A beautiful and still start to the day with the smell of migrants in the air. The first and second net round presented a promising start with a motivating mix of birds, the first Spotted Flycatcher of the season, a Black Redstart and a charming Whinchat caught in the bottom corner of the net at the pond… a very lucky catch. As the day heated up only a small trickle of birds were caught moving through the morning, which resulted in closing the nets after the standard ringing hours.

Today's total:

Nattergal / Thrush Nightingale 1 recapture

Husrødsjert / Black Redstart 1 

Rødstjert / Common Redstart 2

Bynkefugl / Whinchat 1

Sangdrossel / Song Thrush 1

Kærsanger / Marsh Warbler  1

Rørsanger / Reed Warbler 2

Gulbug / Icterine Warbler 4 and 1 recapture

Gærdesanger / Lesser Whitethroat 7 and 9 recaptures

Tornsanger / Common Whitethroat 5 and 1 recapture

Havesanger / Garden Warbler 2 and 2 recaptures

Munk / Blackcap 1 and 1 recapture

Løvsanger / Willow Warbler 4

Grå Fluesnapper / Spotted Flycatcher 1

Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow 2 recaptures

 Total: 32 ringed 17 recaptured

1yr female Whinchat

After lunch it was a quick walk into town and a sad “So long” to Anton for a couple of days. Joshua and I got to work straight away studying moult in order to be on top of our game and ready for tomorrows challenge without The Ringing King. Easterly winds again could bring something interesting our way, so an early night and fresh eyes is needed. We also look forward to some new arrivals to the Gedser team in the morning.

A quick introduction from myself, I am UK ringer recently graduated to C Licence. Having experienced a Spring migration season at a bird observatory in Canada it was my aim to experience an Autumn season and get to grips with European passerines uncommon to my local patch. Gedser seemed like an exciting opportunity. The chance to compare a Reed and Marsh warbler in the hand has resulted in huge satisfaction and even more appreciation for these sibling species. I hope there will be many more to come. Lastly a huge thanks to everyone that has made me feel welcome here at Gedser, and Gert for giving me a great introduction to the area. I have included some of my favourite memories from my experience here so far.

 

A trip to the lakes 

Common Kingfisher 23/7/2020

I hope to see you all at the ringing station soon,

Alex