Gedser, Denmark 6th to 8th October 2018

6th October

The forecast looked good and we expected a rise in the number of birds caught. We started with a modest round of twenty or so birds. The second round was better and gave a real impression that birds were on the move, travelling through the garden together, with a small flock of 11 Greenfinch in one net and 7 Great Tits in another. Chris also had some Great Tit, a few Blue Tits and a single Coal Tit. Was this just the vanguard to an advancing horde of Blue Tits? There were a few new Robins and Dunnocks too. As the morning drew on, it was clear that there would be no high numbers of Blue Tits today.

It was one of those rare days with a lot of different birds migrating overhead but less happening at ground level on the ringing site, so there was a chance to watch Red-throated Diver, Curlew and Dunlin pass overhead with the more often noticed Sparrowhawks.  The best bird of the day was not captured, but spent some time in the tall trees around the ringing site. The Nutcracker was also seen by those watching at the tip before flying up, gradually gaining altitude until finally out of sight.

Four Firecrests were caught throughout the morning, the last of these being late enough that everyone on the migration counting course were able to see the bird, in the hand, while back at the observatory for lunchtime.

Male Firecrest 

E666324, ringed under the Norwegian scheme

Another highlight of the day was a Dunnock bearing ring E666324 issued under the Norwegian ringing scheme.

Totals:  76 (38)

Gærdesmutte / Wren – 5 (1)
Jernsperv / Dunnock –  6 (2 and 1 control from Norway)
Rødhals / Robin – 6 (29)
Solsort / Common Blackbird – 0 (1)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush – 1 
Munk / Blackcap – 1
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 12
Røtoppet Fuglekonge / Firecrest – 4
Sortmejse / Coal Tit - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit –  6 (1)
Musvit / Great Tit – 19 (2)
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 1
Træløber / Northern Treecreeper – 0 (1)
Bogfinke / Chaffinch – 2
Grønirisk / Greenfinch – 10
Grønsisken / Siskin - 2

7th October

A much better day for ringing following overnight rain that appeared to have forced  a lot of birds down during the night. Many of the Chiffchaff and Robins were carrying considerable amounts of fat and would probably have flown straight on had the night remained dry.

Many of our longer stayers appear to have moved on before the rain as there were so few retraps today compared to the last few days. We continued to catch into the early afternoon, one round included a mixed group of House Sparrows and Tree Sparrows, all 13 in one of the high nets. The House Sparrows were definitely passing through and carrying a lot of fat,  while the Tree Sparrows had virtually none.  The capture of all birds together certainly indicates that there was some form of interaction while they were sharing the garden.

Tree Sparrow 1k+

It seems that this year Blue Tits are very much a consideration due to this being an irruption year and again there were just a few including an adult bird carrying a ring from the Riksmuseum, Stockholm scheme.

Swedish control

 We were pleased to capture a second Ring Ouzel.

Our second Ring Ouzel, an adult male

Totals:  223 (11)

Gærdesmutte / Wren –  2
Jernsperv / Dunnock –  18
Rødhals / Robin –  96 (7)
Solsort / Common Blackbird – 1
Ringdrossel / Ring Ouzel - 1
Sangdrossel / SongThrush – 10 (1)
Vindrossel / Redwing - 2 
Munk / Blackcap – 3 (1)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff – 35 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest– 18
Blåmejse / Blue Tit –  9   ( 1 control from Sweden)
Musvit / Great Tit – 5
Gråspurv / House Sparrow - 6
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 7
Bogfinke / Chaffinch – 8
Grønirisk / Greenfinch –  1
Grønsisken / Siskin – 1

8th October

A change in wind direction and strength and what a difference a day makes. We couldn't open the high nets or those along the outer edge of the east side of the garden. Birds were keeping a low profile and each round produced less than a handful of birds.
Chris went off for a couple of hours seawatching at the tip and I was most surprised to find a Barred Warbler during the 10'o'clock round. It was too windy to continue ringing past standard time and after putting in the records, making Chicken Chasseur and an apple crumble for dinner, it's now time for the blog - just ours today, not the official fuglestation blog.

Juvenile Barred Warbler 

(A late record as they usually migrate through Gedser in August)

Totals:  33 (10)

Gærdesmutte / Wren –  2
Rødhals / Robin –  13 (7)
Solsort / Common Blackbird – 1 (1)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush – 3
Høgesanger / Barred Warbler
Munk / Blackcap – 0 (1)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff – 5
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest– 1
Musvit / Great Tit – 2 (1)
Bogfinke / Chaffinch – 4
Kvækerfinke / Brambling - 1