All at ones

The morning started with high expectations. It was the second day with warm temperatures after a longer cold period, and in the past days, many long-distance migrants had arrived. It was also the first day of the CES ringing at Skarvsoen, where we will be ringing every 10 days until September to monitor the breeding passerines. For Alvin, Alix and Dylan, it meant an early start to the day. Getting up at 3am, they had an amazing session ringing (…) birds. Interesting was a recapture of a Reed Warbler ringed last year at the same location. It was also the first for Skagen this spring.

Ringing site at Skarvsøen

Reed Warbler in the early morning light

They also caught a Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) and several Sedge Warblers (Sivsanger)

Comparison between Common (left) and Lesser Whitethroat (right)

The highlight of the morning, however, was a Citrine Wagtail (Citronvipstjert) migrating over, which was found and recorded by Alvin.

Flight calls of the Citrine Wagtail (Citronvipstjert)

In the meanwhile, Julian and I were counting at Nordstrand together with Knud, Oluf, and Jørn. For us the first hours were comparatively slow, with little movement on the sea and many of the passerines turning around still far away from the tip. In the last hour, however, our patience was rewarded with good numbers of Red Kites (Rød Glente) and some White-tailed Eagles (Havørn), as well as a Pallid Harrier (Steppehøg). We also got very good views of a hunting Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove).

After the end of the count, Julian went back to have lunch and finish some office tasks, and I made a small bike trip, checking a few areas for passerines, with birds of note being a Wood Warbler (Skovsanger) and two more Sedge Warblers (Sivsanger). I also had a short break before heading out again, this time for a longer period. I first went to Grenen to look for resting Pipits and Wagtails and after that to Batteriskoven and the industrial area. Here I found a mixed breeding pair of Carrion and Hooded Crow (Grakrage ssp. corone and cornix) building their nest and a Sand Martin (Digesvale) colony. So maybe we can try and ring them later in the season.

Since the sky was still filled with raptors, I made a stop at Saftevandsbakken, where I also met Alvin and Alix and we had good views of the Black-winged Kite (Blå Glente). I kept on birding, and also Dylan and Julian went out with Simon to check a few woodlands and the industrial area. In Batteriskoven they found a Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge), which is a good species in Skagen.

Alvin at Saftevandsbakken

Alvin and Alix stayed a bit longer at Savtervandsbakken, where they also saw a Golden Eagle (Kongeørn). Beside our sightings, there was also a Turtle Dove (Turteldue), a Golden Oriol (Pirol) and a Red-throated Pipit (Rødstrubet Piber) and Red-rumped Swallow (Rødrygget Svale) seen in Skagen this day. So many good birds to keep us busy.

They day ended with a delicious dinner by Alvin and a nice sunset evening birding with a close flyby Hobby (Laerkefalk)

Highlights from the observations:
Pallid Harrier (Steppehøg) - 2
Golden Eagle (Kongeørn) - 1
Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) - 1
Black-winged Kite (Blå Glente) - 1
Wood Warbler (Skovsanger) - 1
Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) - 1
Citrine Wagtail (Citronvipstjert) - 1

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Julian Helbig, Dylan Daunt, Simon S. Christiansen, Søren, Knud Pedersen, Jørgen Hulbeck C.