21st - 22nd October

Recent days have been a touch disappointing in relative Gedser terms as the last two days we have stepped outside to near silence with unusually few birds calling as we unfurled the nets and our daily ringing efforts have reflected such. A combined total of birds ringed on the 21st & the  22nd included the following:

Wren 7

Robin 14

Blackbird 3

Chiffchaff 2

Blackcap 1

Goldcrest 6

Blue Tit 2

Great Tit 10

Chaffinch 1

Greenfinch 2

Siskin 14

Linnet 2

This is, however, not a complaint as a juvenile Long-tailed Skua low over the station on 21st was certainly a welcome sight if not a little unexpected, as was a Red Squirrel Hugh found whilst exploring, and we all know the next switch in wind direction will produce more magical migration and the bushes, sea and sky will be back to normal; alive with birds. We also continue to have Parrot Crossbills passing over, albeit in fewer numbers but still a great education for us Brits both vocally and visually.

A local Red Squirrel found while exploring up the coast (Photo: Hugh Hanmer)

On 22nd Benny and Hans once again did a superb job sowing a small school group the work we do and allowing the children in-hand experience of bird ringing which is always enjoyable for all.

With the aforementioned quiet spell and no huge incentive to go to the tip we decided to try new things, Hugh ventured off to a small nature reserve north of the Harbour in Gedser and the rest of us attempted to lure any nearby Parrot Crossbills with the hope of getting birds settled for a change- we failed! All was not lost though as we did catch e few Siskins and came very close to  catching a small group of Common Crossbills.

Tufted Ducks on a pool in the small nature reserve next to the ferry port in Gedser, well worth a visit on a nice day. (Photo: Hugh Hanmer)

With birds few and far between and owls non existence in the garden Hans hung some wine soaked ropes up in the hope of attracting some moths to the garden!

Our efforts to lure in Parrot crossbills with a stuffed Common Crossbill and an artificial spruce tree didn't go to waste as Siskin seemed to love it!

The forecast for tomorrow is not looking good so comfort food  in the form of a huge Yorkshire Pudding and Champions League football seemed easily the best option as catching Owls was quite literally blown out of the equation.

TOAD IN THE HOLE!

Thanks for time and interest, Rael, Hugh and Jack