Rain or no rain, that is the question

 In the morning, Pauline and I opened nets at Kabeltromlen and were joined by Anja and Simon for the first round. Looking at the rain radar, all the optimism of the day disappeared: It was full of small, blue blotches and even though, in the moment of checking, there was no blue blotch over us, it was still raining! With this unforeseeable weather, we only did a few rounds and also had very little birds.

At World’s End 3 with Laura and Alfred, things did not look brighter. The opposite was the case with the rain and fog over the see blocking the view from migrating birds. The migration count then became a rain watching session that was ended after the first hour. They joined us for closing the nets at KAB before we all biked back to the station on our bikes, ate a quick lunch and then sat down in the office, to witness another of Simon’s legendary session.

 Today, we talked about the identification of Phylloscopus Warblers. They are small, green birds that look extremely similar to one another if you don’t know what to look for. But now, we do! So when I now hear a Dipper (Vandstær) in Ellekrattet (local forest), I will know to be excited (the call of Arctic Warbler sounds similar to the call of the White-throated Dipper).

 

After the session, the normal Saturday routines followed. At some point during the day, everyone of us cleaned something around the station, I for example did the lab. While vacuuming the sand from the ground, an apple cake that I had prepared was spreading nice smells from the oven. Thanks again to my mother for sending me the recipe :).

The rain also continued in the afternoon and most of us were demotivated by that to go outside, but nothing could stop Alfred, who has to leave tomorrow and made the best out of his last proper day here. He biked to Skagen By, Nordstrand and Skarvsøen and watched the birds.

In the meantime, I went after my new found indoor-hobby: Making jule fugle. I am not entirely sure what they are yet, but apparently it is a Danish thing to make and then put on Christmas trees. We have books here with craft instructions and since my name is in the title, I felt a calling to try it out. After some difficulties at the start, I now have a Ruff (Brushane) and a Bittern (Rørdrum). Check them out:

 

 

With my crafting, I have now inspired Alfred who is trying to make Cranes (Trane) just while I am writing this blog. Anja was also creative by finished her knitting project – a nice headband.

In the afternoon, we had a little teatime with lots of cake. Because it was not only me who had made some, but leftover cake was also brought here from the shop. Thank you for that!

 

 In the evening, we ate a delicious dinner cooked by Laura who made Quesadillas for us. But a day cannot stay so birdless for us: We will try to go nightcatching again at Grenen tonight. Let’s hope that the we have some wader pictures for you tomorrow!

 

Gærdesmutte – 1

 

Gransanger – 7

Musvit – 3

Blåmejse – 1

Rødhals – 2

Jernspurv – 1

Munk – 1

Gærdesmutte – 1

 

Rødhals – 1

Munk – 2