A very Skua day, Orcas and long primaries

This morning, Alexander, Simon K. and Mette jumped out of their beds to open nets at Kabeltromlen. Alfred, Mio and I were on our ways shortly after. While I joined the other ones at KAB, Alfred and Mio drove to World’s End 3 for migration count.

In ringing, we had rounds with very varied number of birds, ranging from 0 to 15. In total, we ringed 25 birds, among them a Garden Warbler (Havesanger), many Common Whitethroats (Tornsanger) and a curious looking Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) with an exceptionally long 8th primary on its right wing (4 mm longer than on left wing). We have never seen anything like that, what an odd sight!

Right wing of Reed Warbler (Rørsanger) with exceptionally long P8.

In between rounds, we were entertained by overflying Golden Plovers (Hjejle), Curlews (Storspove) and a very athletic Wood Pigeon (Ringdue). Also, Simon found a steppe grasshopper (Chorthippus vagans, steppegræshoppe), a grasshopper species that is only spread in Skagen for Denmark. In addition, Mio and Alfred, who were joined by Erik and Knud, spotted some nice birds on the sea: 5 Great Skuas (Stor Kjove) and 4 Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) were foraging in Skagerrag and Kattegat. This is a relatively high number and allowed the counters to get exciting photos! Knud even managed to read a ring from one of the Arctic Skuas resting on the beach so we now know it was ringed in Norway and is in its third calendar year.

Great Skua (Stor Kjove) and Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove). Foto: Alfred Godsk Geckler.

Next to birds, there were also mammal observations that both the counting and ringing team got to see: three Orcas (Spækhugger)! The two females and one male were observed blowing water and swimming around Denmark’s tip. Orcas are a regular sight and Grenen, but are still rare and thrilling to see!

Orcas (Spækhugger) blowing water. Foto: Simon Kiesé.

After this eventful morning, we cycled back to the lighthouse for data entry, a nap and cleaning and we said goodbye to our guest Mette. Have a good journey back! Next up was a very early dinner, because the sightings of today’s morning motivated us for another bird watching session in the evening at Grenen with better light and hopefully just as good views. So in the evening, Simon, Mio, Alexander and Alfred walked out to World’s End 3 for seawatching. Later, they were joined by me, since I had to prepare this blog post! We were all rewarded with views of over 200 Fulmars and great views of skuas.

Let’s see if this skua streak continues tomorrow!

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

People: Mio Brix, Mette Breede, Simon S. Christiansen, Alfred Godsk Geckler, Simon Kiesé, Alexander Nyholm, Jule Tappe, Knud Pedersen, Erik Christophersen.