Orchids by day and Nightjars by night

The past few mornings have been riddled with poor weather for ringing, but like most days everyone at the station was prepared with a different activity in their back pocket if this morning turned sour. Around 3 AM it was once again decided that ringing was not in the cards due to the wind, so Hanelie headed for cormorant (Skarv) lake to conduct some observations where she spotted great cormorants and their chicks (Skarv), red-necked grebes (Gråstrubet lappedykker), and common greenshanks (Hvidklire). I helped Esben do the necessary data checks, and Nathan continued sewing mist nets in the attic. Around 9AM our work was pleasantly interrupted by Knud’s arrival at the station, and Nathan, Max, and I quickly gathered our things and headed out to a nearby field where we helped Knud continue his survey of the three prominent orchid species: Dactylorhiza maculata (Spotted Cuckoo-herb),Dactylorhiza majalis (Purpur Gøgeurt) and the white Platanthera bifolia (Bakke-Gogelilje). By the end of the survey, we had angered some cows and calves, Nathan and Max had discovered a new area and beautiful orchids, and Knud informed us that the total number of orchids counted in the area officially exceeded over 20,000 individuals, a new record!

Great Cormorant (Skarv) and chick at cormorant lake. Photo Credit: Hanelie Sidhu

Our afternoon was slow but allowed all of us to say goodbye to Esben who taught and helped us all so much during his stay here at the station. Tonight, we will be a bit more active as a couple hours after dinner Hanelie, our two guests and I will be joining a short nightjar (Natravne) tour conducted by Egon Østergaard . Although everyone is itching (not just from the thought of future midge bites) to see a nightjar tonight, Hanelie is especially hoping to see one as she will unfortunately also be leaving the station tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow we will be bringing you the results of the nightjar (Natravne) tour so stay tuned and see you tomorrow!

Observations of the day from birders in the area on DOFBasen

People at the station: Esben E. Hansen, Rita DeLucco, Hanelie Sidhu, Alice Scalzo, Nathan Delmas, Max Laubstein, Knud Pedersen, Egon Østergaard and our Guests.