Days with three Brits

Summarizing several weeks with Hugh, Jack and Rael (alphabetic) is almost impossible.

However, we would like to mention a couple things and let a few photos do the rest of the “talking”.

They have been extreme friendly, helpful and energetic – beyond anything we have seen before – and we have had our fair amount of ringers and birders. Not only were they highly qualified and skilful ringers but also very skilled viz miggers - which is a rare combination. What also stands out as a shining star was and is  Jack’s incredible skills with various machines to clear scrubs, trim trees etc. It was absolutely superb and the energy he put into it is beyond words – a simple thanks you is NOT enough.

Jack fighting the "elements" from day one at the bird station

Hugh fighting the darkest part of the garden - great job

A mist net ride which we had almost given up due to the speedy growth of the trees - 

so naturally it became a challenge for Jack - and he won after almost four days - with Hugh's help 

The number of square meters of lawn at the station is very big - so here Rael takes one of his many tours with the "oriole" (was baptised by the UK-trio) 

Coming from various parts of the UK each had their favourite species or species groups but coming to Gedser almost blew their mind (see e.g. http://gedserfuglestation.blogspot.dk/2013/09/wildfowl-passage-enough-to-give-you-se.html)). They experience some really stunning migration days e.g. a day with 299 roughlegs and a day with +2400 cranes. When not really accustomed to “avalanches” of land and day migrating speceis we can see that Gedser was a really good experience for them. Even though they are all globetrotter and have seen many species around the world.

A good and nice warm day with souring birds coming in from the north -
here with two "local" birders

Very windy day so we are hiding in the SE corner - here Hugh is flanked by celebrity Klaus Malling Olsen and two "local" birders 

The small round leading to the tip always produces some thing to see

Another day in the SE corner - this day scores of ducks were passing by

There were days where frustration among Hugh, Jack and Rael was high as they were bent over the mist nest while scores upon scores of migrants were heard hurled overhead. However, Hugh, Jack and Rael stayed as calm as they could and did their job - namely stayed focused and did the ringing and mind you  their ringing was top of the class! Guess that all ringers at GFU learnt a lot from them and learnt that quality is in higher demand than quantity.

Words that were heard from the UK-trio every day when they ventured out to the tip was: mental, wicked, and awesome. Living in a place like Gedser makes you spoiled and one forgets that it is not all parts of the world that have a visual migration – so mental, wicked, and awesome were indeed words a Brit could use about the viz mig at Gedser.

The top for birding in Denmark - Hugh is testing it

Gedser one of the best places to watch eiders -
some days they come close to the clay "cliffs" at Gedser - Jack is testing it

A Great Grey Shrike in the bushes - and the UK-trio got very excited -
Rael is trying to capture it with his camera

We will never forget you guys. To Hugh all the best of luck with your academic career, to Jack good luck with your many hobbies especially your art work and also your job. To Rael from the bottom of our hearts we wish you all the best of luck in your fight for life and of cause for your birds.

And last but not the least important! To Hugh’s, Jack’s and Rael’s girl friends, families and other friends – THANK you for letting the “boys” come to Gedser :-)

The Gedser Team,

Ps:

Do visited Spurn Bird Observatory also – or at least the homepage (http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/) and remember their bird festival in September 2014.

Dinner - we had too few of these together - but when we had them it was great fun