All Hands at the Nets

As is often the case here at the Observatory, last night brough a very special guest. A storm  petrel (lille stormsvale) was caught in our nets and it was ringed just before midnight. Between net checks, Simon, Mio, and Cora also spotted two bitterns (rørdrum) migrating southwest. What a fantastic surprise! After such a successful evening, both Simon and Cora could head to bed.

The storm petrel ringed last night. 

This morning was a CES day, so Hanelie, Mio, and I made out way to Skarvsø. We had an absolutely brilliant session, ringing a total of 48 birds and catching 2 recaptures. This was especially exciting for me, as I’ve never had a ringing day with more than 15 birds before. It was so busy I didn’t even have time to finish my breakfast/lunch. The day ended on a high note when the last bird of the session turned out to be a stunning adult male bearded reeding (skægmejse).

bearded reedling

Meanwhile, Makus, Rosemary, and Sarah headed out for morning observations. The calm weather made for some pleasant views with the highlights from their watch included several yellow wagtails (gul vipstjert), 1 great white egret (sølvhejre), 2 arctic skuas (almindelig kjove), and 1 bloated dead seal. While chatting with curious tourists they also noted plenty of redshanks (rødben) and some guillemots (lomvie).

In the afternoon, while some of us enjoyed a well-earned nap, Makus, Mio, Simon, and Cora explored reservatet, looking for both birds and insects before making their way back via Nordstrand. Reservatet was bustling with life. Among the many birds, they spotted another great white egret (sølvhejre), a honey buzzard (vepsevåge), and a goshawk (duehøg).

A few brave souls even attempted a swim, though the waters were full of jellyfish (after all, what’s a swim without a little risk?) hopefully, we’ll see fewer of them over the coming days.

Tonight’s dinner duty fell to Simon, who treated us to a delicious vegetarian curry with homemade naan bread, served in the lighthouse garden. We shared the meal with plenty of good stories and laughter. Others went up in the lighthouse to see the sunset and do some birding. Here they saw a great skua (stor kjove).

Dinner in the lighthouse garden with all the volunteers

The evening wound down with data entry from the day’s activities and preparations for another round of storm petrel (lille stormsvale) and nightjar (natravn) netting. Tonight, Rosemary and Sarah are on watch. Wish them luck.  

Here is a little video of the storm petrel from last night, where you can see it flying around just before it flies into the net!

Ringing at Skarvsø: 

1 Musvit

5 Kærsanger

27 Rørsanger

1 Rørspurv

3 Gærdesanger

1 Skæjmejse

3 Munk

4 Tornsanger

3 Gransanger 

Total: 48 birds

Ringing at the Grey Lighthouse: 

1 lille stormsvale

At the Station: Hanelie Sidhum Rosemary Fricke, Sarah Partrige, Mio Brix, Louise Buksti-Ladefoged, Markus Kemp Clément, Simon Kiesé, Cora Kørberle, Simon S. Christiansen.