FLocks of Auks

This morning was too windy for ringing, so we all headed out as a family to migration count. We went to Nordstrand today and piled into our little nook with 14 of us in total observing. Therefore, we saw many birds with many highlights. In total we saw five Islom (Common loons), and some were quite close which was nice to see (some friends from my home in Massachusetts). We saw a nice assortment of ducks, including Fløjlsand (velvet scoter), Havlit (long-tailed duck), Hvinand (goldeneye), and toppet skallesluger (red-breasted merganser). The best highlight for me was the søkonge (little auk), which is very round and cute (and nearly as cute as the little auk is Florian getting excited about the little auk). The other highlight for everyone was the incredibly high number of Alks (razorbills); we counted over 10,000 in total!

After the obs, Amira and I walked home together via Jennesø, and it was very cold and windy by then. Janna, Florian, Anton and Ole went birdwatching at Jennesø, and Amira had to quickly cycle to join them because she had accidentally stolen Ole’s bike key. While they were out, they saw another søkonge flying directly overheard toward Kabeltromlen. Little auks are the most abundant seabird breeding in the high Arctic, and they have the largest colonies of all the auk species. Fittingly, their Latin name, Alle alle, in German means “everyone everyone.”

After lunch we welcomed our new volunteer Lise to the station, and then we had our Saturday cleaning. I spent some time putting my ducks in a row as I am leaving the station already tomorrow, too soon! I’m sure I will be seeing all my lovely new friends again sometime soon.

After a tasty meal cooked by Janna, we popped open some champagne to celebrate our 10,000 alks, my departure, and the Dusky warbler (Brun Løvsanger), so expertly ringed by Mara yesterday.

Tomorrow I will pack up my things and start over again, taking with me so much knowledge gained and wonderful friendships formed.

Highlights from observation:

Søkonge 4

Alk 10,932

Hjejle 258

Islom 5

Havlit 10

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

People: Mara Glane, Florian Hatt, Sarah Partridge, Amira Nuseibeh, Miles Scheuering, Janna Ouedraogo, Lise Mastrup, Ole and Anton, and our guests Lars and Lorna.