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.