Birds and Butterflies

Calm and cloudy conditions soon gave way to clearer skies but the temperature was still mild and allowed for a pleasant morning's ringing involving 14 birds of eight species. The highlight being an adult male Lesser/Common Redpoll (Lille/Nordlig Gråsisken, Acanthis cabaret/flammea) with very extensive red flanks, breast and even red on the rump and ear coverts.

Adult male Lesser/Common Redpoll (Lille/Nordlig Gråsisken, Acanthis cabaret/flammea)

Bent dropped by in the morning to check on the progress of the breeding Little Terns (Dværgterne, Sternula albifrons). Unfortunately, he recorded more disturbance to the colony as there was evidence of car tire marks running directly through the colony with the rope snapped at each end! However, whilst repairing the fence he did note some very agressive behaviour from the adults so there is at least a sign some of the eggs may have hatched and there are chicks about. If you are by any chance visiting the area please stay outside the fenced area for the benefit of the birds.

Simon and Rasmus ventured out to Tipmose and Skallingen for some birding. Their escapade produced noisy Redshank (Rødben, Tringa totanus) parents busily protecting their precocial young, a family of Crested Tits (Topmejse, Lophophanes cristatus), and a somewhat unusual record of five Canada Geese (Canadagås, Branta canadensis). Butterflies were also out in force with a good representation of Glanville Fritillary (Okkergul pletvinge, Melitaea cinxia) on the wing.

Adult Redshank (Rødben, Tringa totanus)

Adult Crested Tits (Topmejse, Lophophanes cristatus)

Glanville Fritillary (Okkergul pletvinge, Melitaea cinxia)

Ringing:

2 Willow Warbler (Løvsanger, Phylloscopus trochilus)

2 Chiffchaff (Gransanger, Phylloscopus collybita)

4 Lesser/Common Redpoll (Lille/Nordlig Gråsisken, Acanthis cabaret/flammea)

1 Spotted Flycatcher (Grå Fluesnapper, Muscicapa striata)

1 Icterine Warbler (Gulbug, Hippolais icterina)

2 Common Whitethroat (Tornsanger, Curruca communis) 

1 Garden Warbler (Havesanger, Sylvia borin)

1 Chaffinch (Bogfinke, Fringilla coelebs)

People: Merit, Taïma, Simon, Rasmus, Bent, and Samuel.