Nå is a very useful word

This morning was a little windy when Amira and I went to open the nets at Kabeltromlen, so after some deliberation we left closed the six windiest nets. Simon joined us shortly after, and while it was slow he told us about how our ringing data is being used by the ringing centre. Even when there weren’t many birds to ring, there was plenty to look at, with flocks of crossbills (Lille korsnæb), a rough-legged buzzard (fjeldvåge), and one sooty shearwater (sodfarvet skråpe, also known as the king of migration; please pay them your respect) called out from World’s End III. Our highlight from ringing today was a gorgeous adult male Lille gråsisken (Lesser redpoll), who Amira and I fawned over for a few minutes. Then Miles and Florian joined us after the count for the last couple of rounds. We were also joined by some very lovely and enthusiastic tourists who were excited about the birds. We also had a good amount of fuglekonge (goldcrests), two sangdrossel (song thrushes) and my favourite, one træløber (treecreeper); I was glad Florian got to see the treecreeper because he loves cute round birds, and treecreepers are exceptionally cute and round. They have specialized central tail feathers with extra-strong rachis, which are essential for clinging to the trees and balancing as they climb. This is why we see them sitting comfortably in a vertical position on tree trunks, which other species without such tail feathers cannot achieve.

Handsome gentleman indeed

Nå, very handsome

Miles, Florian and Gabriel went to World’s End III for the migration count this morning, which was a little windier and colder than we had at sheltered Kabeltromlen. Their highlights included the sooty shearwater (sodfarvet skråpe), one tufted duck (troldand), and two Arctic Loons (Sortstrubet lom). Gabriel was happy to be able to pick out a Kaspisk måge (Caspian gull) from the flock; he informs me that they are cleaner than Herring gulls (sølvmåge). Nå.

After ringing I shared my wisdom with the others in a short lesson on sewing nets, and then we closed up and headed home. We went our separate ways in the afternoon; Mira, Miles and I went to the shops while Florian went birdwatching at Skarvsøen. There he saw the first great grey shrike (stor tornskade) of the season.

When we came back for evening meeting, we were given a brief lesson on the myriad meanings of the colourful Danish word “nå,” so I will now be using this often, although I suspect there is still much more to learn about this word. I also gave Gabriel a quick lesson on semicolon usage; this is why the blog is filled with them today. Now Amria cooks for us a delicious dinner of more fish cakes, because yesterday Matilde from Blink kindly gifted us a very large quantity of fish (which is extremely delicious; thank you Matilde!).

Today’s Ringing at Kabeltromlen:

Solsort 1

Sangdrossel 2

Gærdesmutte 7

Rødhals 1

Munk 3

Blåmejse 12

Fuglekonge 13

Gransanger 4

Træløber 1

Total new birds: 44

Highlights from World’s End III

Sodfarvet skråpe 1

Troldand 1

Toppet Skallesluger 7

Sortstrubet Lom 2

Kaspisk Måge 3

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

People: Gabriel Axelsson, Florian Hatt, Sarah Partridge, Amira Nuseibeh, Miles Scheuering, Simon S. Christiansen, Knud Pedersen and our guest Otto Clemmensen.