tejst), an oystercatcher (strandskade), and the regular assemblage of gannets and scoters were highlights.

In the afternoon we rested, and Hanelie went to town to go to the hairdresser and also did some birding, finding a coal tit (skægmejse) as a highlight.

Tonight, we will attempt to catch storm petrels (stormsvale spp.) and nightjars (natravn) around the lighthouse.  Wish us luck!

Max

People: Max Laubstein, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Elena Turac, Simon Christiansen, Knud Pedersen, Karin, Alfrida, Berit.

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Chiffchaff (Gransanger): 3

Willow warbler (løvsanger): 11

Icterine warbler (gulbug): 1

Redstart (Rødstjert): 1

Marsh warbler (Kærsanger): 1

Lesser redpoll (lille gråsisken): 1

Lesser whitethroat (gærdesanger): 1

Bullfinch (lille dompap): 2

Blackcap (munk): 1

 Total: 22

Observations of the day in DOFBasen from observers in the area

Hello from my side,

I am Elena, the new volunteer. I just arrived two days ago up here in Skagen and I was immediately impressed by this beautiful landscape. After one arriving day, today was my first day out in the field, ringing birds. It was overwhelming, but great to get to know the techniques which are used here. It differs from the Austrian way of ringing in many ways. What was very interesting for me was that after travelling quite long up here, the species were pretty much the same as I am used to, but in other amounts. I wasn’t really aware of the fact that all these species occur pretty close to the sea (as we don’t have a sea in Austria).

It was an intensive ringing day. We caught 33 yet non- marked birds which was more than the days before. I had a few species, which I have never held in the hand before, like a Barn Swallow  (Landsvale), a Bull Finch (Dompap) or a Yellowhammer (Gulspurv).

Barn Swallow (Landsvale)

Yellow Hammer (Gulspurv)

We also had some visitors, including Alfrieda, one of the guest sisters, who was curious of how we handle the birds.

While we were out at Kabeltromel, Max was out at Worldsend 3 observing bird migration. There were not quite a lot of birds, but it was very enjoyable for him. His highlights were: a passing by Great Skua (Storkjove), one Black Guillemot (Tejst) and two juvenile Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle).

In the afternoon Frank and me had a nap, while Max was cycling to Skagen center and Hanelie went out to see the Red-footed falcons. She found three of them and she could observe a Marsh Harrier (Rørhøg) and three Greenshanks (Hvidklire) as well.

After our nap Frank and me were refreshed and typed in all the data from today. Now, its getting late therefore, I close the blog for today.

Looking forward to tomorrow where I will do my first migration observation!

See you!

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

People: Max Laubstein, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Elena Turac, Simon Christiansen.

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Landsvale: 1

Jernspurv: 1

Kærsanger: 1

Rørsanger: 2

Gærdesanger: 1

Tornsanger: 4

Munk: 3

Løvsanger: 6

Broget Fluesnapper: 1

Blåmejse: 1

Lille Dompap: 2

Gransanger: 6

Rørspurv: 1

Total: 33

Hi everybody!

I hope today I can please you once again with a long detailed blog. I start already in the evening of yesterday. After Elena, who will spend two weeks with us here as a volunteer, and our new guests arrived, Manuel, Frank, Max and I made our way to the train station. We took the train to Skalborg. It was a long ride, almost two and a half hours that we spent partly with bird sound quizzes and thus entertained the other passengers on the train. The ride dragged on and on, but finally, we arrived and Niels was there immediately to pick us up at Skalborg station and drive us to a field in the Lindenborg area. There we met Lisa, Simon and Lars Bo, we prepared the ringing equipment in the trunk of Lisa's car and then we set off in two teams equipped with thermal binocular, flashlight and net to two different fields. Lars Bo, Frank, Max and I came back after the first round in the field with more birds: we had caught three Skylarks "Sanglærke". Lisa, Simon, Manuel and Niels came back with one Corn Bunting "Bomlærke" and one Skylark "Sanglærke". Actually, we had expected no Larks or Buntings, but the young Larks, all first calendar were also very cute and cool in the hand and after all a nightchatchig success for us. And the Corn Bunting "Bomlærke" was a little highlight for the first field round.

Corn Bunting "Bomlærke"

Then we headed back out into the fields. There were Great Snipes "Tredækker" there, Frank, Lars Bo, Max and I saw three, two flew up way too fast when we pointed the flashlight at them. But to one Frank and I got really close! Great excitement, we could have had them.... but we missed the right moment and finally the bird flew up. Disappointment. But a little later success, mission Great Snipe fulfilled. It was Team Lisa, Simon, Manuel and Niels who brought us the longed-for bird. Team Lars Bo, Max, Frank and Hanelie contributed two more young Skylarks.

First calender year Skylarks "Sanglærke"

So it turned out to be a successful night. Simon had his first Corn Bunting "Bomlærke" in hand and the Great Snipe "Trædekker" was a Lifer for all of us volunteers.

Frank ringing the Great Snipe "Tredækker"

Great Snipe Male 2cy.+ with moulted primaries

This was a perfect farewell night for Manuel, because he unfortunately left us after this night. Niels drove Manuel, Frank, Max and me after the ringing to Aalborg to the train station and then there was unfortunately only a short goodbye, because Max, Frank and I had to run to catch our train. Dear Maunel, it was very nice to have you here and for me to meet you here again. It was always cool and educational to go observing with you, you are great at explaining bird calls and identification. And finally you made our bat detector work as well! Hope to see you soon, take care!

For Frank, Max and me the trip home felt much shorter, we slept in very uncomfortable postures and with wet feet, because the fields were wet, and when we arrived in Skagen it was already light and at ten to eight we finally all lay in our beds and slept into the afternoon. Elena was up earlier than us and visited them exhibition and climbed the lighthouse. She also went shopping with our guests. We were unfortunately not yet up to give her a list, because even us voracious volunteers once again ran out of supplies and especially the Koldskål. But Karin was grocery shopping  for us today and cooked for us. Tak for mel! Now we have the evening meeting and tomorrow we are all back in the field in Kabeltrommle and World's End 3. See you then!

Ringed Birds in the fields around Lindenborg:

Sanglærke: 6

Bomlærke: 1

Tredækker: 1

Total: 8

Observations of the day in DOFbasn from observers in the area

Hanelie

People: People: Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Lars Bo Jakobsen, Niels Eriksen, Max Laubstein, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Manuel Tacke, Elena Turac, Karin, Alfrida, Berit

Hello!

Firstly, apologies for the late blog update but as I'm sure most of you are aware, we were a tad busy yesterday afternoon and evening which you can read about in the next update!

In the morning, it was too windy for ringing at Grenen so Hanelie joined Manuel up at the tip for some migration counts ad observations. For the most part, movement and counting was slow but the morning was saved by some decent movement of Golden Plovers (Hjejle) and a flushed Grasshopper Warbler near Worlds End 3. 

Kirsten also departed in the morning, but only temporarily as she will be returning in October for some more ringing and Skagen experiences. With this Departure also came our new guests Alfrida and her sister who will be staying for the next week. 

Elena, our new volunteer also arrived and will be staying for two weeks to improve her ringing skills and Sea bird identification. 

Finally, after gathering essential snacks and equipment for the upcoming evening of Great Snipe (Tredækker) catching, Me, Hanelie, Manuel and Max got the train to Skalborg where Niels Eriksen had kindly agreed to collect us from the station. We then drove to the site for the evening where we met with Simon, Lisa and Lars Bo and the rest I will leave to Hanelie to describe how the night progressed. 

Observations of the day in DOFBasen from observers in the area

People: Max Laubstein, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Manuel Tacke, Kirsten Bregn, Elena Turac, Karin, Alfrida

Ringing from the evening will be present in the next blog

Good evening,

This morning Frank, Hanelie, Kirsten, and I went to Kabeltromeln to ring.  Overnight conditions for migration were not ideal, and paired with cold temperatures and wind, few birds made their way into the nets.  Nevertheless, any morning with any birds is a good morning, and we took the opportunity to appreciate the chiffchaffs (gransanger), lesser whitethroat (gaerdesanger), and reed warbler (rørsanger) we had.

Meanwhile, over at World's End 3, Manuel's seawatch yielded little in the form of migratory seabirds, though an unidentifiable, distant stint was an interesting sighting.

In the afternoon and evening, we spent several hours in the reserve near Jennes Sø trying to catch raptors.  At minimum 4 of the continuing red-footed falcons (aftenfalk) were hunting actively in the area.  They mesmerized us as they swooped over our heads and kited motionlessly in the wind.  Hanelie and Frank watch an Osprey fly over as well.  In the end though, nothing found its way into our traps.  

In the evening, Hanelie's mother Karin arrived after a long day of travel, and all 6 of us ate pizza that Kirsten prepared together.  While will being staying in Skagen for the next 2 weeks, unfortunately Kirsten will be leaving us tomorrow.  It has been a pleasure working with her over the past week!

Farewell!

- Max

People: Max Laubstein, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Manuel Tacke, Kirsten Bregn, Karin

Ringing Totals:

Lesser Whitethroat (Gaerdesanger): 1

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger): 1

Common Chiffchaff (Gransanger): 1

Observations of the day in DOFBasen from observers in the area

Another sunny day dawns over the end of the world: In the net at Kabeltromlen hangs a young Nightjar (Natravn) and just about the tip a slow and very close Fulmar (Mallemuk) gave excellent views.

It was a real surprise on the first round this morning when, after all the night catching sessoins, a Nightjar now also hit the net during the day (albeit very early). The bird was clearly still very young, with growing feathers in tail and wings. A fascinating animal again and again and the first one to be caught at Kabeltromlen since the Bird Observatory opened.

After that though there was quite little activity for the rest of the morning and only a few birds in the nets, but Bullfinch (Lille Dompap) is always a little highlight.

With this beautiful summer weather, the bird migration continues to not really get going. A few waders passed over the tip, along with the Mallemuk mentioned at the beginning. At least there is enough time to look at all the great flocks of gulls. Which was again worth it, as Knud picked out a clear 1. CY Caspian Gull with his sharp eye.

We later spent some time with another interesting gull, here perhaps photos will bring a final answer?

Ringed Birds at Kabeltrommle:

Løvsanger: 2

Solsort: 1

Rørsanger: 2

Rødstjert: 1

Gærdesanger: 2

Broget Fluesnapper: 1

Havesanger: 2

Tornsanger: 1

Lille Dompap: 1

Natravn: 1

Total: 13

Observations of the day in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People: Knud Pedersen, Max Laubstein, Manuel Tacke, Simon Christiansen, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Kirsten Bregn

Hi everyone,

 this morning Manuel and I opened the nets and although we had to close again before ten because of the rain, it was actually a nice ringing day. We had the normal variety of birds, highlights were a Fied Flychatcher „Broget Fluesnapper“ and a recaptured Redpoll ssp. Cabaret „Lille Gråsisken” also a Willow Warbler "Løvsanger" that was very likely of the subspecies acredula.

Willow Warbler "Løvsanger" likely ssp. acredula

We were all gathered at Kabeltrommle, Manuel, Max, Kirsten, Simon and I.

Max and Frank in the ringing at Kabeltrommle

Manuel took the Morning Obs from there and also accompanied us on the rounds. We had a nice Osprey „Fiskeørn”. Knud meanwhile was observing in Worlds End 3. Knud meanwhile was observing in Worlds End 3. He had a Manx Shearwater „Almindelig Skråpe” today which is pretty cool. After ringing we went to napping and data entry. And then we tried to catch Falkons “Falk” and they came pretty close! Also Jørgen and Igor, Erik, Jens and a few other birder watched this action.

Looking for the falcons

We're going to try again and we're excited to see if it works out in the next few days. In the evening Kirsten made us a good dinner today. Tomorrow we will be back in the field, maybe we will see each other, see you then, take care!

 Hanelie

Ringed Birds at Kabeltrommle:

 Løvsanger: 18

Rørsanger: 6

Rødstjert: 2

Kærsanger: 3

Broget Fluesnapper: 1

Gærdesmutte: 1

Gransanger: 2

Tornsanger: 1

Total: 34

Observations of the day in DOFbasn from observers in the area

People: Knud Pedersen, Max Laubstein, Manuel Tacke, Simon Christiansen, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Kirsten Bregn

Hello!

Wednesday began in the early hours with Hanelie taking the night shift hoping for some more Storm Petrels (Lille Stormsvale) and Nightjars (Natravn). Unfortunately, her efforts didn’t pay off and the birds decided not to show but we hope for some more luck next time we try. In the morning light Manuel was out observing and saw the usual species I still in relatively small numbers such as waders, including grey (Strandhjejle) and golden plover (Hjejle), Red Knot (Islandsk Ryle) and Bar-tailed Godwits (Lile Kobbersneppe). One event that he observed this morning that may cause some distress to some people was an unsuccessful migration attempt from a juvenile Marsh Harrier (Rørhøg) across the sea. The bird was approximately 300-400m from shore but was just too exhausted to reach the shore and Manuel saw the poor bird struggle in the waves before likely drowning. Although distressing and unfortunate, it is of course completely natural and large proportions of these birds making long arduous journeys across oceans may not always have the fat reserves or muscle capacity to reach land on the other side of these harsh ecological barriers.

Ringing in the morning with Kirsten, Max, Oluf and I was steady throughout the morning with some new species for some and some good diversity to break the stream of Whitethroats (Tornsangers) and Willow warblers (Løvsangers). This included bird such as a Garden Warbler (Havesanger), Spotted Flycatcher (Grå Fluesnapper) and a young Wren (gærdesmutte).

 Later on in the morning Simon arrived with a large private group for a ringing tour, luckily we had a singular Willow Warbler to show them.

After the ringing, Hanelie went out with Oluf to find the Red-Footed Falcons in the area with great views of the birds hawking and hunting for insects. I also had something interesting in the form of a Magpie that had taken a liking to the inside life and taken a stroll into Simon’s house. Luckily though, Lisa was home to safely remove the bird and I got the chance to ring the bird before release.

Me and Max also moved a few nets into their new location reaching further into the reeds with hopes for rarer reed specialists such as an Aquatic Warbler (Vandsanger) but also the more commoner migrating Acrocephalus but who knows what might show up.

Hanelie also went out this evening with the thermal camera to find where the Red-Footed Falcons may be roosting. Although she did not find the roosting site for the birds, she did locate an area clearly favored by the birds which we may exploit for a possible capture conquest in the next couple of days if they remain in the area.

Observations in the area on DOFbasen

Ringing total (25):

Kabeltromlekratett:

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 6

Blackcap (Munk): 1

Willow Warbler (Løvsanger): 4

ChiffChaff (Gransanger): 1

Icterine Warbler (Gulbug): 1

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger): 2

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger): 3

Wren (Gærdesmutte): 1

Garden Warbler (Havesanger): 1

Lesser Redpol (Lille Gråsisken): 1

Blue Tit (Blåmejse): 1

Spotted Flycatcher (Grå Fluesnapper): 1

Skagen By:

Magpie (Husskade): 1

People: Max Laubstein, Manuel Tacke, Simon Christiansen, Frank Osterberg, Hanelie Sidhu, Kirsten Bregn

Hello!

Last night, rain was forecasted for the morning, so we decided not to wake up early for ringing or observations for today.  Apparently, meteorology betrayed us, as it did not end up raining much this morning.  However, hopefully a little bit of extra sleep today will keep us fueled for some early mornings and late nights to come.

Robbie, who's been with us the past 2 weeks, also left Skagen early this morning.  It was wonderful working with him and having him around the station.  I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we will miss him!

In the afternoon, I hiked around the nearby nature reserves.  At Ellekrattet, I found a goldcrest (fuglekonge), spotted flycatcher (grå fluesnapper), a sizeable flock of ~15 long-tailed tits (halemejse), and a family of red-backed shrikes (rødrygget tornskade), among the regular assortment of common species.  Meanwhile, Hanelie and Manuel were elsewhere in the reserve, viewing 7 first year red-footed falcons (aftenfalk), hunting and providing excellent viewing!  They also had some waders flying over, including green sandpiper (svaleklire), greenshank (hvidklire), and Eurasian golden plover (hjejle).  I soon encountered Hanelie and Manuel, and they directed me to where the falcons were.  I succeeded in being able to see 5 of the birds.

2 Red-Footed Falcons (Aftenfalk)

As juveniles, aftenfalk are quite similar to Eurasian hobbies (lærkefalk), so it was quite to nice to get close views and note separating field characters like a dark trailing edge to the underwing and a barred uppertail.  As was mentioned in the blog a few days ago, there's been an incursion of aftenfalk here in Skagen the past few days.  Unlike many other birds which follow fairly linear migratory patterns overall, red-footed falcons often venture westwards from their breeding grounds in western Europe and Asia when they migrate to southern Africa in autumn.

Tonight, Hanelie will be on nightwatch, attempting to catch storm petrels (stormsvale spp.) and nightjars (natravn).  Tomorrow morning, we will resume ringing and observations as usual.

That's it for now!

Observations of the day in DOFBasen from observers in the area

People: Max Laubstein, Robbie Lawler, Manuel Tacke, Hanelie Sidhu, Simon Christiansen, Frank Osterberg, our guest Kirsten Bregn

Summer in Skagen really feels like summer these days. So we sit together in the afternoon and think about whether we will go swimming again and whether we will have another ice cream. That is wonderful. Already in the morning the sun is shining and we can enjoy the warm temperatures and the blue sky, you don't have to take a winter jacket, gloves and a hat, but sun cream ;-)

This morning Knud found five of yesterday's Red-footed Falcon Aftenfalk around Skarvsoen, which had spent the night there. These birds were easy to observe and afterwards a color ring could even be recognised on two of them (see photo from yesterday). Now it will be interesting to know where these birds come from: Romania? Hungary? Any guesses?

However, the excellent weather also ensures that the bird migration goes rather unnoticed at the moment, both in the ringing sessions and during the morning observations. This was also the case today: besides one of the Red-footed Falcons Aftenfalk left over from yesterday, a few waders passed over Grenen, including two Grey Plovers Strandhjejle, and Simon heard a Temminck's Stint (Temmincksryle), a Honey Buzzard (Hvepsevage) showed up very nicely at Kabeltromlen.

People: Max Laubstein, Robbie Lawler, Manuel Tacke, Hanelie Sidhu, Simon Christiansen, Frank Osterberg, our guest Kirsten Bregn

Observations of the day in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Ringing total (26) from Kabeltromlekratett:

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 3
Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger): 1
Blackcap (Munk): 2
Willow Warbler (Løvsanger): 4
Chiffchaff (Gransanger): 6
Reed Warbler (Rørsanger): 4
Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger): 3
Tree Pipit (Skovpiber): 1
Great Tit (Musvit): 1
Dunnock (Jernspurv): 1
Chaffinch (Bogfinke): 1