Observations : 


Highlights of the day :
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Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing : 


At the station: Thomas Kristiansen, Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Henrik Böhmer and Hanelie Sidhu

Observations:

This morning there was so much fog, we couldn’t even see the lighthouse !
So, unfortunately, the birdwatching had to be cancelled.

In the afternoon, I went to count the resting birds on the beach; there were lots of terns, and among them was a whimbrel [småspove] - see the photo below -, in France, that is not so common, so i was glad to take some time to observe it !  

Todays observations can be seen here.

A whimbrel, some little terns and herring gulls resting on the beach, picture by Clara



A flock of sandwich terns resting on the beach, picture by Clara

Ringing:

Bogfinke hun/ Chaffinch by Hanelie 

The morning did not look nice – a lot of fog. In the first hours the lighthouse was hardly visible from the station. But fog also means low winds so I had the nets open. But there was very little activity in that weather. The highlight came in the closing round. A Starling “Stær” in the same net as yesterday.

Stær han/ Starling male. Picture by Hanelie

This time it was a male (yesterday a female). If they are a couple?

The moths:

Despite the fog, I had ten species of moths. Two were new for the season: Ectropis crepuscularia “Birke-barkmåler” and Diurnella fagella “Bøgeprydvinge”.

Ectropis crepuscularia “Birke-barkmåler”. Picture by Hanelie

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong and Hanelie Sidhu

Observations: 

It was quite a weird morning. Somehow I overslept my morning alarm, my bad... after saying goodbye to Rose, who was leaving us this morning, I went to take up my position on the dunes to finally start birdwatching at around 7.45 am. At first it was fairly quiet, apart from the gannets and scoters that were out and about. There were a few flocks of waders: some curlews and bar-tailed godwits, but nothing particularly impressive.

Then we went to count the resting birds with Jorn, further towards the northern tip, where you often find the largest numbers. We then saw a wide variety of birds, which was nice:

- sandwich terns [splitterne] - 18
- common terns [fjordterne] - 27
- little terns [dværgterne] - 4
- black-headed gulls [hættemåge] - 19
- oystercatchers [strandskade] - 9
- curlews [storspove]- 17
- bar-tailed godwit [lille kobbersneppe] - 4
- dunlin [almindelig ryle] - 1  

Then, realising that quite a few ducks were starting again to migrate, i decided to stay for about another hour to keep counting them! I've spotted :
- black-legged kittiwake [ride]- 1 (2K)
some brant goose, shovelers, teals, eiders, shelducks, wigeons and red-breasted mergansers :)

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing:

The first round brought a good amount of birds, surprisingly many Thrushes. A lot of Song Thrushes “Sangdrossel” but also a Fieldfare “Sjagger”! The last was quite surprising, it is more a bird to be expected in winter, either towards the end of the autumn season or maybe in early spring. And another species was first for the season: The Common Redstarts “Rødstjerts” arrived in our nets!

The first Common Redstart "Rødstjert". Picture by Hanelie

Also in the following rounds, there were always birds in the nets, although not so many anymore. It was a really enjoyable day for ringing, so nets were open until the afternoon. Rose left back to Germany to attend her courses for uni today, and unfortunately, she missed a bird, that she would really have liked to get in the nets: A starling “Stær”.

Starling "Stær". Picture by Clara.

I got it in the net this afternoon. I hope it will be not to long, that we will meet again at some birding place – and maybe with a Starling in the net. Nevertheless, the Fieldfare was also a very nice and more unexpected goodbye species.

Rose and the Fieldfare "Sjagger". Picture by Hanelie

The moths:

Ten different moths species today, five of them were new for the season. I was especially happy about Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”.

Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”. Picture by Hanelie.

But also Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler”. That species was already flying in other parts of Denmark since March, but it did not reach Blåvand, so I was even more happy to get it today.

Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler. Picture by Hanelie.

Also some other nice animals enjoyed the sun in the garden. Here a Sandlizard "Markfirben". Picture by Hanelie.

And a Slowworm " Stålorm" looking out of my hand. Picture by Hanelie.

Little Tern project:

This afternoon, Joseph and Kim came to the station set up some wooden flocks on the beach, together with Jorn, to have some better orientation where to put up the Little Tern “Dværgterne” fence. Because now, that they have finally arrived, we need to provide them with an undisturbed place for breeding! The whole team is hoping that the breeding success will be better than last year! On Sunday, Joseph and Kim will be back to put up the fence.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Joseph Stephan and Kim Fischer

Observations:

Today was a pretty quiet day i would say, still, more than one thousand common scoters [sortand] going north, 29 sandwich terns [splitterne] and some northern gannets [sule] including a 2K !
Jorn and I also spotted a harbour seal from a great distance, but it wasn’t easy to identify the species. Jorn tried to take a picture from far distance so the common seal looks more like a banana resting on the beach (picture below) !

Finally, in the afternoon, with Rosemary and Hanelie we went on a walk around and we have spotted the first sand martin ! 
That was really cool.  

Todays observations can be seen here. 


Sand martin resting on the beach, picture by Clara 



A common seal looking like a banana really far away, picture by Jorn 

Ringing:

The first round today was slow and we already thought it would be a boring morning, but the following rounds did provide some birds. And we also got a special one in the net: A Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” with Norwegian ring!

Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” with Norwegian ring! Picture by Rose.

It must have been ringed in Norway, then migrated to Africa and now we caught it on its way back to it´s breeding grounds. Quite impressive, the yearly journeys of such small passerines. And it was doing very well, it had a fat score of 5! Now we are excited to find out when it was ringed, if it was last year or even some years before! The plumage of the bird does not give us any clue about the age of this species, as both adults and juveniles do a complete moult in winter.

Another nice catch was an adult female Linnet “Tornirisk”, that was ringed last spring, already then as a 3k+.

Linnet, female. Tornirisk hun. Picture by Rose

Already in the early morning, David heard a Nightingale “Sydlig Nattergal”. Later in the morning, it moved closer to the station garden, but we did not catch it unfortunately, so it remains a mystery if it was the one we ringed or a new one.

The moth:

A new species for the season was on the wall today: Cerura vinula "Hermelinskåbe".

Cerura vinula "Hermelinskåbe". Picture by Hanelie.

In total, I had seven species of moths.

At the station: Rosemary Fricke, Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, David Manstrup, Bent Jakobsen, Thomas Kristiansen and Hanelie Sidhu

As usual, my alarm was set for opening time. After I had turned it off I listened in the silent house. Big raindrops drummed against my window. I checked the DMI radar on my phone, it looked like that. So I snuggled back into my pillow and went back to sleep. Later in the day the rain stopped, but we all had some office work to do so we stayed inside. In the afternoon, we did a thorough cleaning of the station.

After, Rose and I went to the beach. We would have liked to walk to the sabine bunker and back through the dunes, but the military area was closed. So we stood at the border to the military area with the telescope and watched the Terns: Now there are Sandwich Terns “Splitterne”, Common Terns “Fjordterne” and Little Terns “Dværgterne” resting on the beach.

Little Tern "Dværgterne". Picture by Rose.

Although there was rain in the night, I had the light in my small trap on. And I had two new species today: Orthosia cruda “Lille forårsugle” and Orthosia cerasi “Rødgul forårsugle”.

Orthosia cruda “Lille forårsugle”, picture by Hanelie

Orthosia cerasi “Rødgul forårsugle”. Picture by Hanelie

Office day at the bird observatory. Picture by Rose.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Jorn de Jong, Hanelie Sidhu.

Observations : 

That was quite a foggy day!
We had to stop our observations short because we could no longer see the reef clearly.
Still, when conditions allowed, we spotted around 90 common terns [fjordterne] feeding near the reef, a group of 120 great cormorants [skarv]  resting in the waves, and a white-tailed eagle [havørn] flying over the shore!

Todays observations can be seen here. 


Making some sketches of resting birds on the beach - here great black-backed gulls [svartbag] - , by Clara

Ringing : 

This morning turned out to be less foggy as forecasted and it seemed like the clear and calm night made some birds migrate.

The first round was already quite exciting: From far a saw a rather big passerine with a orange tail in the net. It was quite a surprise to find a Common Nightingale “Sydlig Nattergal” in the net!! Especially as so few other Long-distance migrants had arrived in the nets so far.

A very early Common Nightingale "Sydlig Nattergal". Picture by Rose.

Apart from their difference in plumage colour, the Common Nightingale "Sydlig Nattergal" and the Thrush Nightingale "Nattergal" differ in the lenth of  P1. The Nightingale has a very long P1 in the lenth of the primary couverts or a little longer, while the Thrush Nightingale has a very short P1, see in the next picture.

After showing the bird to Clara and Jorn, it was released. A very early Nightingale, but that will just be beneficial for it. Usually in passerines, it is the males, that are migrating earlier than the females. We cannot sex Nightingales but considering that it had a long wing measurement in its range it is more likely, that it is a male. The males arriving early at their breeding sites will occupy the best territories. Therefore, it is very likely that they will be chosen by a female – it is the female´s choice, which mating partner they take – and they hopefully they will have good breeding success. I wonder what the destination of that Nightingale is. We can just wish it a safe flight!

The day also brought Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” no. 2 and 3 for the season.

Willow Warbler "Løvsanger". Picture by Rose.

I kept the nets in the station garden open for a little longer after standard and caught another Blackcap “Munk” and some more Chiffchaffs “Gransanger”. We had over 19 today!

Blackcap "Munk". Picture by Hanelie.

We also washed all bird bags today and I did some more data checking.

I also observed a Great Tit snacking one of my moths today. I was not so delighted by that. I might move the trap. I caught many moths today but only four well known species from the last Days. Mainly Xylocampa areola “Gedeblad-ugle”.

Tomorrow we might not be able to ring in the morning, the forecast shows rain. But let´s see. My alarm is always ringing at the usual opening time.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Frikke, Hanelie Sidhu & Jorn de Jong 

Observations :

What a wonderful variety of sightings today! And to top it all off, we were blessed with glorious sunshine and surrounded by lovely people. Without further ado, here are the highlights and photos from the day!

Highlights of the day : 
sandwich terns [splitterne] - 20 (migration) + 15 (roosting)
common terns [fjordterne] - 10 (migration)
little terns [dværgterne] - 9 (migration) + 10 (roosting)
barnacle goose [bramgås] - 150
bar-tailed godwit [lille Kobbersneppe] - 28 
egyptian goose [nilgås] - 2
avocet [klyde] - 1
white-tailed eagle [havørn] - 1
marsh harrier [rørhøg] - 1
barn swallow [landsvale] - 2
porpoise whale [marsvin] - 1

Todays observations can be seen here. 



Black-legged kittiwake adult by David Manstrup


Black-legged kittiwake flying by David Manstrup


Ringing :

Today Lise and Mathilde followed us on some rounds. It was a rather slow morning, but they chose the early rounds, which had some birds. Because later in the morning it became very slow.

Moths:

Although it was very calm in the morning, it was quite windy during the night. Nevertheless, I had the light on in both moths traps. There was not much but it was worth it, as I caught the first Emperor Moth/ Lille natpåfugleøje – Saturnia pavonia of the season!

Emperor Moth/ Lille natpåfugleøje – Saturnia pavonia

While Lise and Mathilde stayed at Blåvands Huk until they needed to leave back to Aarhus, Morten went on a walk to Tipmosen and saw a beautiful White-tailed Eagle “Havørn” on the top of a tree.



White-tailed Eagle/ Havørn, picture by David Manstrup

White-tailed Eagle/ Havørn, picture by Morten Mastrup

Mathilde, Morten and Lise left during the morning and the whole team would like to say thanks for the pizzas that they treated us yesterday evening.

Later in the morning, David and Thomas found the first Bluethroat “Blåhals” of the season out here in the bog.

Bluethroat "Blåhals". Picture by David Manstrup.

Clara and I were out too later, but unfortunately we did not hear or see it. But I saw my first Little Terns “Dværgterne” of the season on the beach and also my first Wheatear “Stenpikker” of the season at Blåvands Huk in the bog.


Medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, in Hanelie's hands, picture by Clara

Hanelie thought she was picking up some sort of snake near the pond, but it turned out to be a leech !

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Frikke, Thomas Kristiansen, David Manstrup, Hanelie Sidhu, Mathilde Lundt Larsen, Lise Mastrup, Morten Mastrup

Observations:

What a lovely day!
Lots of common scoters [sortand] were migrating north – over 2,500 of them – plus more than 50 migrating sandwich terns [splitterne] and the first little terns [dværgterne] arrived!

Jorn and I were lucky enough to observe the courtship displays of two little terns for quite some time and at very close distance.
One of them (presumably the female) stood on the beach while the male fished out at sea. He then brought her a fish whilst displaying, and they stayed on the beach for a while before flying off. This exchange of fish is part of the courtship display, it can demonstrate to the female that the male is capable of bringing back fish and subsequently feeding their offspring. Soon, various pairs of little terns will come to nest at Blavand !

Later that afternoon, I went for my usual walk towards Sabine’s bunker and then into the inland. There I saw a common toad up close. It pretended to be dead, lying completely still, no doubt to avoid attracting the attention of a predator whilst it was in the middle of the road.

Then I found a nest full of caterpillars; when I showed Hanelie the photos, she managed to identify the species: Melitaea cinxia.

Finally, below is a drawing of two species of thrush. I am learning the differences between the four most common species and thought that some scientific drawings might help me memorise them.

Todays observations can be seen here.

A little tern [dværgterne] resting on the beach, by Clara



Scientific drawings to recognize the fieldfare [sjagger] from the redwing [vindrossel], by Clara

  

A common toad, Bufo bufo, in my way, by Clara




Lots of caterpillars out of their nests from the butterfly specie Melitaea cinxia, by Clara


Ringing:

Treesparrow "Skovspurv". Picture by Rose.

This morning was very clam and Rose and I could open the nets as usual. We had a good first round, but as the day was very sunny and clear, it slowed down soon. We had many Chiffchaffs “Gransanger “ in the nets, I am everyday hoping for more Long-distance migrants to arrive, but today was not the day. Rose was happy to ring a Tree Sparrow “Skovspurv”. We see them the bushes in front of our window every day, but they rarely go into the nets. I like Sparrows in hand too, they are so round!

The moths

I had seven different species of moths today, three were new for the season. It is getting worth to make a list again. Besides that, I am entering all the moth, that I am catching here on three different observation databases: Arter, Obsidentify and Inaturalist.

Chesias rufata "Rustrød gyvelmåler". Picture by Hanelie

Earophila badiata "Brungul bladmåler". Picture by Hanelie.

This evenig  Mathilde, Lise and her dad will visit and stay for one night, and we are looking forward to welcome them every minute!

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Jorn de Jong, David Manstrup, Mathilde Lundt Larsen & Lise Mastrup and her dad

It was too rainy and to windy this morning to carry out the observation and ringing sessions! At least, it gave us a chance to rest a bit ! It was actually nice for everyone to get a few extra hours of well-deserved sleep and to be able to take our time in the morning! Rosemary made some tasty pancakes for the team and we shared chocolate, jam and maple syrup to put on top ! Yumi !

Observation :

When the sun came out again in the late afternoon, I went to count the birds on the beach and inland. I was lucky enough to spot a sparrowhawk [spurvehøg] and some woodcocks [skovsneppe]!
On my way back along the path, I stopped by a pond to sketch some of the frogs, which are currently in their mating season. It was a really nice time to try to sketch them with the evening light.

Todays observations can be seen here.


Drawings of some frogs in a pond near Sabine's bunker, by Clara


Ringing :

Due to heavy rain in the early morning and strong wind afterwards, we could enjoy some more time in bed this morning. But later in the afternoon, the wind died down and the rain stopped. We opened some nets for a few hours and welcomed Ms Munk, the first female Blackcap ringed this year!

Ms Munk. Picture by Rose.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Jorn De Jong & Hanelie Sidhu.

Observation : 

The ducks have finally decided it’s the right time to migrate!
It was the first day with real movements and gatherings of migrating ducks (apart from the common scoters [sortand]).
Thomas joined us this morning and his help was precious in continuing to learn the details needed to identify each species, in different conditions and under different lighting. The three of us were just the right number to spot as many birds as possible. There were indeed large flocks of teals and barnacle geese which was really lovely to watch!

Highlights of the day : 
Eurasian teals [Krikand] - 363
Wigeons [Pibeand] - 95
Barnacle goose [Bramgås] - 245
Red-breasted merganser [Toppet Skallesluger] - 52 

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing :

Today was windier than expected and Rose and only opened some nets in the station garden. We had a rather quiet morning with few birds in the nets but for that a rather high species diversity. So we took some time to take pictures for you reading the Blog :-)

Lesser Redpoll "Lille Gråsisken", hun. Picture by Rose.

Chaffinch "Bogfinke", han. Picture by Rose.

Gråsisken "Siskin" , han. Picture by Rose.

And although it was a slow morning, already the first round brought us a little highlight which just arrived here from Africa: The first Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” of the season arrived in our nets! What I really like about spring is the arrival of migrants, that we did not see in winter and finding the first species of Africa migrants eighter in the field or catching them in the nets is always special.

The first Willow Warbler "Løvsanger" of the season! Picture by Rose.

Later in the morning, Bent came by at the station to go on his walk and join the observers for a bit. He said, it was a rather early one for the station, so I checked in the database when the first Willow Warblers “Løvsanger” arrived over the last ten years. Last year, I ringed the first here at the station on the 12^th of April. But the year before in 2024, Morten had the first the same day, also on the 9^th. These two were the earliest within the last ten years. In 2021 they arrived at the latest in that period, the first was ringed the 25^th of April!

Bent also found the first Wheatears “Stenpikker” in the dunes at Blåvandshuk, tomorrow I am planning a nice long walk in the bog and am hoping to see some as well! Hopefully, the military area will be open.

The moths:

Catching moths this year at Blåvand was a bit of a test of patience. It was so cold in March and often the weather was not good, so I had very few species and individuals so far. But slowly it is picking up. Today I had six species. One was new for the season and also new for me, the March Moth “Alsophila aescularia”.

March Moth “Alsophila aescularia”. Picture by Hanelie.

In the early evening, Lou arrived, she is an intern at Aarhus university and will check our bat detector. She will be with us for one night and continue checking more bat detectors in Denmark tomorrow.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Jorn De Jong, Thomas Kristiansen, Hanelie Sidhu and Lou