The morning in the garden started with a busy first round and continued with a lot of birds. We did not reach the 200 but nearly, 1 or maximum two more rounds and we would have had that. The two most common species were once again Robins “Rødhals” and Chiffchaffs “Gransanger”. Also some Acrocephalus with a good amount of fat landed in our nets: Two Reed Warblers “Rørsanger” and two Marsh Warblers “Kærsanger” and we saw and heard a lot of Finches flying over the garden two high for our nets though, but passerine migration has really started! There was also a visiting group at the bird station, so it was a busy day in and around the garden.

Hanelie saw a squirrel when she was cooking. We have not really an idea how it can come in the garden (no real connection with other forest area).

The night was good for moths, we did catch 25 species. Three were new for the season the Nutmeg Moth (Kløverspinder), the Small Wainscot  (Lille Starugle) and the Rusty Dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis). The last two can be found in the picture and a picture of another moth the Morning-glory Plume moth  (Snerlefjermøl), because it has a very special shape.

Small Wainscot  (Lille Starugle)

Rusty Dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis)

Morning-glory Plume moth  (Snerlefjermøl)

Migration at Gedser Odde: A hazier morning today, but with the promise of easterly winds, we kept our eyes peeled.  As always, I was hoping for some raptors, and today brought a pair of Merlin/Dværgfalk (Falco columbarius) that headed out to the South West/SV. We met more raptor friends including Hen Harrier/Blå kærhøg (Circus cyaneus), Honey Buzzard/Hvepsevåge (Pernis apivorus), Kestrel/Tårnfalk (Falco tinnunculus), and Sparrowhawk/Spurvehøg (Accipiter nisus).

We had good views of a variety of dabbling ducks (Anatinae) today, including Pintail/Spidsand (Anas acuta), Gadwall/Knarand (Anas strepera), Shoveler/Skeand (Anas clypeata), Scoters (Common/Sortand (Melanitta nigra) and Velvet/Fløjlsand (Melannita fusca)), Teal/Krikand (Anas crecca), and Tufted ducks/Troldand (Aythya fuligula). A small flock of Scaup/Bjergand (Aythya marila) were spotted flying South West/SV, too. The numbers of Eider/Ederfugl (Somateria mollissima), and Wigeon/Pibeand (Anas Penelope) recorded were high, with over 1000 individuals of each species. This soon became a competition to be the most populous bird of the morning, with Eider clinching the title in the last twenty-or-so minutes of the count. Notably, we had more Eider flocks comprised exclusively of female-types. 

As for passerines, highlights included a large flock of 130 Chaffinch/Bogfinke (Fringilla coelebs) that flew overhead. An acrobatic group of Siskins/Grønsisken (Spinus spinus) also made their presence known with their rising “tuohweee” chorus. It was again nice to see members of the Heron (Ardeidae) family, with 3 Great White Egrets/Sølvhejre (Ardea alba) observed later in the morning, gracefully heading South West/SV. 

Overall, another delightful and educational morning at Gedser Odde. We look forward to another morning at the tip - for who knows what we will see. By Larissa Britton

People: Lara Winsloe, Larissa Britton, Robert Luttik, Hanelie Sidhu, Hans Lind, Tina Elley, Anne-Marie Raith

At the station Hanelie Sidhu, Robert Luttik, Lara Winsloe and Larissa Britton (and a squirrel)