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.

Getterön Fågelstation, Sweden, 25th & 26th September 2016

It was less windy early on this morning so we had a better chance of birds staying in nets than yesterday! We opened all the nets, and after a rather quiet start things started to improve. Chiffchaffs continue to make up a decent amount of the catch, Reed Buntings have reduced at present and Meadow Pipits are down with the windier conditions.

 Juvenile male Yellowhammer

Great Tit, adult male

Greenfinch

Totals: 87 (8)

Meadow Pipit - 8 (1)
Wren - 1
Dunnock - 2 (1)
Robin - 8 (3)
Redstart - 0 (1)
Reed Warbler - 2
Blackcap - 17
Chiffchaff - 24 (1)
Blue Tit - 1
Great Tit - 1 (1)
Greenfinch - 2
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Yellowhammer - 1
Reed Bunting - 19

26th September

A light, moderate SSE wind to start, increasing by 11am and cloud. We expected similar to yesterday, opened and waited to see what happened. The Chiffchaff calls worked quite well, but our attempts to attract finches did not work although we could see several small groups passing overhead. Nets were closed for 11am.

Garden Warbler

Dawn departure of geese.

In the afternoon we went walking at Sumpafallen. It was a beautiful place, but like all woodlands at this time of year there were only a few birds to be seen.

Our target species were Dipper and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and we saw neither. On returning the Getterons via Varberg we drove in to town just as the Cranes were returning from the fields. Some were at the lagoon edge close to the observatory.

Pre-roost activity of Cranes 

Chris had another try for some Starlings. The flock has swelled considerably and they positively drown out the tape lure when they're all roosting for the night. Current estimate is a minimum of 2000 birds. Chris was disappointed to find birds roosting either side of the net run this morning when we hadn't tried last night. Of course they all left almost vertically and none were captured.

Our last attempt was for owls. We tried Pygmy and Hawk owls as they are now passing through but were unsuccessful again.

Total: 95 (12)

Meadow Pipit - 14 (1)
Wren - 0 (1)
Dunnock - 2 (2)
Robin - 6 (4)
Redstart - 1 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 9
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 19 (1)
Chiffchaff - 22
Willow Warbler - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 19

Getterön Fågelstation, Sweden, 19th & 20th September 2016

19th September

The wind was changeable overnight and  blowing from a North Westerly direction by the end of the morning. It was quite busy with a lot of birds seen in the bushes, as well as being caught. Bo dropped something off, and got roped in to a quick dash round the bush nets to extract, saving us a little time. We were pleased with our total, and we may have to resort to the bicycles if we get a higher number of birds when no help is available.

 Juvenile male Sparrowhawk

Brambling

 Male Bearded Tit with black mask feathers moulting through

In the afternoon we went off with Bo Kanje, Kirsten and Margareta to see Pygmy Owl habitat. There was also a chance to see some of the local nature reserves and tourist attractions. We did set a net where the Pygmy Owls were but we caught nothing and did not even hear them calling. Many thanks to Bo, Margareta and Kirsten for their efforts - both with the owls and the evening picnic. It was great!

 One of many locations where Bo (pronounced Boo) monitors raptors and owls,

 including box nesting birds.

 Goshawk nest

 Tourist retreat complete with saunas, spas and vineyard.

 Nest box for Pygmy Owl. Sparvuggla, the Swedish name, means Sparrow Owl.

Sparvuggla habitat

A wonderful place, but watch out for the elk flies.

Total: 216 (21)

Sparrowhawk - 1
Tree Pipit - 1
Meadow Pipit - 27
Wren - 2
Dunnock - 6 (1)
Robin - 25 (5)
Song Thrush - 1
Redstart - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 3
Reed Warbler - 9 (1)
Lesser Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Garden Warbler - 3
Blackcap - 42 (5)
Willow Warbler - 3
Chiffchaff - 50 (1)
Bearded Tit - 0 (2)
Blue Tit - 5  (1)
Great Tit - 3 (2)
Tree Sparrow - 2
Chaffinch - 1
Brambling - 1
Reed Bunting - 31

20th September

It was a chilly start to the day due to the wind blowing in from North North West. We were not sure if there would be birds still around from the 'fall' yesterday or whether there may be new arrivals. Once we got started, it was clear that there had been an influx of Wrens and Robins, with rather more Robins! In the reed bed, Reed Bunting responded well to the audio-lure.

 Wren - referred to affectionately as meatballs in Denmark

 which makes this a Swedish meatball!

 Bearded Tits - two dapper chappies!

Great Spotted Woodpecker - juvenile male

We were surprised to recapture the Barred Warbler that was ringed on the 8th of September. This bird has not been reported since it was captured. Its weight, 25.5g, and fat score have not changed.

The wind has increased this afternoon and it is unlikely that we'll do any netting this evening.

Total: 230  (29)

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1
Tree Pipit - 1
Meadow Pipit - 22
Wren - 19
Dunnock - 4
Robin - 59 (4)
Redstart - 0 (2)
Sedge Warbler - 2
Reed Warbler - 15 (1)
Whitethroat - 1 (1)
Garden Warbler - 5 (3)
Blackcap - 32 (10)
Barred Warbler - 0 (1)
Willow Warbler - 3
Chiffchaff - 23
Bearded Tit - 1 (3)
Blue Tit - 2 (4)
Starling - 1
Greenfinch - 1
Reed Bunting - 38

Getterön Fågelstation, Sweden - 18th September 2016 Naturum Open Day

At the beginning of last week the weather was looking rather bad for ringing on the open day. Thankfully there was an improvement, no rain expected and a forecast for light South Westerly winds. This is not the best wind direction but it ought to bring some birds in. So, there were plenty of birds to show at the demonstrations between 8am and 10am. It struck me how much easier it was than our local Apple Day demonstrations - people are there between 10am and 4pm, we usually get about 60 or so birds and most of these before 10am.

Captures were down, only to be expected with more people on site than usual, and Meadow Pipits particularly would not respond to the audio-lure, restricting our captures somewhat. The team for the day was Bo, Kirsten, Margareta, Martin, Chris and myself.

Early birds at the 8am demonstration. It was impossible to get in as the morning progressed!

Due to being busy photos of birds were not taken, but, here is Martin with a similar female Sparrowhawk caught a little while ago.

Total: 123 (15)

Sparrowhawk - 1
Meadow Pipit - 1
Wren - 6
Dunnock - 3
Robin - 16
Redstart - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Reed Warbler - 8
Garden Warbler - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 27
Chiffchaff - 25
Goldcrest - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 3
Great Tit -  0 (1)
Greenfinch - 1
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Reed Bunting - 28

After ringing we took part in a free activity to build a nest box. It is wonderful so see such investment ( there was enough materials to build over 50 boxes) in encouraging people to take an interest in wildlife. Secondly, it was refreshing to see wood, hammer, nails, screws and mini power drills provided to all with no qualms. Parents were not overly concerned about children, it was all very relaxed and I very much doubt an activity would take place, in this way, in the UK - which is a real shame. I think the Swedes have got something right that we don't seem able to manage.

 Giving nature a home - the Swedish way!

The finished articles, front opening for cleaning from IKEA style 

prepared sections for home assembly.

In the afternoon, Chris was watching the Cranes and noticed a colour-ringed bird. Between us we found three others. The birds were closer than usual and until now scope views have been insufficient to record full combinations. Three of the birds were ringed in Sweden and have been seen in France, Germany and Spain. One bird was not on the database although there was a suggestion that it may have been marked in Russia.

We tried for owls again but were unsuccessful.

Getterön Fågelstation - 10th & 11th September 2016

10th September

It was a damp and misty start to the day as we dropped all nets for 5.15am.

There were a couple of nice captures, a female Pied Flycatcher and a Grasshopper Warbler, from the first round. The garden nets continue to catch well, adding quite a few Meadow Pipits to our total, and the Sparrowhawk from yesterday was back again!

Near the end of the morning's ringing a couple of Bearded Tits, including a smart male, were caught in the nets by the path to the photographic hide.

This evening we will try for non-passerines.

Long-eared Owl - adult male

Pied Flycatcher - female

 Grasshopper Warbler

 Bearded Tit male

Totals: 136 (15)

Sparrowhawk - 0 (1)
Long-eared Owl - 1
Swallow - 1
Tree Pipit - 2
Meadow Pipit - 35
Dunnock - 5
Robin - 5 (3)
Blackbird - 1
Redstart - 2
Grasshopper Warbler - 1
Sedge Warbler - 2
Reed Warbler - 12
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 3 (1)
Garden Warbler - 13 (1)
Blackcap - 37 (2)
Willow Warbler - 2
Chiffchaff - 4 (1)
Pied Flycatcher - 1
Bearded Tit - 1 (1)
Blue Tit - 5 (4)
Great Tit - 1 (1)

11th September

Firstly, the attempts of last night resulted in the capture on an adult male Long-eared Owl! We have had reports that Hawk Owls are on the move so we will also try for those, as well as continue for Pygmy and Long-eared Owl.

Overnight the wind was due to change to a more southwesterly direction, being somewhat variable throughout the day to end up coming from the west. It was a strong wind and we knew to expect numbers to be down. Again, we had a forecast for rain in the middle of the morning so after the last couple of rounds with very little in the nets, we closed for 10.30am.

There will be no ringing tonight unless the wind gusts reduce considerably.

Early morning departure of geese.

Cranes were particularly low in the strong winds.

 Juvenile Reed Warbler

 Juvenile Willow Warbler

High water level in the bay as the wind drives water in.

There were a couple of reports that calls similar to Yellow-browed Warbler had been heard along the access track to the observatory. We did reopen a net briefly but the audio-lure enticed nothing and on looking, the only bird seen was a Chiffchaff.


Totals: 54 (8)

Robin - 1 (1)
Redstart - 3
Grasshopper Warbler - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 3
Reed Warbler - 23 (1)
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Whitethroat - 1 (1)
Garden Warbler - 3
Blackcap - 12 (3)
Willow Warbler - 2
Chiffchaff - 2 (1)
Spotted Flycatcher - 1
Reed Bunting - 1