Today we caught the first ( and possibly only) Skovneppe / Woodcock
of the year. These birds are so large and heavy that they often manage
to escape the net if caught. I was very lucky to be just half a metre
from the bird when I startled it from the foot of a hedge. There was a
loud burst of wings and it hit the side of the net but did not fall into
a pocket - and amazingly I actually caught hold of it!
It is no surprise that these birds are passing through Gedser at this time. We have been catching Fuglekonge / Goldcrest since the middle of September with some quite high numbers over the last week. Skovneppe / Woodcock migration is usually timed a little later than Fuglekonge / Goldcrest and there is a good deal of mythology in English folklore about these two species. It’s astonishing to think that something so tiny can manage to migrate from Scandinavia and Russia, as continental goldcrests do each winter. In fact, in the past, ornithologists found this so hard to believe that it was thought that goldcrests hitched a ride on the back of Woodcocks – and so they became known as ‘woodcock pilots’!Of course thanks to ringing studies, we know that Goldcrests can, and do, make this epic journey unaided. A truly impressive feat!
It is no surprise that these birds are passing through Gedser at this time. We have been catching Fuglekonge / Goldcrest since the middle of September with some quite high numbers over the last week. Skovneppe / Woodcock migration is usually timed a little later than Fuglekonge / Goldcrest and there is a good deal of mythology in English folklore about these two species. It’s astonishing to think that something so tiny can manage to migrate from Scandinavia and Russia, as continental goldcrests do each winter. In fact, in the past, ornithologists found this so hard to believe that it was thought that goldcrests hitched a ride on the back of Woodcocks – and so they became known as ‘woodcock pilots’!Of course thanks to ringing studies, we know that Goldcrests can, and do, make this epic journey unaided. A truly impressive feat!
Skovneppe / Woodcock first year
It was good to see more species on the record sheet today.
Totals: 209 (52)
Spurvehøg / Sparrowhawk - 1
Skovsneppe / Woodcock - 1
Skovsneppe / Woodcock - 1
Gærdesmutte / Wren - 1 (1)
Jernspurv / Dunnock -5 (2)
Rødhals / Robin - 34 (21)
Solsort/ Blackbird - 13 (1)
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 3
Vindrossel / Redwing - 2
Munk / Blackcap - 0 (2)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 6 (2)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 132 (23)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1
Musvit / Great Tit - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1
Kvækerfinke / Brambling -1
Grønirisk / Greenfinch - 1
Grønsisken / Siskin - 6
Rødhals / Robin - 34 (21)
Solsort/ Blackbird - 13 (1)
Sangdrossel / Song Thrush - 3
Vindrossel / Redwing - 2
Munk / Blackcap - 0 (2)
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 6 (2)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 132 (23)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1
Musvit / Great Tit - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1
Kvækerfinke / Brambling -1
Grønirisk / Greenfinch - 1
Grønsisken / Siskin - 6