This morning we found fewer birds in the nets compared to yesterday, in both number of birds and number of species. The most common birds were also different overall, with much less Blue Tit (Blåmejse). Wren (Gærdesmutte), Chiffchaff (Gransanger) and Great Tit (Musvit) were the commonest species. This week there's been a continued lack of the larger thrushes (ringing-wise) even though a good few are always to be found in the garden, namely Blackbird (Solsort) and Song Thrush (Sangdrossel). At least there was one new Blackbird (Solsort) to ring today, and later we recaptured one ringed Redwing (Vindrossel) from yesterday’s busier ringing session. With some luck a few finch species were caught, as well as two Great Spotted Woodpecker (Stor Flagspætte; adult male and juvenile), and finally a beautiful male Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge).

 

The male Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) ringed earlier today during the standard ringing session. Foto: Timon Grove Sørensen

 

Apart from our ringing effort, a good passage of birds was recorded, as Ole monitored and noted a good number of geese, ducks and various other birds mostly out at sea. The full sightings list is linked here via DOFbasen.

We all heard a call of Crane (Trane) at one point, but none were actually sighted. Timon and myself had a handful of Yellowhammer (Gulspurv) which perched and sounded in the trees around the station mid-morning, amongst many more bird encounters from each of us as the day progressed.

With just two days left for me here in Gedser, I look forward to my remaining ringing and birding here. Working together with the team has been a privilege, while visiting this observatory was an opportunity to meet old and new friends with diverse backgrounds and experience. The work ethic and collaboration between the staff allows for so much sharing and learning, something every bird observatory should encourage and value. So a big thank you from my end, to everyone involved here at Gedser Fuglestation!

 

Dagens ringmærkning og kontroller / Todays ringing and recaptures:

Stor Flagspætte/Great Spotted Woodpecker 2/0

Gærdesmutte/Wren 18/0

Rødhals/Robin 3/2

Solsort/Blackbird 1/0

Vindrossel/Redwing 0/1

Gransanger/Chiffchaff 13/0

Fuglekonge/Goldcrest 6/2

Rødtoppet Fuglekonge/Firecrest 1/0

Blåmejse/Blue Tit 2/1

Musvit/Great Tit 11/0

Kvækerfinke/Brambling 1/0

Grønirisk/Greenfinch 2/0

Dompap/Bullfinch 2/0

Total 62/6

 

Folk på stationen: Ole Friis Larsen, Lars Ulrich Rasmussen, Timon Grove Sørensen, Timmy Micallef