Autumn Begins

Today was a very promising start to the new season and it has filled me with excitement for the coming months. Ringing nets were up an hour before sunrise. The atmosphere was alive with many calling migrants. Throughout the day there were flocks of crossbill (Lille Korsnæb) and siskin (Grønsisken) moving but a little too high for the nets. What was impressive though was the sudden appearance of many migrating coal tits (Sortmejse) -a few finding their way into the nets. It seemed like the dunnocks (Jernspurv) had arrived over-night too with many calling from the scrub. A low passing honey buzzard (Hvepsevåge), 5 very high common buzzards (Musvåge) and a fly over grey wagtail (Bjergvipstjert) kept spirits high throughout the morning. The last bird ringed was a whinchat (Bynkefugl) just to cap off a great session.

Coal tit (Sortmejse)

Whinchat (Bynkefugl)

Nets closed at midday, we took our lunch and then spent the afternoon clearing out a gap for two more nets which we will set up tomorrow. Situated in the reedbed, the new nets have a lot of potential for some good species. Whilst doing this we found a rather handsome looking caterpillar on the sea buckthorn. The species is buff-tip moth Phalera bucephala.

Before:

After:

Buff-tip moth caterpillar

Ringmærkning:

Sortmejse: 10

Tornsanger: 1

Stenpikker: 1

Solsort: 2

Rørsanger: 3

Rødstjert: 3

Rødhals: 1

Munk: 4 

Løvsanger: 1

Jernspurv: 3

Gransanger: 3

Gærdesmutte: 1

Fuglekonge: 1

Bynkefugl: 1

Broget fluesnapper: 1

Total: 39