9th and 10th

Firstly, apologies for slow updates of late, the birding and ringing has been pretty heavy weighing the past few days, however, with recent help arrived in the form of Denise and Chris Lamsdell, from England, things are looking positive for a bird filled autumn, more from them in the later post.

The 9th.

Ringing alone, in similar weather conditions to the 8th September (northerly flow with cloud blocking from the south) again restricted nets were opened. First light confirmed that this was a good decision with many birds in the garden. From 187 net metres I took 59 new birds, however I took a further 40 recaps, so busy enought to phone for help actually, as 65 birds came in round two and I thought many more birds would be caught. Airing on the side of caution is definitely better to avoid problems.

Ringing totals

Spurvehøg (Sparrowhawk) 1
Vendehals (Wryneck) 1
Gærdesmutte (Wren) 2
Jernspurv (Dunnock) 2
Rødhals (Robin) 15
Rødstjert (Redstart) 3
Sangdrossel (Song Thrush) 1
Gærdesanger (Lesser Whitethroat) 7
Tornsanger (Whitethroat) 1
Havesanger (Garden Warbler) 3
Munk (Blackcap) 6
Gransanger (Chiffchaff) 7
Løvsanger (Willow Warbler) 5
Broget Fluesnapper (Pied Flycatcher) 1
Musvit (Great tit) 1
Gråspurv (House sparrow) 2
Skovspurv (Tree sparrow) 1

Total 59

Chris and Denise arrived early evening for their long stay in Gedser! I hope they will have a great time ringing and birding here, as many Brits before them have.

The 10th

10th was a touch busier, with extra hands around we managed to open all nets in the garden. 100 new birds were ringed plus 28 recaps, so a nice result really.

Tårnfalk (Kestrel) 1
Skovpiber (Tree Pipit) 1
Gærdesmutte (Wren) 1
Jernspurv (Dunnock) 6
Rødhals (Robin) 33
Rødstjert (Redstart) 3
Sangdrossel (Song Thrush) 1
Gærdesanger (Lesser whitethroat) 13
Tornsanger (Whitethroat) 2
Havesanger (Garden Warbler) 2
Munk (Blackcap) 12
Gransanger (Chiffchaff) 16
Løvsanger (Willow Warbler) 6
Skovspurv (Tree sparrow) 1
Bogfinke (Chaffinch) 1
Grønirisk (Greenfinch) 1

After a nice morning of ringing we all (joined by Gert) headed out to the headland for a spot of birding. It was quiet for the first couple of hours when the other guys left to set some additional pipit nets at the station, I stayed out on the tip until 18:00 as wildfowl migration picked up a little, late afternoon, as is often the case.

Dværgfalk, Falco columbarius. Archive pic taken from google, no photo credits attached. 

Ederfugl (Eider) 1043
Bjergand (Scaup) 1
Fløjlsand (Velvet scoter) 1
Pibeand (Wigeon) 221
Knortegås (Brent Goose) 13
Sortand (Common Scoter) 57
Krikand (Teal) 63
Fjordtern (Common Tern) 5
Landsvale (Swallow) 60
Dværgmåge (Little Gull) 14
Almindelig kjove (Arctic Skua) 2 intermediate juvs.
Spidsand (Pintail) 41
Gråand (Mallard) 2
Toppet Skalleslugger (Red-breasted Merganser) 10
Islandsk Ryle (Knot) 7 resting
Stenvender (Turnstone) 3 resting
Fjeldvåge (Rough-legged Buzzard) 1 resting
Blå Kærhøg (Hen Harrier) ringtail resting
Ravn (Raven) 1 resting
Dværgfalk (Merlin) 1
Dobbeltbekkassin (Snipe) 1
Skeand (Shoveler) 3
Knarand (Gadwall) 4
Kaspisk måge (Caspian Gull) 1 1st gorgeous first winter pluamged bird rested briefly on kelp lagoon which has been formed recently by the tip before migrating at 17:15. Phwoar, nice! And I don't particularly like gulls!
Almindelig Ryle (Dunlin) 85 resting
Sandløber (Sanderling) 1 resting with Almindelig ryle on kelp lagoon.
Brushane (Ruff) 2 resting on kelp lagoon.

A nice two days all in all.

Craig

LATE UPDATE - AUGUST AT IT'S BEST

With a persistent Easterly wind buffeting the coast here in Gedser, grounded migrants are fairly thin on the ground, therefore ringing totals are down on numbers expected.

This morning (Sunday 25th) was no exception. In 5 hours of standardised ringing (20 nets) I caught only 24 new birds.

Tree Pipit 3
Redstart 2
Marsh Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 1
Icterine Warbler 2
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Whitethroat 2
Blackcap 1
Willow Warbler 4
Pied Flycatcher 1
Linnet 3
Greenfinch 1

So why the title 'August at it's best'? Well, this is due to the birdwatching day which was had today around the peninsular.

Henrik, John and Anders (3 weekend guests) kicked up an ORTOLAN BUNTING somewhere between the Odde and the station and managed to Re-locate it very close to the station. A stunning adult male which fed on the short grass paths behind the station before flying over the lighthouse garden and presumably into the crop fields on the otherside. A great find at Gedser.

Whilst this was going on Louis and a few others continued to count the migration at the tip, a fine job they did too. Below are a fraction of Louis' totals from total.

"Gedser Point 05:15 - 19:00 - Arctic Skua 86, Long-tailed Skua 5, Little Gull 470, Kittiwake 6, Black Tern 24, Gannet 1, Crane 15, Teal 1030, Scaup 1" Also Garganey (Ad male), Shoveler 82+, Wigeon 254+ and Pintail 55+

An amazing amount of birds for late August. The aforementioned Scaup was actually the first record for August, in Gedser.

Also around today, Montagu's Harrier, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier.

It was great to see so many people migration counting and birding here and at the tip today. The data produced by more coverage of the site and migration records is truly spectacular. I hope to see as many people out at the tip next weekend as there were this, after some amazing birdwatching today. Below are a few pictures taken by Louis Hansen at from the tip today.

Arctic Skua - Louis Hansen

Cranes, 8 adults 1 Juvenile (Marked by red arrow)

Montagu's Harrier adult Male - Louis Hansen

Blog: Craig Brookes
Photos: Louis Hansen