Walks around the tip of Skagen once the snow melted.

Good evening fellow birders,

This morning we all woke up to an unexpected sighting: snow on the ground all around the station. While we already had a bit of snow falling down a few days ago, it didn’t stick on the ground at all so this was our first time seeing a somewhat white Skagen. This weather meant that none of us was out this morning as the strong wind made ringing impossible and the rain/snow discouraged us from going to Grenen for morning observation.

We still woke up at around 8 and enjoyed a chill breakfast in the living room. Once that was done, Hanelie and I went to sew more nets. Well actually we had a net that was in such terrible condition it was past the point where we could save it, so we cut the net off and just kept some hooks and lines. Manuel also joined us and all three of us also cut up another net. Meanwhile, Robbe and Mathilde were cleaning their Airbnb and Alice entered all the data from the nocturnal migration recording on Trektellen.

Night flight calls registered on Trektellen from the night of the 30th to 31st of March

The station’s exhibition also opened today so you should all come and check it out like many people already did today. Jesper and Mette also visited the exhibition after seeing the previous one the past year. Then, we had a nice lunch altogether which consisted of yummy wraps prepared by Mathilde and Robbe. Afterwards, all 6 of us decided to go up to the lighthouse while Simon, Jesper and Mette focused on the raptor GPS project which is currently running. The weather had already gotten better by that point, so we had a nice view across the peninsula and the sea.

Mathilde and Robbe went on a quick walk before Mathilde had to leave and they saw two Common European Vipers (Hugorm) which had been a goal of Robbe for a while! Manuel, Alice, Hanelie and I also went on a little bike tour to enjoy the nicer weather and so that Manuel would discover a bit more of the surroundings. We started at Jennes Sø where we enjoyed the nice view from the pontoon. Then, we attempted once again to see some Bearded Reedlings (Skægmejse) at the reeds near Nordstrand but none of them seemed to be around. Our last stop was the Cormorant Lake where we could see the resting or breeding Cormorants (Skarv), Red-necked Grebes (Gråstrubet Lappedykker), Black-Headed Gulls (Hættemåge), Mute Swans (Knopsvane) and Goldeneyes (Hvinand). On our way back we also got to observe some Red Kites (Rød Glente) from really close by.

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area

Shortly after we were all back, we got the chance to meet Lisa who is also a ringer and arrived from Germany. Then together with Jesper and Mette, we all took part in a short lecture given by Simon on the ageing of Chiffchaffs (Gransanger) relying on moulting strategies. To see how well we retained all the information and make it more interactive, Simon had also prepared a Kahoot quiz that we played at the end. Alice was the winner and got all answers right but one! She got a nice price from Simon, a little pin he received when he was at school and looked thrilled about it.

But the day is not over yet, some of us will be heading outside to go night catching once again in the hope of getting some Jack Snipes (Enkeltbekkasin) or other locally resting species. Tomorrow, morning observation and laser shooting will take place, so we are hoping to have a variety of exciting sightings.

Sum of the Raptors in the area based on observations typed into Dofbasen the same day

Good night everyone,

Marion

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Marion L'Huillier-Hunsinger, Robbe Cool, Manuel Tacke, Mathilde, Lisa Vergin, Jesper and Mette.