We Serve Fish!

We woke up to a very wild and windy day so decided that this morning it would be best to focus on some inside tasks rather than attempt anything outdoors. The first tasks of the morning were cleaning and admin which ended up taking till lunchtime to complete. After some weather watching and indoor birding, where we saw a rather storm blown Kittiwake (Ride) and a few Gulls (Måge). After some lunch, we decided to attempt gull feeding for the second time this week.

Picture 1: Stormy Beech

Before heading out we kitted up in warm clothes and snow suits in preparation for the cold. As we walked out of the door we saw the Blink sign, hence the name of the blog which states that they served a range of food and beverages including fish!! You will have to continue reading to see what happens!

Picture 2: J64YZ

As we cycled into Skagen, Thomas spotted a Rough Legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge) so we decided to stop and take a look. After this short interlude we carried on cycling into Skagen. On the way to the Habour, we spotted multiple flocks of Gulls (Måge), a good sign we both thought as yesterday was rather quiet. Stopping for some gull ring reading we spotted a Great Black-Backed Gull (Svartbag) with ring J64YZ, this gull we have now seen three times, twice in the harbour and once at the tip. A proper local to Skagen!

Picture 3: We Serve Fish!

Once reaching the Harbour we waited for a while to assess the gull situation. After a while the gulls started to congregate in the area, lured in for food by boats. As the boats increased so did the gulls too so I decided that we should attempt to feed them. After two failed attempts already and cycling the full box backwards and forwards we decided that we might as well try even in the freezing wind. The fish was still rather frozen, cold and solid so we teared small chunks and tried to entice the gulls. Was it really going to work? We truly had some stiff competition but after a while we gained some customers. Arguments broke out with the sheer number of gulls compared to fish but overall, it was a successful session, and the food was enjoyed all round.  

Picture 4: Gulls vs Boats

Some of our other wildlife harbour sightings were 129 Eiders (Ederfugl), 3 Guillemots (Lomvie) and 5 Red-Breasted Mergansers (Toppet Skallesluger). Whilst cycling back into main Skagen it was notable the sheer increase of gulls from our initial visit, overall, we probably had over 1000.

We both were getting rather cold so cycled back to the lighthouse for some hot drinks and a quiet evening. We had a short chat with Simon and are completing the admin for the day.

Highlights:

Rough Legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge)

Link to Dofbasen here.

Observers: Thomas Weston, Eleanor Harris, and Simon S. Christiansen