Early birds

Today has been a really enjoyable day. It is the first day since my arrival that the wind has turned East. Which produced some really nice variety in the ringing, and the observations.

The ringing team this morning was Alvin, Alix, Joey and Simon. They had a nice session with lots of Goldcrests (Fuglekonge) , Robins (Rødhals) and Chiffchaffs (Gransanger). Though the star of the show was a big female Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg). They also had a couple really nice recaptures. A Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) carrying a Belgian ring and a Robin (Rødhals) carrying a German ring! These were our first non-Scandinavian recaptures for us, and we hope to recapture lots of other nice birds from other countries. Michael Ancher was also ringing today, and he caught some lovely birds including this brilliant Hawfinch (Kernebider) and 10 Brambling (Kvækerfinke).

Big female Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg)

Hawfinch (Kernebider) ringed by Michael Ancher 

Julian, János and I were on the migration count this morning. It was a really nice session with lots of cool species including a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) flying over the sea at one point, Tundra Bean Goose (Tundrasædgås), our first Barn Swallow (Landsvale) of the spring and Denmark’s first Tree Pipit (Skovpiber) of the year. Other observations throughout the day made by Knud and others were the first spring Black Kite (Sort Glente), Osprey (Fiskeørn), a second Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) and Skagen’s first Pallid Harrier (Steppehøg) of the year. Hopefully more of these to come in the next few weeks.

Sunrise at Grenen

Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade)

Once we were all back, we looked to see what moths we caught overnight in our first spring moth trap. We caught three moths which were 2 Hebrew Characters (Gotisk) and 1 Red Chestnut (Rødlig Lærkeugle). Well done Alix and Alvin for making a working moth trap. We look forward to catching more moths over the spring.

Red Chestnut (Rødlig Lærkeugle)

In the afternoon Joey, János and I conducted the beach survey counting the dead birds that have washed up. We were also joined by Michael Andersen from TV2 Nord so he could film and interview us about what we do at the station. Michael also went to the Cormorant lake to interview Alvin and Julian. There were many birds washed up today including two Puffins (Lunde), Fulmars (Mallemuk), Guillemots (Lomvie) and Kittiwakes (Ride). It was a shame to also see a lot of plastic washes up including lots of small pieces of plastic that species like Fulmars (Mallemuk) eat. This will slowly kill the birds which is often why they wash up on our shores.

Alvin getting interviewed

Tomorrow looks really promising with great potential for some good ringing and migration counting. We will let you know how it goes!