Trækket på Odden: The wind was blowing strongly from the west this morning. We managed to find a place that was almost perfectly sheltered in which to stand for the five-hour count. It was pretty dark for the first hour, with thick cloud cover. We were happy to reach 500 in one hour, a much better start than yesterday. Most of the birds were Common and Black-headed gulls (Stormmåge og Haettemåge), Red-breasted mergansers (Toppet skallesluger) and Common scoters (Sortand). We were fortunate enough to witness a nice migration of goldeneye (Hvinan). Then, the golden sun pierced the clouds and four goldeneyes flew by. Then, we decided to look for the four gold birds: the goldeneye had been done quickly, as had the goldfinch, but we will have to come again for the goldcrest (shame on us) and the golden eagle...
Flemming joined us at around 8am, so we had a good team to brave the cold weather!
As in previous days, we saw two species of swan flying east to Germany to forage: Mute Swan (Knopsvane) and Whooper Swan (Sangsvane). But this morning had the surprise of seven Bewick's swans (Pibesvane), which are not so common at the tip. We ended the morning with a fairly good number of whooper swans (sangsvane): 41.

Even with a bad picture, it's possible to identify the Swans, here, the large yellow part on the bill is typical of the Whooper Swan (Sangsvane). Foto : Théophile Fontaine

We also witnessed a fierce battle between red-breasted mergansers (toppet skallesluger) and common scoters (sortand), with small flocks migrating all morning long. Ultimately, the common scoters emerged victorious by a mere one bird (257 and 256).

The last hour was very cold, even though we had a few minutes of lovely sunshine. But one bird made us forget our cold feet. A female Smew (Lille skallesluger), migrating with a female Goldeneye (Hvinan). The second of the season and my first here in Gedser! They spent a few minutes with eiders and long-tailed ducks before flying away.

No ringing today.

Folk på stationen: Flemming Pagh Jensen, Théophile Fontaine, Ole Friis Larsen