Waders made the day

We (Florian and Amira) are so excited to be back at Skagen for a few days after having spent last Autumn season here. It's great seeing lots of familiar faces and getting back to counting and ringing!

The migration count started nicely with a close by Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) and still many waders on the beach. We tried to find a GPS-tagged Red Knot (Islandsk Ryle), that was located in Skagen the last days, but without success. There were again some Fulmars (Mallemuk) today and when migration started slowing down, we also heard a Spotted Redshank (Sortklire), which was nice to get out at World's End III. Way too late, I (Florian) saw a Diver flying close to shore but already far and heading away, which could have been a Great Northern Diver (Islom). The record shots from the camera also did not help a lot, so we'll leave it unidentified sadly.

Observers at World's End III

Meanwhile, at Kabeltromlen we had a morning busy with people but quiet with birds. It was still really nice to have Common and Lesser Whitethroats (Gærdesanger and Tornsanger), three lemoney-coloured Willow Warblers (Løvsanger), and a Common Redstart (Rødstjert). A beautiful red-pink-orange sunrise made it a lovely morning.

In the afternoon, Magnus' family came to visit and brought with them a banquet of food and cake for everyone, which was enjoyed outside in the lighthouse garden. Thank you!

Later, we (Florian & Amira) biked to Skarvsøen to do some birding, and were suprised to see so many more birds than we'd ever found here last Autumn. It was full of waders but the highlight was definitely the Curlew Sandpiper (Krumnæbbet Ryle) hanging out with a flock of Dunlin (Almindelig Ryle), and still with a striking orange breast as it moults out of its breeding plumage. And just as we were planning to walk back to our bikes, we suddenly heard the trilling-call of the Temminck's Stint (Temmincksryle) flying overhead. It circled around and even landed in front of us in the mud. 

We welcomed back James, who was here first in February 2024. Now, Johanna and Magnus are cooking a lovely-smelling dinner for us all!


Enjoying dinner

Highlights from the observations:

Mediterranean Gull (Sorthoved Måge) - 3
Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) - 1
Spotted Redshank (Sortklire) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Blackbird (Solsort) - 1
Great Tit (Musvit) - 1
Lesser Whitethroat (Gærdesanger) - 1
Willow Warbler (Løvsanger) - 3
Common Redstart (Rødstjert) - 1
Pied Flycatcher (Broget Fluesnapper) - 1
Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger) - 1

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, Amira Nuseibeh, Florian Hatt, Simon S. Christiansen, Jan Hjort Christensen, Kristine Kleffel.