20th & 21st September 2013........A FREDDO A DAY HELPS YOU WORK, REST AND PLAY!

With autumn migration in full swing over Gedser too many highlights have been witnessed and far too many birds have been observed moving through the garden and south over it to mention all of them.

Therefore we have included the ringing and the highlights in which the Gedser Fuglestation Team wish to mention.

The Standardised Ringing session on the morning of the 20th saw 120 birds caught and ringed which consisted of:

Sparrowhawk 10
Tree Pipit 2
Wren 1
Dunnock 1
Robin 49
Redstart 3
Song Thrush 2
Marsh Warbler 3
Garden Warbler 2
Blackcap 10
Chiffchaff 30
Willow Warbler 2
Goldcrest 1
Spotted Flycactcher 2
Tree Sparrow 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1

1k Red-breasted Flycatcher, photo by Hugh Hanmer

Personal highlights during the day for the staff amidst hundreds of other birds of all shapes and sizes were 2+ Redpoll, a single Firecrest, a Redneck Grebe and 3+ White-tailed Eagles on Rødsand (a large expanse of red sand just off Gedser home to thousands of cormorant, waders and wildfowl). We also noted 3 species of Flycatcher including a 1st winter Red-breasted flycatcher which was a new species to be ringed by Hugh (aka the Freddokrige) much to his delight. A LAPLAND BUNTING was heard and seen flying south and we are told by Louis (who knows this place like the back of his hand) that Gedser gets maybe one a year and explains his very passionate fist punch :)
Lastly a vocal flock of Golden plover flew around calling during the evening but knowone could pick them up.


Non avian highlights involved the arrival of John and Andy who are returning faces to the fuglestation. They are paying another visit to learn how to extract birds under the supervision of Louis. They are great to have around and are really willing to learn and get stuck in as well as providing great banter and food on an evening.

Standardised ringing Today consisted of:

Wren 2
Robin 85
Song Thrush 2
Marsh Warbler 5
Garden Warbler 6
Blackcap 30
Great Tit 1
Blue Tit 2
Whitethroat 2
Redstart 1
Dunnock 2
Chiffchaff 62
Willow Warbler 4
Goldcrest 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1
Tree Sparrow 2
Chaffinch 4

Avian Highlights during another exciting day here in Gedser included a Nuthatch,  an adult female  Red-breasted Flycatcher which we are told are not often caught, some cracking views of Black-throated Divers overhead, 3 Red-necked Grebes on the sea, 3 Common Cranes, a Short-eared Owl getting mobbed by a Marsh Harrier and a Lesser Spotted Eagle high to the south.

lesser Spotted Eagle by Louis Hansen

Black-throated Diver by Louis Hansen

Common Cranes by Louis Hansen

A recently grubbed wast nest dug up by a Honey Buzzard which was unintentionally disturbed during a net round!! Photo by Hugh Hanmer

Away from birds a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen feeding amongst Red Admirals on the buddleia bush just outside the observatory.

In the way of habitat management we cut the grass and brash around more of the net rides to increase ease of access and suppress encouragement of vegetation.

Kind regards Jack, Rael and Hugh