Feast for the Snow Buntings "Snespurv"

Good evening, dear blog readers!

Don´t worry, Skagen Fuglestation has not gone into hibernation, I have still been spared from Corona and have also been active in the last few days, which I will of course tell you about in this blog.

On Saturday I went to Grenen with the telescope and a bag with seeds for the Snow Buntings “Snespurv”. When I arrived at Verdens Ende 3, an observer was already sitting there. That's how I met Knud and we counted together. It was very good to have an experienced observer by my side. For example, before, I was not sure how to tell the difference between the winter and summer plumage of the Guillemots, but at the end of this observation, it was easy to tell the difference in the plumage by the different coloring of the head. There was also a lot going on with the seabirds, it was a busy Saturday. Knud had counted the full standard four hours and I had joined him after the first for the other three hours.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (12.02.2022)

After this time, our feet really were ice blocks that needed to be warmed up as quickly as possible. I had a snack at the bird station, and my wonderful timetable told me: Saturday is cleaning day, and so I cleaned and washed. 

The next day Egon Østergård showed Grenens birds to a group of birdwatchers and Knud and some friends of the bird station came and sorted out books. Knud also brought not only a new dead Fulmar "Mallemuk" for the freezer but also two beautiful stuffed Fulmars. Many thanks for that! The Fulmar is definitely one of the birds that I would like to see fly by happily and cheerfully, whereas up to now I have rather taken over the task of carrying them dead, but with stuffed Fulmars, you can imagine these birds much better.

Stuffed Fulmars "Mallemuk"

The friends of the bird station finished their work quite quickly, at least that's how it seemed to me, as I was in the attic sewing nets and wishing I could do the work as quickly. At least Knud had two sandwiches for me and that was a good small reinforcement.

On Monday it rained quite heavily in the morning. Nevertheless, I wanted to start the day with a few birds. So I grabbed the telescope and my freshly washed jacket. I was happy that it finally didn't smell slightly like a dead bird anymore, even though that will probably change again soon, Simon has already announced that, but that's just the way it is. After an hour at Verdens Ende 3, everything was pretty wet, but I had seen some nice birds in the rain, especially lots of Common Scoters "Sortand", Guillemots "Lomvie"  and Eiders "Ederfugl".

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area  (14.02.2022)

My jacket was about as wet as when I got it out of the washing machine, at least on the outside. So I decided to move on to drier activities, which meant repairing nets. A packet of biscuits, a good new audio book and a pot of warm tea made the work a little easier and at the end of the day I had 6 fixed nets. Not all of this Monday, of course, but in total, sewing nets takes longer than you think…

Today I went to Grenen again and sat there for three hours. I had to think of the first time observing in Blåvand last September when it was very difficult for me to see the birds the other volunteers told me about. In the meantime, I enjoy the observations and luckily, I find much more birds, although there is of course still a lot to learn. But I have to take advantage of that here because no matter how much good will I have, a sea for southern Germany is an unattainable goal….

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area (15.02.2022)

There was also another reason to be happy today: The Snow Buntings "Snespurv" ate my seeds and I was even able to take a photo of this for you!

Snow Buntings "Snespurv" eating seeds at Grenen

Enjoy your meal as well and see you soon!

Hanelie

People at the bird station: Knud Pedersen, Hanelie Sidhu and Friends of Skagen Fuglestation