Tit invasion

Today was the best autumn ringing day we've had this year: We caught 104 birds (88 new, 16 recaptures), including over 20 coal tits (Sørtmejse) as well as several great tits (Musvit) and blue tits (Blåmejse) during our ringing session. Simon says it might be a good year for coal tits. He also heard 2 woodlarks (Hedelærke) while we were out — very cool. With that many birds in the nets, we did not have enough bags with us, so we used three boxes to transport the birds from the nets to the ringing station.

Amelie spent some time this afternoon getting more bags together so that we are better prepared for the next "tit invasion", as Angus called it.

We also caught a beautiful Eurasian siskin (Grønsisken) female:

Another exciting capture was a marsh warbler (Kærsanger):

The birds kept us so busy that we hardly had a chance to look into the sky. There was news about a long-tailed skua (Lille Kjove) that Martin saw during his migratory bird count - unfortunately, the rest of us did not, but perhaps we'll be lucky the next time one of them stops by.

Apart from the aforementioned long-tailed skua (Lille Kjove), Martin spotted 50 great skuas (Storkjuve), 50 fulmars (Mallemuk), 2 sooty shearwaters (Sodfarvet Skråpe), and a Mediterranean gull (Sorthovedet Måge) —just to mention a few —During his migration count today. The audio recorder that he had left out overnight did not record as many birds as anticipated: some waders, but not many passerines, apart from a few tree pipits. In the afternoon, Simon and Martin went birdwatching around Grenen and saw some stonechats (Vestlig Sortstrubet Bynkefugl) and two Western yellow wagtails (Gul Vipstjert); overall, there were not as many birds as they had hoped. Tonight, Amelie and Martin are headed to Jerup for a couple of hours of (hopefully) good bird watching to end the day.

There are strong winds in the forecast, so we will see tomorrow morning whether we can go ringing. Hopefully, we can at least get a couple of hours in. Otherwise, we will focus on migration counts at the point and peruse the extensive library at the station to learn more migratory birds, including their migration patterns and molting strategies. One thing is certain: It never gets boring at Skagen Fuglestation!

Ringmærkning (Kabeltromlen):

Sortmejse - Coal tit: 21
Rødhals - European robin: 14
Fuglekonge - Goldcrest: 6
Gransanger - Chiffchaff: 6
Musvit - Great tit: 6
Jernspurv - Dunnock: 7
Munk - Blackcap: 7
Løvsanger - Willow warbler: 3
Rødstjert - Common redstart: 3
Lille Gråsisken - Lesser redpoll: 3
Blåmejse - Blue tit: 3
Rørsanger - Reed warbler: 2
Tornsanger - Common whitethroat: 2
Skovspurv - Eurasian tree sparrow: 1
Lille Dompap - Bullfinch: 1
Gærdesanger - Lesser Whitethroat: 1
Kærsanger - Marsh warbler: 1
Grønsisken - Eurasian siskin: 1

Total: 88

Klik her for at se dagens observationer indtastet i Dofbasen af observatører i området

People: Martin Grienenberger, Amelie Zeller, Angus Barnett, Simon S. Christiansen, Christina Stinn, Knud Pedersen, Jørgen Kabel, Jan Pilsmark and Palle