The weather conditions improved overnight. We mostly ringed Blackbirds today and had many, many more of them hopping around. We also had a female Firecrest, the sixth individual this month. The last bird was a Bullfinch (Dompap) recapture, ringed at the station in 2018.

Regulus ignicapilla

Pyrrhula pyrrhula close-up

A few hours of morning birding and sea watching by Jan went well, with numerous Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom) and gulls migrating north. These included several dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Sildemåge), a Black-throated Diver (Sortstrubet Lom) and even an Arctic Skua (Almindelig Kjove) - as far as I know it's the first this spring! Looking forward to the imminent return passage of a few Sandwich Terns (Splitterne), Northern Wheatears (Stenpikker) and so many other species.

Ringmærkning: 2 Dunnock (Jernspurv), 7 Blackbird (Solsort), 1 Chiffchaff (Gransanger), 1 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), 1 Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge), 2 Chaffinch (Bogfinke), 2 Greenfinch (Grønirisk)

Folk: Jan, Xenia, Tim

8m/s winds and frequent showers on site this morning, yet more Redwings (Vindrossel) and Greenfinches (Grønirisk) than I've seen so far. Mostly observed between the station and lighthouse gardens, 10+ Greenfinches and a couple of Redwings were at one point all feeding in the car park area.

The Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) ringed today was a female, as was the Blackbird (Solsort). Also spotted a few Common Redpolls (Gråsisken), 4 Starlings (Stær) and a not-so-shy roe deer hanging around during the net rounds...

(photo taken last week)

Ringing: 1 Blackbird (Solsort), 1 Dunnock (Jernspurv), 1 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge)

Folk: Tim

The morning hours were not ideal, as both rain and wind gusts exceeded the weather forecast. Afternoon sea watching included 1 Gannet (Sule), 4 Red-throated Diver (Rødstrubet Lom) and a few Common Scoter (Sortand). The usual gulls and waders were also present, avoiding the 'sandstorm' patches of the beach.

Two ringed White Wagtails (Hvid Vipstjert), vocal Song Thrushes (Sangdrossel) and Chaffinches (Bogfinke) occupied the lighthouse garden while work on improving the vegetation within the helgoland trap was underway. More shrubs were planted at the widest entry section and some birds, particularly thrushes, were already frequenting these new trees by the evening.

Folk: Svend R., Svend C., Tim

Strong winds hindered the ringing this morning, and persisted throughout the day. We found some shelter in the dunes and later on the beach for some birding. There seemed to be few predated toads near the ponds, probably taken by Hooded/Carrion Crows (Gråkrage/Sortkrage). Though a relatively slow morning, we did spot 4 (3,1) Red-breasted Mergansers (Toppet Skallesluger) migrating north, plus a few Sanderlings (Sandløber), Black-headed Gulls (Hættemåge), 1 Rook (Råge) and 4-5 Snow Buntings (Snespurv). Bird species present in good numbers today include Meadow Pipit (Engpiber) and Blackbird (Solsort).

Later, a few Oystercatchers (Strandskade) were observed feeding along the coast. With quite high tide, the Herring Gulls (Sølvmåge) and Common Gulls (Stormmåge) were less numerous by the evening.

Haematopus ostralegus

Folk: Bent, Tim

It was sunny and calm this morning. Migration is truly unpredictable, and after the early arrival of two Blackcaps yesterday, the number and diversity of birds depends on so many variables. Wind direction has a major influence, and being south westerly today, we did not have as many birds as one would expect. However, we did record a new species, the distinctive Crested Tit. It was briefly heard, seen and subsequently ringed at the station. Having seen this species on very few occasions, it is my first in Denmark and also the very first up close. On close inspection of plumage, iris colour and wing length, it's likely a second calendar year male.

Lophophanes cristatus

Ringmærkning: 1 Dunnock (Jernspurv), 3 Blackbird (Solsort), 1 Robin (Rødhals), 1 Chiffchaff (Gransanger), 5 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), 1 Crested Tit (Topmejse), 1 Chaffinch (Bogfinke)

Folk: Xenia, Tim

This morning was rather busy ringing, once again comprising mostly of Goldcrests, Blackbirds and Dunnocks. With a majority of them in their second year, it seems that female Goldcrests arrivals are slowly increasing. Besides these, two male Blackcaps were amongst the earliest birds, both in good condition and interesting to have had - they usually do not arrive before April. Also in migration mode were the second Eurasian Treecreeper and the fifth Firecrest (male) ringed this season.

Sylvia atricapilla

After the intially busy hours, Bent pressed on with some birding, sighting 3 Red-throated Divers (Rødstrubet Lom), c.400 Sanderlings (Sandløber), plenty of gulls and even a Woodlark (Hedelærke) migrating over the beach. My evening walk was lovely with Stonechat (Sortstrubet Bynkefugl), Meadow Pipit (Engpiber), Skylark (Sanglærke) and Yellowhammer (Gulspurv) calls. The few ponds in the dune area were also emitting 'calls', from numerous toads whose surface activity was noticed earlier by Bent.

Emberiza citrinella

Ringmærkning: 3 Wren (Gærdesmutte), 9 Dunnock (Jernspurv), 10 Blackbird (Solsort), 6 Robin (Rødhals), 2 Blackcap (Munk), 2 Chiffchaff (Gransanger), 12 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), 1 Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge), 1 Eurasian Treecreeper (Træløber), 2 Chaffinch (Bogfinke), 2 Greenfinch (Grønirisk), 1 Siskin (Grønsisken)

Folk: Bent, Lars, Bjørn, Tim

Fotos: Lars og Tim

The morning air was once again filled with Goldcrest and Firecrest chirps. A handful of Dunnocks and Blackbirds also made their presence known, followed by a beautiful Redwing. The light southerly breeze perhaps facilitated its arrival, the first individual seen here this season. Other thrushes such as Fieldfare (Sjagger) and Mistle Thrush (Misteldrossel) have also been recorded at Blåvand this month.

Turdus iliacus

Jonas had another demonstration mid-morning, coinciding well with a variety of birds for the beginning of spring. Even with misty conditions throughout most of the day, Bullfinch (Dompap), Tree Sparrow (Skovspurv), Starling (Stær) and White Wagtail (Hvid Vipstjert) were seen or heard. The haze even caused confusion at one point, when I briefly mistook a male Chaffinch for a pinkish warbler-like bird at a distance. Otherwise we did not spot many finches...but there should be more decent weather to facilitate their migration in the remaining days of March.

Prunella modularis

Ringed birds: 3 Blackbird (Solsort), 1 Redwing (Vindrossel), 2 Robin (Rødhals), 4 Dunnock (Jernspurv), 1 Wren (Gærdesmutte), 1 Chiffchaff (Gransanger), 10 Goldcrest (Fuglekonge), 2 Chaffinch (Bogfinke)

Folk: Bent, Jonas, Lars, Tim

Fotos: Lars Ejlersen

Today's birds: 1 Blackbird, 3 Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 1 Blue Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Common Redpoll (ssp. flammea)

Folk: Bent, Tim

Apart from 10 Blackbirds and 2 Song Thrushes in the early hours, the gardens seemed full of Goldcrests this morning. In fact 20 males and 1 female Goldcrest were ringed today. Today's Regulus influx also brought two male Firecrests to Blåvand.

Regulus ignicapilla

Even with a breeze and less bright skies than yesterday, the diversity and number of birds today gave us a real spring sensation. The Firecrests were perhaps the most striking in plumage, compared to others such as a few Robins, Wrens, Chiffchaffs and Siskins we also ringed. It was also interesting to see how many of the thrushes, warblers and finches were identified and observed by a group during their ringing demonstration led by Jonas!

Today's ringing: 10 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 3 Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 21 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Common Redpoll

Folk: Bent, Jonas, Tim

Just as a promising dawn chorus indicated, the ringing started off well with numerous Blackbirds and Dunnocks. Goldcrests, Great Tits and a Blue Tit capture followed by mid-morning. A few Linnet, Siskin and Redpoll flocks were also observed from the station and the lighthouse garden, where the tree planting project needed some finishing touches in the sunshine.