Passing in their thousands

Today the three regular ringers were joined by Hans, and Lazlo who hopes to volunteer at the fuglestation in the future. We were still mindful of the possibility of Blue Tits (Blåmejse) so did not use the double height nets, but there were none - perhaps they won't stop off here at all.

It was a fairly busy day with a mix of species and Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) on the increase.
Just as we were closing after our standard hours, a Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) was heard. A few nets were left open and a tape tried but it wasn't caught. There was also a Great Grey Shrike (Stor tornskade) that was seen in the hedgerow by the field, in the morning, briefly but could not be relocated.

We spent a few hours at the tip,with Craig, where thousands of ducks and geese were streaming past.

Eiders (Ederfugle)

 

Brent Geese (Knortegås)

Cranes (Trane)

Barnacle Geese (Bramgås)

While Craig continued to count the migrating birds, Chris and I went back to open a few nets. We had some success from the field nets with captures of Swallow (Landsvale), Meadow Pipit (Engpiber) and a single White Wagtail (Hvid Vipstjert).

Juvenile Swallow /Landsvale

The total for the day came to just over the 200 mark.

Here is a link for a new report on the East Atlantic flyway and the Wadden Sea. It makes for rather depressing reading.

http://www.rijkewaddenzee.nl/nieuws/nieuws/waddenzee-zwakke-schakel-in-internationale-route-van-trekvogels

Denise

Totals: 208 (9)

Landsvale / Swallow -11
Engpiber / Meadow Pipit - 4
Hvid Vipstjert / White Wagtail - 1 

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 12
Jernspurv / Dunnock - 8
Rødhals / Robin -72 (4)
Solsort / Blackbird - 1
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 11 (1)
Vindrossel / Redwing - 1
Munk / Blackcap -13 (1)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 22 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest -42 (2)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit -1
Musvit / Great Tit - 3
Grønirisk / Greenfinch - 3

Stillits / Goldfinch - 1

Rørspurv / Reed Bunting -2

22 species today

It was very cold first thing and the lunar eclipse had not quite finished. All the nets were very damp due fog that was not quite gone by our first round. It seemed that a lot of the Robins (Rødhals) had moved on over night. We still haven't had the large numbers of Blue Tits (Blåmejse) that reports from further up the coast seemed to indicate would be with us any day so the birds have either flown straight over, or are resting somewhere between Falsterbo and Gedser. We continue to work in the knowledge that we must be prepared for a sudden rush of them, (usually at around 9.30am) as they usually drop in to the observatory garden, it being the last area of trees and shrubs before birds make the hop over to Germany.

It didn't seem very busy but we had ringed nearly 150 birds before midday.

 Redwing (Vindrossel)

 Chiffchaff (Gransanger) with Swedish ring

 Juvenile male Reed Bunting (Rørspurv - han)

Pied Flycatcher ( Broget Fluesnapper)

In the afternoon we tried for some other species in the field nets, catching some Meadow Pipits (Engpiber) and some White Wagtails (Hvid Vipstjert).

Meadow Pipit (Engpiber)

After dark we set the Sparrowhawk nets and played for Tengmalms Owl ( Perleugle) and although we did not  catch our target species we did get a Long-eared Owl (Skovhornugle), a new species for me. 

 Long-eared Owl (Skovhornugle - hun) first year female

Denise

Totals: 176 (22)

Skovhornugle/ Long-eared Owl- 1
Engpiber / Meadow Pipit -14
Hvid Vipstjert / White Wagtail - 3

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 14 (1) 

Jernspurv / Dunnock - 7

Rødhals / Robin -68 (15)

Sangdrossel / Song Thrush -4
Vindrossel / Redwing - 1
Rørsanger / Reed Warbler - 1
Tornsanger - 1

Munk / Blackcap -18 (2)

Gransanger / Chiffchaff -24 (2)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 10 (2)
Broget Fluesnapper / Pied Flycatcher - 1

Blåmejse / Blue Tit -3
Musvit / Great Tit - 1
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1

Grønirisk / Greenfinch -1
Tornirisk / Linnet - 1

Rørspurv / Reed Bunting - 1

Robins come for Gedser's open day.

Today was the day when the station had an open day. We were expecting some 200 visitors but were also on alert for Blue Tits (Blåmejse). But, on going out for the first round it was clear that there were a great deal of Robins (Rødhals) about. We closed a couple of nets on the first round, then set about organising the birds by size and extraction time as we began to process birds. We had extra help with extracting from local ringers who were there to show birds to the public.

The vast majority of birds were Robins with only two Blue Tits. There were few Sparrowhawk (Spurvehøg) in the garden and only one light rufous phase individual was caught.

 Sparrowhawk (Spurvehg) first year male, rufous phase.

There was a very good spread of species including some Song Thrush (Sangdrossel), a Reed Bunting (Rørspurve) and Reed Warbler (Rørsanger).

Reed Warbler (Rørsanger)

By the time the event closed at 1pm the birds had lessened a little and all nets were closed but the wind died right down at the end of the day, encouraging us to drop some nets again and try for hirundines and pipits in the field. Our final total was quite impressive with a lot of Robins. There were still lots, unringed, in the garden at the end of the day so tomorrow we expect to be busy again, and we're still on Blue Tit alert!

Open day at Gedser

Denise

Totals: 387 (8)

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk - 1
Landsvale / Swallow - 16
Bysvale / Housemartin - 1
Skovpiber / Tree Pipit - 1
Engpiber / Meadow Pipit - 2

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 19 

Jernspurv / Dunnock - 4

Rødhals / Robin - 265 (2)

Solsort / Blackbird - 1 (1)

Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 12
Rørsanger / Reed Warbler - 1

Munk / Blackcap -10 (2)

Gransanger / Chiffchaff -32 (3)

Løvsanger / Willow Warbler- 1

Blåmejse / Blue Tit -12

Grønirisk / Greenfinch -1
Tornirisk / Linnet - 2

Rørspurv / Reed Bunting - 1

26th September

Migration was very much in evidence today in the garden. We took a first round with the number of Wrens (Gærdesmutte) creeping out of single figures then, later in the morning we received a 'Blue Tit (Blåmejse) alert' as 30 had been seen to drop into the garden and flocks had been moving overhead. Where we usually ring, both of these species is treated as sedentary with no birds leaving the United Kingdom. Here it's a different matter altogether.

 Wren (Gærdesmutte)

Wrens are night migrants and some birds rest in the garden before taking a nocturnal flight across the sea. Blue Tits regularly migrate but are eruptive in some years. Unlike many other birds, they are not scared away by sudden or loud noises - they will in fact dive for cover in response to noise, so no loud noises if large flocks are passing above. 

   Blue Tit (Blåmejse)

There was also a small influx of Blackbirds (Solsort) and today's were the first newly ringed birds since August. We caught our first Redpoll (Gråsiskin) and after three Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) yesterday, we got another this morning.

Male Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge - han)

Denise

Totals: 151 (9)

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 15 

Jernspurv / Dunnock - 12

Rødhals / Robin - 26 (3)

Rødstjert / Redstart -2

Solsort / Blackbird - 2 (2)

Sangdrossel / Sond Thrush -1

Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat -1
Havesanger / Garden Warbler - 2

Munk / Blackcap -12 (2)

Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 45 

Løvsanger / Willow Warbler- 5

Rødtoppet Fuglekonge / Firecrest -1

Blåmejse / Blue Tit -15 (2)

Musvit / Great Tit - 2

Bogfinke / Chaffinch -3

Grønirisk / Greenfinch - 5
Lille Gråsiskin / Lesser Redpoll - 1

Rørspurv / Reed Bunting - 1

25th September

Numbers were up again today. Chiffchaffs are pushing on now in good numbers, we have had the first of the migrating Blue Tits and new Robins continue to appear.

Three Firecrest were a most welcome addition to the list, as was the first Whinchat of the year.

 Juvenile male and female  Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge)

 Juvenile Whinchat (Bynkefugel)

Denise

Totals: 130 (20)

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk - 1

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 2 (1)

Jernspurv / Dunnock - 6 (1)

Rødhals / Robin - 20 (11)

Rødstjert / Redstart - 1

Bynkefugl / Whinchat - 1

Solsort / Blackbird - 0 (1)

Sangdrossel / Sond Thrush - 5

Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 2

Munk / Blackcap - 5 (1)

Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 54 (3)

Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 0 (1)

Rødtoppet Fuglekonge / Firecrest - 3

Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 23

Musvit / Great Tit - 1 (1)

Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 2

Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 2

Grønirisk / Greenfinch -1

Grønsisken / Siskin - 1

24th September

The birds continue their journey southwards despite this relentless wind that seems to shift from day to day and can make the nets too visible to the birds.
Lots of finches have been passing overhead these last few days and from the volume of calls at first light today, a large number of Chaffinch /Bogfinke chose to roost here last night.
Of course the the seven that were caught represented a tiny fraction of the number of this species passing through Gedser.

 Juvenile and adult male Chaffinch (Bogfinke)

 

 It seems that most of the Robins (Rødhals) that were here a few days ago have now moved on.

Juvenile male Linnet ( Tornirisk)

The record sheet had 12 species recorded, including a Whitethroat (Tornsanger), a species that we have not seen for quite a few days and also Linnet (Tornirisk). The Yellow-browed Warbler (Hvidbrynet Løvsanger) has not been relocated since its release yesterday morning.

We keep a check on the figures of birds coastal observatories along the migration route before Gedser. This is to inform us of when waves of birds are heading this way. There was a large catch at Falsterbo yesterday including rather a lot of Blue Tits. If they keep moving steadily, and rest here before the hop across the Baltic, it looks like Saturday could be a very big day for us.

Denise

Totals: 37 (13)

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 1
Jernspurv / Dunnock - 1
Rødhals / Robin - 5 (7)

Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 1
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Tornsanger / Whitethroat - 1
Munk / Blackcap - 1 (1)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 18 (3)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Musvit / Great Tit - 0 ( 1)

Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 7 

Tornirisk / Linnet - 1

Hvidbrynet Løvsanger / Yellow-browed Warbler at Gedser!

The weather seemed rather less windy than of late and although there didn't seem to be a great deal in the garden, the nets kept catching until early afternoon.
We  processed 127 new birds and 40 recaptures.

Bird of the day was a juvenile Hvidbrynet Løvsanger / Yellow-browed Warbler!

Phylloscopus inornatus, 1st calendar year. Gedser Odde 23rd September 2015. © Denise Lamsdell

Phylloscopus inornatus, 1st calendar year. Gedser Odde 23rd September 2015. © Denise Lamsdell

Phylloscopus inornatus, 1st calendar year. Gedser Odde 23rd September 2015. © Denise Lamsdell

Denise

Totals: 127 (40)

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk - 1
Engpiber / Meadow Pipit - 4
Gærdesmutte / Wren -3 (1)
Jernspurv / Dunnock -6 (1)
Rødhals / Robin - 51 (26)
Rødstjert / Redstart - 3 (1)
Solsort / Blackbird - 1 (1)
Sangdrossel - Song Thrush - 4 
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat -3 (4)
Munk / Blackcap -2 (1)
Hvidbrynet Løvsanger / Yellow-browed Warbler - 1
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -32 (2)
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler -3
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 2 (2)
Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher -2
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 4
Musvit / Great Tit - 1(1)
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1
Grønsiskin / Siskin - 1 
Gulspurv / Yellowhammer - 1

Migration was certainly hotting up this morning with birds passing over in good numbers. High flyers today included the first 2 Kernebider (Hawfinch) of the season. Bjergvipstjert (Grey Wagtail), 18 Gråsisken (Redpoll), flocks of Grønirisk (Greenfinch), Bogfinke (Chaffinch) and Grønsisken (Siskin) were over during the morning too. Two Rørhøg (Marsh Harrier) were about but not migrating and the Ravn (Raven) of recent days continues to croak at varying intervals.

Some flocks of Pibeand (Wigeon) were also migrating straight over the garden today, so it is fair to say passage at the tip would have been nice.

A lull in the garden

A much quieter session this morning with a brief cessation in operations due to a shower that forced us to take a pause from ringing until nets could be opened again.

The Robins (Rødhals) still made up the bulk of birds processed.

The observatory garden is a magnet to migrants due to the diversity of fruiting shrubs and trees that provide such excellent cover and feeding opportunities. There are plenty of hips, haws, fruit and seeds attractive to migrating birds. Small insects are also abundant for the insectivorous visitors.

Denise

 A well sheltered net ride.

Totals: 50 (11)
Spurvehog / Sparrowhawk - 1
Gærdesmutte / Wren - 2
Jernspurv / Dunnock - 2
Rødhals / Robin - 37 (11)
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -5
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Broget Fluesnapper / Pied Flycatcher - 1

The Robins arrive.

For the first time in days it was relatively calm when we went out to set the nets. We knew there had been a considerable arrival as some birds were disturbed as we walked around and put the nets up, and by the amount of ticking from the garden as we set off for the first round.

There had clearly been an arrival of Robins (Rødhals) with a few Song Thrush (Sangdrossel) and some other  migrant passerines too. One Robin already had a ring issued by the Swedish ringing scheme.

 1k Rødhals / Robin carrying a Riksmuseet, Stockholm ring

 (Gransanger) and the Robins just kept appearing in the nets. The number of birds didn't decrease as sharply, as usual, after the first couple of rounds and we continued to extract birds, of a good number of species, into the early afternoon.

1k  Husrødstjert / Black Redstart

We had few recaptures but a Gulspurv / Yellowhammer was the first that we've caught at this site.

 1k Gulspurv / Yellowhammer

Totals: 251 (10)

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk -2
Tårnfalk / Kestrel - 1
Engpiber / Meadow Pipit - 3
Gærdesmutte / Wren -5 (1)
Jernspurv / Dunnock -16
Rødhals / Robin - 127 (1)
Husrødstjert / Black Redstart - 1
Rødstjert / Redstart - 2 (1)
Solsort / Blackbird - 0 (2)
Sangdrossel - Song Thrush - 7 
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat -3 (1)
Munk / Blackcap -7
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -62
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler - 1
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 5 (1)
Broget Fluesnapper / Pied Flycatcher - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit -2
Musvit / Great Tit - 0 (1)
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 0 (1)
Grønsiskin / Siskin - 1 
Rørspurv / Reed Bunting -1
Gulspurv / Yellowhammer - 0 (1)

Resting Rosenstær. 20/09/2015

We were up early to set the nets, as usual, but were stopped in our tracks by the sound of rain pounding on the windows. A swift check of the weather forecast informed us that there had been another change and heavy showers would be rolling through the area for the next three hours.

After an extra couple of hours sleep we were up checking the weather again. It was much windier than had been predicted, but we dropped nets in the sheltered areas and were up and running by 9am. It was immediately apparent that our good spell for birds was short lived and many had cleared out, probably before the rain in the night. The wind was problematic so we continued until 12.30pm then closed. After yesterday's session the total seemed very low.

Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)

Totals:  23 (4)

Spurvehog / Sparrowhawk - 2
Jernsperv / Dunnock - 3
Rødhals / Robin - 1
Rødstejrt  / Redstart - 3 (1)
Munk / Blackcap - 1 (1)
Sydlig Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 12
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler - 1
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Musvit / Great Tit - 0 (1)

Out on the tip briefly in the afternoon (Observer day totals added for some species):

Sort Glente / Black Kite one resting
Lærkefalk / Hobby 1
Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk 410
Rørhøg / Marsh Harrier 35
Fiskeørn / Osprey 3
Mursejle / Swift 5
Steppehøg / Pallid Harrier 1 Juvenile resting and one juvenile Migrating
Blå Kærhøg / Hen Harrier 2
Dværgfalk / Merlin 3
Almindelig Kjove / Arctic Skua 1 resting, 1 migrated
Aftenfalk / Red-footed Falcon 1 juvenile giving amazing view before migrating 14:58.
Hvepsevåge / Honey Buzzard 10 migrated, 1 resting
Rød Glente / Red Kite 3 resting
ROSENSTÆR / Rose-coloured Starling 1 Juvenile picked up late afternoon resting with small flock of Stær / Starlings.

To sum up, that's 17 species of Raptor in the weekend.

White-tailed Sea Eagle (Havørn)

Fiskeørn / Osprey
Hvepsevåge / Honey Buzzard
Musvåge / Buzzard
Fjeldvåge / Rough-legged Buzzard
Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk
Dværgfalk / Merlin
Lærkefalk / Hobby
Aftenfalk / Red-footed Falcon
Eleonorafalk / Eleonora's Falcon
Vanderfalk / Peregrine
Tårnfalk / Kestrel
Rød Glente / Red Kite
Sort Glente / Black Kite
Bla Kærhøg / Hen Harrier
Steppehøg / Pallid Harrier
Havørn / White-tailed eagle
Rørhøg / Marsh Harrier 

Autumn in Gedser is certainly shaping up to be a memorable one.

Fantastiske observationer på odde - Eleonorafalk

Those of you whom have regularly read the blog for the observatory, or followed the fuglestation's sightings over the years, will know that Gedser can be a place of magnificent birding; today was such a day.

Having been held back and blocked from migrating for a number of days by unfavourable conditions, last night the wind ebbed and swung northwesterly pushing migrants through the night towards their wintering grounds. We knew we would be in for a decent morning as the nets went up in the dark and robins ticked and flitted around the lamp beams.

Throughout the day 159 new birds were ringed, the highest day so far, in this (a quiet) autumn season!

Rødhals (Robin), Erithacus rubecula, 1st calendar year ­©Denise Lamsdell

Rødstjert (Redstart), Phoenicurus phoenicurus. 1st calendar year male ­©Denise Lamsdell

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk 6
Skovpiber / Tree Pipit 1
Gærdesmutte / Wren 1
Jernspurv / Dunnock 20
Rødhals / Robin 33
Rødstjert / Redstart 23
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush 2
Gulbug / Icterine Warbler 1
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat 5
Havesanger / Garden Warbler 1
Munk / Blackcap 5
Gransanger / Chiffchaff 38
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler 10
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest 1
Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher 3
Broget Fluesnapper / Pied Flycatcher 3
Blåmejse / Blue Tit 2
Bogfinke / Chaffinch 4

With a brisk northwesterly wind throughout the morning, passerines and raptors spilled over the garden with big pushes from Bogfinke (Chaffinch), Grønsisken (Siskin) and Vispjert Sp.& Piber Sp. (Wagtails and pipits); at least 2 rødstrubbet piber (Red-throated Pipit)  were around the garden during the standardised time slot. Spurvehøg and Tårnfalk (Sparrowhawk and Kestrel) passed in good numbers with over 400 Sparrowhawks throughout the day and nearly 100 migrating Kestrels, simply incredible! Nothing hugely rare, but great numbers of common migrants!

At around 09:40 a text received to the station phone alerted us to a mega from the tip, lucky observers out there, including many regulars had connected with an ELEONORAFALK (Eleonora's Falcon) migrating steadily south! This time the bird was too distant for photographs to be taken, however click here  for pictures of the previous Eleonorafalk in Gedser. This record represents only the 4th or 5th of this species in Denmark though it is the second for Gedser!!!

After such excitement the day couldn't really be bettered, but a fantastic show of migration by many species was a sight to behold. The highlights of the supporting cast (according to observers notes) were as follows:

Aftenfalk / Red-footed Falcon 1 Juvenile
Lærkefalk / Hobby 6
Dværgfalk / Merlin 3
Tårnfalk / Kestrel 90 A Great single day count for Gedser
Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk 420 A Great single day count for Gedser
Hvepsevåge / Honey Buzzard 30
Musvåge / Common Buzzard 20
Fjeldvåge / Rough-legged Buzzard 1+
Fiskeørn / Osprey 3
Blå Kærhøg / Hen Harrier 2 Adult female migrating, male resting
Steppehøg / Pallid Harrier 1 Juvenile
Rød Glente / Red Kite 1 Resting
Havørn / White-tailed Eagle 1 Resting
Landsvale / Swallow  20'000+ migrating across a broad front for most of the afternoon. Birds could be heard and not seen, simpy impossible to number very accruately given the spectacle of all other birds throughout the day.
Red-throated Pipit 5
Rock Pipit 5
Mursejle / Swift 10 (Notable for lateness)
Småspove / Whimbrel 2
Teiste / Black Guillemot 1 Juvenile
Gråsisken / Redpoll 2 (First of the autumn)
Grønsisken / Siskin 500+
Almindelig Kjove / Arctic Skua 2
Lille Kjove / Long-tailed Skua 1 Juvenile 18:18 in the evening, the last bird in the notebook from today.

The forecast for tomorrow could mean we're in for some more fantastic migration, hopefully so, check back then to see.

Craig

Little in the nets with raptors overhead.

Very windy again today forcing a limited meterage of 79 meters. We stayed open all morning but only processed eight birds, two of which were retrapped.

One of the female Sparrowhawks (Spurvehog) was in its second year.

 2k female Sparrowhawk (Spurvehog) with primary moult, retained secondaries and tail feathers.

With such a low count for the garden, we had to look slightly further afield for some birds in the afternoon. We started at the tip where there was little happening on the sea, but some raptors were turning up, including two Peregrine (Vanderfalk) and a Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk), although several did not actually set off across the sea.

 Marsh Harrier (Rørhog) quartering the sugarbeet field at the tip.

We went into Gedser for a few groceries and checked the surrounding fields on our way back seeing several Sparrowhawk (Spervehog) and Kestrel (Tårnfalk), three Honey Buzzards (Hvespsevåge) and two Osprey (Fiskeørn) travelling towards the tip as well as a resting Wheatear (Stenpikker).

Osprey (Fiskeørn)

 

Wheatear (Stenpikker)

This is our lowest total for some time. Catching conditions have to improve soon.

Denise

Totals: 6 (2)

Spurvehog / Sparrowhawk - 3 (1)

Rødhals / Robin - 0 (1)

Sangdrossel / SongThrush 2

Munk / Blackcap - 1

A waiting game

The wind speed increased today and there were some early showers of rain too,but we still managed to get a full session in.

There were even fewer captures than yesterday, but we did net a couple of Siskin (Grønsiskin).

 Female and Male juvenile Siskin ((Grønsiskin).

There was also a single new Willow Warbler (Løvsanger).

Willow Warbler (Løvsanger).

There seemed little point in keeping nets open all day in these conditions so we took the chance to do a few chores around the house and observatory garden (as we are expecting to be rather busy very soon).
The weather has been inclement for the past few days and forecasts keep changing, but the weekend is looking a little more promising with Monday having potential to be a big day with minimal wind and a sharp drop in temperature over night. We shall wait and see what happens.

Denise

Totals: 10 (11)

Spervehog / Sparrowhawk - 4 (1)
Gærdesmutte / Wren - 1
Rødhals / Robin - 1 (3)
Solsort / Blackbird 0 (1)
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 0 (3)
Munk - 0 (2)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -  0 (1)
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler - 1
Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Grønsiskin / Siskin - 2

They'll be here any day now.

Another disappointing day due to windy conditions. There are few birds in the garden and birds are still flying over the station, and in many cases, straight out to sea.

 1k Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)

 1k Treecreeper (Træløber)

We caught our first Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) and Treecreeper (Træløber) of the season and a few more Sparrowhawks, that pleased Craig as wing shape and primary length data of these birds form the basis of his dissertation.

A Long-eared Owl (Skovhornugle) was heard calling in the station garden in the afternoon.

So, still no large numbers of migrants in the garden, but they have to pass through and it will be any day now.

Denise

Totals: 17 (15)

Spervehog / Sparrowhawk -5
Skovpiber - 1
Rødhals / Robin - 0 (3)
Jernspurv / Dunnock - 1
Rødstejrt / Redstart - 0 (2)
Sangdrossel - 1
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Tornsanger / Whitethroat - 1 (3)
Havesanger - 0 (2)
Munk - 0 (3)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -  2
Løvsanger / Willow Warbler - 2
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 0 (1)
Musvit /Great Tit- 1
Træløber / Treecreeper - 1

It's only a matter of time.....

A very windy day, the windiest since we arrived. Some nets had to stay furled but we still managed to meet the criteria for standard.

It was very slow going, so slow in fact that Craig decided to 'just fix the bottom line' on one of the nets because 'it won't take long'. I had to leave them to it and four rounds later it was finally fixed.

There were three first year male Sparrowhawks today.

 

Two of the first year Sparrowhawks (Spervehog) caught this morning.

 We had quite a few retraps and some flycatchers, all caught in the bottom shelf as the birds kept very low in the blustery conditions.

 Our first Red-breasted Flycatcher (Lille Fluesnapper) of the season.

The current weather system is blocking many migrants from progressing southwards. It's only a matter of time before they can get moving and much larger numbers of birds start arriving in the observatory garden.

Denise

Totals: 11 (7)

Spervehog / Sparrowhawk - 3
Rødhals / Robin - 3 (1)
Rørsanger / Reed Warbler - 1
Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat - 0(1)
Tornsanger / Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff -  1 (2)
Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Lille Fluesnapper / Red-breasted Flycatcher - 1
Broget Fluesnapper / Pied Flycatcher - 1
Musvit /Great Tit- 0 (2)