Again, this morning, we caught mostly Robins “Rødhals” and Chiffchaffs “Gransanger” but it was way less busy as yesterday, we did not reach the 100 today. Recaptures made a lot of our numbers today, we had 30! So there was not so much import of new birds today, but we got some more Goldcrests “Fuglekonge” and Wrens “Gærdesmutte” than the days before.

In the night we did catch 27 species of moths. Four were new for the season (see bold names in the table below). This time only one picture of a moth  with the funny name Frosted Orange (Burreugle). 

Frosted Orange (Burreugle) 

 Migration counts at Gedser Odde

by Lara W

19th September marks the highest numbers for autumn migration so far this season! A total of 5229 individuals were counted passing Gedser Odde. Common Eider/Ederfugl (Somateria mollissima) accounted for the majority, although only 66 of the 2122 overall were of “female-type/Hun-farvet” plumage. We use this term as both females and juveniles of both sexes have extremely similar plumages and therefore are generally indistinguishable, especially in flight. It is noteworthy that so few of the Eiders passing us are potentially females, as it carries implications for breeding success and reproduction rate.

Common eider on migration, photo credit Lara W. 

Wigeon/Pibeand (Anas Penelope) and Common scoter/Sortand (Melanitta nigra) were also seen in high numbers, at 1134 and 1176 respectively. Several other duck species less commonly seen were spotted, including Tufted Duck/Troldand (Aythya fuligula) (2), Goldeneye/Hvinand (Bucephala clangula) (1), Gadwall/Knarand (Anas strepera) (18), and Pochard/Taffeland (Aythya farina) (1). Other surprises included 10 Stock Dove/Huldue (Columba oenas), 1 Golden Plover/Hjejle (Pluvialis apricaria), 1 Arctic skua/Almindelig Kjove (Stercorarius parasiticus), and 2 Whimbrel/Småspove (Numenius phaeopus). For passerines, 107 Swallow/Landsvale (Hirundo rustica), 64 White wagtail/Hvid Vipstjert (Motacilla alba), and 4 Meadow pipit/Engpiber (Anthus pratensis) were seen migrating. Noteworthy were 55 Chaffinch/Bogfinke (Fringilla coelebs) (2), Tree Pipit/Skovpiber (Anthus trivialis), and a single Siskin/Grønsisken (Spinus spinus).

People: Lara Winsloe, Larissa Britton, Robert Luttik, Hanelie Sidhu