Long-tailed Tit!

Today we managed to open all nets at both the station and the lighthouse, amid calm conditions. We ringed the first Siskins for the season (first winter male and female) and the highlight of the day was the last bird caught – a Long-tailed Tit! It is only the third ever to be ringed in Blåvand during standard hours of the spring season. The first was ringed back in 1984, second in 2015.

We also recaptured a few Robins we ringed this season, inlcuding two ringed here during autumn 2021. The morning count also went well. Apart the main species at sea (gulls, divers and ducks) the watching today included Gadwall, Goosander, Red Crossbill and more finch species.

Bent observed two White-tailed Eagles sitting on the dunes north of the lighthouse, which were actively mobbed by some Ravens. Meanwhile Bello found a Hen Harrier swooping low over the area and alike Bent, saw up to four Stonechats too.

By the evening a Coal Tit appeared in the station garden, just outside the study. Another potential species to get to ring tomorrow, while we eagerly await the migration of more and more birds, namely Goldcrest and Blackbird - at least when it comes to standard bird ringing during March.

Long-tailed Tit!

Siskin female and male. Photos by Leona.

Ringing list (new/ recapture):

0/4 Robin

1/0 Great Tit

1/0 Long-tailed Tit

2/0 Siskin

DOFbasen list:

https://dofbasen.dk/search/result.php?design=table&soeg=soeg&periode=dato&species=every&egneobs=on&sortering=dato&obstype=observationer&dato=04-03-2022&searchmyobs=Vis+dato

Folk på stationen: Bent, Bello, Menno, Leona, Timmy