Good Views on Special Birds

Upon waking up in early morning, we heard a lot of birds calling and singing outside through the open window: All sorts of thrushes, a snipe and even a Green Sandpiper (Svaleklire). Thus, we expected it to be a very good day for migration; also on their way to Kabeltromlen Alvin, Alix and Gustav noticed many birds around them. But when János, Dylan and I arrived at Word’s End 1 only about thirty minutes later, it suddenly went really quiet and we had almost no migrating passerines. It made us wonder: Where have all the birds gone? In addition, our view was limited due to fog, and we realized that maybe it wasn’t the best choice for this location today.

Morning view from World's End 1

Since there was so little going on, János decided to leave after only ten minutes and do some indoor work at the station instead. So it was only Dylan and me remaining out there on the dune counting primarily sea birds. Over time, conditions cleared up a bit, and more birds started moving at least on the sea, making the overall observations better than feared: We counted several larger flocks of Teals (Krikand), two Garganeys (Atlingand), one Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove), some Ring Ouzels (Ringdrossel), a Slavonian Grebe (Nordisk Lappedykker) and the Shore Larks which Dylan went to see after they had been called out on Zello. We also enjoyed nice views on a resting Wheatear (Stenpikker) and Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper) in the nearby bushes, as well as a Short-eared Owl (Mosehornugle) that landed on the beach.

Resting Wheatear (Stenpikker)

In fact the unfavourable weather conditions for migration count were very good for ringing, because the fog and slight rain caused the birds to go low, while there was only very weak wind. Their highlights at Kabeltromlen were one more male Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper, han) and a Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg). When ringing was over, Alix, Alvin and Gustav stayed outside to see the Citrine Wagtail (Citronvipstjert) and the Shore Larks (Bjerglærke) at Grenen, both of which they managed to get exceptional views of. Dylan, János and I joined them after a quick lunch.

The Citrine Wagtail (Citronvipstjert) – A Lemon on the beach.

Shore Larks (Bjerglærke)

The larks flew off after a while and the others went back to the station, while I stayed outside, re-found the birds successfully a few hundred meters down the beach, and later photographed feeding Common Ringed Plovers (Stor Præstekrave) at the little pools of water on the beach, making me crawl through sand and mu for over thirty minutes straight. But the photos are worth it at last, I hope.

Common Ringed Plover (Stor Præstekrave)

Soon after I came back to the station and freed myself from all the sand, Saxe arrived, who will stay with us for a week. We all gathered around the kitchen table to enjoy the fabulous chocolate-strawberry cake with cream János had prepared yesterday, as well as some more fantastic cake we were given very kindly by the lighthouse restaurant (Thank you so much, we greatly appreciate it!). What a generously sweet teatime!

Cake maker and enjoyer!

Then we had to say goodbye to Gustav, whom luckily we’ll see again at the bird festival in May, which we are all looking forward to. Later on, Anne and Bjarne, our new guests in the apartment arrived and also joined us for our evening meeting. It’s their first time here and they are very much looking forward to the upcoming days, we hope we’ll be able to offer them some great experiences!

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Simon S. Christiansen, Gustav Juel, Lisa Vergin, Anne & Bjarne