The Redstarts/ Rødstjert arrived!

Observations: 

It was quite a weird morning. Somehow I overslept my morning alarm, my bad... after saying goodbye to Rose, who was leaving us this morning, I went to take up my position on the dunes to finally start birdwatching at around 7.45 am. At first it was fairly quiet, apart from the gannets and scoters that were out and about. There were a few flocks of waders: some curlews and bar-tailed godwits, but nothing particularly impressive.

Then we went to count the resting birds with Jorn, further towards the northern tip, where you often find the largest numbers. We then saw a wide variety of birds, which was nice:

- sandwich terns [splitterne] - 18
- common terns [fjordterne] - 27
- little terns [dværgterne] - 4
- black-headed gulls [hættemåge] - 19
- oystercatchers [strandskade] - 9
- curlews [storspove]- 17
- bar-tailed godwit [lille kobbersneppe] - 4
- dunlin [almindelig ryle] - 1  

Then, realising that quite a few ducks were starting again to migrate, i decided to stay for about another hour to keep counting them! I've spotted :
- black-legged kittiwake [ride]- 1 (2K)
some brant goose, shovelers, teals, eiders, shelducks, wigeons and red-breasted mergansers :)

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing:

The first round brought a good amount of birds, surprisingly many Thrushes. A lot of Song Thrushes “Sangdrossel” but also a Fieldfare “Sjagger”! The last was quite surprising, it is more a bird to be expected in winter, either towards the end of the autumn season or maybe in early spring. And another species was first for the season: The Common Redstarts “Rødstjerts” arrived in our nets!

The first Common Redstart "Rødstjert". Picture by Hanelie

Also in the following rounds, there were always birds in the nets, although not so many anymore. It was a really enjoyable day for ringing, so nets were open until the afternoon. Rose left back to Germany to attend her courses for uni today, and unfortunately, she missed a bird, that she would really have liked to get in the nets: A starling “Stær”.

Starling "Stær". Picture by Clara.

I got it in the net this afternoon. I hope it will be not to long, that we will meet again at some birding place – and maybe with a Starling in the net. Nevertheless, the Fieldfare was also a very nice and more unexpected goodbye species.

Rose and the Fieldfare "Sjagger". Picture by Hanelie

The moths:

Ten different moths species today, five of them were new for the season. I was especially happy about Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”.

Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”. Picture by Hanelie.

But also Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler”. That species was already flying in other parts of Denmark since March, but it did not reach Blåvand, so I was even more happy to get it today.

Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler. Picture by Hanelie.

Also some other nice animals enjoyed the sun in the garden. Here a Sandlizard "Markfirben". Picture by Hanelie.

And a Slowworm " Stålorm" looking out of my hand. Picture by Hanelie.

Little Tern project:

This afternoon, Joseph and Kim came to the station set up some wooden flocks on the beach, together with Jorn, to have some better orientation where to put up the Little Tern “Dværgterne” fence. Because now, that they have finally arrived, we need to provide them with an undisturbed place for breeding! The whole team is hoping that the breeding success will be better than last year! On Sunday, Joseph and Kim will be back to put up the fence.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Joseph Stephan and Kim Fischer