Ringmærkningen: The day started with a Wren (Gærdesmutte) on the first round. In the next rounds, we also got a Chaffinch (Bogfinke), a Dunnock (Jernspurv) and, of course, Robins (Rødhals). Both Chiffchaffs (Gransanger) and Willow warblers (Løvsanger) were caught on the nets, so we could appreciate the differences between both species. Chiffchafs have an emargination on the sixth primary, which Willow warblers lack. Moreover, Willow warblers have longer wings and yellow legs in general comparing to Chiffchaffs.

We also caught two thrush species: Song thrushes (Sangdrossel) and one Mistle thrush (Misteldrossel) ! The difference in size between them was clear when having them on hand.

Mistle trush (Misteldrossel) Foto : Théophile Fontaine

Trækket på Odden: Please not the play of words 'Blue and Cyann':

Two amazing moments unfolded today at Gedser Tip — but first, a real fight for survival.

Five wrens appeared out of the grey, flying low… really low. Just inches above the icy waves. A fine drizzle hung in the air, visibility was poor, and the wind wasn’t exactly helping. They were clearly pushing hard, heading straight for the safety of the hedge at the tip. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t easy — but they made it. Pure determination.

Then came something you don’t forget.

Out of the dull, grey sky, a single call cut through the drizzle — a Red-rumped Swallow. Just once. It passed overhead, heading west, unseen against the clouds. Gone as quickly as it came. One of those moments where you question your senses… but you know what you heard. The message went out immediately to the ringers and birders in town: something special just passed Gedser.

And then… something even more unexpected.

Out of nowhere — literally out of the blue — Cyann showed up with a plate of freshly made banana pancakes.

No rare bird could compete with that moment.

Stunned, grateful, and almost speechless, thanks were delivered about a million times. Because sometimes, the best surprises aren’t in the sky — they’re the ones shared on the ground among us.

Feeling of spring this afternoon : The days could have ended after the ringing, which was full of surprises. First, the Mistle thrush was caught in the nets and then, this unexpected bird, the Red-rumped swallow (Rødrygget Svale) heard by Louis a few minuts ago flying over the garden with four Barn swallows (Landsvale) ! But it seems that the weather was good for passerine migration. In the garden this afternoon, there was one Common redstart (Rødstjert), a few Chiffchaffs and Willow warblers (unringed !), five Blackcaps and two new species for the year: two male Pied flycatchers (Broget fluesnapper) and one Wood warbler (Skovsanger) ! Good signs for the coming week ?

Wood warbler (Skovsanger) Foto : Théophile Fontaine

Today it was my first day in Gedser. I am Olga, from Spain, and I have been previously in Agigea Bird Observatory (Romania) and Ottenby Fågelstation (Sweden). This is my first time in Denmark and I will travel the country from side to side because after Gedser I will go to Skagen Fuglestation. I am looking forward to keep on learning about birds through ringing and migration counting.

Folk på stationen: Cyann Ménard, Mathilde Sif Eiby, Sjoerd van Baal, Théophile Fontaine, Alba Maria Holmberg, Olga Fernandez Enriquez, Louis.a. Hansen