From Feathered Friends to Pancake Feasts: A Memorable Day at Blaavand Fuglestation

Just as usual Andreas, Louis and I headed out early to do the morning observation today. Because of the strong wind we had a refreshing walk in the dawn to the Sabine-Bunker where we met our good friend Emil Kristian Munkholm. We had a great time at the observation and saw 91 Oystercatchers (Strandskader), 21 Kittiwakes (rider), a red-throated Diver (Rödstubet lom), a Velvet Scoter (Flöjlsand) and a Storm Petrel (Stormsvale), which unfortunately could not be identified any further due to the unfavorable lighting and the short period of time it was visible.

2K Kittiwake resting on the beach - Foto: Strummer Edwards

At around 7:45 AM the military kicked us out because they were having an exercise in the area, so Andreas finished the observation near the lighthouse successfully, while Emil took Louis and me to a delightful nature reserve called Skallingen. To witness this fantastic, unspoiled, and vibrant landscape was an amazing experience which we will never forget. We saw several birds including Eurasian Curlews (Storspove), Common redshanks (Rödben), Marsh Harriers (Rörhög), White-tailed Eagles (Havörn), and an impressive flock of around 1800 Starlings (Stäre) resting and flying at the open fields of Skallingen.

Back home we celebrated the actual 60th anniversary of the Blaavand Fuglestation with a lot of delicious pancakes, coffee, and some good music. Svend Aage came to visit us; therefore, the mood was very good, and everyone had a big smile on their face.

Fortified by the food Merit and Strummer opened the nets for a couple of hours at the station garden because the wind subsided. They caught a Song Thrush (Sangdrossel), which made both of them even happier.

In the evening Andreas cooked a lovely spaghetti Carbonara for dinner, which carried all of us to our well-deserved beds with sweet dreams of Blue Throats (Blaahals), Skuas (Kjover) and Storm Petrels (Stormsvaler).