Hej allesammen,

Yesterday afternoon, I arrived here in Gedser from a short stay in Midtjytlland. Before, I have been in the very north of Denmark at Skagen Bird Observatory. So you might have read from me either this season in Skagens Blog or you might remember me from last spring, when I was here in Gedser at the beginning of the spring season. If not, my name is Hanelie, I am from southern Germany and have already stayed several times at Danish bird observatories.

But let´s come to the events and birds of the day:

Vagn and I were joined by our guests Hans and Vitus for the first net-round. We were surprised when we met in the garden and both had quite many bags with birds around our necks. It looked like a very promising day with many birds.  The second round was still good but all of a sudden, it had slowed down a lot for in the third round and it was just very very few birds that we found in the nets in the following rounds. This was also okay, as we now had some more time to explain the ringing to Vitus and his father, but of course, we would have hoped for a bit more, but it can still come!

Highlights in the ringing were a Reed Warbler “Rørsanger”, just the second that has been caught at the station this season, so it is nice to know that they are back.

Vitus with a Reed Warbler "Rørsanger" in hand

Closeup of the Reed Warbler "Rørsanger"

I was also happy about the first garden Warbler “Havesanger” I had in hand this year, another African migrant that also just arrived here in Danmark just a little while ago. Another bird, that does not have such a long way behind it but is always nice to see, hear and have in hand was a Goldfinch “Stillits”.

Goldfinch "Stillits", male

After standard time was over, Gert came to the station and proposed to take me on a trip to Bøto. Vagn kept the nets open a bit longer but just caught one more new bird.

At Bøtø, we soon met Hans and Vitus again, it was great weather to enjoy birding. Just when we arrived, we saw a Hen Harrier “Blå Kærhøg”. There are quite some species breeding at Bøtø now, the White-Tailed Eagle “Havørn” was sitting on its nest and also Avocet “Klyde”, Oystercatcher “Strandskade”, Crane “Trane” and Lapwing “Vibe” are breeding, it is worth a trip.  Among the ducks, some Garganeys “Atlingand” were a nice observation. Thanks to Gert for the trip!

At the station, Jasper worked on his data, Vagn did the data entry and before writing the blog, I had a walk to the tip and along the beach, the sea was flat and the only birds that seemed to be busy on migration were one single male Eider “Ederfugl” going noth and four Sandwichterns “Splitterne” southeast – not much happening.

But we are hoping for more to happen in the nets tomorrow morning, the wind is coming from northwest – it could be good!

People: Vagn Lind, Gert Jeppesen, Jasper Mosman, Hanelie Sidhu, our guests Vitus and Hans