Quackers

Today, as the title suggests, was quackers. All about them too. Records were again broken, more of that later.

Ringing was quieter than previous days. Only 41 ringed, I say only, I mean it's down on recent days.

Willow Warbler 11
Redstart 11
Whitethroat 5
Blackcap 3
Reed Warbler 3
Pied Flycatcher 2
Garden Warbler 2
Sparrowhawk 2
Robin 1
Firecrest 1

 

Firecrest 2k+ female.  Craig Brookes

So what was quackers? Apart from Louis chasing a Red-breasted flycatcher down a road on a bicycle, I'm referring of course to ducks and a record breaking number at that! Today in 12 hours of observation (Louis mainly, with me later on) counted an impressive 5873 migrating Wigeon, a new day record for early September. Also 2800+ Common Scoter throughout the day which was rather impressive. In my book are the following, Eider 91, Pintail 109, Teal 94, Shoveler 43, Gadwall 1, Common Tern 22, Arctic Tern 18, Commic Tern 6, Black Tern 3, LITTLE TERN 1, Little Gull 72, Arctic Skua 27, Long-tailed Skua 3, Dunlin 42, Bar-tailed Godwit 2, Sanderling 1, Redshank 1, Ringed Plover 1, Oystercatcher 5, Mallard 1, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Red-throated Pipit 1, Crossbill 3 and Siskin (1 flock - not visible).

Duck mix. Mainly Wigeon - Louis Hansen

Eiders - Louis Hansen

Resting
Spotted Flycatcher 1, Red-Breasted Flycatcher 1, Jay 4, Hobby 1, Kestrel 2, Marsh Harrier 3, Sparrowhawk 4, Merlin 1, Starling 50, Velvet Scoter 6, Golden Plover 250, Long-tailed Skua (same as prev days) and a male Wheatear.

In the evening we were invited down into Gedser town, for a fantastic farewell meal. Thanks Louis, a superb spread and fantastic company, as always! On the way back from Gedser we flushed not 1 but 2 Nightjars from the road, so now the nets are up and the churring can be heard throughout the peninsular!

Blog Craig Brookes

Photo (Firecrest) - Craig Brookes
Photo (ducks) - Louis Hansen.

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