Gedser, Denmark 3rd October to 5th October 2018

3rd October 2018

We awoke to find the wind less fierce than we expected, partly due to a change in wind direction that left fewer nets wind affected than the previous day. We had thought, with the wind forecast to be 16m/s, that netting would be impossible, but we found nets that could be opened and with a total of 138m operational hoped for the best.

The catch was poor again, only 41 new birds including Meadow Pipit (just the second of the year for the station), European Siskin and five Redwing.

Redwing

House Sparrow with partial white plumage

Male Siskin adult

Totals: 41 (22)

Engpiber / Meadow Pipit - 1

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 2
Jernsperv / Dunnock - 6
Rødhals / Robin - 11 (15)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush - 2
Vindrossel / Redwing - 5
Munk / Blackcap - 1
Gransanger / Eurasian Chiffchaff - 2 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1 (3)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1 (3)
Gråspurv /House Sparrow - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 6
Grønsisken / Siskin - 1

4th October 2018

The weather forecast looked better for today, lower wind and no rain. the first round was an improvement on the last few days as was the second. It wasn't long before the wind began to increase and fine rain began to drift in from the sea. Gedser has its own microclimate and this morning was a perfect example of the weather not running true to what was predicted. The rain came and went for the latter part of the morning. However, bird numbers were up with our first Tree Sparrow and Goldfinch. There were more Redwing, three male Sparrowhawks, some new Robins and Dunnocks.

Fully grown Tree Sparrow 1k+

Adult Yellowhammer 2k+

Totals: 128 (15) 

Spurvehøg/ Sparrowhawk - 3

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 8
Jernsperv / Dunnock - 21
Rødhals / Robin - 23 (12)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush - 18 (1)
Vindrossel / Redwing - 8
Munk / Blackcap - 1
Gransanger / Eurasian Chiffchaff - 13
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 2 (1)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 16
Musvit / Great Tit - 3 (1)
Skovspurv /Tree Sparrow - 1
Stilits / Goldfinch - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 8
Kværkefinke / Brambling - 1
Gulspurv / Yellowhammer - 1

5th October 2018

I will also be writing entries for the Gedser Fuglestation blog from time to time. Here is today's entry.

Passing by, brief stop or longer stay

However long the garden is needed, it’s there for the birds

On a good migration day we are often frustrated by the sheer number of flocks that scud over the garden making for the tip, before heading out to sea. They are ready to go, merely passing over the observatory on their way south. For these birds, Gedser Observatory garden offers cover and food if it is needed. There is shelter from a sudden shower and protection from predators with places to forage or roost.  It’s there for them if they need it.

The observatory garden

 Other birds just drop in for a brief rest. Yesterday we caught some Dunnocks that had plenty of fat to fuel the flight across the Baltic. These birds appeared to have fed so well before reaching Gedser that there was no desperate need to put on a great deal of weight before making the hop over to Germany. They had dropped in and roosted for the night. We don’t expect to recapture any of these heavy Dunnocks this autumn as they are sure to leave as soon as weather conditions are favourable.

Juvenile Dunnock

There are other birds that we see fairly often while they feed up on the berries and insects that the garden can provide. 9CN9376, A European Robin was first captured, and subsequently ringed, in the observatory garden on September 28th.  This bird, in its first year, was netted early in the day weighing in at 13.5g with no fat reserves visible. This weight is less than ideal for the bird to embark on the Baltic crossing and the bird must feed up and improve physical condition before continuing its migration south. Two days later on the 30^th, there was an even greater shortfall to make up as the weight had dropped to 12.9g. A drop in weigh could be for a variety of reasons ranging from harsh weather conditions, illness, fatigue or inability to find enough food. Happily, 9CN9376 appeared to be rallying and had gained weight by October 2^nd, then at 13.2g. Most of the Robins that we catch once, and don’t see again are fit for continuing migration with a weight around 17 grams or above. We haven’t seen 9CN9376 for a few days now. Most likely the bird has been in the garden long enough now to know where we have our nets and we will never know exactly when it will decide to leave or what weight it will be when the onward journey is resumed.

European Robin

However the birds use the observatory garden, it is an important ‘last chance oasis’ before setting off, out to sea, on the southwards migration.

Today’s ringing started off slowly and there weren’t many birds in the first few rounds.  Then more birds began to move about when the clouds cleared, allowing the sun to warm the garden. The highlight of our morning was an adult Ring Ouzel.

Adult male Ring Ouzel

Totals: 42 (33)

Spurvehøg/ Sparrowhawk – 1
Gærdesmutte / Wren – 1 (1)
Jernsperv / Dunnock –  3
Rødhals / Robin – 14 (24)
Ringdrossel / Ring Ouzel – 1

Solsort / Common Blackbird – 2 (2)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush – 7 (1)

Vindrossel / Redwing – 1

Munk / Blackcap – 1 (1)
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest – 0 (2)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit –  5 (2)
Træløber / Northern Treecreeper - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch – 2
Grønirisk / Greenfinch – 1
Grønsisken / Siskin - 1
Tornirisk / Linnet - 1

Gedser, Denmark 30th September to 2nd October 2018

30th September

Our first full day here and an open day for the station. Catching has been slow of late, although there have been a few good days when numbers have risen above the hundred mark with the tempting prospect of capturing Nutcracker after a second was caught here on the 28th. Three were also seen to fly over.

However, the winds were against us today and the garden was distinctly lacking in bird life, barring Robins that are mostly trying to attain sufficient condition to make the Baltic crossing to Germany. Robins, and retraps in particular made up a sizeable section of the catch with little more than a handful of other birds.

We kept some nets down throughout the day but there was no increase in numbers as the day drew on.

3M Common Redstart

All in all there were probably as many visitors to the station as we had birds in the nets. The visitors very much enjoyed seeing the birds, meanwhile we hope for a better migration tomorrow.

Totals: 25 (19)

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 2
Rødhals / Robin - 15 (17)
Rødstjert / Common Redstart - 1
Sangdrossel / SongThrush - 4 (1)
Munk / Blackcap - 1
Gransanger / Eurasian Chiffchaff - 1
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 0 (1)

1st October

We were hopeful that today's low wind from the NNW in the morning would bring a few more birds. Added to the fact that there had been overnight rain we felt that conditions were favourable for migration. Things had definitely picked up but there was no large scale fall and nothing unusual in the nets. We did have a few small flocks of tits moving through, with one Blue tit weighing in at a healthy 12.1g.

3M Reed Bunting

Chiffchaff

3M Sparrowhawk

Totals: 88 (29)

Spurvehøg/ Sparrowhawk - 1
Gærdesmutte / Wren - 9
Jernsperv / Dunnock - 8 (1)
Rødhals / Robin - 14 (26)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush - 3
Rørsanger / Reed Warbler - 1
Munk / Blackcap - 8 (1)
Gransanger / Eurasian Chiffchaff - 18
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 3 (1)
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 13
Musvit/ Great Tit - 5
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 4
Rørspurv / Reed Bunting - 1

2nd October

The wind had freshened again and after some low catch days, the only thing certain to come to the observatory today was the brand new dishwasher arriving with Gert and Hans sometime after 9am! If only birds could be as punctual.

There would probably be some more Robins to join the growing number of previously processed birds that remain in the garden, feeding up before making the crossing to Germany, and maybe  a few more Chiffchaff, but the question that’s keeping us on our toes is when will the Blue Tits arrive? There have been very large catches at observatories to the North of Gedser and it seems to be just a matter of time before they find their way into our ringing rides, grabbing at the net and biting the fingers that gently extract them.  

As well as the expected strong wind, there were also a few spots of rain but we managed to complete the session, although not too many birds in the nets and a lot passing overhead, we did catch our first Brambling and Redwing of the season. As for Blue Tits, there was just one so we must wait to see what tomorrow brings.

3F Brambling

Brambling underwing colouration, rarely seen in the field

Adult Redwing

Totals: 35 (9)

Gærdesmutte / Wren - 3
Rødhals / Robin - 11 (9)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush - 6
Vindrossel / Redwing - 1
Munk / Blackcap - 1
Gransanger / Eurasian Chiffchaff - 9
Fuglekonge / Goldcrest - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit - 1
Bogfinke / Chaffinch - 1
Kvækerfinke / Brambling - 1

Castricum, Netherlands - 26th & 27th September 2018

We are now on our way to Gedser for the autumn and are travelling through the Netherlands, via a visit to see Jan Visser who we have known since our escapades in Georgia four years ago.

We had a 5am start and dropped the nets, set in the dunes, in conditions that were really too windy for our liking. There were also clap nets in front of the ringing base.

Despite the less than favourable conditions we caught 95 birds, with just a Meadow Pipit coming from the clap nets. Highlights were 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Barred Warbler and a Firecrest.

One of five juvenile Yellow-browed Warblers

Juvenile Barred Warbler

Firecrest

Castricum ringing base

Resetting the clap nets

Totals: 93 (2)

Meadow Pipit - 1
Robin - 4 (1)
Redstart - 1
Blackbird - 2
Song Thrush - 10
Grasshopper Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 4
Barred Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 60
Yellow-browed Warbler - 5
Firecrest - 1
Reed Bunting - 2 (1)

The following day was less windy and rather warmer. Birds were frequently seen making their way south, most too intent on their journey to be tempted down to the clap nets. There were more birds ringed than the previous day, most coming from the first two rounds.

Juvenile Short-toed Treecreeper

3M Firecrest

Yellow-browed Warbler 

Totals: 160 (4)

Meadow Pipit - 8
Grey Wagtail - 2
Wren - 0 (1)
Robin - 7
Dunnock - 4
Stonechat - 1
Song Thrush - 10 (1)
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 114
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 5
Firecrest - 1
Short-toed Treecreeper - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 1
Great Tit - 3 (1)

Jan said it was a shame the morning had been a bit boring, but there's no doubt that the catch beats Wraysbury, Stanwell or Broadwater hands down! We were rather surprised that the Cetti's Warbler (their fourth this year) caused more excitement than the Firecrest. But then we haven't had breeding Cetti's at Stanwell very long and they were not recorded there before 2009.
Many thanks to Jan, Arnaud, Cees, Andre and Piet for making us so welcome at Castricum and to Jan and his wife for their hospitality.

Broadwater GP - 24th September 2018

Now that storms Ali and Bronagh have passed, we were finally able to get out and see what the birds are doing. We chose Broadwater, this being our most sheltered site. We spent around three hours there, catching 30 birds over half of which were departing summer migrants. well probably since we do get a fair number of wintering Chiffchaff locally. There were also birds to remind us that winter is just around the corner.

3M Goldcrest

3M Blackbird with retained juvenile feathers on head

After a spectacular summer, the latest reports seem to indicate that winter 2018-19 may be just as memorable, but for different reasons. Snow in the UK, lasting over a four month period is what's forecast - so we shall see. 

Total: 28 (2)
Dunnock - 1
Wren - 1
Blackbird - 1
Blackcap - 5
Chiffchaff - 11
Goldcrest - 3 (1)
Blue Tit - 1
Great Tit - 4 (1)

Stanwell Moor GP - 16th September & 17th September 2018

16th September 

We took our chance to get to Stanwell in advance of the arrival of Storm Ali and tried for a roost, followed by a morning session the next day.

It was already quite windy, although the reed-bed nets were relatively unaffected. There was no sign of any hirundines around the lake and our efforts for a roost came to nothing, as is so often the case. What never helps is that this night take off from Heathrow were to the west of the southern runway, bringing planes right over the ringing site, frequently drowning out any calls playing for the roost. The track net did rather better, capturing, for us, some migrant warblers, one being Chiffchaff KDH063 a juvenile that had been ringed at Wraysbury a few days earlier on the 12th of the month.


Totals:  13 (1)

Sedge Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 9
Chiffchaff -  2 (1)
Willow Warbler - 1


17th September

The next morning was really rather breezy. We only got one Reed Warbler from the reed-bed nets, the track net was absolutely dire, only two birds from there and one of those was the Sedge Warbler from the night before and even the ground trap for Meadow Pipits only got one. It was, without doubt, our worst September day ever. We saw very few birds and at the very least birds were keeping extremely low, avoiding the raised bund that normally channels their movements or perhaps there has been a mass clearout ahead of the high winds, it's difficult to be certain but we can at least say this was our worst result ever for an autumn migration date, anywhere!

Once we'd packed up, we took the opportunity to lower the height of the buddleias along the track net so when the birds do return they won't be encouraged to cross the netted track at too great a height.

Total: 3 (1)

Meadow Pipit - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Sedge Warbler - 0 (1)
Chiffchaff - 1

Broadwater GP - 16th September 2018

This morning MRB and Margaret were joined by two members of Maple Cross ringing group. We pitched in to add a few extra nets as it seemed the ideal opportunity to do some chores on site while others could keep the birds ticking over. Amongst other things there was a reorganisation of the feed bins, resiting of one of the nest boxes, removal of a low hanging branch and the addition of some fixed ties.

The first bird extracted was a very interesting Blackcap.

The bird had only the faintest hint of a brown cap

Pale greyish brown tones on the wings, tail and mantle

Very pale throat and belly

The eye was also lacking in the usual brown tones. It was definitely aged 3 and we thought it was a female.

Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler were conspiculous by their absence, although Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were about, we saw no large flocks moving through the treetops. There were a few small bands of tits that  found our nets and Blue Tit was the leading species for the session, including some retraps spanning upto three years. Broadwater, the surrounding mature trees and the River Colne that passes the lake are very much favoured by our resident birds. The chances of flying into a window or being hit by a vehicle are minimal and with good feeding opportunities some birds survive long into adulthood.

Adult Bluetit, Y823775 ringed as a juvenile on 16/06/2015

Totals: 52 (11)

Dunnock - 1
Robin - 3
Wren - 1
Blackcap - 13
Chiffchaff - 11
Goldcrest - 1
Blue Tit - 16 (8)
Great Tit - 6 (1)
Treecreeper - 0 (2)

Wraysbury GP - 15th September 2018

The group covered both sides of the site this morning. We stayed on C6, having what can best be decribed as a bit of a Chiffy day. We managed just under 70 birds and although House Martins were present in large numbers over head, failed to entice any into the nets since it was just too clear and bright. There were a few Meadow Pipits but not many and only four of those were caught.

Meadow Pipit aged 3

We started off fairly well, although we did need to round up three ponies and see them back to their field. The birds went very quiet at around 10am and there was over two hours of nil return rounds until the last two pipits that were captured as we went to take the final nets down. 

Linnet 3M

The other team captured around 100 new birds and 10 or so retraps with the most numerous species being Blackcap. This is probably a reflection on the poor state of the bramble crop on the open area and sparse, low level cover at Wraysbury.

Totals: 58 (10) 

Meadow Pipit - 4
Robin - 4 (2)
Dunnock - 3 (2)
Blackcap - 13(1)
Chiffchaff - 22 (3)
Willow Warbler - 2
Goldcrest - 2
Blue Tit - 0 (2)
Great Tit - 4
Goldfinch - 1
Linnet - 2