Shag and Sunshine

After the storm of the last few days, we ran to World's End 3 at 5 a.m. this morning, motivated to start the migration count. The wind dropped and we directly noticed that there were fewer seabirds. This did not stop Rose, Sarah, Markus, Mio and me from having a nice morning. One Great Skua (Storkjove) and three Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) showed us and we noticed some migration of Golden Plovers (Hjejle) and Red Knots (Islandsk Ryle) flying southwest. Even Simon Sr. tried to migrate but stopped to say Hi and join our count for a bit. The best bird was a Shag I found flying in Skagerrak. After losing sight of the bird when it quickly landed on the water, I was able to find it again and we could follow it for six minutes. A scarce bird here in summer.

Rose and Sarah on their way back to the lighthouse.

While we were standing in the dunes, Hanelie and Louise walked net rounds at Kabeltromlen. They were joined by Jeppe and Linda Rørbæk and Henrik Møller Thomsen. I‘m glad they got a Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger), since I know how much Hanelie loves them. Interestingly, all birds ringed were young birds, hatched this year. In total they ringed 11 new birds and recaptured 5. One of the really interesting parts about bird ringing are recaptures, so I had a quick look at them. The most interesting one was a old Icterine Warbler (Gulbug). It was ringed here one month ago on the first of July, indicating a local breeding bird. Maybe a parent of the young one ringed today?

When we came back to the station, Mio opened nets in the lighthouse garden. That was a good idea and we quickly caught three young Tree Sparrows (Skovspurv). They were starting to moult their primaries, so soon they will look like their parents. Mio has gained experience with this species after discovering that, like Wrens (Gærdesmutte), they take every opportunity to escape.

Two juvenile Tree Sparrows (Skovspurv).

We completed our daily tasks, which include data entry, napping, and for some of us swimming in the sea. Markus went for a 70 km bike ride to see the area around Skagen and Mio went to Skarvsøen. Sarah and Rose brought some pastries from Skagen Bakery. So delicious, mange tak!

Markus during his stop at Råbjerg Mile.

On Tuesday (5^th of August) I photographed a Seabuckthorn Fruit Fly Rhagoletis batava (Havtornflue) at World’s End 1, Grenen. I first noticed how rare it is, when Ragnar texted me that it is the first record for Jutland, with the closest record in Copenhagen area. On arter there are just three records from Denmark, so this fly is a real star, even if it is only a very small one (5 mm).

Seabuckthorn Fruit Fly Rhagoleti batava (Havtornflue).

It is so nice to be back at Skagen Fuglestation. After spending the entire autumn 2023 and spring 2024 at the station I started my biology studies in Berlin, Germany. I really enjoy my studies and it's nice to get a more scientific approach to fieldwork and complex ecological relationships. To be honest, though, I missed waking up early every day to spend day in, day out with birds. But for me, it's even more important who you can share these experiences with, and I'm amazed at how quickly the ‘Skagen feeling’ has returned. We have a really great team right now!

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger): 1

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger): 1

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 4

Blackcap (Munk): 2

Icterine Warbler (Gulbug): 1

Chiffchaff (Gransanger): 2  

Total: 11

Ringing (Lighthouse Garden)

Tree Sparrow (Skovspurv): 3

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger): 2

Total: 5

Today's observations by observers in the area typed into DOFbasen can be seen here.

At the station: Hanelie Sidhu, Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Linda andJeppe Rørbæk, Henrik Møller Thomsen, Simon S. Christiansen.