Jack(pot) in the Net!

Good evening!

Our two teams experienced two very different mornings today.

Sarah and me were at the count. We were so grateful when the sun finally came through the morning clouds. Before that it was freezing with cold winds coming from the north. Not the best conditions to stand at the highest dune around. If we'd be distracted by a lot of birds migrating over the sea, but we could only count lower numbers. At least, two skuas showed up, one was identified as an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove), the other was too far away to decide wether it was a Pomarine or Arctic Skua (Mellem eller Almindelig Kjove). To cheer us up a Lapland Bunting (Lapværling) flew by. I also enjoyed some migrating Western Jackdaws (Allike) and Hooded Crows (Gråkråge).

Bundled up Luis at the count to withstand the cold (photo: Sarah Partridge)

Meanwhile, the ringing team had a busy day with 56 caught birds in total. A special surprise during the first round and definitely today's favourite was a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin)! Especially adorable are the green and violet iridescent feathers on the back that are hardly ever visible in the field, even more as Jack Snipes are very secretive and elusive birds that rely on perfect camouflage during the day rest.

Mio at the mist nets with a freshly extracted Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) (photo: Laura Tamminen)

Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) after ringing (photo: Mio Brix)

The wonderful back plumage of a Jack Snipe (Enkeltbekkasin) (photo: Simon Christiansen)

The afternoon activities were mostly related to data entry, paperwork and walks around Grenen with again two Lapland Buntings (Lapværling) as well as a very confiding Razorbill (Alk) hunting just next to the beach.

Jule entering ringing data in the afternoon sun (photo: Sarah Partridge)

Razorbill (Alk) hunting close to the beach (photo: Luis Q. Langfeld)

As last night's attempts for catching birds were not successful, we try again tonight. Fingers crossed that we'll get to ring some more birds! We'll let you know.

Highlights from the observations:

Lapværling – 2

Ringing (Kabeltromlen):

Enkeltbekkasin – 1

Vindrossel – 1

Sangdrossel – 1

Jernspurv – 1

Blåmejse – 4

Musvit – 2

Gærdesmutte – 9

Rødhals – 6

Gråsisken (Lille) – 2

Dompap – 5

Kvækerfinke – 7

Rørspurv – 8

Gulspurv – 1

Fuglekonge – 6

Gransanger – 2

Total: 56

Link to todays observations in the Dofbasen from observers in the area.

People: Jule Tappe, Mio Brix, Laura Tamminen, Luis Q. Langfeld, Sarah Partridge, Simon S. Christiansen, Páll Vang Kjærbo