This morning, we need to count the recaptures too, to reach 100, we had 96 birds and 7 recaps, so another pretty good day. The number of recaps decreased significantly in the last two days, so bird migration is in full swing. Again, it was mainly Chiffchaffs “Gransanger” today and a deficient number of Robins “Rødhals”, just 6 new and three recaps but the abundancy of Wrens “Gærdesmutte” is going up, we had 10 new today, so it was the second most common species today. The weather was not perfect though, we needed to shut down the nets for half an hour but could still do standard time.

In the closing round, the rain started, we could just close in time. For the rest of the day, rain was heavily pouring from the sky.

Common Redstart "Rødstjert"

Clouds and a bit of moisture in the air are good for getting moth Hans told me in the morning, indeed, I got two more species than yesterday, but it was not much. One new species for this period and again, also for me though, it was Hypena rostralis “Humleugle”, which I did not even collect from the trap but from inside the ringing lab. Soon, I will have more moths than bird species, which is not very difficult as there are way more moths than bird species so even if it was not many moths this period, I got quite some new, which makes checking the traps and walls varied and exciting every day, and you can discover real beauties among the moth.

Nevertheless, there might be fewer moths on the walls and in the blog of GFU from now on, I will leave tomorrow, but Larissa just told me, that she might continue, so I am sure she will let us know if there is something nice.

Hypena rostralis "Humleugle"

So again, a second farewell blog for GFU from me this year but there will be more entries from me on Blåvands blog until the end of the season. But hope to be back here next year, until then, take care!

Best regards, Hanelie

Migration at Gedser Odde by Larissa Britton: A relatively quiet morning at the tip, with a lot of mist which reduced visibility for periods this morning; 947 individuals, representing 27 species. This morning was my first solo migration count.

Despite not having Mads and Lara W to spend the morning with, several raptor species kept me company. Good views of a majestic Osprey/Fiskeørn (Pandion haliaetus) today, with one individual flying just metres away. I got a close look at its strongly hooked beak - a necessary tool for this piscivorous bird whose diet is made up of ~99% fish! Also flying close by: two Honey Buzzard/Hvepsevåge (Pernis apivorus), a Marsh Harrier/Rørhøg (Circus aeruginosus), Red Kite/Rød Glente (Milvus milvus), Kestrel/Tårnfalk (Falco tinnunculus), and Sparrowhawk/Spurvehøg (Accipiter nisus).
A small flock of Dark-bellied Brent/Knortegås (Branta bernicla bernicla) geese flew by later in the morning. I am familiar seeing Light-bellied Brent (Branta bernicla hrota) in Ireland, so it is nice seeing their Dark-bellied cousins here. A single Common Snipe/Dobbeltbekkasin (Gallinago gallinago) was seen this morning, too.

Gert joined me later in the morning, and we enjoyed watching Harbour Porpoise/Marsvin (Phocoena phocoena) and seals swimming and feeding quite close to shore. 

As always, we shall see what tomorrow brings...

At the station: Hans Lind, Vagn Lind, Hanelie Sidhu, Lara Winsloe and Larissa Britton