CES morning

Today we snagged up the opportunity of good weather to get the ringing at our constant effort site done for the week. For this, Hanlie and I cycled out to Cormorant Lake instead of to Kabeltrummeln. This was my first time there, and the namesake was no disappointment! When we arrived we had plenty of Cormorants (Skarv) to see on the lake, as well as a roost of Starlings (Stær), and a few Bearded Reedlings (Skægmejse) amongst the reeds of the lake. I got lost in the dark (oops), but after that it was smooth sailing. We were expecting a rain shower in the last hour and were vigilant of the visible rain coming our way. However, it split in two around us, raining mostly only north and south of us. We luckily only caught a small part of the rain for about ten minutes, meaning we could keep the nets open. Winner in numbers by far today were our Reed Warblers (Rørsanger). They breed here in the reedbeds so we caught a decent mix of adults and juveniles. This was punctuated with a singles of other species (see ringing totals). We also saw four Greenshank (Hvidklire) flying East over the lake, and while closing the nets heard some Cranes (Trane) behind the reeds.

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger)

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv)

Meanwhile Emma was out again at World End III for the morning count. Along with the regulars, Sandwich Terns (Splitterne) and Common Terns (Fjordterne), she saw a couple of Razorbill (Alk) resting, a young Black Guillemot (Tejst), some Oystercatcher (Strandskade), and a Great White Egret (Sølvhejre). Afterwards she went out to read some rings off the gulls sitting on the beach.

The afternoon was spent on our daily paperwork, as well as some much needed catch up on sleep, especially since tonight we will be trying for Storm Petrels (Lille Stormsvale) and Nightjars (Natravn)! Simon and Lisa will be coming tonight for the night watch, as well as Lars and Andreas, letting us volunteers sleep. But we have hopes of being woken up to a catch! In preparation we will be cleaning up a bit around the laboratory and cutting some overgrown grass around the Nightjar (Natravn) nets and setting up the nets on the beach.

We also said goodbye to Mikkel, Louise and Nor Østergaard, our guests in the apartment, we hope they had a lovely stay!

Ringing totals Skarvsøen, CES

Gransanger 1
Rørsanger 12
Blåmejse 1
Tornsanger 1
Rørspurv 1
Total 16

Highlights ringing:
Lots of reed warblers! (Rørsanger)

Highlights in the field:
Great White Egret (Sølvherje)
Black Guilemot (Tejst)

At the station: Emma Fabre, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu,Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin, Lars Askholm, Andreas, Mikkel, Louise and Nor Østergaard.