Getterön Fågelstation, Sweden, 1st October 2016

After three days of extremely strong winds, often with rain from time to time, we were finally able to drop nets and get out for our last day of ringing at Getterön Fågelstation. We were joined by Jack who would be manning the station throughout October. He arrived after dark on the previous day, so setting up in the dark was his first chance to find out where the nets were and get an idea of the site in general.

We dropped nets to the sound of Robins ticking from the bushes and there were clearly birds around to be caught. All main nets were dropped. The Meadow Pipit net was taken down just before the bad weather started.

It was a steady morning with plenty of birds to keep us going until 13.00hrs. There was nothing really special but it was nice to see what will be our last Bramblings, Redstarts and Tree Sparrows for a while. None of these birds are caught at our usual sites. We also did the last of our two dominant species bringing Meadow Pipit to 426 and Reed Bunting to 396. There were 3504 new birds in total during our time as resident ringers.

Finally a new Yellow-browed Warbler was seen on the reserve late afternoon.

 Male Brambling

 Male Reed Bunting - one of 396

 Tree Sparrow

The 426th Meadow Pipit

Total: 166 (39)

Ängspiplärka/Meadow Pipit – 4

Gärdsmyg/Wren – 2

Järnsparv/Dunnock – 3 (1)

Rödhake/Robin – 46 (17)

Rödstjärt/Redstart - 0 (2)

Taltrast/Song Thrush – 1

Koltrast/Blackbird - 1

Rörsångare/Reed Warbler – 2

Trädgårdsångare/Garden Warbler – 0 (1)

Svarthätta/Blackcap – 55 (6)

Gransångare/Chiffchaff –  14 (2)

Kungsfågel/Goldcrest – 2 (1)

Skäggmes/Bearded Tit - 0 (4)

Blåmes/Blue Tit – 3 (4)

Talgoxe/Great Tit – 3 (1)

Stare/Starling - 1

Pilfink/Tree Sparrow - 1

Bofink/Chaffinch – 1

Bergfink/Brambling - 2

Grönfink/Greenfinch - 4

Sävsparv/Reed Bunting - 21

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time ringing at Getterön and would like to thank everyone who has helped us, either with ringing operations or with information for birding locally particularly Bo for allowing us the opportunity to come here and dropping in to extract before work some days, Margareta for helping with extracting, giving us the opportunity to do our only Swedish twitch when we succeeded in seeing Eagle Owl in Varberg town centre and many other things besides, particularly liaising with Bo Kanje who took us out in hopes of catching Pygmy Owl but also showed us areas where he rings nest-box and raptor pulli, as well as some interesting tourist sites. Also those who helped at the open day, Dirk and Maria for their advice as out going resident ringers and Stanley who showed us around when we arrived and helped us in the first few days.

If anyone is considering a month at this station in the autumn, do feel free to contact us if you have any questions or think that we may be able to help you decide whether this might be for you. We are contactable on facebook or at deniselamsdell@rocketmail.com or clamsdell@gmail.com

A last view of the obs, the lagoon and the fabulous mipit net.

Getteron Fågelstation, Sweden - 6th & 7th September 2016

6th September

A bit of a change today with very little coming from the reed bed. There were no Reed Warblers, but we did catch our first Marsh Warbler. The bird had a 69mm wing with a notch of 9mm. Some other identification criteria are shown below.  The new Meadow Pipit nets in the observatory garden worked well, and Blue Tits could be heard from all areas of the site.

Juvenile Marsh Warbler

 Different toe/claw ratio to Reed Warbler. Underside of claws white 

(just visible above on hind claw). Broader base of bill.

Emargination on P3 comes to P7/8. On Reed Warblers 

emargination is usually close to equal with secondaries. 

Treecreeper

It was another beautiful day, warm and bright with a strengthening wind that started mid-morning and just kept blowing. We set for a roost just after 7pm and captured another 28 Yellow Wagtails.

Totals: 108 (6)

Meadow Pipit - 15
Blue-headed Wagtail - 31
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 2
Robin - 9 (1)
Redstart - 5
Sedge Warbler - 1 (1)
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 1
Garden Warbler - 5
Blackcap - 24 (2)
Willow Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 4
Blue Tit - 2 (2)
Great Tit - 1
Treecreeper - 1
Tree Sparrow - 2


7th September

The forecast for rain overnight didn't happen. There was a thick blanket of cloud covering the sky for as far as the eye can see, with strong winds from the southwest - and another warning for rain at 11am. All the nets were dropped. It was clear after the first couple of rounds that there had not been an influx of birds.

Each round produced no more than a handful of birds and we noted that there was no sign of any Common Redstarts whatsoever. With the catch rate so poor, strong wind and the threat of rain, some nets were closed by 9am. There were a few light spots of rain at about 10am but it never amounted to much and certainly didn't improve the number of birds in the nets.

With a little time on our hands, we spent some time watching the waterfowl and noticed how the bay has more water than the last couple of days. There are no tides here but wind direction influences the amount of sea water driven into the bay.

Many thanks to the two birders who visited and gave us the name of someone at Naturum who has a great deal of local information about birds. He was really helpful. We are also impressed that the centre feeds eagles during the winter, and can get up to 20 birds. It's disappointing that this does not start until half way through October when we will no longer be here.

In the afternoon a large congregation of Swallows were seen on the wires by the access road. We later went down to the reedbed with the intent of setting for a Swallow roost, but no birds were present or came to the audio-lure and we decided they had probably gone to roost very early due to the misty conditions or roosted away from the reserve.

Totals: 36 (5)

Meadow Pipit - 1
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 4
Robin - 2 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 3
Garden Warbler - 6 (1)
Blackcap - 10 (1)
Chiffchaff - 2
Blue Tit - 0 (2)
Tree Sparrow - 1
Reed Bunting - 1

 Chiffchaff

One of the few wallpapered ringing huts I've been in. But when you're busy and just glance up, it can make you think there's been an escape..