Yesterday's Perleugle, Sprawks in black and white and a Swedish control

For anyone who missed the update on yesterday's blog - we did a second Tengmalm's Owl (Perleugle) last night. This bird had flight feathers of all the same age so it is a bird hatched this year.

 

 Tengmalms Owl Age 3 (Perleugle 1k)

 

 

After 5 hours trying for owls last night, with one caught and a second bird seen on a hawthorn bush close to nets, it was a very cold morning as we both found out when we dropped the nets before dawn. A bit later as we did our first round, it was to what sounded like a fanfare played on toy trumpets, by players who really needed some practice. From the repeated, monotone call, we knew that a small flock of Northern Bullfinch (Stor Dompap) were moving through the site. As well as being larger in size than either of the two species found in Denmark or the UK, they also have a louder and quite distinctive call. Four individuals were captured throughout the morning, all being first year (1k) birds.

 Northern Bullfinch juvenile male (Stor Dompap 1k han)

 Northern Bullfinch juvenile female (Stor Dompap 1k hun)

The Sparrowhawks (Spurvehøg) juveniles we are seeing now include a morph different to the rufous ones seen in September and October.

 Juvenile female Sparrowhawk (1k hun Spurvehøg) with black and white colouration.

 Rufous colouration on two different individuals for comparison.

There were a lot of recaptures today, one being TM4755, a Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) with a Swedish ring.

Flocks were again seen heading for the tip intent on making the crossing. A large flock of Barnacle Geese (Bramgås) were feeding on the beet field just north of the observatory at the end of the day. There is rain forecast for the next two days so we shall wait to see whether ringing is possible.

Good birding.
Denise

Totals:  37 ( 29 )

Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk - 2

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 1
Jernspurv / Dunnock - 1
Rødhals / Robin - 3(6)
Solsort / Blackbird - 2 (3)
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush -0
Munk / Blackcap - 0 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 5  (15)

Rødtoppet - Fuglekonge / Firecrest - 0 (1)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1 (1)
Musvit / Great Tit - 4 (2)
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1
Grønsisken /Siskin - 11

Lille Gråsisken / Lesser Redpoll -2

Stor Dompap / Northern Bullfinch - 4

Signing off

Last night we attempted to catch some Owls and were again successful. 2 Long-eared Owls and 1 Tengmalm's Owl making it a total of 7 Long-eared and 12 Tengmalm's for the year. The latter is a new season record.

Record breakers; Jesper and Craig happy with the 12th new Tengmalm's for the season. Photo Ragnar Smith.

Tengmalm's Owl - Craig Brookes

Long-eared Owl female - Craig Brookes

This morning marked the last standardised ringing session of the year here at Gedser. It was been a great autumn and up to now we have caught over 11,500 since August. Combined with the spring total we have ringed almost 16,000 birds here at Gedser this year with is looking like our 3rd best year ever. There have been many highlights throughout the ringing season and maybe people have worked hard to achieve such a great volume of data. Thanks on behalf of Gedser Fuglestation to all whom have been involved. Particular efforts by Jesper Brinkman, Anders Nielsen, Heidi Vibe, Heather McGinty, Henrik Jørgensen, Rune Tjørnløv and myself should be noticed. We also had help from many great people along the was which we are always grateful for. Hans Lind, Benny Steinmejer and Gert Jeppesen in particular.



Today we ringed only 15 new birds a few Goldfinch and Chaffinches were the highlights.

Sightings today were limited but 3 late Barn Swallows were noted, 60 Common Scoter plus 1 Velvet, 7 Wigeon, 5 Red-throated diver, 1 Black-throated, some Goldeneye also. Ca50 Waxwings rested in the garden and the lingering Kestrel was present.

Tonight we will try for Owls again, fueled by a hearty meal provided kindly by Louis Hansen; thanks Louis!!

Photos: Ragnar Smith and Craig Brookes
Blog: Craig Brookes

The wait is over

This morning the nets were erected well before first light, as dawn broke on the peninsular it was clear there was not many birds around; not suprising really as the weather last night would have aided migration.

It was a slow morning then with only 22 New birds.

3 Goldcrest (regulus regulus)
3 Chiffchaff ( 2 Phylloscopus Colybita, 1 P. Abietinus)
3 Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
2 Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
7 Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
2 Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
1 Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
1 Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

In the evening I set the nets for Owls; not really hoping for much as the wind was gaining speed and the mist rolling in. However at 9pm I checked the nets and sat there was a Tengmalm's Owl - (Aegolius funereus). This bird represents only the second record for this species this Autumn in Denmark, however I believe there are many more out there to be found. Currently in Sweden a large invasion is underway, the origins of these birds from Norway, Northern Sweden and possibly Finland or even Russia. They're great birds to see however so keep looking.

Other bird watching highlights today included 11 Red-throated divers, 6+ Rough-legged buzzards, 4 Ravens, 25 Twite and a juvenile Kittiwake with the "local" Common Gulls.

Posted by Craig Brookes