Another rare Sanger!

When we woke up today to check the radar, we saw long rain clouds hanging above Skagen. This meant neither ringing nor observing. On the other hand, it meant more time for us all with Sarah who left later in the day. We made a long Brunch with Pancakes and many different toppings. While we were finishing our pancakes, Miles read in the bird book about the identification of rare Phylloscopus Warblers. He talked about the Fuglekongesanger (Pallas´s Leaf Warbler) and was still on the page, when a zello came in. Fuglekongesanger at Skagen! We put our rain clothes on and headed out to the location. When we arrived there, there were already around ten people standing and searching for the warbler. We heard that the bird was only seen briefly and then disappeared again.

Line of twitchers looking out for the Fuglekongesanger

After a longer time, Mara exclaimed: there it is! We all raised our binoculars and could watch the beautiful bird rather close. Unfortunately, Miles had walked a bit around and did not see it. Anton only arrived after the warbler had shown up and some of the other birders also did not see it.

Then, it was time for Sarah to leave and get her luggage. Some time after that Flo spotted the warbler again. So luckily, Miles and Anton were able to see it too. We then decided to bike to the train station to say another time goodbye to Sarah. There we stood together under a roof to avoid the rain and wished her luck for a three-day ferry ride to the Faeroe Islands. She had been at the station for the last three months, so none of us arrived this autumn at the station without her being around. We will all miss her.

After lunch, the weather cleared up and some passerines showed up. Therefore, Flo and I went for a walk at Nedermose and later on to Skarvsøen. There we saw a very big flock of Grønsiskener (Siskins), two Bjergirisk (Twites) and some raptors. Meanwhile, Miles and Amira went out for a run and after that for a swim. After this and fixing an issue at the house, Amira, Mara and Lise went on the beach and were able to watch a flock of around 40 Snespurve (Snow Buntings). This motivated them to do some nightcatching. They just went out and said they will be back soon with some Snespurve.

Lise said, her first day here was different than expected. A chilled morning with pancakes and then the twitch instead of obs/ ringing. For me it was interesting to have a day up here without seeing a Razorbill or a Diver. We are now really looking forward for tomorrow. It seems to be a good time for nice warblers. Miles, the Oracle, is predicting a Sibirisk Gransanger (Siberian Chiffchaff) in the net.

Highlights from today

Rødtoppet Fuglekonge

Fuglekongesanger

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.