Can you Spot it? Terns out they’re Late!

Morning observation

Today Thomas nor Marit were able to join me for the morning observation, which meant counting a lot of birds I'm normally not that familiar with. Emma however, came to the rescue, helping me with the counting this morning! This was just her second time joining the obs, but she picked the counting up very fast. While she was responsible for the divers "Rødstrubet lom", I did the other common migrators. Later however, we basically switched which species we were counting as Emma was having a blast counting the common scoters "Sortand". During the obs Emma noticed a black, tern like bird fly across her scope view. This was none other than a black tern "Sortterne"! Overall we had a good morning observation with a large amount of scoters.

Today's observations can be seen here.

Ringing

The ringing was in comparison quite slow. There were in total 18 birds ringed and 4 recaptures. Marit and Kyle checked the lighthouse garden, while Morten looked after the station garden. After the standard time the lighthouse garden was closed. But with the nets in the station garden still open, Morten caught the first spotted flycatcher "Grå fluesnapper" of the season!

Spotted flycatcher "Grå fluesnapper". Picture: David Manstrup

Blackbird "Solsort". Picture: Kyle Tittse

“Kystfugle” Project:

After some hard days of work, it’s finally time to celebrate!

We’ve made great progress with the fences in Blåvand and Rømø.

Even though the Little Terns seem to be arriving a bit late this season, we’re still hopeful that their numbers will increase in the coming days.

Over the last few days, the first Dwarfs (Little Terns) and Peckers (Ringed Plovers) have been pairing up on the beach - which means we can expect the first eggs within the next seven days!

Yesterday, Kim F. and Ulf B. visited the station to install the last missing pieces for the fence in Blåvand. 

The electricity is now running through the wires, the decoys are being offered fish, and the fence is ready to be elevated in case of a king tide.

 

Electric Energy System - Kim and Fritz; Photo: Joseph

The second fence along the first line of dunes is up, the poles are equipped with spikes to prevent perch hunting, the first sand drift measurement has been completed, and daily records of location and activity are ongoing.

 

Anti perch hunting spikes; Photo: Joseph

Sand Drift Measurement; Photo: Joseph

We’re also counting dogs - both on and off leashes. Fifteen artificial nests (made up of 30 quail and 15 wax eggs) were placed along a gradient from bare sand to dense vegetation, accompanied by three trail cameras to estimate predator density, identify which species are involved, and understand the environmental factors affecting predation rates.

 

Artificial Nests; Photo: Joseph

And last but not least: the concrete tubes are patiently waiting to be cut and decorated with sand.

Our bones and muscles are extremely sore - but our souls are soothed. We’re looking forward to tomorrow, hoping to see more Little Terns mingling inside the fence.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this project happen!

Special thanks to John F., Kim F., Ulf B., Thomas B., Christoph M., and Henrik B. for supervising with precision and patience.

We’re off to a great start, and I’m excited to keep you updated in the next blog posts and share the first maps and results!

At the station: Emma Gray, Joseph Stephan and Frida Soeltoft, Thomas Kristensen, Morten Jenrich Hansen, Levi van den Os, Marit Nillissen, David Manstrup