Black Magic.

Last night Jesper came up with a cunning plan to ground some Blackbirds ahead of his final ringing day (today). His plan was executed and this morning we reaped the rewards! An exceptional number of Thrushes have been moving the past nights and this time we had managed to ground a few! In total today we ringed a hefty 42 Blackbirds! This exceeds the previous day record by more than 50% which was also set this year and equals to my knowledge the record day total at Falsterbo, Sweden.

Blackbird 2cy+ male - Turdus merula

I also had a lovely surprise when Jesper woke me to tell me he had trapped a Black Redstart, a bird I had hoped for the entire autumn and only fitting that it came within the last 2 days of my stay! Cheers Jesper!

Black Redstart 1cy - Phoenicurus ochruros

As well as amazing totals of Blackbirds and the latest ever trapped Black Redstart here at Gedser we also managed to trap and ring 17 Waxwings today and 9 Robins (A good number in mid-late November). Also ringed a scattering of other species, Song Thrush, Redwing, Redpoll, Siskin, Goldfinch and Goldcrest. 

A Sparrowhawk was seen in the garden late afternoon though the highlight was in fact a stunning adult male Hen Harrier which flew in off the sea early morning and was lost to view behind the lighthouse. A Hawfinch was the only highlight from us at the station and this was seen to migrate, as were 35 Blackbirds this evening as the light faded! A Bullfinch was a grounded migrant as were 70+ Waxwings.

Troels arrived this evening and will be taking over the ringing for the next few weeks!


Photos and Blog: Craig Brookes

Signing off

Last night we attempted to catch some Owls and were again successful. 2 Long-eared Owls and 1 Tengmalm's Owl making it a total of 7 Long-eared and 12 Tengmalm's for the year. The latter is a new season record.

Record breakers; Jesper and Craig happy with the 12th new Tengmalm's for the season. Photo Ragnar Smith.

Tengmalm's Owl - Craig Brookes

Long-eared Owl female - Craig Brookes

This morning marked the last standardised ringing session of the year here at Gedser. It was been a great autumn and up to now we have caught over 11,500 since August. Combined with the spring total we have ringed almost 16,000 birds here at Gedser this year with is looking like our 3rd best year ever. There have been many highlights throughout the ringing season and maybe people have worked hard to achieve such a great volume of data. Thanks on behalf of Gedser Fuglestation to all whom have been involved. Particular efforts by Jesper Brinkman, Anders Nielsen, Heidi Vibe, Heather McGinty, Henrik Jørgensen, Rune Tjørnløv and myself should be noticed. We also had help from many great people along the was which we are always grateful for. Hans Lind, Benny Steinmejer and Gert Jeppesen in particular.



Today we ringed only 15 new birds a few Goldfinch and Chaffinches were the highlights.

Sightings today were limited but 3 late Barn Swallows were noted, 60 Common Scoter plus 1 Velvet, 7 Wigeon, 5 Red-throated diver, 1 Black-throated, some Goldeneye also. Ca50 Waxwings rested in the garden and the lingering Kestrel was present.

Tonight we will try for Owls again, fueled by a hearty meal provided kindly by Louis Hansen; thanks Louis!!

Photos: Ragnar Smith and Craig Brookes
Blog: Craig Brookes

A nice mix.

An attempt last night to catch Owls was ended at 2.30 this morning, the wind had increased and low cloud had moved in. We ended with the one Long-eared which featured in yesterday's blog.

This morning the fog was still lingering at dawn as the nets were checked. It seemed a few birds had been grounded in this weather. Song Thrushes, Redwings and Robins mainly. The ringing today was steady with 40 birds caught. Highlights were a late Blackcap, Bullfinches, a Dunnock and a Waxwing. A few Siskins also respond to the tape lures and were nice to catch.

Siskin 1cy male - Carduelis spinus - Craig Brookes

Bullfinches Adult Female (Left) Juvenile Female (Right)- Pyrrhula pyrrhula - Asbjørn Jensen

Birds seen today included Kestrel, a Serin (which turned and returned inland), 55 Waxwings migrating, whilst a Woodpigeon, Skylark, White wagtail and 3 Black Redstarts rested along the coast, the Black reds being in the Harbour at Gedser.

Jesper was interviewed this morning by P4 Radio and this will appear soon on air.

Photos : Craig Brookes and Asbjørn Jensen
Blog: Craig Brookes