Blåstjert at Gedser! Our very own national rarity!

It's a rare occurance that we can drop nearly all of the nets at the station. Usually we do not have enough people to deal with many birds, but today we were a team of five, so we determined to make the most of our chance. As we went out to set nets, the sky was so very clear, and I actually remarked that we may have very few birds if a lot of our longer stayers had moved on in the night. I was a little worried that we would not have enough to do. As it happened, many birds had left but this was not the full story as we also had a fall of new Goldcrests (Fuglekonge). As we cleared the nets there were clearly a lot of birds. Then, I saw a bird that was unexpected and knew that calls would have to be made.

Today was a big day for Gedser Fuglestation. No only did we have a fall of Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), but we also netted a national rarity too. The Red-flanked Bluetail (Blåstjert) was in the bottom panel of what has become one of my favourite nets.

 First year male Red-flanked Bluetail (1K han Blåstjert)

The bird was released into a hedge running from the lighthouse to the sea, alongside a beet field where it gave good views for a while.

I dare say there will be better photographs as several observers got to the fuglestation prior to its release, but we had birds to process so had to be content with a few swiftly taken shots.

Other observations included a Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade) in the observatory garden.

It truly was a great day!
Denise

Totals: 345 (60)

Gærdesmutte / Wren -10 (2)
Jernspurv / Dunnock -2
Rødhals / Robin - 42 (37)
Blåstjert / Red-flanked Bluetail - 1
Solsort / Blackbird - 6 (2)
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 6

Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 19
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest -249 (19)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1

Bogfinke / Chaffinch -1
Kværkerfinke / Brambling - 1

Grønsisken / Siskin - 6
Lille Gråsisken / Lesser Redpoll - 1