26-09-2013 Gedser Fuglestation

Heavy rain in the early hours saw the GFU team have a their first lie in since they started as standardised ringing was unable to be conducted.

Once the adverse weather abated Hans text to say a group of school children were on their way to learn about Birds and Bird Ringing. With this in mind the nets were promptly opened and the 1st bird caught was a Sparrowhawk which is always a good start to the day!

This was followed by another 59 birds which included:

Wren 1
Dunnocks 3
Robin 17
Blackbird 1
Song Thrush 3
Blackcap 7
Chiffchaff 12
Goldcrest 6
Blue Tit 2
Chaffinch 3
Siskin 5

Hans and Benny did a fantastic job at educating the children and it was clear they were having a great time releasing the birds. It is nice to think they will remember this day for the rest of their lives and their experience may be the birth of future ornithologists!

Hans teaching the children about birds at Gedser Fuglestation, photo by Benny

Once the children had left we decided to venture to the tip given birds were visibly moving!

Spurred on by a text from Louis regarding a flock of 32 Common Cranes and a grounded Lapland bunting and Red-throated Pipit we were soon observing birds all over the place!

Highlights of another awesome day consisted of a minimum of 54 Common Cranes, 2 Hen Harriers (a 1st adult male & a juvenile ringtail), a couple of Great Grey Shrikes, a late Drake Garganey, a late Swift, a minimum of 8 Rough-legged Buzzards in amongst a trickle of Common Buzzards, 2 Peregrines, 2 White-tailed Eagles, good numbers of Little Gulls over land and sea that were at times hawking insects in with Black-headed Gulls, a handful of Red Kites, a couple of late Honey Buzzards and a steady trickle of Sparrowhawks. Also an albino Swallow brought us much joy as it hawked in amongst a huge flock of hirundines over the tip.
(All south off out to sea unless stated otherwise)
 
Non avian highlights included a Queen of Spain Fritillary (thanks to Matt Hobbs for its identity)

Queen of Spain Fritillary, a new one for the Brits! although Common in Denmark

STOP PRESS: A text from Stephen Menzie alerting us to the 1st Tengmalm's Owl of the autumn at Falsterbo was greatly appreciated and was a great excuse to get the tapes on and the nets open once the sun had set on another fine day here in Gedser.

Mixed Finch Flock, photo Rael Butcher

Finch Numbers Building around Gedser, photo by Rael Butcher

 Louis Hansen in his element!

Observers at the tip watching Geese