Ringmærkningen/Ringing: 

Although we were not so happy this morning because we needed to shut down the nets not even an hour after opening, it turned out to be not such a bad day. And in the net-shutting down round, I took the third Red-breasted Flycatcher “Lille Fluesnapper” of this week out of the net. Unless us, who got quite a bit wet in the course of that round, the bird stayed dry and it was now Alix turn to ring it.

Lille Fluesnapper/ Red-breasted Flycatcher

We stayed quite some time in the house while it was raining outside, but at nine, we went out again and there was some activity after the rain. Robert hoped for a second Wryneck “Vendehals”, but it did not come, but quite some Chiffchafs were around, it was the species we caught most today.

Trækket på Odden: En våd morgen med let regn de første timer af observationen, men efterhånden klarede det op, og der kom flere folk med kikkerter, teleskoper og kameraer ud på spidsen, så vi efterhånden var et pænt stort hold til at kigge i alle retninger. Trækket af var lavt, bortset fra næsten 650 Sortænder (Melanitta nigra), der mest viste sig som små sorte prikker et godt stykke ude over havet, og selv om der var flere sæt øjne fokuseret på dagens enlige kjove, var den så langt væk, at det blev ved en ubestemt art.

Anderledes var det med rovfuglene, som omgående reagerede på opklaringen. Fire Fiskeørne (Pandion haliaetus) kom næsten i samlet flok, hvilket var lidt usædvanligt. Fiskeørne plejer at flyve hver for sig. Vi fik også hurtigt øje på et par unge Aftenfalke (Falco vespertinus) og en Lærkefalk (Falco subbuteo).

Ung 1k (første kalenderår) Aftenfalk på træk ved Gedser Odde søndag morgen. Nogle af de unge Aftenfalke kan ligne unge Lærkefalke til forveksling. Denne fugl havde næsten mørk hætte som en Lærkefalk, men den hvide 'halsring' var mere markant. De Sorte striber på undersiden nåede ikke så langt ned ad kroppen som hos en ung Lærkefalk, og de to forlængede midterste halefjer er mere oplagte hos Aftenfalk end hos Lærkefalk (men de kan være slidt korte).

Ung 1k (første kalenderår) Lærkefalk på udtræk ved Gedser Odde søndag morgen samtidig med Aftenfalke. Den havde en mere rent mørk hætte med kraftigere skægstribe og kortere mere ufuldstændig hvid hvid halsring om i nakken. Desuden var der mørke striber på undersiden hele vejen ned ad kroppen til den okkerfarvede undergump. Fotos: Ole Friis Larsen/GFU 

Desuden kom der nogle unge Hvepsevåger (Pernis apivorus), og ude på Odden så folk to adulte/voksne hunner af Blå Kærhøg (Circus cyaneus) trække ud efter standardtiden, mens vi inde på fuglestationen så en adult/voksen hun Hedehøg (Circus pygargus) komme strygende over haven og fortsætte ud mod stranden. Alt i alt ikke så ringe endda med rovfugletrækket, selv om vi stadig synes, at nogle af arterne ligger under gennemsnittet på dette tidspunkt af efteråret. 

Dagens uden tvivl vildeste oplevelse fik vi, da en ung Aftenfalk stjal en mus fra en Tårnfalk (Falco tinnunculus). Den formentlig temmelig utilfredse Tårnfalk forfulgte den lidt mindre Aftenfalk hen over marken, og vi så dem i et heftigt korporligt slagsmål, som endte med, at Tårnfalken gav op og fløj væk, mens den unge Aftenfalk åd sig mæt i sit livs måske hidtil største måltid.

 Drabeligt slagsmål på marken ved Odden, efter at den unge Aftenfalk havde røvet en mus fra Tårnfalken. Det foregik med sylespidse klør, og vi troede på et tidspunkt, at Aftenfalken var alvorligt såret efter kampen

... men det var Aftenfalken ikke. Den kiggede sig vagtsomt omkring efter at have fordrevet den lidt større Tårnfalk.

Musen var et stort måltid for Aftenfalken, og det tog lang tid at få den flået til passende bidder. Fotos: Ole Friis Larsen/GFU

Se alle dagens observationer på Gedser Odde i DOFbasen.

Moths caught in the traps: This night 29 species were able to find the traps. There were some really interesting ones, another Pale Pinion (Alliance-stenugle). A Lunar Underwing (Halvmåne Jordfarvugle, see picture) and a Lunar Yellow Underwing (Skarpskygget Smutugle). All these moths are not really common. But the species of the day was a Porter's Rustic (Gæstugle). Was not easy to pinpoint the name, but we think it is the right species. It is a rather small moth with not much color. This one is really rare, only a few sightings in Denmark. If we have it wrong, then it is the Strandært-Ugle (Athetis lepigone) which would also be new for us. 

Lunar Underwing (Halvmåne Jordfarvugle)

Porter's Rustic (Gæstugle)

Folk på stationen: Grace Marsh, Alix Bortolussi, Robert Luttik, Hanelie Sidhu, Ole Friis Larsen

Ringing 

It was still a bit windy in the garden so we were rather surprised that the first round was pretty good. After it slowed down quite fast and we also got some rounds without birds. A nice surprise in the nets was a Sparrowhawk “Spurvehøg”, the first that Alix ringed.

Sparrowhawk "Spurvehøg"

Also a picture of a Redstart “Rødstjert”, an Africa migrant that we do not have in the nets so often anymore and you always don´t know when you see the Africa migrants the last time.

Redstart/ Rødstjert

Moths caught in the traps

This night brought 22 species. Of one moth sitting on the wall I thought it was the Silver Y (Gammaugle) a common moth for this time of the year, but Gerd said have you seen the confusa on the wall. I said where did you see it and than he showed it and it was the Dewick's Plusia (Sølvdråbugle). Both for me and Hanelie a new species. It is a species you can see all over Denmark, but it is seen more at the eastern islands of Denmark. Evidently this is the moth of the day, but we had another beautiful Moth: the Frosted Orange (Burreugle) and of this you will find also a picture below.

Dewick's Plusia (Sølvdræbugle)

Frosted Orange (Burreugle)

Migration: Today at the point we had another nice day observing the migration. I’m beginning to feel like my blog entries are becoming a little repetitive, so to make it more exciting, here is our day in the form of a limerick:

One of the nicest birds we saw today was the little gull

Moving like a tern but with a beautiful pattern, this bird is never dull  

The raptor we saw migrating in the largest numbers was the sparrowhawk

A fast and agile bird, watching it makes me wish I could fly too, instead of walk

All were flying hard against the wind, hopefully they catch a lull

It’s exciting to see the change in species every day

Each new silhouette, colour, and shape flying quickly away

The differences are becoming more clear

With helpful advice from locals being very dear

If only the birds would for a little longer stay!

Overall, it was a productive day out on the point: we observed 1543 individuals of 35 species with help from our fellow birdwatchers. It’s quite nice standing in the sunshine overlooking the ocean, and I’m looking forward to seeing new species tomorrow, as it seems that different birds are passing through each day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!

At the station: Mads Elley, Grace Marsh, Alix Bortolussi, Robert Luttik and Hanelie Sidhu

 Rødhals/ Robin

Ringing:

The day started very windy but the wind slowed a little bit down during the morning. As expected, this did not bring many birds. Today Grace went to the migration count again and Alix, who had arrived yesterday evening joined us in the ringing. We had quite many zero rounds or rounds with only one bird. The highlight was a female Goldcrest “Fuglekonge”, we did not have these in the last days.

Fuglekonge hun/ Goldcrest female

Moths caught today

Despite the strong wind during the night still 25 species in and around the traps. We had a few moths that are probably migratory moths. One was the Cotton Bollworm (Kriger Trækugle) which is a pest on cotton. In Denmark it predominantly found near the coasts. No cotton in Denmark but it can also survive on other plants, it is considered as one of the most polyphagous and cosmopolitan pest species according to Wikipedia. An other moth (much smaller) that is a migrant from the south (central and south Europe) is the Blastobasis phycidella (no English and no Danish name). This is a rather rare moth for Denmark only a few entries in both Arter or Naturbasen. Bornholm is a good place with a few numbers and two places in Lolland, one on Copenhagen and now also one in Falster. These two moths are the moths of the day (see pictures).

Cotton Bollworm (Kriger Trækugle)

Blastobasis phycidella

Migration: This morning was very windy, so instead of staying out on the exposed point, we moved to the side of the old building to shelter and stay warm. This meant our view of the ocean wasn’t as good and we had to be a little quicker while counting. We still managed to count 965 individuals of 33 species, which is good!

There were still low numbers of ducks migrating; however, we had some cool birds to make up for it. These included an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove, Stercorarius parasiticus), a Long-tailed Skua (Lille Kjove, Stercorarius longicaudus), three Black-throated Divers (Sortstrubet Lom, Gavia arctica) and quite a few Bar-tailed Godwits (Lille Kobbersneppe, Limosa lapponica).

Notable migrating raptors today included Osprey (Fiskeørn, Pandion haliaetus), Honey Buzzards (Hvepsevåge, Pernis apivorus), and Hobbies (Lærkefalk, Falco subbuteo), which were all very nice to see.

Despite the wind and cloud, visibility was very good, and the sun eventually came out and warmed us up a little. We were again joined by five or so birders, which was nice. Hopefully tomorrow brings a few more ducks for us to look at.

At the station: Mads Elley, Grace Marsh, Alix Bortolussi, Robert Luttik and Hanelie Sidhu

 Sedge Warbler "Sivsanger".

Ringing:

Today Robert and me took care of the garden and it´s birds while Grace went to the migration count. There were more birds in the garden than the day before and in the first round we were surprised by a Red-breasted Flycatcher “Lille Fluesnapper” in the net. And then – same round – a second one. One for each of us and there were also some other nice birds in the garden: Robert took a Wryneck “Vendehals” out of the net and Grace and some birdwatchers came from the tip to see it doing it´s Wryneck – show. They are moving their heads like a snake when you have them in hand.

Wryneck "Vendehals".

Later I had a Sparrowhawk “Spurvehøg” in the net.Sparrowhawk "Spurvehøg".

Other birds that we do not catch so often here at Gedser were a Reedwarbler “Rørsanger” and a Sedge Warbler “Sivsanger”.

Red-breasted Flycatcher "Lille Fluesnapper".

Moths caught in traps

Today we had 29 species (note that there are often not the same species as the day before). We had a few new species for us like the Conformist (Rødelugle). After 5 years of catching moths I still have quite a few news each year. The Conformist is a relative rare species. The Bulrush Wainscot (Stor Rørugle) was also new for Hanelie, but not for me (it was my second one). Those are also the moths of the day. 

Conformist (Rødelugle)

Bulrush Wainscot (Stor Rørugle)

Migration: 

While this morning was a little slow for ducks, it turned out to be an excellent day for raptors. Clear, open skies with very little wind and a bright sun meant migrating flocks were not very visible from the point for Mads and I. Despite this, we did still manage to see quite a few species migrating, including good numbers of Eiders (Ederfugl, Somateria mollissima) and Widgeons (Pibeand, Anas penelope). A couple of new species for me included the Velvet Scoter (Fløjlsand, Melanitta fusca) and Red-breasted Merganser (Toppet Skallesluger, Mergus serrator).

As the day got later and the air warmed up, we began to see more raptors fly over the fields behind us. We ended up seeing four species of falcon: Red-footed Falcon (Aftenfalk, Falco vespertinus), Common Kestrel (Tårnfalk, Falco tinnunculus), Hobby (Lærkefalk, Falco subbuteo), and Merlin (Dværgfalk, Falco columbarius), although the Merlin did not migrate during our count today.

Other birds of prey sighted migrating included 41 Sparrowhawks (Spurvehøg, Accipiter nisus), two Marsh Harriers (Rørhøg, Circus aeruginosus), a Hen Harrier (Blå Kærhøg, Circus cyaneus), and a young Honey Buzzard (Hvepsevåge, Pernis apivorus). We even glimpsed a White-tailed Eagle (Havørn, Haliaeetus albicilla) in the distance (not migrating), so it really was a wonderful day for raptors! They attracted quite a crowd, with four birdwatchers joining us at the point to observe.

Overall, it was a very nice morning in the sunshine watching raptors and searching for ducks on the glaring water. This evening has brought some strong winds a rain to Gedser, so hopefully a few more ducks will be visible during tomorrow’s count – we’ll have to wait and see what the morning brings!


One of today's two Red-footed Falcons. Both were first year birds and especially this one came very close giving us excellent views. (Photo: Mads Elley)

At the station: Robert Luttik, Hanelie Sidhu, Grace Marsh, Mads Elley.

 Ringing: This morning was dark and overcast with very little bird activity. We had a slow morning with very few captures towards the end of the day. In total, we caught 20 individuals of six species, including five recaptures. A nice bird today was the Pied Flycatcher or Broget Fluesnapper (Ficedula hypoleuca). Rain is forecast for this evening and tomorrow, so hopefully the change in weather brings more birds to Gedser and captures pick up! 

A beautiful Broget Fluesnapper! 

Moths caught in traps 

Today only 22 species, but two new for the season: Clancy's Rustic (Caradrina kadenii, no Danish name) and the Green-brindled Crescent (Tjørneugle). So two species of the day. Caradrina kadenii is relative rare in Denmark and mainly found on the eastern islands, with quite a few sightings in Falster. By the way, Hans Lind has the most entries in Naturbasen.

Clancy's Rustic (Caradrina kadenii)

Green-brindled Crescent (Tjørneugle)

Trækket på Gedser Odde:
Endnu en dag med ret svag vind, i dag omkring syd. Trækket domineres af ænderne med Sortand (Melanitta nigra) og Pibeand (Mareca penelope) som de mest talrige. Ternerne aftager dag for dag mens Dværgmåger Hydrocoloeus minutus) fortsætter med at trække i pæne antal.
I dag kom falkene mere på banen med 3 dværgfalke (Falco columbarius) og 1 Lærkefalk (Falco subbuteo). Efter standardtiden eksploderede Odden i Lærkefalke med yderligere 25 trækkende af denne elegante falk.
Vejrudsigten lyder på regn i aften og i nat med nærmest ingen vind i morgen tidlig. Vi får se hvad morgendagen bringer af fugle til Danmarks sydligste punkt.

 
Dagens første Lærkefalk kom allerede kl 7.43.

På stationen i dag: Grace Marsh, Haneli Sidhu, Robert Luttik og Mads Elley

 Ringing:

The wind direction was similar but a little different as the as the last days, north east and it was a rather over casted morning. That brought us 52 new birds plus five recaptures from the last days. As I assumed yesterday also today a Tree Pipit “Skovpiber” in the net. Today more Blackcaps “Munk” and Chiffchaffs “Gransanger” than Robins “Rødhals”. The highlight was a Sedge Warbler “Sivsanger”.

 Sedge Warbler "Sivsanger".

Moths caught in the traps

We had 28 different species in the traps and a few less common ones like the Rush Veneer (Vandrehalvmøl) and the Pale Pinion (Alliance-stenugle). The last moth is predominantly found in the Eastern parts of Denmark and I found this could be the moth of the day (see picture).

The Pinion (Alliance-stenugle)

Trækket på Gedser Odde:
De senere dage har vi skrevet en del om vinden. Man kan sige, at det ikke er relevant i dag, for der var stort set ingen bevægelse i luften. Sigtbarheden over havet var også ringere end længe, og lidt længere oppe på Falster var der temmelig diset, så forventningerne til dagens træk var beskedne. På flere måder levede trækket op (eller ned?) til forventningerne, da 3 Spurvehøge (Accipiter nisus) var dagens eneste rovfugle og blot 51 småfugle fordelt på 5 arter blev noteret. Vi fik dog fornøjelsen af efterårets første fire Bjergvipstjerter (Motacilla cinerea), og de var nok de mest beslutsomme og fløj uden tøven afsted mod Tyskland.
Til gengæld er trækket af andefugle nu ved at være godt i gang. Igen i dag passerede vi 1000 Sortænder, og svømmeænderne kom også forbi i ganske pæne antal. Kjoverne har også fundet Gedser Odde og dagens 5 Almindelig Kjove (Stercorarius parasiticus) blev suppleret med 2 Lille Kjove (Stercorarius longicaudus), som fulgtes ad og jagtede lidt rundt med de fouragerende Splitterner (Thalasseus sandvicensis).
DMI varsler regn de kommende morgener, så mon ikke det igen bliver trækket over havet, vi kommer til at ”nøjes med”.

En af udfordringerne med svømmeænderne er, at de som regel kommer i blandede flokke. Her har en flok Pibeænder (Mareca penelope) og Krikænder (Anas crecca) fået selskab af en Knarand (Mareca strepera) og en Skeand (Spatula clypeata).

En af dagens kjover, som først blev set som en Lille Kjove på grund af de lange midterste halefjer og de kun to tydelige hvide fjerskafter i hånden (set på afstand), men ved nærmere eftersyn viste den et tydeligt brystbånd og hvidt på flere af håndsvingfjerene, så den endte i bogen som Almindelig Kjove.

På stationen i dag: Grace Marsh, Robert Luttik, Mads Elley og Hanelie Sidhu 

The wind did not change and rather the same mostly easterly direction as yesterday did not blow more birds in. So a day with many birds was followed by a day with much less birds. It was 35 new and 5 recaptures, highlights were a Tree Pipits "Skovpiber" and a Great Spottet Woodpecker "Stor Flagspætte", common species but we do not see these in the nets so often. In general many Tree Pipits "Skovpiber" in the air, maybe we will have the pleasure again soon. In general a very warm and sunny late summer day, we are enjoing summer as long as it stays in Denmark.

Tree Pipit "Skovpiber".

Great Spotted Woodpecker "Stor Flagspætte".

Moths caugth in the traps

We caught 24 species, all relatively common. I have chosen two for the moth of the day: the Common Wainscot (Halmugle) and L-album Wainscot (Det Store L).

Common Wainscot (Halmugle)

L-album Wainscot (Det Store L)

Trækket på Gedser Odde:
På flere måder en noget anderledes dag end i går. Hvor morgenluften i går var fuld af kald fra pibere, vipstjerter og svaler samt kommunikationen mellem de seks observatører, var der i dag påfaldende tavst. Det skyldtes ikke kun at Danmarks sydligste morgenobservatør var alene på posten, men også at der var markant færre fugle. Marken, som i går myldrede med fugle, var tom i dag ligesom der stort set ikke var småfugle at se, når jeg scannede over oplandet, hvor fuglene typisk kommer flyvende fra. Dagens tal af såvel rovfugle som småfugle blev derfor beskedne, men til gengæld var der godt gang i trækket af andefugle. Vinden var heller ikke i dag specielt kraftig, men dog lidt mere end i går og stadig fra SØ som typisk skubber trækket nærmere land. Især Krikand (Anas crecca) og Pibeand (Mareca penelope) kom flittigt forbi mens Sortand (Melanitta nigra) var mindre talrig end i går.
Når man har fem timer alene på posten, flyver mange tanker gennem hovedet mens ænderne flyver gennem kikkertfeltet. Lidt kraftigere vind bringer flere fugle indenfor synsafstand, det virker jo logisk nok, men hvorfor var der så færre Sortænder? Der er selvfølgelig flere faktorer, som spiller ind og der er næppe et enkelt svar. Hvorfor registrerer vi så mange flere trækkende ænder om efteråret end om foråret? Selvfølgelig er der flere fugle efter yngletiden, men hvis vi ser på f.eks. Pibeanden, så blev der i 2024 registreret ca. 4,5 gange så mange fugle om efteråret. Det vil sige, at hver potentielle ynglefugl som trak mod nord om foråret skulle have i gennemsnit 3,5 unger med sig på efterårstrækket, altså 7 unger for hvert par i snit. Selv om ænderne får mange unger, virker det som et usandsynligt stort tal. Følger de andre ruter om foråret? Registrerer vi dem dårligere og i givet fald hvorfor? I 2024 havde vi god dækning af observatører både forår og efterår, men vindforhold og andre faktorer spiller selvfølgelig også ind. Måske gør det også en forskel, at fuglene om foråret bliver presset længere ud pga. den store vindmøllepark syd for Rødsand?
Sådan noget kan man også beskæftige hjernen med i løbet af fem timer på verdens bedste kontor (naturen). Måske (forhåbentlig) bliver vi i de kommende år klogere på betydningen af vinden og andre forhold, men foreløbig må nok sige som Bob Dylan: The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.

På stationen i dag: Robert Luttik, Grace Marsh, Mads, Elley, Hanelie Sidhu

Although we are in Denmark, the ringing station is now populated with one person from the Netherlands, one from Germany and one of Australia.

Birds ringed today

Today was a busy day for us ringers, with 133 birds of 14 species caught.

The weather this morning was lovely – the wind was still and there were clear skies, letting the sun warm us up a little after a cold morning (for an Australian). The first net-check round was the busiest, and by the time we made it to the ringing station, it was time for another check. Hanelie and Robert stayed and processed birds for the first couple of hours while I extracted, before it calmed down a little and we were able to do rounds in turn.

There were many, many European Robins or Rødhals (Erithacus rubecula) caught – you could often hear us say “ …and another one” while ringing. We also caught a Blue Tit or Blåmejse (Cyanistes caeruleus). While this bird is very common in Denmark, it was the first one I have ever seen, so that was very nice. Although it was not nice extracting it from the net, with a very sharp little beak! It was forgiven, just because it looked so sweet.

We still had high numbers of Blackcaps or Munk (Sylvia atricapilla) and we also had a few Icterine Warblers or Gulbug (Hippolais icterina), which are very beautiful birds.

Moths caught during the night.

We had 18 different species (see table).

Two have a special story. The Buksbomhalvmøl is an invasive species from Japan, because we tought as human beings it is intersting to import Boxwood (Buksbom). The Vandrerenghalvmøl is migratory moth from the south but can be found all over Denmark, sometimes in large numbers.

I have chosen the Jordbær Blad-måler (Common Marbled Carpet) as the moth of the day.

Trækket på Gedser Odde:
Dagen begyndte med manèr, da de første fugle vi noterede var to Rovterner (Hydroprogne caspia). En adult og en årsunge kom sammen forbi i det første morgenlys – dagens observation var i gang.
Vi kunne hurtigt se, at det gamle ordsprog ”Ingen vind, ingen fugle” kom til at passe på dagens obs. Vel kom der ænder og terner forbi, og der var også såvel rovfugle som småfugle, der trak ud, men vi kom ikke op på gårsdagens antal. En af de eneste undtagelser var Sortand (Melanitta nigra), som vi noterede næsten 7 gange så mange af som i går. Selv om SØ-vinden var svag, fik den alligevel skubbet Sortænderne en smule nærmere kysten, så vi kunne se dem.
Småfuglene derimod, især pibere og vipstjerter kom i væsentligt større antal, idet 190 Skovpibere (Anthus trivialis) trak ud sammen med 73 Gul Vipstjert (Motacilla flava) og 40 Hvid Vipstjert (Motacilla alba).
De mange vipstjerter fouragerer ofte på marken ved obs-posten, inden de fortsætter ud over vandet. I dag fangede en af de unge Gul Vipstjert vores opmærksomhed, fordi den var nærmest rent hvid på hele undersiden, bortset fra et "buff" anstrøg øverst på brystet og en gul toning på undergumpen. Ryggen var brun. Det var jo nok en helt almindelig Gul Vipstjert, der bare var helt ualmindeligt lys, men den skilte sig tydeligt ud fra de andre i flokken.
Det er altid hyggeligt i weekenderne når vi er flere på posten, og igen i dag var vi hele 6 personer. Morten og Benjamin havde den gode hjemmelavede æblekage med, tak for den!
Ud på eftermiddagen er vinden frisket lidt op, og der er kommet flere Trane-flokke forbi. Det ser ud til at vinden bliver tilsvarende i morgen, så mon ikke der kommer endnu en god dag på Gedser Odde.

Dagens afvigende 1k Gul Vipstjert 

På stationen i dag: Hanelie Sidhu, Grace Isabel Marsh, Robert Luttik og Mads Elley.

Ringing:  As we opened the nets this morning there was lots of bird song and activity in the trees around the garden, which was promising. In our first round, we caught over 20 birds, making for a busy start to the day. As the sun rose and the skies cleared the nets became more visible, and our capture rate declined to only a few birds per net-check round.

A special capture of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher or Lille Fluesnapper ( Ficedula parva ), which is not commonly caught at Gedser. It is distinguishable from the Pied Flycatcher or Broget Fluesnapper ( Ficedula hypoleuca ) by the two large white patches on the outer tail feathers. We also caught many Robins (Rødhals; Erithacus rubecula ) and Blackcaps (Munk; Sylvia atricapilla ), which although common are very sweet!

Both Henrik and Chris leave Gedser this afternoon, so despite many swallows passing overhead, no extra nets were set up. Henrik will return to Gedser in November; however, Chris is migrating south to Germany for the winter (home for him). Safe travels to both!

The migration on Gedser Odde:
With a light wind from the NW, the expectation was that the migration over the water would go quite far. It turned out to be true, but we still recorded the highest number of dabbling ducks of the autumn so far with 1579 individuals representing 6 species. The swallows also came in good numbers, but the migration went high and scattered, so we quickly gave up on keeping the species apart, which is why today's 1845 swallows were recorded together. However, we could clearly see that the vast majority were Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), with a small proportion of House Martins (Delichon urbicum) and a few Sand Martins (Riparia riparia).
The migration of Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) was already underway from around sunrise, and these were followed during the morning by some Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) and a single Osprey (Pandion heliaetus).
There were several people who had sensed today's opportunities, so during much of the observation time we were 7 observers at Gedser Odde. Nice to have pleasant and competent company!
Tomorrow DMI promises weak winds from the SE, which could be good for the gliders, who will be carried up by a slight headwind.

At the station today: Grace Marsh, Henrik Jørgensen, Chris Sharp, Mads Elley.
In addition, the next two weeks' ringers Hanelie Sidhu and Robert Lüttik arrived this afternoon.

One of today's 68 Sparrowhawks

The Ringing:  Der var regn indtil efter middag så der var ingen ringmærkning i dag.

Vi fik istedet lavet datatjek, så alt er nu tjekket.

The Migration: The migration count this morning began slowly but ended up being well worth the trouble. The day started dark, rainy, and windy. With very few birds passing through and a thick haze over the horizon, we debated leaving early. However, we decided to wait until most of the rain had passed and were rewarded with calmer weather and many individuals passing us on their migration. Overall, we ended up seeing 633 individuals of 16 species. This was my second morning doing migration counts with Ole, and I am slowly learning the species we see here at Gedser. I grew up on the coast in Australia and absolutely love being outside by the ocean all morning – what a perfect way to start the day! Trying to count and identify the ducks as they frantically pass feels a bit like a game, which I am really enjoying. Although, it is already a little too cold for me out on the point, making me nervous for colder weather as autumn continues! Hopefully I adapt. Some highlights were watching sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) circle us from the shelter of the building, with one landing right on the cliff edge in front of us, and another chasing a swallow (Hirundo rustica), who had a narrow escape. We also enjoyed watching a herring gull (Larus argentatus) land with a crab in its beak and eat it ferociously. A few little gulls (Hydrocoloeus minutus) passed us, including some beautifully coloured juveniles. Overall, a lovely, quiet morning out birdwatching.

Folk på stationen: Grace Marsh, Chris Sharp, Henrik Jørgensen, Ole Friis Larsen