Big ringing day with Storm-Petrel + a Waxwing!

The day started really early today when a little over midnight Mette woke Simon, Mio and me up and told us they had caught a small black bird at the beach. Simon and I immediately realised that it must be a Storm-Petrel, so we quickly rush down to the lab.

 European Storm-Petrel (Lille Stormsvale) tonight. Picture by Simon Kiesé

It was a European Storm-Petrel (Lille Stormsvale) and suddenly the low amount of sleep seems worth it. Around 8 people went to see this seldom observed pelagic species in the middle of the night and it was a lifer for me.

Wing picture of the 3cy.+ Storm-Petrel. Picture by Simon Kiesé

Look at the white rump! Picture by Simon Kiesé

 

When we woke up again a few hours later it was time for ringing at Kabeltromlen. Today it was Jule, both Simon’s, Mette and me at the ringing. Today would be a day with a lot of birds and especially warblers and we ended up ringing 67 birds and 9 different species of warblers. Most common was a staggering 28 Common Whitethroats (Tornsanger). We also caught a nice Wood Warbler (Skovsanger). We had quite a few visitors at the ringing today as well, which was nice. 

Wood Warbler (Skovsanger). Picture by Knud Pedersen

Other highlights from the ringing include Lesser Redpoll (Lille Gråsisken) and Garden Warbler (Havesanger). During the ringing period a few good species came by including a Common Rosefinch (Karmindompap), adult Caspian Tern (Rovterne) and most surprisingly a summer record of Bohemian Waxwing (Silkehale). Only the 3^rd time this species has been recorded in the area during July. There was also a good number of Kestrels (Tårnfalk) flying through. 

Bohemian Waxwing (Silkehale) at Kabeltromlen. Picture by Simon Kiesé

Mio was on observation duty today at Grenen. In the first hour he had a lot of migrating shorebirds compared to the last few days including: Whimbrel (Småspove), Bar-tailed Godwit (Lille Kobbersneppe), Ruddy Turnstone (Stenvender) and a lot of sandpipers the “tringa” genus (Klirer). Espacially Spotted Redshank (Sortklire) is not that common up here. In the second he also had a Great Skua (Storkjove) migrating north-west.

We ended the day by watching 168 Fulmars (Mallemuk) from the dune just outside the lighthouse.

Ringing (KAB):

Chiffchaff (Gransanger) - 9

Blue Tit (Blåmejse) - 7

Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) - 28

Garden Warbler) Havesanger - 1

Blackcap (Munk)  - 5

Lesser Redpoll (Gråsisken, Lille (ssp. cabaret)) - 1

Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) - 1

Icterine Warbler (Gulbug) - 4

Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) - 5

Wood Warbler (Skovsanger) - 1

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) - 2

Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger) - 3

Total: 67 new (+7 recap)

 

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr):

European Storm-Petrel (Lille Stormsvale) -  1

 

Highlights from the observation:

Waxwing (Silkehale) - 1 (3^rd July record for Skagen; sound recording of its call on this link)

Caspian Tern (Rovterne) - 1 (Listen to recording of its call on this link)

Great Skua (Storkjove) - 1

Rosefinch (Karmindompap) - 1

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

People: Jule Tappe, Mio Brix, Simon Kiesé, Alexander Nyholm, Mette Breede, Lisa Vergin, Knud Pedersen, Simon S. Christiansen.