Shell we Tern around and have a (Stone)chat?

Morning observations:

Today Thomas and I went on the morning observations while Marit went ringing. Unfortunately this was probably the worst morning observation we've had this season, with extremely low variety and only the scoters "Sortand" in high numbers. It was very nice weather however and the sun was actually so warm I could take off my coat.

Today's observations can be seen here.

In the afternoon Emma, Marit and I went on a little adventure to the beach to collect some bags of shells for Joseph's little tern project. With high efficiency and a bunch of sand sifting, we managed to fill the bags in only an hour! Pulling the cart back to the station was quite the workout though. Below some pictures of the whole thing.

Little Tern Team getting ready to collect some shells. Picture: Marit Nillissen

Emma and Levi working hard. Picture: Marit Nillissen

The struggle and joy of collecting shells. Picture: Emma Gray

The ringing:

After coming back yesterday evening I was welcomed by quite a good number of birds in the morning, we had 48 new plus seven recaps.

The first Icterine Warblers “Gulbug” at BLF arrived today, four of them, both in the station as well as in the lighthouse garden.

Icterine Warblers/ Gulbug. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

We also had a Starling "Stær" couple, male and female in the net, it looked like the female had some eggs in its belly.

Female and male Starling/ Hun og han stær. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

A Sonechat "Sortstrubet Bynkefugl" in the net was another nice surprise, we often see them in the bog but rarely catch them.

Stonechat/ Sortstrubet Bynkefugl. Picture: Marit Nillissen

Kystfugle Project

Today was the first truly exciting day for our ROLA (Records of Location and Activity) here in Blåvand!

We observed 12 Little Terns (a.k.a. "dwarfs") and 3 pairs of Ringed Plovers mingling and preparing to nest within the fenced area. Even more promising: we may have our first Little Tern eggs inside the electric fence! One individual remained on its scrape for 2 hours and 30 minutes while being fed by its partner - a strong indicator that incubation may have begun.

We also managed to read two new colour rings on the Little Terns.

To celebrate Thomas and I hissed the Nationalpark Vadehavet flag!

the station at the moment; Photo: Joseph

In the afternoon, I headed to Rømø with Kim F. to check the fencing, create anti crow spikes, artificial nests, and set up trail cameras. Just like in Blåvand, we placed the nests along three gradients - from bare sand to dense vegetation - each located at least 350 meters outside the perimeter fence.

artificial nest with trail cam in the background; Photo; Joseph

Now we wait and see what predators show up...

Tomorrow, we tackle the sand drift - my worst enemy at the moment!

Stay tuned for more updates from the field!

The moths:

Although a little tired after the journey, I was setting up the moths traps again yesterday evening and was a bit excited if I would get many new ones now, that I was a while away. There were not so many in the morning, eight different species, plus one that needed to remain a slash species. I will show Clostera curlula “Lille Maneplet”, it is new for Blåvand this spring as well as Eupithecia nanata “Smalvinget lyngdværgmåler”, which is new for the place and new for me.

Clostera curlula “Lille Måneplet”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

Eupithecia nanata “Smalvinget lyngdværgmåler”. Picture: Hanelie Sidhu

At the station: Marit Nillissen, Thomas Kristensen, Levi van den Os, Joseph Stephan, David Manstrup, Emma Gray and Hanelie Sidhu