We should protect the birds on their journey

This morning I went with Florian and Miles to World’s End III for observation, and it was a little cold and windy. There was wind coming from the southeast and not too much migration to look at. We saw three Almindelig Kjove (Arctic Skuas) which was nice, and also many Fløjlsand (Velvet scoters) migrating. There were also many Alk and Lomvie (Razorbills and Guillemots), migrating equally in both directions. Where are they going? They will overwinter at sea, except for some who will return to the colonies as early as October. The juveniles left the safety of their nests this July while still flightless, jumping off the cliffs and bouncing down the rocks into the raging sea amidst the screams of their parents and peers, then swimming for dear life after their fathers into the open ocean. What a spectacle to behold!! The wee babies disperse by swimming until around this time, when their flight feathers finally grow in. The adults are similarly flightless for about 40-50 days as they moult all their flight feathers simultaneously while at sea. The ones we see passing by Skagen have already grown their new feathers, and they are headed out to shallow seas to find food until it is time for breeding again. Always a treat to see these cuties cruising by or resting in the waves.

Meanwhile, Gabriel and Amira were ringing at Kabeltromlen, where it was a bit too windy to have all of the nets open. Still, they caught some birds, with highlights including sangdrossel (Song thrush) and Landsvale (barn swallow). Miles joined them for the last round after we finished the count, while I unsuccessfully searched for gull rings.

In the afternoon, running club and swim club both took place, followed by late lunch. Then we all cleaned up the flat while listening to some music together. After some office tasks, we will now enjoy the sunset on top of the tower together before dinner. The lighthouse lightbulb is roughly the same size as an ostrich egg.

Ringing at Kabeltromlen:

Sangdrossel 1

Landsvale 1

Grønsisken 1

Træløber 2

Fuglekonge 11

Lille Dompap 2

Rørspurv 1

Rødhals 2

Gærdesmutte 1

Blåmejse 1

Munk 3

Total new birds: 26

Highlights from World’s End III:

Almindelig Kjove 3

Fløjlsand 40

Dværgfalk 1

Fiskehejre 1

Today's observations from the area can be viewed here. 

People: Gabriel Axelsson, Florian Hatt, Miles Scheuering, Amira Nuseibeh, Sarah Partridge, Simon S. Christiansen