Exciting night and rainy day

Last night was another exciting night for ringing. Rosemary was on the nightwatch and she called everyone around midnight for two storm petrels (Stormsvale)! After ringing them we released them on the beach where Hanelie had a little Cinderella moment with her Stormsvale sitting peacefully on her palm for a couple of minutes before flying away.

European Storm Petrel

It was very exciting to see (and smell) such beautiful and mysterious birds up close. Shortly after this Lisa appeared with another 1K nightjar (Natravn) which was ringed by Mio.

Nightjar opening it's big mouth

Two nocturnal species that doe'snt meet often - European Storm Petrels and a Nightjar 

The rest of the night was quieter and Rosemary closed the nets shortly before 4, when Hanelie and I were on our way to Kabeltromle. We opened all of the nets before seeing on the radar that rain was coming, so we quickly began closing again. We left open five nets to the South for a few rounds in light rain but caught nothing and closed up as thunder began.

Markus, Louise, and Mio went to World’s end III for observation but left after one hour when the rain came.

After a short morning for everyone we had a nap and then brunch together. Afternoon was quiet with cleaning the station, some office work and net repairs. Hanelie went to do some maintenance and the CES site and Markus and Mio went to search for some Red-backed shrikes (Rødrygget Tornskade). Tonight is too windy for ringing but Simon will be leading a tour for some guests.

Checking the nets in the night

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area.

Night ringing:

Natravn 1

Stormsvale 2

Highlights Observations:

Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) light morph

Six Red-backed shrikes (Rødrygget Tornskade)

At the station: Sarah Partridge, Markus Kemp Clément, Rosemary Fricke, Simon S. Christiansen, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Hanelie Sidhu, Lisa, and our guests Jesper and Mette as well as guests for the Stormpetrel catching