Pallid Harrier "Steppehøg", Red-legged Partridge "Rødhøne" and Raptor Traps

Good evening everyone!

 

Today the station was crowded and lots of things were happening. Knud was again at the worlds end 3 to support us, also Jørgen Hulbæk was there. So Jørgen and Knud counted the sea migration and Manuel and Robbe took the land migration. For Manuel it was the first time at worlds end 3. It was a pretty quiet morning but that was quite pleasant for Manuel to get familiar with a new migration spot. And there were also some highlights, the four of them saw today around 40 Fulmars "Mallemuk" and a Black-throated Diver "Sortstrubet Lom", raptorwise not so much happened but they had a Peregrine Falkon "Vandrefalk" and a Merlin "Dværgfalk". Also a Pallid Harrier "Steppehøg" was seen today at Grenen but unfortunately our observers just missed it, they had already left for the station again.

Marion and I had to get out a little later today, Simon came to the station just after 6 and an hour later we left with Kjell to look for places in Skagen that would be good to catch raptors for the Raptor GPS Tagging project. On the way we were also at the harbor to see an Island Gull "Hvidvinget Måge".

 

Iceland Gull "Hvidvinget Måge"

 

A little highlight for Kjell, who didn't really expect to see a new species in the few days he was here.  But here it was, very close! Simon also bought new waders in a store at the harbor, now we have two in size 39 and no one has to get wet feet anymore! When we arrived back at the station, a Zello Call reached us that a Red-legged Partridge "Rødhøne"had been seen in Batteriskoven.

We had just gotten out of Simon's car, now we were heading back, Marion and I wanted to see the Partrige. And we did see it and also we met Jørgen and Igor there. Then we finally went back to the station, Manuel and Robbe just came back from Morning Obs as well. And we met Marine and Gabriel, two French birdwatchers who started their long bike tour in February in the south of France, the destination is a Nature Reserve in northern Norway. And now they have arrived here in Skagen. Really sporty! Marion and Alice took them on a tour to some birding spots. They went to Grenen, there Alice left them as she wanted to join us after a lunch break. and from there to Jennesø. There they met Jenne and had a nice chat with him. They continued to Nordstrand and then to Cormorant Lake. Marine and Gabriel were happy to see Red-Necked Grebes "Gråstrubet Lappedykker" there and Marion was able to take really good pictures too!

Red-Necked Grebes "Gråstrubet Lappedykker"

 

In the afternoon Kjell showed Manuel, Simon, Robbe, Alice and me different traps used to catch Raptors.

 

We made further preparations for the raptor tagging GPS project. Then we looked around a bit near the station to find a suitable place to catch Short-eared Owls "Mosehornugle" tonight. We are already excited!

Anders and Dorte went to the Cormorant Lake today. On Nordstrand, they collected three dead Guillemots "Lomvie" for us then they bought groceries for our dinner today, Dorte and Anders are cooking real Danish food for us today! Lisa is also  joining us for dinner and owl chatching.

Take care and keep your fingers crossed for us, an owl in the net would be super cool!

 

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

 

Ringmæking Nordstjernejej/Nordlysvej (Michael Ancher):

Gærdesmudde: 1

Rødhals: 5

Solsort: 1

Gransanger: 1

Musvit: 3

Bogfinke: 18

Kvækerfinke: 3

Grønsisken: 1

Lille Gråsisken: 1

Gulspurv: 7

 

Take care!

Hanelie

 

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Marion L'Huillier-Hunsinger, Lisa Vergin, Robbe Cool, Manuel Tacke, Kjell Janssens, Dorte and Anders Østerby