Arrival day in Blåvand

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