18-09-2013

We awoke to very heavy persistent rain which prevented us from opening the nets to conduct our standardised ringing session.

It was evident that many Robins had arrived over night which made it even more frustrating. Instead of returning to bed we decided to conduct a sea-watch for a short while from the living room window.

Seawatching from living room window by Hugh Hanmer

Once the heavy rain had weakened we ventured out to see if anything was in the bushes or moving off the tip. 

Although we are told this is a very quiet period we were amazed at what we saw moving off the tip.

A nice osprey just over head got the ball rolling and the following birds were recorded during our active efforts both off the tip and over the garden. (Moving south unless stated otherwise)

Diver Sp. 2
Black-throated Diver 1
Wigeon 145
Teal 5
Common Scoter 324
Eider 231
Shoveler 6
Osprey 2 (including the aforementioned individual)
Honey Buzzard 4
Buteo sp. 1
Kestrel 3
Sparrowhawk 9+
Hobby 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
White Wagtail 77
Flava Wagtail 13
Grey Wagtail 1
Meadwo Pipit 104
Tree Pipit 112
Swallow 1
House Martin 32
Spotted Flycatcher 3
Sanderling 4
Ringed Plover 17
Linnet 8
Siskin 486
Fringilla sp 531
Brambling 4+
Goldfinch 4
Redpoll sp 1
Tree Sparrow 11
Crossbill 4
Yellowhammer 1

We also noticed a freshly beached Harbour Porpoise which was sadly deceased but incredible to see up close in such a fresh condition, so fresh the eyes hadn't even been eaten! We dragged it up the beach in the hope it may attract scavenging gulls and skuas, as they say 'nothing ventured nothing gained'.

Harbour Porpoise by Jack Ashton-Booth

Close up of Harbour Porpoise by Jack Ashton-booth

Close Up Number 2 of Harbour Porpoise by Hugh Hanmer

In the evening we opened the nets to do a bit of non-standardised ringing. After catching a cracking 1K Icterine Warbler we turned our attentions to trying to catch Nightjars by tape luring them around the high nights. Unfortunately none were caught or seen for that matter but we shall persist given that it s a very good time for them indeed here in Gedser.

High net and Speaker for luring in Nightjar amongst other species. The very first Bee-eater to be ringed in Denmark was caught in this very net! Photo by Rael Butcher
 

1k Icterine Warbler ready for release having been ringed, photo by Rael Butcher

Other birds ringed or recaptured on the 18th included :

• Song Thrush 1
• Black Bird 1 + 2 retraps
• Lesser Whitethroat 2 retraps
• Robin 16 + 8 retraps
• Garden Warbler 2 + 1 retrap
• Bluetit 1 retrap
• Great tit 1 retrap
• Whitethroat 2 
• Blackcap 2 + 1 retrap
• Dunnock 1
• Chiffchaff 11
• Spotted Flycatcher 1

 Thanks for following the work that goes on at Gedser Fuglestation. Blog Entry By Jack,