10 years without getting fired... and a yellow-browed warbler!

Sarah and I went to open the mist nets in Kabeltromlen this morning. Mio joined us for the second round, after accompanying Cora to the station, as she was leaving today (we will miss you, Cora! Hope I’ll run into you again sometime!). He came with Simon, who brought us a really nice cake to celebrate his 10th work anniversary (10 years without getting fired!).

 

Simon looking really happy with its cake (01/11/2026)

The ringing session was a bit slow today, but quite diverse. We caught some Blackbirds (Solsort) (one male had particularly stunning black plumage), a Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), numerous Bullfinches (Dompap)... and the highlight of the day: we were lucky enough to catch a Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger)!

Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) (01/11/2026)

The Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) is a rare species here in Skagen, and we have only caught one other individual this season. They breed across the eastern Palearctic and winter in South and Southeast Asia, from India to southeastern China. However, some individuals, especially juveniles, can become vagrants in western Europe, sometimes as a result of strong winds. This could have been the case with the Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) that found its way into our nets today. I had never seen one before, and although one might think 'it's just another warbler', you cannot help thinking about the long journey it has already made to end up here, and the even longer journey that still lies ahead before reaching its wintering grounds. I hope it makes it there safely.

A stunning adult male blackbird! (01/11/2026)

During ringing, we also saw some breathtaking flocks of Waxwings (Silkehale). They are quite common in Skagen, but that doesn't make them any less special. What a view!

Meanwhile, Louis was on migration count with our new volunteer, Rosie, who had arrived at the station the previous evening (welcome, Rosie!). Although the count was also a bit slow, flocks of Pink-footed Geese (Kortnæbbet Gås) and Long-tailed Ducks (Havlit) certainly spiced things up. Rosie had a great time experiencing her first migration count. We also need to take a moment to acknowledge Louis's great sacrifice for the group: while everyone else went to see the Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger), he stayed behind at the count with all the telescopes. Truly, a great sacrifice for a great cause.

After coming back from the field, Sarah and I changed the mist net in the lighthouse garden, hoping to catch some Waxwings (Silkehale). No luck today, but maybe we'll get them another day. We are also getting ready to catch Water Pipits (Bjergpiber) this week... stay tuned for news!

I think the evening meeting had the biggest turnout I've seen since I arrived the previous week. There were nine of us, including some new faces: our new intern, Lion; our new volunteer, Rosie; Youri, who also joined us for the last ringing rounds and will be staying for a week; and our new guest in the apartment, Jørgen Hulbæk Christiansen. Welcome, everyone!

Today's movie recommendation is 'Practical Magic'. Sarah, Rosie and I watched it yesterday as a little Halloween celebration. It's a goofy, completely unhinged movie, perfect if you feel like having a good laugh!

That's all for today's blog, hope you also had a great day reader!

 

 

 

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

People: Mio Brix, Simon Sigaard Sigaard Sigaard Sigaard Sigaard Christiansen, Sarah Partridge, Louis-Marie Gourmelon, Christina Liu, Rosie Berkin, Leon Pedersen, Youri Van der horst, Knud Pedersen og Jørgen Hulbæk