Sumpmejse, Snespurv, Nyeng and nightcatching.

Ringing did not have many birds, but some highlights today: First I found a Firecrest “Rødtoppet Fuglekonge” in one of the nets we had put up yesterday!

Firecrest "Rødtoppet Fuglekonge", picture by Thomas

Another round brought a Marsh Tit “Sumpmejse”, which is a local rarity at Blåvands Huk. In hand, the tail is a very good caracter to distinguish between Marsh Tit “Sumpmejse” and Willow Tit “Fyrremejse”. In the Willow Tit, tailfeather 3, 4 and 5 are of visibly different length, while they are of similar length in the Marsh Tit. Furthermore, TF6 is notably shorter in the Willow Tit, while there is not a big difference to the other tailfeathers in the Marsh Tit. Also the bib is smaller and less spreading to the sides.

Marsh Tit "Sumpmejse" pictures by Hanelie

David and Thomas had just returned to the station from the obs, so the could also see the bird. Finally, I caught a screamy Great Spotted Woodpecker “Stor Flagspætte”.

Great Spotted Woodpecker "Stor Flagspætte"

Later in the morning, Joseph arrived from Fanø. He will be working on the Little Tern “Dværgterne” Project again this year but is this year situated on the island. But he will visit us at Blåvand regularly to monitor the birds here. But as it is still to early for them to arrive from their wintering grounds, this visit is just a birdwatching visit. In the afternoon, we went to the beach and the dunes. At the beach there is a nice group of Snowbuntings “Snespurv” around and also Ringed Plovers “Stor Præstekrave”, Purple Sandpipers “Sortgrå Ryle” and Sanderlings “Sandløber”.

Snowbunting "Snespurv" by Joseph

After we went to Skallingen and Nyeng. Many Curlews “Storspove”, Dunlins “Almindelig Ryle” and Grey Plovers “Strandhjeile were resting at Nyeng also Shelducks “Gravands” and Pintails “Spidsand” one of my favorite duck species. Joseph spotted nice White-Tailed Eagle “Havørn”.

Birdwatching at Nyeng, picture by Joseph

After our trip we went to a short visit at Henriks place, as we planned to go nightcatching but the thermal binocular was at his place. After, we went back to the station with a short stop at Netto and Joseph made a lovely dinner, while I was entering data and starting with this blog.

When all was eaten, we packed ringes, pliers and chacher and the thermal binocular. It was a beautiful and star clear night and waning moon was till quite big. Unfortunately, this is not the best conditions for nightcatching, that a rainy and windy night is much better. We saw some gulls, but did not really come close.

Tired we returned to the station, it had been a long day at Blåvandshuk and surrounding.

At the station: David Manstrup, Thomas Kristensen, Joseph Stephan, Hanelie Sidhu