Morning observations:

As usual, Marit, Levi, and I walked up to the observation spot, but we didn’t expect to see anything due to the thick fog. We could barely even see the lighthouse, and we were right – visibility was very poor. Still, we decided to try to carry out the observation, but after the first observation period, we concluded that conditions had become too poor to continue, so we packed up and headed back.
Levi and Marit took turns joining the others at the ringing, while I chose to take a long walk around the area. There were quite a few birds today, so I decided to see how many species I could find in the locality. After the long walk, I returned to the station, where I saw that Bent had arrived. After a short break at the station, I decided to join him on his walk – and it certainly didn’t disappoint! We saw lots of birds, and many great species were added to my list.
By the end of the day’s trips, I had recorded 37 species in the area, including Redstart “Rødstjert”, Northern Wheatear “Stenpikker”, Little Tern “Dværgterne”, Tree Pipit “Skovpiber”, and no less than 135 Sandwich Terns “Splitterne”. After the trips, I joined in the Easter fun with the others at the station. So even though the day started out disappointing with another canceled observation, it ended up being a really lovely and enjoyable day.

Todays observations can be seen here.

The ringing:

A foggy morning was the start of easter Sunday 2025. This weather did not bring us many birds, but some easter surprises. The first was a female Ring Ouzel “Ringdrossel”, that I found in a net a fyrhaven. I have been predicting that species since one and a half weeks so I was really happy to finally take it out of the net. Anne got to ring it, it was a new ringing species for her.

Ringouzel female/ Ringdrossel hun. Picture: Emma Gray

But there should also be a new ringing species for me today, which gets more and more rare. At the end of the next round, when we reached the Krattet nets, I started to run, as there was a Wood pigeon “Ringdue” in the net. It is of course a very common species in the field, but I have never had one in the nets.

Wood Pigeon "Ring Ouzel". Picture: Emma Gray

The observers came back earlier as the visibility over the sea was really bad. And to make the day perfect, also Marit got a new ringing species, a White Wagtail “Hvid Vipstjert”.

White Wagtail “Hvid Vipstjert”. Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Levi also followed us on some rounds, he did not get his X-license yet, but he could release some birds, which he really enjoyed.

The moths:

Although it was not many moths species, also the traps brought some surprises. Two new moths species for me (of just seven species in total – quantity is not always quality :)

Phibalapterix virgata “Snerremåler” and Diaphora mendica “Grå tigerspinder” were new for me and I especially liked Diaphora mendica “Grå tigerspinder”.

Diaphora mendica “Grå tigerspinder”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Easter at BLF

The easter surprises were not over yet, our easter program had just begun. After ringing, we blew eggs and painted birds on them.

Blowing and painting easter eggs. Picture: Emma Gray

It was really fun and we are really happy with our artworks.

The whole team, our easter eggs hanging from the lamp and the eggs that we found in the garden. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

After Anne, in her job as intern of the easter bunny, hit some easter eggs filled with candy for us in the lighthouse garden.

Where is the easter eg? Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

We found all the eggs, after, Thomas went home and for me, it was soon time for cooking. I made an omelet out of the blown out of the eggs with some vegetables and salat. Our neighbors gave us an ice cake in the afternoon, which we very much admired and enjoyed as dessert. Thanks a lot!

At the station: Marit Nillissen, Levi van den Os, Thomas Kristensen, Emma Gray, Bent Jakobsen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen and Hanelie Sidhu

Morning observations:

Today we were with 4 people at the morning observation because Henrik had joined us. It was a very quiet morning with not that much migration. Most of the birds were resting, such as the Sandwich terns “Splitterne” and Northend gannets “Sule”. Even though it was quiet, we did see two Arctic skua’s “Almindelig Kjove” flying by! Other than that, we also saw some Collared dove’s “tyrkerdue” migrating, which was nice to see.

The weather forecast of tomorrow doesn’t look that promising as it says that it will be foggy. But we are hoping that it’s going to be better!

Today’s observations can be seen here.

The ringing:

Today we just had twelve birds in total, six new and six recaps. One of the Willow Warblers “Løvsanger”, that we caught was first caught and ringed here at the station last year in spring. It is impressive to see that this little passerine flew all the way to Africa to its wintering grounds and now came back to breed and raise its chicks here in Denmark.

Robin/ Rødhals. Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

The moths:

I did not have many moths species today, my favorite was Pachycnemia hippocastanaria “Mørk hedemåler”, which has a very pretty and filigree pattern on its wings if you look at it closer.

Pachycnemia hippocastanaria “Mørk hedemåler”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

In the afternoon Levi went out to take some pictures of the birds in the area. Here a Linnet male/ Tornirisk han. Picture: Levi van den Os.

Yellowhammer/ Gulspurv. Picture: Levi van den Os.

At the station: Henrik Böhmer, Levi van den Os, Marit Nillissen, Thomas Kristensen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Emma Gray and Hanelie Sidhu

Morning observations:

Today there was a lot of rain forecast, but fortunately for some reason we didn’t see a single drop. Unfortunately, though, the morning was really quiet. We did see a decent amount of scoters “Sortand” and sandwich terns “Splitterne” but only a handful of gannets “Sule”. We did see quite a few passerines today with a couple of white wagtails “Hvid vipstjert” and tree pipits “Skovpiber”.

Todays observations can be seen here.

The ringing:

We were tricked by the weather a little today. After the first round, it showed a big rain front on the radar. So we were shutting down the nets so birds would not get wet. When we were supposed to be in the middle of dark blue rain on the radar, which should have been rather heavy there was no rain at all. Therefore, we opened again and had the nets open for one more hour than standard although there were actually not many birds. Emma followed us in the ringing and got to know some European passerines. We also had a visit from some friends of Anne, who saw some birds in hand and got explanations on bird ringing and some tea at the station.

Annes friends and the team at the station. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Blackcap female/ Munk hun. Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

The moths:

I had six different species today, two were new for the season, Selenia dentaria “Almindelig månemåler” and Agrotis ipsilon “Ypsilonugle”.

Selenia dentaria “Almindelig månemåler”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

At the station: Emma Gray, Levi van den Os, Marit Nillissen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Hanelie Sidhu

Morning observations:

Today was my second time with the morning observations. Yesterday the vision was way too bad to actually see anything. This morning however we had great vision, able to see the windfarms in the distance. It was quite rainy however, but nothing a couple of umbrellas couldn't fix. The migration was a bit busier today compared to Tuesday with a decent amount of scoters “Sortand” and gannets “Sule”. There were also a couple of large flocks of common/arctic terns “Fjordterne/Havterne” and we spotted a white-tailed eagle “Havørn” flying by.

Todays observations can be seen here.

A rainy morning at the obs. Picture: Thomas Kristensen

The ringing:

When my alarm woke me up today, rain was drumming against the window. The weather forecast did not look so good, a lot of rain during the morning. But the rain stopped and one hour delayed, Anne and I were opening the nets. We were expecting that we might shut down the nets soon and that was right, we had two dry rounds, then we had to put them down again. But after less than 45 minutes, the rain stopped again. We saw new rain coming on the radar, but there was enough time to close the open the nets in the station garden again for one round, but we closed the lighthouse garden properly and after that round also the station garden and we were just in time before we were hit by the new rain front.

Antonia with her last Chiffchaff "Gransanger" ringed at the station for this time.

The moths:

Twelve different moth species today plus one sp., I caught Saturnia pavonia again but another individual that was not as worn as the last one and very beautiful. There were also two new ones for the season, which are in bold in the table.

News of the station:

Today was a big departure day, Antonia left back to Germany and also Joseph and Frida left, but Joseph will be back in a week.

At the station: Antonia Greil, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Marit Nillissen, Emma Gray, Levi van den Os, David Manstrup, Hanelie Sidhu, Joseph Stephan and Frida

The ringing:

It was foggy actually the whole day at Blåvandshuk until we sat together at the table for dinner, and it had finally cleared up. Nevertheless, we had 29 new birds of 11 different species. Highlights were a Black Redstart Husrødstjert, a Starling “Stær” and a Linnet “Tornirisk”.

Black Redstart "Husrødstjert". Picture: Antonia Greil

Linnet "Tornirisk". Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Starling "Stær". Picture: Antonia Greil.

Thomas, Marit and Levi went to the obs today but due to the fog, they could just count some resting birds and came back to the station very soon.

Todays observations can be seen here.

Our guests for the last night left today, we had a nice evening together yesterday but before, we took a group picture with everyone who was there.

Left to right: Hanelie, Frida, Anne, Antonia, Marit, Thomas, David. Picture: guests

The moths:

It was a pretty good night for moths, I had 12 different species, three new for me and two new for the season. The new ones are bold in the list. I was especially happy to get Saturnia pavonia “Lille natpåfugløje”, for the first time, although it was very worn. Besides that, I was happy to welcome back Pterostoma palpina “Palpetandspinder”, I already caught it last spring, but it is a very nice moth with its snout, I think.

Saturnia pavonia "Lille natpåfugleøje". Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Pterostoma palpina "Palpetandspinder". Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Trip to Filsø:

Birdwatching at Filsø. Picture: Marit Nillissen

After lunch, Anne, Antonia, Marit, Levi and I went on a trip to Filsø, as Anne has a car here for a few days and we needed to take advantage of that. We saw Ruffs “Brushane”, Sedge Warblers “Sivsanger”, Reed Buntings “Rørspurv” and Garganeys “Atlingant” and the weather was way better than out here at Blåvandshuk.

Reed Bunting "Rørspurv". Picture: Antonia Greil

News of the station:

In the late afternoon, Emma arrived at the station after a long trip from New Zeeland to Blåvand. Emma will stay with us until the end of June.

At the station: Thomas Kristensen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Marit Nillissen, Levi van den Os, Antonia Greil, Hanelie Sidhu, Emma Gray, Joseph Stephan and Frida and two guests

Morning observations:

This morning, Levi joined Marit and me for observation for the first time. We used the quiet morning migration to introduce him to how the morning observations work, which species we usually see, and how to tell them apart. As mentioned, the morning was very calm, with only a decent number of scoters “Sortand” and a good number of resting gannets “Sule” that were fishing. During the observation, we also saw quite a few passerines migrating overhead.

Todays observations can be seen here.

Levi on morning observation. Picture: Marit Nillissen

The ringing:

The weather was okay today, so nets were open at standard opening time at 06:00. It was a bit overcasted and a little windier and we did not have as many birds as yesterday, 19 new. Our highlight was another Linnet “Tornirisk”, that got a new ring, a beautiful female.

Between the rounds, we had enough time to make some bird portraits as of this beautiful Songthrush "Sangdrossel". Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Closeup of a Robin "Rødhals". Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Our pretty female Linnet/ Tornirisk hun. Pictuere: Antonia Greil

The moths:

Six different species of moths were in the traps today, I will show Orthosia incerta “Broget forårsugle” today, as it is a while ago, since I had it last.

Orthosia incerta “Broget forårsugle”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

People: Antonia Greil, Marit Nillissen, Levi van den Os, Thomas Kristensen, Hanelie Sidhu, Anne Hjortlund Hansen and Dimitri, Joseph Stephan and Frida and two guests

Morning observations:

Already on our way up to the observation site, Marit and I had a feeling that rain was on the way. After about an hour of light drizzle, the rain really started to come down. We decided it was too much to continue with a standard count, so after 1.5 hours of observation, we packed up and headed back to the station—soaked through.

The birds didn’t seem too keen on migrating in the rain either, so we only spotted a few of the most common species.

After warming up and drying off a bit back at the station, the rain stopped and the sun slowly began to break through. I decided to go for a walk to see if I could maybe find a Wryneck “Vendehals”, while Marit joined the ringing team as they decided to open the nets.

I didn’t find a Wryneck “Vendehals”, but to my great surprise, a white bird suddenly landed right next to me. It was a beautiful male Pied Flycatcher “Broget Fluesnapper”! I was thrilled and spent a good while admiring him—until I got a message that a Wryneck “Vendehals” had flown into one of the nets.

I said goodbye to the flycatcher and rushed back to the station. After enjoying the Wryneck “Vendehals” and making a quick stop by the Pied Flycatcher “Broget Fluesnapper” again, I decided to head home.

So, a rainy morning with barely any birds suddenly turned into a lovely, sunny day with some fantastic species.

Todays observations can be seen here.

Morning obs under the umbrella. Picture: Marit Nillissen

The ringing:

This morning did not look so promising. Yesterday, DMI forecasted that the rain would hit us just at six o´clock. I woke up at opening time to check if it maybe changed. It did, now the rain was supposed to hid Blåvand probably at seven, so I decided not to open and wait a bit until the radar would show the rain front. For a while it looked like we might just be at the edge and it would not be so bad here but at seven, the rain actually hit so there was no ringing in the early morning hours, but Anne made us a nice breakfast with eggs and backed beans while it was raining outside.

But at 9:30, the rain had stopped, and we went out opening the nets. The first round brought the most birds and, to our big amazement a Wryneck “Vendehals”!

Wryneck “Vendehals”. Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

We also had the second Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” of the season and quite some Robins “Rødhals”.

Willow Warbler "Løvsanger". Picture: Marit Nillissen

We kept the nets open for nearly five hours, the sky was bright and blue, the sun was shining, and in the following rounds, we also always had a few birds.

Not just the birds were active, but also some reptiles came out to enjoy the sun. We had a Slow Worm “Stålorm”.

Slow Worm “Stålorm”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

As well as a juvenile Common Toad “Skrubtudse”. First, we were a bit puzzled about that one, as it had quite some red on its back, which we did not see on these before, later Marit read it up and it is because it is a young one.

Juvenile Common Toad “Skrubtudse”. Picture: Marit Nillissen

The moths:

The moths did not like that night at Blåvand so much, I just had four different species and no new ones for me. I will show Xylocampa areola "Gedebladugle”, it is still the one I catch most.

Xylocampa areola "Gedebladugle”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

News of the station:

Yesterday, later than Antonia and Frida, also Annes boyfriend Dimitri arrived at the station. While we were occupied with birds, he went fishing today.

Levi, who will stay at the station with us for a bit more than two months, arrived this evening, so we are a lot of people at the station now!

At the station: Marit Nillissen, Antonia Greil, Levi van den Os, Thomas Kristensen, Hanelie Sidhu, Anne Hjortlund Hansen and Dimitri, Joseph Stephan and Frida

Morning observations:

The migration was okay, it wasn’t as good as yesterday, but way better than the other days this week. The Little terns “Dvægterne” also came by to say hello again! Our highlight of the day was a Lapland bunting “Laplandsværling” and a Marsh harrier “Rørhøg”, which were really cool!

Todays observations can be seen here.

The ringing:

Anne and I met at 5.30 in the morning as the previous days to open one garden each. I went up to the lighthouse garden, but it was very windy up there. In the end, I left the nets closed, just checked the moths trap and went down again. Anne also left some of the nets closed but we still had 90 net meters. So it was a rather calm morning without a lot of walking. At nine, Anne left to meet her family today. For the last two rounds, Marit joined me after the morning obs.

There were mainly Chiffchaffs ”Gransanger” in the nets, but also a few Robins “Rødhals” and recaps of a Blackbird “Solsort” and a Dunnock “Jernspurv”.

One of todays Chiffchaffs "Gransanger". Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

The moths:

Despite the wind, I had some moth in the traps, eight different species today plus one unidentified Agonopterix. One was new for me, it was Chesias rufata “Rustrød gyvelmåler”. It is also not such a common one so I was very happy about it.

Chesias rufata "Rustrød gyvelmåler". Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler” was also a nice catch, always a nice species to see.

Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

News of the station:

The rarity committee, which had a meeting at the bird observatory in the weekend left today. In the afternoon, Antonia and Frida arrived at the station, they will both stay with us until Thursday.

At the station: Thomas Kristensen, Marit Nillissen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, David Manstrup, Hanelie Sidhu, Antonia, Joseph Stephan and Frida

Morning observations:

Then it finally happened – a really big migration day. We had a day with a lot of scoters "Sortand", probably around 10,000 individuals, and besides that, also a lot of Sandwich Terns "Splitterne". It was also a day when many species hit Blåvand, with Wryneck "Vendehals, Northern Wheatear "Stenpikker, and Willow Warbler "Løvsanger". And during the migration, we got the first Little Terns "Dværgterne" for Blåvand this year – a much-awaited species for us. And they even chose to take a break and feed a bit right in front of us, so we got to see them really well. After a day where we had almost worn down our click counter from counting all the migrating birds, we chose to join the last couple of ringing rounds, where there was also a good number of birds.

Today’s observations can be seen here.

The ringing:

There were a lot more birds singing this morning than in the days before when Anne and I opened the nets in the early morning hours. A good sign that today would be better than the days before. Which it was. We had twenty-five new birds today, and some were new for the season: We caught the first Willow Warbler “Lovsanger” and the first Redstart “Rødstjert”.

Willow Warbler "Løvsanger". Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Redstart "Rødstjert". Picture: Anne Hjortlund Hansen

Also the first new ringed Linnet “Tornirisk”. Marit and Thomas joined for some rounds after the morning obs and Thomas ringed his first bird, a Blackcap “Munk”.

The moths:  

Not many moth species today. I will show Orthosia gothica “Gotisk forårsugle”. The night is quite mild, so hope, there will be more tonight.

Orthosia gothica “Gotisk forårsugle”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

At the station: Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Thomas Kristensen, Marit Nillissen, Joseph Stephan, David Manstrup, Hanelie Sidhu

Morning observations:

Gulls and Sandwich Tern "Splitterne" on a sandbank. Picture: Marit Nillissen

This morning, the weather looked good again. The visibility was good, so Thomas and I could luckily go to the morning observation! The migration was way better than the other days this week, we saw around 2000 Common scoters “Sortand”! The variety in species was also pretty good. We even saw a Short-eared owl “Mosehornugle” flying to the station’s garden! I was hoping it would fly into the nets, so Hanelie and Anne could ring it, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. During the morning observation, Hanelie and Anne had caught a Collared dove “Tyrkerdue” and asked me if I wanted to ring it and of course I wanted to. So I went down to the stations garden to ring the Collared dove. It was a new ringing species for me and the biggest bird I ever ringed.

Today’s observations can be seen here.

After the morning observation, Thomas and I had joined the ringing for the last two rounds, but no birds in the nets. But it was nice to have a walk through the gardens.

The ringing:

Today’s ringing meant walking a lot without catching many birds. Nevertheless, Marit got a new handspecies, which was another Collared Dove “Tyrkerdue”. She was observing today but we called her so she could also ring one. The other new bird was a blackbird. Today there was no highlight in the recaps.

Todays Collared Dove "Tyrkerdue". Picture: Marit Nillissen

The moths:

It was quite windy during the night, but I still caught some moths, although it was just three different species today.

Xylocampa areola/ Gedebladugle. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

(Bird-) news from Blåvand:

In the afternoon, Anne, Marit and I went to the opening of the new exhibition of the lighthouse museum for the 125^th anniversary of the lighthouse. Now there are some information plates, also about birds around the lighthouse.

In the afternoon, I went two the bog. It was rather quiet but I had a great highlight just before I wanted to go back: I saw four Ring-Ouzels “Ringdrossel”. After dinner, David also went to the bog to go birding in the last light and had a possible Bluethroat “Blåhals” singing! Would be great to have one of these in the nets!

At the station: Joseph Stephan, Marit Nillissen, Anne Hjortlund Hansen, Thomas Kristensen, Hanelie Sidhu, David Manstrup