Cranes "Trane" at the lakes at Råbjerg Mile

Hello everyone!

We went to sleep yesterday with high hopes for today. Not for the Morning obs, though, as heavy fog was forecasted and we weren't sure we'd see much. Rather, we were hoping to see a walrus "hvalros" because one was seen some kilometers away from Skagen. After thinking about how best to get there, by train or hitchhiking, a much easier solution was found: we told our guests, Elin and Jens, who we have already taken to our hearts, about the walrus "hvalros". They were immediately enthusiastic and offered to take three of us with them, there was no more room in the car. But Robbe was confident, hitchhiking was an exciting alternative for the rest of us. For this morning, it was agreed that two of us would check the weather to see if the fog allowed a morning obs. Marion and I got up early and looked out the window. But we didn't see much because of the fog, only a few lights very close in the yard. This did not improve in the following hours. So for some of us, it was longer sleep, for others an earlier breakfast and meditate/ office work/ laundry. When everyone was out of bed, Robbe took part in an online university course, the highlight of which was when Marion came in and Robbe, with the microphone on, asked whether she had slept well. Meanwhile, Alice and I were in the attic sewing nets. Marion joined Robbe with work for the university for her master thesis and started to sort ringing data from Blåvand and Gedser. Robbe meanwhile also prepared a bird quiz for tomorrow, there should even be a prize, we are already curious. Sarah-Lou made a morning walk to the harbor and, despite the fog, she enjoyed the also somewhat eerie atmosphere on the coast. Then, she visited the Skagen Museum and was impressed by the paintings. Jens and Elin also biked in the morning to town and to the harbor, where they saw many Eiders "Ederfugle" and also Snow Buntings "Snespurv" and left the fish stores deterred by the high prices again.

At noon it was then really enough with the university work and the attic unfortunately was once again a little cold. But Marion made us pasta with delicious zucchini sauce. The plan was originally afterwards to drive with the guests to the place where the walrus "hvalros" was seen. But unfortunately, it turned out already in the morning that it had gone on the way again. Perhaps in the direction of Skagen? Hope dies last...

Nevertheless, we made a trip with Elin and Jens. They drove us to Råbjerg Mile and took Marion and me in the car, while Robbe and Alice confidently went hitchhiking. At the train station, we met Sarah-Lou, who also went with us to the moving sand dune. When we arrived there, Alice and Robbe were still walking and looking for a car to take them. Jens and Elin offered to pick them up as well, but the two were determined to make their plan work. So the five of us climbed the sandhills of Råbjerg Mile.

We saw Whooper Swans "Sangsvane", eight Cranes "Trane" flying over as well as three cute Snow Buntings "Snespurv" that were taking a bath.

Finally, Robbe and Alice called, two Italians who had the same destination had kindly given them a ride. Now, we just had to find each other in the sand dunes but that worked out. So the group was happily reunited. Together we discovered two resting cranes, to which we also came reasonably close so that we could see them well through binoculars.

We were all satisfied with our trip, Jens, Elin, Marion, Sarah-Lou and I got back into the car comfortably, while Alice and Robbe had to look for a ride again. However, they did see Coal Tits "Sortmejse", Blue Tits "Blåmejse", Crested Tits "Topmejse", Goldcrests "Fuglekonge", Whopper Swans "Sangsvane", Buzzards "Musvåge" and Crossbills "Lille Kornsnæb" along the way, so it had been worth it.

And this time it didn't take so long until two drivers offered to give them a ride and even drove them to Det Grå Fyr. After the Evening Meeting, there was a real feast today, Elin and Jens had cooked for us and it was like in a Michelin Restaurant.

There were several incredibly delicious courses and afterwards we were all full and satisfied. Then had an online meeting with Simon. Now, I´m sitting here, it´s quiet at the station, you can only hear the dishwasher, it´s late again with the blog. In this sense, good night, see you tomorrow!

Hanelie

People: Robbe Cool, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Marion L'Huillier-Hunsinger, Elin and Jens Vrang, and Sarah-Lou.