06/10/2013: Susanne gets the Hatrick and Buteos bound for Germany!

Anticipation was in the air as we hit the hay on the night of the 5th with a clear sky and a north westerly blow.

On leaving the door of the Fuglestation on the 6th our predictions became a reality with audible migration in process as Redwings and Dunnocks flew over the garden.

On the first net round it was clear that new migrants were in and the morning standardised ringing session saw 125 new birds caught and ringed comprising of:

Sparrowhawk 2

1K Sparrowhawk Iris, 1 of two Sparrowhawks ringed and handled by Susanne. Not only were these fine accipiters a new experience for her but she also got the chance to extract a good sized female from a net which is very different type of extraction process given their weaponry. This can be quite daunting at times but she coped fantastically with the bird extracted, ringed and released with minimum distress and She went away unscathed.

 Wren 6

Dunnock 2

Robin 37

Fieldfare 1

Song Thrush 3

Redwing 3

Blackcap 3

Chiffchaff 29

Goldcrest 6

Blue Tit 11

Great Tit 2

Tree Sparrow 15

Greenfinch 3

Siskin 2

Not only did this make a nice change to a succession of quiet mornings but was great news for Susanne who is ringing alongside us and who is getting to grips with some species that are new to her in the hand.

A happy Susanne with her first Redwing having been ringed and ready for release, photo by Hugh Hanmer

Adult Redwing, the 1st caught this autumn, photo by Hugh Hanmer

Adult female Fieldfare, another species new to Susanne.

Two of three Twite recorded at the point, photo by Jack Ashton-Booth

Goldfinch numbers gradually building up at the tip before leaving south, photo Hugh Hanmer

Grey Partridge feeding at the tip, occasional visitors to the garden, photo by Hugh Hanmer

Red Kites  heading south over the garden, photo by Hugh Hanmer

Clear Skies continued well into the afternoon and it was hard to believe it was the 6th of October with how warm it was. With the warmth in the air it didn't take long for Raptors to start appearing and Buteos became the talking point of the afternoon with numerous groups kettling up and trying their best to leave the tip.

Birding Highlights from Gedser Tip and the Fuglestation during the day:

• Bean Goose 3
• Common Buzzard: 27 ventured south across the sea and 63 birds (predominantly all juveniles) were in the vicinity of the stations and surrounding fields  
• Rough-legged Buzzard 17 individuals were observed with 9 bound for Germany
• Red Kite (good numbers with a nice flock of 12 circling over the garden)
• Hen Harrier 3
• Red-throated Pipit 5 (taking the autumn total to 57 birds south!!!!! and goes to show what an exceptional year it has been here for this species and the effort Louis has put in)
• Osprey 2
• Honey Buzzard 1 (a late individual circled just north of the tip before returning north)
• Merlin 1
• Twite 3 (the 1st of the autumn and the 1st recorded this year at the tip)
• Grey wagtail 1
• Slavonian Grebe 3 (2 south and one sat on the sea)
• Common Crane 7
• Bearded Tit 1 (an individual heard in the garden)
• Lapland Bunting 1