Overwaderd by birds

This day started quite differently than our usual days at Skagen Fuglestation. 

Like Simon already teased yesterday, we all went out to Skarvsøen to catch some nice Waders  (Vadefugle) in the night. Actually the first bird we got to ring were not waders but Barnswallows (Landsvale) which went into our net. Among them there was also a very nice Yellow Wagtail (Gul Vipstjert) (ssp. thunbergi) which does not get caught often here in Skagen.

 

Yellow Wagtail (Gul Vipstjert) (ssp. thunbergi) caught at Skarvsøen (Foto by Simon Kiesé)

After releasing all the Swallows into the night we went out for the first round into Skarvsøen to catch some waders and actually we had good success with some Common Snipes (Dobbeltbekassin) and a Woodsandpiper (Tinksmed) hanging in the net. On our next round we also took a hand net with us to catch some more species like two Dunlins (Almindelig Ryle).

Out there walking through the lake we did not just catch nice birds but also had some nice observations of other birds like a Jacksnipe (Enkeltbekassin) and a calling Bittern (Rørdrum) flying around.

A bit later in the night also Simon Sr. joined out night catching. So Jule, Johanna and Simon Sr. went out to try their luck with the net and came back with some very nice new species. Out in the lake they actually managed to catch a Little Stint (Dværgryle) and in the net there was also a Redshank (Rødben) and a Greenshank (Hvidklire) caught.

Little Stint (Dværgryle) caught at Skarvsøen (Foto by Mio Brix)

We all were very excited about these super cool birds and it was awesome to see such  a small wader as a Little Stint (Dværgryle) next to the quite big Greenshank (Hvidklire).

Greenshank (Hvidklire) caught at Skarvsøen (Foto by Simon Kiesé)

After this very eventful night we all went back to the station to get at least a few hours of sleep before going out in the morning again.

Today Jule, Johanna and Simon K. went out for the ringing. They had a good morning with nice weather and higher catch numbers than the last few days. They caught two common Redstarts (Rødstjert), beautiful birds, which we have not caught for a while now.

The migration count was carried out by Magnus and Jan this morning, which gave Mio and Me the opportunity to sleep in after coming back very late in the night.

At the count they had again many different Waders (Vadefugle) migrating including some Turnstones (Stenvender), a Curlewsandpiper (Krumnæbbet Ryle) and in the last hour also a Little Stint (Dværgryle).

The biggest highlight of the morning turned off in the second hour when Jan found a young Long-tailed Skua (Lille Kjove) flying out on the sea. Not much later there turned off a second Long-tailed Skua (Lille Kjove). One of them was also resting and flying around for several hours which was really awesome to observe. The message of the resting Long Tailed Skua (Lille Kjove) also got Mio and later also me to get out of bed and go out to Grenen to enjoy these fantastic birds.

Long-tailed Skua (Lille Kjove) (Foto by Mio Brix)

There were also especially many Gulls (Måger) roosting on the beach including ten Mediterranean Gulls (Sorthovedmåger) and there were also some beautiful first calendar year Little Gulls (Dværgmåge).

After coming back we all went to bed to get some long well deserved naps.

Now we have just eaten a delicious dinner which was prepared by our nice guests Kristine and Jan.

Later in the evening we will go further south in Nordjylland to catch Great Snipes (Tredækker).We all hope to catch some of them and of course you will be updated about our night tomorrow.

 

Highlights from the observations:

Long-tailed Skua - Lille Kjove 2

Little Gull - Dværgmåge 4

Little Stint - Dværgryle 1

Mediterranean Gull - Sorthovedmåge 10

 

Ringing (Skarvsøen):

to be added 

 

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

to be added

 

Link to today's observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Mio Brix, Cora Köberle, Jule Tappe, Simon Kiesé, Johanna Ventjeer, Magnus Houen Lauritsen, Simon S. Christiansen, Jan Hjort Christensen, Kristine Kleffel.