Fallout… Bird Fallout

Today the fog persisted, but we decided to brave the end of the world regardless. It was significantly warmer than previous days, and with winds coming up from the south we saw an incredible increase in migration at World’s End 1 this morning. Upon departing the lighthouse we were met by hundreds of Blackbirds [Solsort]. In every bush, shrub, tree, and on every path there was a blackbird, it was a stark contrast to the barren mornings which came before. Aside from Blackbirds [Solsort] there were flocks of thousands of Jackdaws [Allike], Common Wood-Pigeons [Ringdue], Common Scoters [Sortand], Whooper Swans [Sangsvane], and so on. We also had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of Common Buzzards [Musvåge] fill the skies (including one beautiful bright white pale morph) along with a few White-Tailed Eagles [Havørn]. There was also a rumoured Golden Eagle [Kongeørn] in the area this afternoon! 

Simon and Mira at World’s End 1.

We faced a bit of wind, and some rain, but it was futile in bringing down our moods after such a successful morning. In the end, we reached nearly 90 species during this morning’s count! After Simon, Mira, and I had completed the standardized 4 hours after sunrise, Magnus and Johanna came and continued a couple more hours of counting. During their count they saw a Short-Eared Owl [Mosehornugle], this could be one of the earliest to come to Skagen! Could it be following the Blackbirds [Solsort]...?

Simon and Mira in the rain at World’s End 1.

After our exciting morning, we all had a big lunch. Simon and I entered the morning counts into DOFbasen and then we headed out to Kabeltromlen to set up some more nets. We were excited to debut our beautiful waders on the runways of Skagen…

Simon, Mira, and I looking positively dashing in our wading uniform.

All jokes aside, we were all grateful to have stayed dry in our wading suits amidst the (sometimes quite deep) puddles. I do expect these puddles to get the best of me at some point before my time here is done... As for now, I triumphed over the slippery bumpy grounds beneath that murky water (not always elegantly, I admit, but my face has yet to hit the ground). Kabeltromlen Puddles: 0, Isis: 1. It was not so cold, and by the afternoon all wind and rain had subsided, leaving us with the perfect conditions to work in. 

Wading through the deep waters of Kabeltromlen.

We worked productively, and right at the golden hour we noticed hundreds of Blackbirds [Solsort] flying over us. Johanna and Magnus had just arrived to bring us more supplies for the nets, and began counting immediately. From that point until the sky was nearly fully dark, they counted while we set up the remaining nets. Almost 2000 Blackbirds [Solsort] passed us by during that short period of time! This event was truly a spectacle. 

I have never seen skies so full, today was a gift that kept on giving. 

After our busy day, Johanna prepared some incredible Asian-style noodles for us. We ate dinner and headed to bed filled with hope and excitement for more wonderful days such as this one. 

Today’s observations in Dofbasen from observers in the area.

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

People: Johanna Veentjer, Mira Kieckbusch, Isis Khalil, Magnus Houen Lauritsen, Simon Kiesé