Observations : 

Unfortunately, due to the rainy weather, we weren’t able to carry out our observations this morning.

After the rain, I went down to the dunes to count the resting birds and see if there were any little terns inside the new fences (you never know!). But there was not.
There were also very few birds on the sandbanks this morning: 4 oystercatchers [magellanstrandskade], 13 sandwich terns [splitterne], one northern gannet [sule] feeding and a pair of little terns [dværgterne].

I then made my way to Sabine’s bunker and on into the inland areas. I was surrounded by the song of the skylarks! It’s always such a joy to listen to and watch them. I don’t think one should ever get used to the common birds we see every day, such as herring gulls [sølvmåge], chiffchaffs [gransanger] and other birds. Every species is unique and beautiful in its own way. Whilst wandering through the land, I also came across a common european viper, Vipera berus, which quickly slithered away when it sensed me approaching. I also took the time to observe a smooth newt, Lissotriton vulgaris, I love this species which moves very slowly and is so delicate.
In short, little joys – certainly not exceptional, but ones that fill you with happiness!

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing : 

Due to rain in the morning, the nets could not be opened this morning. Later in the day it was nice with calm winds, but I had an online class for university and a spontaneous online meeting in the late morning, also for uni, so the only work for ringing I did today was doing the data check, and I am nearly done, only three sheets are left.

After my meeting was finished, Jorn, Clara and I went to Grønningen. Unfortunately, it was high tide so there were few birds and all far away. So we decided to go to Grønninigen and that was a good decision, as we saw six Spoonbills "Skestork" very close. We could also see some Lapwings “Vibe” doing courtship displays and a big flock of Golden Plovers “Hjeile”. Two Wheatears on the field and some Barn Swallows “Landsvale” brought some spring feeling.

Spoonbills "Skestork" at Grønningen. Picture by Hanelie

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong and Hanelie Sidhu.

Observations: 

Today was a wonderful morning of birdwatching with Henrik, Thomas and Jorn!
We spotted over 150 red-throated loons [rødstrubet lom], which is quite a good number. They’re starting to move in flocks of five or six; we can’t wait to see large flocks of them arriving. It’s starting, it’s starting...!

At the end of our birdwatching session, we were lucky enough to see three cranes [trane] flying over the beach, really, really close, whilst they were making those characteristic, lovely calls! According to Henrik, it was one of the rare occasions they’ve flown over Blavand so close!

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing:

Today was a slow day for ringing. The most interesting of the morning was a female Greenfinch with an enormous tick. It is normal that we find parasites on birds, Dunnocks “Jernspurv” often have feather lice and many birds have ticks, often close to their bill or eyes. Some ticks also find their way to the neck of the bird, I think it is a good place for the tick, it is quite sheltered underneath the feathers and there is only a little chance that the birds get rid of it somehow. This tick profited a lot from that place, it was very large.

Tick on a Greenfinch/ Grønirisk. Picture by Hanelie

Tick after I took it off. Picture by Hanelie

I took it off and killed the horrible parasite, which had already taken a lot of blood from the Greenfinch. Later in the morning, the Eagle club came to the station, and luckily, after many empty nets, we could show them some birds.

Little Tern “Dværgterne” project:

In the meantime, Joseph, Jorn and the fence volunteers did hard physical work putting up the fence for protecting the breeding Little terns “Dværgterne”. But it is up now and looks quite promising!

John and Jorn putting up the fence. Picture by Joseph.

Putting up the electric fence against predators. Picture by Joseph.

After setting up the fence, Kim and Joseph managed to read some Little Tern rings. One of the Terns was ringed 2022 as chick here at Blåvands Huk and from ring readings we know that it returned at least 2024, 2025 and this year to Blåvand. We hope that it will have breeding sucess itself this year! 

This Little Tern/ Dværgterne was ringed here at Blåvandshuk in 2022. Picture by Kim.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Hanelie Sidhu, Henrik Bøhmer, Thomas Kristiansen, Joseph Stephan, Kim Fischer, the Little Tern fence volunteers and the Eagle Club

Observations : 

What a lovely morning for birdwatching! It got off to a slow start, but then we have spotted loads of lovely birds !!

Here are the highlights of the day :
- Egyptian goose [nilgås] - 1
- Parasitic Jaeger [almindelig kjove] - 1
- Male Wheater [stenpikker] - 1
- Little gull [dværgmåge] - 2
- Greenshank [hvidklire] - 1
- Whimbrel [småspove] - 8

Todays observations can be seen here.


Egyptian goose [nilgås] flying, picture by Henrik Bøhmer



A male wheater [stenpikker] resting at Blavand, picture by Henrik Bøhmer

Ringing:

This morning was streaky. Some rounds brought a good number of birds; some were very slow. But the first net in the station garden brought a little highlight: The first Pied-Flycatcher “Broget Fluesnapper” of the season! The first arrival of the season is usually a male, also this one.

The first Pied Flycatcher "Broget Fluesnapper". Picture by Jorn.

We are hearing the Chiffchaffs “Gransanger” everywhere now, but from time to time, there is also the melancholic song of the Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” in between. I also had three of them in the nets.

The moths:

This night was perfect for catching moths! I had seventeen species, four of them new for the season, these are highlighted in the list. I will show Selenia dentaria “Almindelig månemåler”, I was very happy about that one.

Selenia dentaria "Almindelig månemåler". Picture by Hanelie.

Also another Cerura vinula “Hermelinskåbe” was nice.

Little Tern project:

Joseph came to the station today for putting up the Little Tern “Dværgterne” fence on the beach tomorrow. In the afternoon, we painted some Tern decoys.

Hanelie and Jorn painting decoys. Picture by Joseph.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Hanelie Sidhu, Thomas Kristiansen, Henrik Bøhmer and Joseph Stephan

Observations:

This morning there was so much fog, we couldn’t even see the lighthouse !
So, unfortunately, the birdwatching had to be cancelled.

In the afternoon, I went to count the resting birds on the beach; there were lots of terns, and among them was a whimbrel [småspove] - see the photo below -, in France, that is not so common, so i was glad to take some time to observe it !  

Todays observations can be seen here.

A whimbrel, some little terns and herring gulls resting on the beach, picture by Clara



A flock of sandwich terns resting on the beach, picture by Clara

Ringing:

Bogfinke hun/ Chaffinch by Hanelie 

The morning did not look nice – a lot of fog. In the first hours the lighthouse was hardly visible from the station. But fog also means low winds so I had the nets open. But there was very little activity in that weather. The highlight came in the closing round. A Starling “Stær” in the same net as yesterday.

Stær han/ Starling male. Picture by Hanelie

This time it was a male (yesterday a female). If they are a couple?

The moths:

Despite the fog, I had ten species of moths. Two were new for the season: Ectropis crepuscularia “Birke-barkmåler” and Diurnella fagella “Bøgeprydvinge”.

Ectropis crepuscularia “Birke-barkmåler”. Picture by Hanelie

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong and Hanelie Sidhu

Observations: 

It was quite a weird morning. Somehow I overslept my morning alarm, my bad... after saying goodbye to Rose, who was leaving us this morning, I went to take up my position on the dunes to finally start birdwatching at around 7.45 am. At first it was fairly quiet, apart from the gannets and scoters that were out and about. There were a few flocks of waders: some curlews and bar-tailed godwits, but nothing particularly impressive.

Then we went to count the resting birds with Jorn, further towards the northern tip, where you often find the largest numbers. We then saw a wide variety of birds, which was nice:

- sandwich terns [splitterne] - 18
- common terns [fjordterne] - 27
- little terns [dværgterne] - 4
- black-headed gulls [hættemåge] - 19
- oystercatchers [strandskade] - 9
- curlews [storspove]- 17
- bar-tailed godwit [lille kobbersneppe] - 4
- dunlin [almindelig ryle] - 1  

Then, realising that quite a few ducks were starting again to migrate, i decided to stay for about another hour to keep counting them! I've spotted :
- black-legged kittiwake [ride]- 1 (2K)
some brant goose, shovelers, teals, eiders, shelducks, wigeons and red-breasted mergansers :)

Todays observations can be seen here.

Ringing:

The first round brought a good amount of birds, surprisingly many Thrushes. A lot of Song Thrushes “Sangdrossel” but also a Fieldfare “Sjagger”! The last was quite surprising, it is more a bird to be expected in winter, either towards the end of the autumn season or maybe in early spring. And another species was first for the season: The Common Redstarts “Rødstjerts” arrived in our nets!

The first Common Redstart "Rødstjert". Picture by Hanelie

Also in the following rounds, there were always birds in the nets, although not so many anymore. It was a really enjoyable day for ringing, so nets were open until the afternoon. Rose left back to Germany to attend her courses for uni today, and unfortunately, she missed a bird, that she would really have liked to get in the nets: A starling “Stær”.

Starling "Stær". Picture by Clara.

I got it in the net this afternoon. I hope it will be not to long, that we will meet again at some birding place – and maybe with a Starling in the net. Nevertheless, the Fieldfare was also a very nice and more unexpected goodbye species.

Rose and the Fieldfare "Sjagger". Picture by Hanelie

The moths:

Ten different moths species today, five of them were new for the season. I was especially happy about Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”.

Panolis flammea “Fyrreugle”. Picture by Hanelie.

But also Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler”. That species was already flying in other parts of Denmark since March, but it did not reach Blåvand, so I was even more happy to get it today.

Biston strataria “Broget vintermåler. Picture by Hanelie.

Also some other nice animals enjoyed the sun in the garden. Here a Sandlizard "Markfirben". Picture by Hanelie.

And a Slowworm " Stålorm" looking out of my hand. Picture by Hanelie.

Little Tern project:

This afternoon, Joseph and Kim came to the station set up some wooden flocks on the beach, together with Jorn, to have some better orientation where to put up the Little Tern “Dværgterne” fence. Because now, that they have finally arrived, we need to provide them with an undisturbed place for breeding! The whole team is hoping that the breeding success will be better than last year! On Sunday, Joseph and Kim will be back to put up the fence.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Joseph Stephan and Kim Fischer

Observations:

Today was a pretty quiet day i would say, still, more than one thousand common scoters [sortand] going north, 29 sandwich terns [splitterne] and some northern gannets [sule] including a 2K !
Jorn and I also spotted a harbour seal from a great distance, but it wasn’t easy to identify the species. Jorn tried to take a picture from far distance so the common seal looks more like a banana resting on the beach (picture below) !

Finally, in the afternoon, with Rosemary and Hanelie we went on a walk around and we have spotted the first sand martin ! 
That was really cool.  

Todays observations can be seen here. 


Sand martin resting on the beach, picture by Clara 



A common seal looking like a banana really far away, picture by Jorn 

Ringing:

The first round today was slow and we already thought it would be a boring morning, but the following rounds did provide some birds. And we also got a special one in the net: A Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” with Norwegian ring!

Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” with Norwegian ring! Picture by Rose.

It must have been ringed in Norway, then migrated to Africa and now we caught it on its way back to it´s breeding grounds. Quite impressive, the yearly journeys of such small passerines. And it was doing very well, it had a fat score of 5! Now we are excited to find out when it was ringed, if it was last year or even some years before! The plumage of the bird does not give us any clue about the age of this species, as both adults and juveniles do a complete moult in winter.

Another nice catch was an adult female Linnet “Tornirisk”, that was ringed last spring, already then as a 3k+.

Linnet, female. Tornirisk hun. Picture by Rose

Already in the early morning, David heard a Nightingale “Sydlig Nattergal”. Later in the morning, it moved closer to the station garden, but we did not catch it unfortunately, so it remains a mystery if it was the one we ringed or a new one.

The moth:

A new species for the season was on the wall today: Cerura vinula "Hermelinskåbe".

Cerura vinula "Hermelinskåbe". Picture by Hanelie.

In total, I had seven species of moths.

At the station: Rosemary Fricke, Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong, David Manstrup, Bent Jakobsen, Thomas Kristiansen and Hanelie Sidhu

As usual, my alarm was set for opening time. After I had turned it off I listened in the silent house. Big raindrops drummed against my window. I checked the DMI radar on my phone, it looked like that. So I snuggled back into my pillow and went back to sleep. Later in the day the rain stopped, but we all had some office work to do so we stayed inside. In the afternoon, we did a thorough cleaning of the station.

After, Rose and I went to the beach. We would have liked to walk to the sabine bunker and back through the dunes, but the military area was closed. So we stood at the border to the military area with the telescope and watched the Terns: Now there are Sandwich Terns “Splitterne”, Common Terns “Fjordterne” and Little Terns “Dværgterne” resting on the beach.

Little Tern "Dværgterne". Picture by Rose.

Although there was rain in the night, I had the light in my small trap on. And I had two new species today: Orthosia cruda “Lille forårsugle” and Orthosia cerasi “Rødgul forårsugle”.

Orthosia cruda “Lille forårsugle”, picture by Hanelie

Orthosia cerasi “Rødgul forårsugle”. Picture by Hanelie

Office day at the bird observatory. Picture by Rose.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Jorn de Jong, Hanelie Sidhu.

Observations : 

That was quite a foggy day!
We had to stop our observations short because we could no longer see the reef clearly.
Still, when conditions allowed, we spotted around 90 common terns [fjordterne] feeding near the reef, a group of 120 great cormorants [skarv]  resting in the waves, and a white-tailed eagle [havørn] flying over the shore!

Todays observations can be seen here. 


Making some sketches of resting birds on the beach - here great black-backed gulls [svartbag] - , by Clara

Ringing : 

This morning turned out to be less foggy as forecasted and it seemed like the clear and calm night made some birds migrate.

The first round was already quite exciting: From far a saw a rather big passerine with a orange tail in the net. It was quite a surprise to find a Common Nightingale “Sydlig Nattergal” in the net!! Especially as so few other Long-distance migrants had arrived in the nets so far.

A very early Common Nightingale "Sydlig Nattergal". Picture by Rose.

Apart from their difference in plumage colour, the Common Nightingale "Sydlig Nattergal" and the Thrush Nightingale "Nattergal" differ in the lenth of  P1. The Nightingale has a very long P1 in the lenth of the primary couverts or a little longer, while the Thrush Nightingale has a very short P1, see in the next picture.

After showing the bird to Clara and Jorn, it was released. A very early Nightingale, but that will just be beneficial for it. Usually in passerines, it is the males, that are migrating earlier than the females. We cannot sex Nightingales but considering that it had a long wing measurement in its range it is more likely, that it is a male. The males arriving early at their breeding sites will occupy the best territories. Therefore, it is very likely that they will be chosen by a female – it is the female´s choice, which mating partner they take – and they hopefully they will have good breeding success. I wonder what the destination of that Nightingale is. We can just wish it a safe flight!

The day also brought Willow Warbler “Løvsanger” no. 2 and 3 for the season.

Willow Warbler "Løvsanger". Picture by Rose.

I kept the nets in the station garden open for a little longer after standard and caught another Blackcap “Munk” and some more Chiffchaffs “Gransanger”. We had over 19 today!

Blackcap "Munk". Picture by Hanelie.

We also washed all bird bags today and I did some more data checking.

I also observed a Great Tit snacking one of my moths today. I was not so delighted by that. I might move the trap. I caught many moths today but only four well known species from the last Days. Mainly Xylocampa areola “Gedeblad-ugle”.

Tomorrow we might not be able to ring in the morning, the forecast shows rain. But let´s see. My alarm is always ringing at the usual opening time.

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Frikke, Hanelie Sidhu & Jorn de Jong 

Observations :

What a wonderful variety of sightings today! And to top it all off, we were blessed with glorious sunshine and surrounded by lovely people. Without further ado, here are the highlights and photos from the day!

Highlights of the day : 
sandwich terns [splitterne] - 20 (migration) + 15 (roosting)
common terns [fjordterne] - 10 (migration)
little terns [dværgterne] - 9 (migration) + 10 (roosting)
barnacle goose [bramgås] - 150
bar-tailed godwit [lille Kobbersneppe] - 28 
egyptian goose [nilgås] - 2
avocet [klyde] - 1
white-tailed eagle [havørn] - 1
marsh harrier [rørhøg] - 1
barn swallow [landsvale] - 2
porpoise whale [marsvin] - 1

Todays observations can be seen here. 



Black-legged kittiwake adult by David Manstrup


Black-legged kittiwake flying by David Manstrup


Ringing :

Today Lise and Mathilde followed us on some rounds. It was a rather slow morning, but they chose the early rounds, which had some birds. Because later in the morning it became very slow.

Moths:

Although it was very calm in the morning, it was quite windy during the night. Nevertheless, I had the light on in both moths traps. There was not much but it was worth it, as I caught the first Emperor Moth/ Lille natpåfugleøje – Saturnia pavonia of the season!

Emperor Moth/ Lille natpåfugleøje – Saturnia pavonia

While Lise and Mathilde stayed at Blåvands Huk until they needed to leave back to Aarhus, Morten went on a walk to Tipmosen and saw a beautiful White-tailed Eagle “Havørn” on the top of a tree.



White-tailed Eagle/ Havørn, picture by David Manstrup

White-tailed Eagle/ Havørn, picture by Morten Mastrup

Mathilde, Morten and Lise left during the morning and the whole team would like to say thanks for the pizzas that they treated us yesterday evening.

Later in the morning, David and Thomas found the first Bluethroat “Blåhals” of the season out here in the bog.

Bluethroat "Blåhals". Picture by David Manstrup.

Clara and I were out too later, but unfortunately we did not hear or see it. But I saw my first Little Terns “Dværgterne” of the season on the beach and also my first Wheatear “Stenpikker” of the season at Blåvands Huk in the bog.


Medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, in Hanelie's hands, picture by Clara

Hanelie thought she was picking up some sort of snake near the pond, but it turned out to be a leech !

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Frikke, Thomas Kristiansen, David Manstrup, Hanelie Sidhu, Mathilde Lundt Larsen, Lise Mastrup, Morten Mastrup

Observations:

What a lovely day!
Lots of common scoters [sortand] were migrating north – over 2,500 of them – plus more than 50 migrating sandwich terns [splitterne] and the first little terns [dværgterne] arrived!

Jorn and I were lucky enough to observe the courtship displays of two little terns for quite some time and at very close distance.
One of them (presumably the female) stood on the beach while the male fished out at sea. He then brought her a fish whilst displaying, and they stayed on the beach for a while before flying off. This exchange of fish is part of the courtship display, it can demonstrate to the female that the male is capable of bringing back fish and subsequently feeding their offspring. Soon, various pairs of little terns will come to nest at Blavand !

Later that afternoon, I went for my usual walk towards Sabine’s bunker and then into the inland. There I saw a common toad up close. It pretended to be dead, lying completely still, no doubt to avoid attracting the attention of a predator whilst it was in the middle of the road.

Then I found a nest full of caterpillars; when I showed Hanelie the photos, she managed to identify the species: Melitaea cinxia.

Finally, below is a drawing of two species of thrush. I am learning the differences between the four most common species and thought that some scientific drawings might help me memorise them.

Todays observations can be seen here.

A little tern [dværgterne] resting on the beach, by Clara



Scientific drawings to recognize the fieldfare [sjagger] from the redwing [vindrossel], by Clara

  

A common toad, Bufo bufo, in my way, by Clara




Lots of caterpillars out of their nests from the butterfly specie Melitaea cinxia, by Clara


Ringing:

Treesparrow "Skovspurv". Picture by Rose.

This morning was very clam and Rose and I could open the nets as usual. We had a good first round, but as the day was very sunny and clear, it slowed down soon. We had many Chiffchaffs “Gransanger “ in the nets, I am everyday hoping for more Long-distance migrants to arrive, but today was not the day. Rose was happy to ring a Tree Sparrow “Skovspurv”. We see them the bushes in front of our window every day, but they rarely go into the nets. I like Sparrows in hand too, they are so round!

The moths

I had seven different species of moths today, three were new for the season. It is getting worth to make a list again. Besides that, I am entering all the moth, that I am catching here on three different observation databases: Arter, Obsidentify and Inaturalist.

Chesias rufata "Rustrød gyvelmåler". Picture by Hanelie

Earophila badiata "Brungul bladmåler". Picture by Hanelie.

This evenig  Mathilde, Lise and her dad will visit and stay for one night, and we are looking forward to welcome them every minute!

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Rosemary Fricke, Hanelie Sidhu, Jorn de Jong, David Manstrup, Mathilde Lundt Larsen & Lise Mastrup and her dad