Spring is in the air

This morning János, Julian and I went to the ringing. The wind was very calm, and it was slightly cloudy.

János at the ringing site 

The number of birds this morning was slightly lower the normal, but the quality of the species was still very good. We caught two male Pied Flycatchers (Broget Fluesnapper), three Willow Warblers (Løvsanger), two Blackcaps (Munk) and a Coal Tit (Sortmejse).

Coal tit (Sortmejse)

It was the first time that I have ever seen a spring male Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper) in the hand and the first Flycatcher in the hand for Julian ever.

During the ringing a Citrine Wagtail was found by some other observers nearby. This was a lifer for Julian and I so we took turns to take the short walk to it. This Citrine Wagtail was a male and is the first of hopefully a few birds that we will see this spring.

Citrine Wagtale (Citronvipstjert) male at Grenen

Throughout the morning, we also saw a few other nice species like a male Pallid Harrier (Steppehøg) migrating and a Serin (Gulirisk) that was resting in the area. 

Alvin, Alix and Gustav where doing the migration count this morning.

Gustav and Alix at the migration counting spot in Nordstrand

It was pretty quiet, but they also had a few nice birds to see including Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove), Yellow Wagtail (Gul Vipstjert) and Golden Eagle (Kongeørn). This was the last day of East winds for the next week as the wind changes direction to the West. But here at Skagen a change in wind direction can often produce some really nice birds so we all have our fingers crossed. 

Last night we also put the moth trap out again. We caught 14 moths including 2 Northern Drab which was a new species for us this spring.

Two Northern Drab moths caught today in the lighthouse garden

János was also making a chocolate cake, which is currently cooling in the fridge, so we can’t wait to eat tomorrow.

Today was also the last full day that Gustav will be with us. He has been a great addition to the team, and we look forward to seeing him again later in the spring. Our next intern also arrives tomorrow for his second week this spring, so we look forward having him again. 

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, Gustav Juel, Knud Pedersen, Jørgen Hulbæk.