Two Greenish Warblers!!

While I slept until 7am and thus improved my negative balance a bit, Rebecca and Hayley were already at Kabeltromlen opening the nets and ringing the first birds together with Simon. The morning was good and some long distance migrants arrived. For example, some Willow Warblers (Løvsanger) and also Common Redstarts (Rødstjert) could be ringed. After my arrival we had a Tree Pipit (Skovpiber) in the next round. I was really pleased about that, because I really like beepers, but until now I've only rarely had them in my hands. The next round was a real challenge. I went out and checked the first net. No bird. I went on to the next one and there was no bird there either. This continued until there were two birds in the last net.

I saw a very whitish Warbler, but right in front of me hung a Sedge Warbler (Sivsanger) that caught my attention. Delighted with the Sedge Warbler, I took the warbler out of the net and happily walked back to the place where we ring the birds. Then, when Simon saw the bird and asked me if I knew what it was, I realised that the over-eye streak was too strong for an adult fat-tailed warbler. On looking at it more closely for the first time, I also noticed a very slight wing banding, which now shows that the bird is a new species for me - a Greenish Warbler (Lundsanger). How awesome is that??? We were all totally happy about this year's bird. See for yourself!

Tak Knud, for these beautiful pictures!

 Compare how it looks in sun and in shadow!

Even though the bird looked like a Greenish Warbler, we wanted to be on the safe side to exclude a pale Green Warbler. To do this, we de-clined the bird, collected lost feathers and hoped for a call when we released it. And indeed - it did call! The call was clearly Greenish Warbler, so we did everything right. If you are interested in the call and species identification in the Spectogram, you can watch and listen to my recording at Xeno-Canto here.

Look at us, how we supported Knud to make shelter so he could get these perfect pictures:picture by Magnus, who arrived just in time

Happy and with masses of photos in the bag, we set off for the next round. The first bird in the net looked exciting even from a distance and with every step it looked more like the bird of the last round. Freeing it from the net, I looked at the legs - unringed. I could hardly believe it, this was another Greenish Warbler!!!! Wow! But that wasn't to be the only good bird of the round, as Hayley and Rebecca brought back a good bird from a subspecies new to me - a bluethroat of the northern subspecies svecica (Nordlig Blåhals). What a crazy day! There's not much more to say, just enjoy the pictures.

1st cy Greenish Warbler - the second one today!!!

Compare it in the light again:

1st cy male Common Bluethroat

the only picture from me today

The day was rounded off with a Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper).

Meanwhile, Gustav was scheduled with a meeting in the city. As part of his stay here, he took part in planning an event in which children are to explore nature by bicycle at various stations in about a month's time. Afterwards he started the Cormorant Count. Then came our news about Zello, so Gustav packed the spotting scope again and set off in our direction. But then a bike breakdown got in his way and as much as he wanted to, he had no chance of getting to us in time. So he set up the spotting scope again and completed the count. On the other hand, the guests in the flat and Knud were luckier, as they could all see the beautiful catches at cable drums. Such is life sometimes, but of course we hope that the autumn will bring more exciting birds.

After ringing in the warm weather, we first cooled off in the sea. Afterwards Simon held a session on Moult and Moult Strategies. This two-hour interactive session was super helpful in understanding the processes of moulting and how to age more difficult species by understanding their moult strategies. It was informative but also fun, which I'm sure is because Simon is a really good teacher.

 last but not least a picture of Simon

So, that's (almost) it from this successful day. Entering data, buying groceries, writing this blog and saving and sorting pictures - there is a lot to do after such a day. But that's okay, for two Greenish Warblers in one day it's a lot of fun!

Thanks again to Knud for the great photos!

Ringing  (Kabeltromlekrattet)

Greenish Warbler (Lundsanger) - 2

Bluethroat (ssp. svecica) (Nordlig Blåhals) - 1

Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper) - 1

...

Total: the ringed birds will be added soon :-)

People: Hayley Land, Gustav Nyberg, Rebecca Cheape, Simon Kiesé, Bjørn Laursen, Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Knud Pedersen, Stig og Grethe 

A link to today's observations from volunteers and local observers.