The Calm Before the Storm

Picture 1 – Aurora

After a late night of aurora watching in pjs and snow suits, we woke up to a beautiful, sunny but still day. With this in mind we decided to tick a few jobs of the list starting with bird feeding. The first point of call was to check the lighthouse garden nets for food to attract the birds. It seems there was no luck so far with only a Robin (Rødhals) in the area who was not interested in the free food at all.

Picture 2 – Snow Bunting (Snespurv) Feeding area

After this was completed, we decided to head out for a walk, in search of Snow Bunting (Snespurv), and on the way hatched a plan of the best way to create a feeding area to entice the birds near Worlds End Three. We will update you on the outcome soon so stay tuned. Stepping onto the beach it was noticeable that there was a clear shift in the weather with no wind and mild conditions, a real change from the last few days of blustery weather. After scattering food in a suitable location, we decided to continue our walk to the Sandormen track. It was such a lovely day with bright blue skies and sparkling snow, a magical day to be out and exploring the area.

Picture 3 – Snow Bunting (Snespurv)

On the way Thomas spotted twenty-three Green Finches (Grønirisk) hanging around with four Snow Buntings (Snespurv) who later continued in the direction of our feeding area. The Snow Buntings (Snespurv) was a good sign for both of us and very lovely to see on such a stunning, snowy, calm day in Skagen. Hopefully they found the feast of food waiting, but we left them to it and continued on our way. We will monitor the area in the coming days. After completing one task we made a slow walk back for some lunch, taking a small deter to Ellekrattet where we saw Siskin (Grønsisken) feeding in the alders. It was a lovely end to a beautiful walk full of sunshine and snow.

Picture 4 – Sunshine in Skagen

After some lunch and tea, we got on with some admin tasks and a break from the cold which were much needed. We proceeded to have a quiet and restful afternoon ahead of our evening plans with Lisa and Simon. It has been a lovely day from start to finish and magical to be in this area on such clear and calm day.

Highlights:

• Snow Buntings (Snespurv)
• Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg)

Link to Dofbasen.

Observers: Eleanor Harris, Thomas Weston, Simon S. Christiansen, Lisa Vergin