From black to blue

Today, the day started again directly at midnight, where we caught a Nightjar (Natravn) in the Old Lighthouse Garden. After we ringed this bird, everyone except me went back to bed. I stayed awake and kept an eye on the nets for Nightjars (Natravn) and Storm Petrels (Lille Stormsvale).

Det Grå Fyr at night

The Storm Petrel (Stomrsvale) Net stayed emty this night, but the Nightjar (Natravn) net struck again! So, around 5 in the morning, there were two more Nightjars (Natravn) in the net!

The stars of the night: Nightjars (Natravn)!

While Simon and I were ringing these two little dragons, Jule was already on her way to open the nets at Kabeltrommlen and James was on his way to World’s End for the migration count. Johanna joined him a bit later, after she helped me take down the nets on the beach. At World’s End 3 and at Kabeltrommlen, they had a good, windless and sunny day! Passerines like Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers were in the bushes and in the nets, as well as a Great Skua (Storkjove) and Arctic Skuas (Almindelig Kjove) out at the sea.

After our daily morning fieldwork was done, we had a very quick breakfast and then Simon Sr. drove us to Hulsig Hede, where we scanned the blue sky for some raptors. We were mostly hoping to see the Imperial Eagle (Kejserørn), which had been seen yesterday south of Skagen. Unfortunately, the eagle didn’t turn up, but instead we saw a young Hobby (Lærkefalk) “mobbing” an adult female Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg). It felt a bit like spring up here today. This feeling became even stronger when we noticed a big flock of Common Buzzards above our heads! It was nice to see them again here, and it gives us some hope that maybe another (good) raptor will turn up here in the next days. We all hope so...

Observing raptors near Hulsig

What we all didn’t wish for, was that today was the day where we had to say goodbye to Johanna! It was a very nice time with you here, and we all hope to see you again at some point! Have a good trip back!

Highlights of the observations:

Great Skua (Storkjove)-1

Hobby (Lærkefalk)-1

Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg)-1

Peregrine falcon (Vandrefalk)-1

Ringing KAB:

will be added soon...

Ringing (Det Grå Fyr):

Nightjar (Natravn)-3

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

People: Mio Brix, Jule Tappe, Simon Kiesé, Johanna Veentjer, James Wareing, Simon S. Christiansen + Odin