Spanish Chiffchaff!

After a windy day and having to put some activities on stand-by because of the weather yesterday, today we could resume the normal schedule of ringing and migration counting in the mornings. 

The migration was a little slower than yesterday, and the sea was very calm. Some nice species were spotted nonetheless, with the first 3 Common Terns (Fjordterne) and 1 Arctic Tern (Havterne) showing up. Another highlight worth mentioning was the flyby of 7 adult Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) in dark morph throughout the morning. 

Dunlin (Almindelig ryle) on the beach foraging 

On the side of the raptor migration the species and numbers were also pretty decent, with 3 Rough-legged Buzzards (Fjeldvåge), 2 Merlin (Dværgfalk), 4 Ospreys (Fiskeørn), as well as 3 Black Kites (Sort Glente).

Osprey (Fiskeørn)

By the end of the count, there were around 10-15 birdwatchers at Nordstrand! The season is picking up and the birders are starting to be out more and more, which is so nice to see.

Birders at Nordstrand

On the way back from Nordstrand, János stopped by Jenne sø and joined Michael Anker for a part of his ringing morning, and ringed some Chiffchaffs (Gransanger), Dunnock (Jernspurv), Siskin (Grønsisken), and cute Robins (Rødhals). What a fun morning!

 

The ringing session was also a little calmer than anticipated for such a peaceful morning, and we ended up with a total of 22 birds, compared to the 96 from two days ago. 

However, in the first round a nice surprise was waiting for us in a net, and Dylan had the chance of discovering it: a Chiffchaff (Gransanger) with a Spanish ring! 

Chiffchaff (Gransanger) recaptured at Grenen with a ring from north Spain

The little bird was ringed in the northern part of Spain, close to the French border. We have reported the recapture and will hopefully soon receive more information about this individual from the people in San Sebastián. 

The rest of the morning was lightly filled with some common visitors such as Robins (Rødhals), Wrens (Gærdesmutte), a Long-Tailed tit (Nordlig Halemejse), and some Dunnocks (Jernspurv) for example, which are always a delight.

In the meantime, we could keep an eye in the sky for passing birds and were excited to spot the first flock of Ring Ouzels (Ringdrossel) for the season! A total of 13 birds flew quite close above us and let us have a beautiful look at their rings :D

Ring Ouzels (Ringdrossel) in flight over the ringing site

We also had a very good view of a resting male Wheatear (Stenpikker), which was the first of the season for us. 

Overall a very nice morning for all of us! 

The afternoon was spent napping, cleaning around the observatory, Alvin and I went grocery shopping in town and he is preparing a very nice meal for all of us as I am writing this! 

Tomorrow, new day, new birds! 

 

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Simon S. Christiansen, Michael Ancher, Knud Pedersen.