Another record and a sea rescue!

Skagen was at its best today, and we have again great stories to tell !

Let’s start first with the ringing. Pablo, Amelie and Jeppe went to Kabbeltromlen for a day with unusual fluctuations. The numbers of birds were constantly rising and fallingbetween the rounds, with a few birds on the first, around 20 on the second, low on the third, and so on… The diversity was quite good, and the highlight of the day was a Bearded Tit (Skægmejse) again. We never get tired of ringing these gorgeous birds! Migration was quite entertaining as well with a good activity overhead, led by a flock of 20 Waxwings (Silkehale) and quite a few Whooper Swans (Sangsvane).

Christina and I went migration counting to World’s End 3. On our way down the beach, we stopped at Grenen Søen to set a trap to catch Water Pipits, which unfortunately wasn’t successful. But we are dedicated ringers and we will try again!
As a starter for the day, we had the chance to admire both Kattegat and Skagerak at their calmest. The water was so still and the wind so low that the whole surface was flat and beautifully reflected the clouds. In such a setting, we enjoyed unusual but great views at the resting birds, including a Great Northern Diver (Islom). The morning was quite busy for us since our talented Alcid identifier and counter Knud wasn’t with us today. We counted almost 4,000 of them with a lot of them conservatively left unidentified.
The real show started at 10, when suddenly Whooper Swans (Sangsvane) appeared to be flying everywhere in our field of vision. It began with the biggest flock of the day, no fewer than 68 birds flying in a V-shape, quickly followed by big flocks over both Skagerak and Kattegat. As good flocks were still coming in from the sea and the total numbers were already quite high after our regular end time, I decided to stay until the stream dried up. I spent an extra hour and a half, sitting all alone at World’s End, which was really wearing its name today without anyone visiting the tip. This moment is one of those while you feel blessed being there, experiencing all by yourself the beauty of bird migration in such a marvelous location.
The total number for Whooper Swans today reached 672 birds, which represents the new daily record for the autumn season. The precedent was counted on the 06/11/2008 with 575 birds.

In the afternoon, Rie Voetmann called us with concerning news. She was looking at a bird struggling in a fishnet at Nordstrand, which appeared to be a Red-throated Diver (Rødstrubbet Lom), and she thought about us to rescue it. We directly went there to help her. Christina was the brave one, going into the water on such a cold day. After having some difficulties, she cut out the bird still entangled so we could rip all of the strings from around its body. We finally released it so it could fly away again at sea, looking strong and healthy !

Jeppe and Amelie went to town today, and Jeppe strated dreaming about owl catching when he saw that cage.

Click here to see today's observations entered in the Dofbasen by observers in the area

People: Jeppe Overgaard, Pablo Macías Torres, Martin Grienenberger, Simon S. Christiansen, Christina Stinn, Amelie Zeller, Jørgen Kabel & Igor, Rie Voetmann

Ringmærkning Kabeltromlen: 35 new birds