Distracted by Hot Chocolate!

Picture 1: Me feeding the Snow Buntings (Snespurv)

Another very windy day in Skagen today with 35+mph winds consistently throughout the morning, day and night. Last night we had been tasked by Simon to sort the bikes, which was completed very successfully and efficiently in no time at all. Like some of the Gannets (Sule) and Kittiwakes (Rides) we saw flying by, we decided to head North to the tip. Our aim was to feed the Snow Buntings (Snespurv) and check the gulls (Måge). On arrival, we found the food had been eaten and a flock of 11 Snow Buntings (Snespurv) were in the area which was a great sign. Hopefully, they will eat the food when we are not in the area! Few other species were seen or heard on our walk, but we did see a Yellowhammer (Gulspurv) and we heard a Water Rail (Vandriske).

Picture 2: A friendly horse.

We came back for lunch and planned a nice cycle into Skagen to check for some Pink-footed Geese (Kortnæbbet Gås) that Knud had found yesterday in a nearby field. When we were getting ready, we put on all our warm clothes and got ready to leave. Eleanor started getting distracted by some chocolate powder in the cupboard and was keen to make some hot chocolate or a mug cake when back as a warm treat. Before we knew it, we closed the doors, forgot our key, and accidently locked ourselves out of the observatory! Oh no! We informed Simon but no response so we went to look for the geese (Gås), which also were not there, but we found a nice horse, a Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg) and a flock of Yellowhammer (Gulspurv) and Greenfinches (Grønorisk) near Det Hvid Fyr on our return. Simon got back to us and so we headed to the observatory, a Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) was the only bird of note, but some new saunas at the campsite looked intriguing so maybe we will have to check them out!

Simon saved us on our return and let us in! As a thank you, we exchanged some cookies that Eleanor had baked recently and started completing some net sewing and admin tasks before dinner. Waiting out the storm and seeing what tomorrow brings.

Highlights:

Knud saw 2 Crested Tits (Topmejse) in a grassy field!
A Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) ringed here last autumn at Jennes Sø was recaught in Scotland 11 days later!

Link to Dofbasen here.

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