Short-eared Owl, Natterjack and Waxwing!

Let’s start with yesterday evening. Because Anton and Leona had seen a Snowbunting (Snespurv) earlier, getting cozy in the dunes, we wanted to give it a try with Nightcatching. We went out and scanned the dunes with the nocturnal scope and the flashlight and immediately saw some promising shapes. We walked a little bit closer and – what a pity – the Snowbunting flew up! Anton tried to go for another bird and we watched excitedly. It was a Short-eared Owl (Mosehornugle), sitting on the ground while eating a Blackbird (Solsort)! It sadly escaped (with the blackbird in its claws), but with the bright flashlight and binoculars we could watch it nicely, flying further into the dunes. For Felix and me, this was the first time seeing this a Short-eared Owl, so we still were really happy about it! We tried for some more time but were not successful and went back to the station. On the way, we found a fascinating Natterjack Toad (Strandtudse) and even though it didn’t get a ring, we declared it the “Catch of the Night”.

Today, Louis and Joseph went to the Morning Observation, with an easterly wind of 4 m/s. Some Passerines were flying over, for example over 2000 Starlings (Staer), a flock of Longtailed Tits (Halemejse) and 113 Fieldfares (Sjagger). As well as 150 Eider Ducks (Ederfugl), many Cormorants (Skarv) and Common Scoters (Sortand). Some highlights were a White-tailed Eagle (Havørn), Rough-legged Buzzard (Fjeldvåge) and two Hen Harriers (Blå Kærhøg). All observations can be seen here.

Meanwhile, Anton, Leona and I opened the Nets in the Station and Lighthouse Gardens and were joined by Felix and Frida for the Netchecks. We had one round with many birds, but apart from that it was quite slow. We had a lot of Blackbirds (Solsort), Goldcrests (Fuglekonge) and Robins (Rødhals), which are the birds we had most of this week in the ringing. One Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) and a pair of Bullfinches (Lille Dompap) were nice sights, as well as a Brambling (Kvækerfinke), Wrens (Gærdesmutte) and a flock of Tree Sparrows (Skovspurv), which were new species for Felix and Frida to see close up.

In the afternoon, some birding and baking was done. Louis and Joseph made delicious Cinnamon Buns, which everyone enjoyed very much! The tasty smell was filling all the downstairs rooms and gave cozy Autumn vibes. Felix and I went to the beach and after five minutes managed to spot a single Waxwing (Silkehale) near the Lighthouse! First, we heard the call and then immediately saw the beautiful bird sitting in a pine tree! This was a lifer for both of us and we were so happy about it, that the tourists around us started asking what we were looking at. Leona came and saw this bird for the first time as well, and Felix managed to take some photos while it was sitting on the fence. This was definitely my highlight today! We then continued our walk to the Sabine’s Bunker but didn’t see much. The others went out as well and saw “millions of blackbirds” and again, a Snowbunting and Short-eared Owl.

Photo: Felix

In the evening, Anne arrived, who has been here two weeks in the summer before. Leona has cooked a lovely dinner and now all of us can get our well-deserved rest.

People at the Station: Louis Poulsen, Anton Liebermann, Joseph Stephan, Antonia Greil, Felix, Leona, Frida, Anne