The surge after the storm.

This morning, again, rain greeted the dawn and any hope of a nice day ringing were swiped from my head. Never one to miss an opportunity, I returned to bed for an hour or two. It was around 8am when the dry conditions and a cacophony of bird calls roused me from my morning daze, Redstarts chacking, a Red-breasted Flycatcher ticking and continuing the theme of red (through no fault of my own) a Red-throated pipit called as it flew over the lighthouse. A quick check of the phone confirmed Louis was at the tip and had already had a Red-throated Pipit migrate an hour before. Great, a second bird. Anyway, I hurriedly opened a few nets unsure about the catch or the weather I kept it low-key. 10 nets were opened. I returned to the house,noting that there were 'many' Willow Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher's in the garden.

I only had the nets open for 4 hours and in that time I managed 101 new birds. Very impressive given the little effort and late start. Birds just kept entering the garden and thus, the nets; it is also worth mentioning that given more effort I could have continued to catch birds throughout the day, but the tip was calling, migration was in full flow!

Ringing totals

Willow Warbler 50
Redstart 20
Lesser Whitethroat 11
Pied Flycatcher 8
Whitethriat 3
Garden Warbler 3
Robin 2
Blackcap 1
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Linnet 2

Gert was working on the Ringing shed briefly today but also decided he would take some birding at the tip after his recent efforts in the house. Louis' enthusiasm from the point was just too much to ignore. We rushed into Gedser to shop, picked up some bits and bobs, cakes and other bird station essentials and headed for the point. On arrival, Louis pointed my scope into the sky and said, "Here, young man, 66 Honey Buzzards and rising" I was awestruck, never before have I seen such numbers! Me and Gert settled down alongside Louis and watched and counted as hundreds of Honey Buzzards migrated across the Baltic.


In my notebook went 330 Honey Buzzards but Louis had been counting all day, reaching a final sum of 990 Honey Buzzard. A new day record for Gedser, nice!  We joined Louis at 14:00 and I stayed with him until 18:30 or so, Gert left a little earlier. A few rain showers passed by and again the visibility fluctuated from > 50km down to just 1 or 2 in the dense rain/mist. Below is a brief summary of Louis' highlights and my observations mixed together....

Migrant highlights (By Louis) today included

Common Scoter 2305
Pintail 305
Wigeon 465
Little Gull 42
Black Tern 14
Osprey 8
RED-THROATED PIPIT 2
Arctic Skua 24
Long-tailed Skua 6
Yellow Wagtail 970
Tree Pipit 117

Other migrants in less impressive numbers (Relatively speaking and from my notebook)
Teal 7
Dunlin 9
Common Tern 44
Eider 288
Marsh Harrier 1
Oystercatcher 30
Arctic Tern 2
Commic tern (Common/Arctic) 28
Unidentified Arctic or Long-tailed Skua 8
Unidentified large dabbling ducks 70
Tufted Duck 4
Velvet Scoter 2
Ringed Plover 2

Resting birds (in my book) were

Golden Plover 160
Red-breasted Flycatcher 2 (1 at tip, 1 in Garden)
Oystercatcher 4
Merlin 1
Honey Buzzard 1
Sparrowhawk 3
Kestrel 1
Hen Harrier 1 (very pale ring-tail)
Goldeneye 3
Black-throated Diver (adult in summer plumage)
Red-necked Grebe Juvenile.
Yellow Wagtail c400 (Inc. 1 thunbergi )
Gannet 1 4k+
Siskin 30
Eider 70
Wheatear 4
Red-throated pipit 2 (along with the aforementioned 2 which migrated bringing the day sum to 4)
There were also 80+ Willow Warbler in the garden today, 30+ Redstarts, Firecrest (presumably the moulting female), 30 Tree Pipits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Robins and a Thrush Nightingale.

Red-throated Pipit - Louis A. Hansen

After such a heavy migration in Falsterbo today, who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I know that today certainly had me buzzing, excuse the pun, it was intended.

Another memorable day in Gedser.

Blog: Craig Brookes

Photo: Louis A.Hansen.

 

A nice mix.

An attempt last night to catch Owls was ended at 2.30 this morning, the wind had increased and low cloud had moved in. We ended with the one Long-eared which featured in yesterday's blog.

This morning the fog was still lingering at dawn as the nets were checked. It seemed a few birds had been grounded in this weather. Song Thrushes, Redwings and Robins mainly. The ringing today was steady with 40 birds caught. Highlights were a late Blackcap, Bullfinches, a Dunnock and a Waxwing. A few Siskins also respond to the tape lures and were nice to catch.

Siskin 1cy male - Carduelis spinus - Craig Brookes

Bullfinches Adult Female (Left) Juvenile Female (Right)- Pyrrhula pyrrhula - Asbjørn Jensen

Birds seen today included Kestrel, a Serin (which turned and returned inland), 55 Waxwings migrating, whilst a Woodpigeon, Skylark, White wagtail and 3 Black Redstarts rested along the coast, the Black reds being in the Harbour at Gedser.

Jesper was interviewed this morning by P4 Radio and this will appear soon on air.

Photos : Craig Brookes and Asbjørn Jensen
Blog: Craig Brookes

A fantastic day!

I was very glad to be able to open some nets this morning, sitting here alone in bad weather is never any fun! So, with nets set I returned to the warm house wondering what today may deliver? First net round quiet only 7 birds, better than nothing though and 2 of them were very large Blackbirds; always nice to catch them. I also heard a Firecrest briefly. Next round, sure enough the Firecrest was sat in a net near where I had heard him previously. Throughout the morning only 31 birds were ringed in total but it was a very enjoyable day, migration was fairly steady overhead with some nice species mixed in and the ringing very relaxed. Totals as follows: Waxwing 2, Wren 1, Robin 2, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Goldcrest 1, Firecrest 1, Coal Tit 1, Blue Tit 7, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 5, Greenfinch 1 and Bullfinch 2. A really good spread of species!

Firecrest - 1cy Male

At around 11 I saw a large flock of Waxwings circling near to one of the high-nets which was closed due to wind. I put it up however and watched. Within 2 minutes a couple of these stunning birds had jumped into the net.

Waxwing - 1cy Male

Migrants today were mainly finches and buntings. Chaffinch/Bramblings numbered 700+ , Greenfinch 30, Goldfinch 25, Siskin 30, Woodlark 3, Waxwing 17, Yellowhammer 20, Reed Bunting 1 and Blue tit 40. A single Parrot Crossbill returned Northwest before 8am.

Grounded migrants - Kestrel, Buzzard, Red Kite, Mute Swan, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5 Coal Tit, 7 Goldcrest, 24 Woodpigeon, 106 Woodpigeon. 180 Waxwing roamed around the lighthouse garden and a further 800+ Waxwings rested in the town centre at Gedser.

Photos and Blog: Craig Brookes

Back to it

Last nights owling attempts failed to be brief, a Tengmalm's Owl was heard in the nearby area though.

This morning there seemed to be a few birds around, maybe they'd dropped in at night or maybe just roosted last evening, either way they were in good number and good voice.

39 New birds were caught today. Siskin being the most common with 20 caught. Also Redpoll, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Robin, Dunnock, Redwing, Fieldfare and Northern Bullfinch.

There was a heavy passage of Brambling and Siskin first thing this morning, this had ebbed to nothing at midday. I went to bed in anticipation of another night Owling. Here's hoping...

Craig Brookes

Birdless

Again the title sums it up. The garden was empty today. A walk round pre dawn proved the pesky wind too much with promise to get stronger, the nets weren't put up. I got some nets up in the afternoon but it proved my thoughts, the hedges were empty. On the sea a nice passage of Eider and Common Scoter along with a few Red-Breasted Mergansers. The wind is forecast to ebb a little in the next day or 2 and hopefully some Owls can be caught this weekend too.

Craig Brookes

A Little late

I woke late this morning having slept right through all of my alarms - Quite impressive. The nets were set then and it was clear that not many birds were around. 22 birds were caught in total.

14 Robins, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Sightings again included Red Kites, Rough Legged Buzzards, Buzzards, a Kestrel, notably few Sparrowhawks, a few more Yellowhammers and Bullfinches. 2 Highlighs today include a Long-Eared Owl in the Garden and a flock of 14 Waxwings which I heard as they headed out over the sea and turned around due to bad conditions. I played the call of Waxwing and they did respond by landing in the tree directly next to the speaker but the net billowed in the wind and so the birds didn't fancy sitting in it.

Craig Brookes.

Emptiness

This morning (1st November) it was clear that overnight many birds had left Gedser and therefore Scandanavia for warmer climes. Whilst setting the nets only the resident Robin and a few Blue Tits were heard.

Throughout the I only managed to catch 12 new birds in 11 hours (Dawn until dusk). These were, 4 Robins, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Great Grey Shrike. A few recaptures were represented by a Robin, a Blackbird and some Goldcrests.

Lanius excubitor

"Only girls wear gloves."

The weather was great this afternoon and this lead to quite a good passage of raptors. At least 10 Common Buzzards "Braved it" to make the crossing as did a number of Rough-legged Buzzards and no fewer than 40 Sparrowhawks. Finches represented by 35+ Bullfinch, 200+ Chaffinch, 200+ Brambling, 800+ Siskin, 150+ Greenfinch, 50+ Redpoll and 20+ Goldfinches. Buntings represented by 2 Yellowhammer and a lone Reed Bunting.

I tried to catch Tengmalm's or Pygmy Owl in the evening/morning of the 2nd and failed. It at least seems there was some migration of passerines overnight though so the standardised ringing should be better.

Photo: Craig Brookes
Craig Brookes

30th October

67 New birds were ringed today (30th October).

15 Species which was quite nice.

16 Robin
13 Redpoll (flammea)
13 Goldcrest
5 Wren
3 Bullfinch
3 Sparrowhawk
2 Blue Tit
2 Great Tit
2 Blackbird
2 Fieldfare
2 Chaffinch
1 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
1 Dunnock
1 Coal Tit.

Sighting highlights: Peregrine falcon, 10 Common Crossbill, 80+ Mistle thrush, 4000+ Barnacle geese and 7 Bewick's Swans (Just before dusk.)

Craig Brookes

Misty morning

Last night we tried (unsuccessfully) for Owls. Unfortunately it was very misty and not so cold so I believe the Owls stayed put last night and certainly weren't interested in migrating.

This morning as I was clearing the nets of dew ready for the standardised to begin I could hear many birds in the hedges, Chiffchaffs, Robins, Song Thrushes, Wrens the usual then. Unusually I could also hear Yellowhammer and Bullfinches. I thought the morning would be a busy one.

In total 96 new birds were ringed today. 68 Robins, 9 Wrens, 9 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Brambling, 1 Redwing and one late Blackcap. Many thrushes circled the garden in the thick mist but failed to find any of the nets. Recaptures included a Bullfinch and a few Robins. It appears many birds left the safety of the garden in the early morning as they were not seen or heard since.

Migration highlights included. Bullfinch, Crossbill, Linnet and Yellowhammer - Literally nothing else was seen high up in the mist!

Craig Brookes

Busy evening

This morning it was too windy to open any nets. In the afternoon the wind died down and many nets were put up. Between 5 and 7pm 32 new birds were caught. Mainly these were Goldcrest, Robin and Wrens with a couple of Blackbirds and (Northern) Bullfinch. Singles of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Sparrowhawk were also caught. In the evening we tried for Owls. We will update on progress of this tomorrow.

Highlights included - Rough-Legged Buzzards, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawks, a Red Kite and a Long-Eared Owl. Many Bullfinches passed overhead this evening as did Yellowhammers.

Photo: Craig Brookes
Posted by: Craig Brookes

Too windy

Unfortunately no ringing took place this morning, as the wind was far too strong to safely catch any birds.

Only a scattering of birds around the lighthouse. Common species such as Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, at least 2 Sparrowhawks and not much else.

Gert arrived late morning to take his moth trap down for the winter, upon opening the trap he seemed a little disappointed with the lack of moths and the variation. Only common species were caught but a few unseasonal moths surprised Gert. The recent cold weather can not have helped with the amount of moths out and flying.

In the afternoon a Great grey shrike flew around the north hedgerows.Attempts were made to capture this bird but unfortunately I failed.

A quick sea-watch this evening produced little more than 100 Eider, 15 Common Gulls, 7 Common Scoter and around 50 Cormorants. A nice flock of 220 Barnacle geese fed nearby the lighthouse and occasionally lifted off the field.

In the evening Rune arrived and we attempted to catch Owls. After yesterday's success we hope to catch another Owl or two this evening. An update will follow tomorrow.

Craig Brookes