Today's bird ringing total was a bit higher than anticipated, my first morning here in Gedser and we ended up with over 100 birds! Following quite strong winds at the start of the day, clearer skies and a drop in the gusts allowed for some good migration after all.

Plenty of finches namely Chaffinch, Brambling, Redpoll flocked over. Among them were several Parrot Crossbills, with five passing right over the bird station in the early morning. Other passerines such as Blue Tit and Great Tit were the most numerous species ringed today, however we did ring a couple of finches - two female Bullfinch. Many Sparrowhawk, plus fewer of other species like Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Hen Harrier were observed from the station garden.

Both migrating and foraging raptors could be seen above the meadows and fields north of the station. More than 80 Sparrowhawks, 26 Common Buzzards, 16 Red Kites and several Marsh and Hen Harriers passed through heading west, while a White-tailed Eagle and up to three Rough-legged Buzzards were seen resting or hunting close to the lighthouse.

Pictures by Timon Grove Sørensen

As a ringer mostly based in Falsterbo, Gedser is a new observatory for me. The migration and ringing are rather similar to what we experience in Falsterbo, perhaps as similar as possible given the vicinity of these observatories. Following two ringing trips to Blåvand in recent years, I was looking forward to visit Denmark again and assist with some more birding and ringing, but this time at a closer station compared to the west Danish coast. Just like in Blåvand, the Gedser team gave me a warm welcome yesterday afternoon. Special thanks to Tina and Hans for facilitating my visit!

I hope to be of continued help and learn from my new colleagues so far - Henrik, Timon, and Freya who left today but will soon return. It has also been great to finally catch up with experienced migration counter Ole, some nine years after last meeting him in my home country, Malta!