Gedser Fuglestation - 7 October 2015

From looking at the weather forecast over the last few days there was every chance that a full standard session would not be possible today. As it was, the conditions were very windy but it appeared that the rain we were expecting was not due until much later than first predicted.

We opened fewer nets than usual and knew that much of the catch would be Robins (Rødhals) and Goldcrest (Fuglekonge). Ringing continued at a brisk pace all morning apart from time out to close nets when a few spots of rain threatened a heavier downpour. Nets were opened again half an hour later once the risk of a thorough soaking had passed.

There were a few more thrushes and Blackbirds.

 Adult male Blackbird (2k+ Solsort - han)

 First year male Blackbird (1k Solsort - han)

Apart from the Goldcrests (Fuglekonge), warblers were very few.

 First year male Blackcap (1k Munk- han)

Our only finch of the day was a first year male Brambling.

Brambling (Kvækerfinke)

There is an infection, believed to be fungal related that ringers are seeing in birds in Scandinavia. It has been most common in Robins but can occur in other species. When checking for fat white raised lumps are seen where feathers emerge from the breast. Some birds have a slight infection while others appear to be completely white. They do not seem to have particularly low weights or show signs of being sick. It is difficult to photograph but my best effort is shown below.

Infected Robin

We have not noticed this in birds at our regular sites in south-east England so far, but birds wintering in the UK and Europe, from Scandinavia, may be infected. We will be taking precautions to avoid the infection spreading, using antiseptic handwash after handling an infected bird and ensuring that bird bags are put aside to be washed before reuse.

Totals: 220 ( 51)

Rødhals / Robin - 101 (15)
Solsort/ Blackbird - 6 (2)
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 6
Vindrossel / Redwing - 1
Munk / Blackcap - 1 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest -  102 (33)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1
Musvit / Great Tit - 1
Kvækerfinke / Brambling - 1