A trip to Fanø

Observations:

Ringing:

Ringing was quite slow today. Only seven new birds and one recapture. Nevertheless, the morning brought two little highlights in the nets: One first for the season and one always there but seldomly in the nets – and this season the first one caught. The first for the season waaas: A Lesser Whitethroat “Gærdesanger”.

Lesser Whitethroat “Gærdesanger” by Hanelie

I was very happy about that, it is my favorite common species in hand and it has finally arrived. The seldomly caught one is a fun species in hand – a Woodpigeon “Ringdue”!

The moths:

As the few birds in the nets did not make much work, the moths helped to keep me occupied during the morning. In the night, I caught with three traps for the first time this season, because the conditions looked good: Rather low wind and not too cold. And it was rewarded: I had 11 different species of moths. The first  of the season come to the trap.

Phyllodesma ilicifolia "Hede-takspinder". Picture by Hanelie

It is a rather rare moths in Denmark but at the Danish west coast, it is not so difficult to get it. Last spring I also got it several times. And Saturnia pavonia "Lille natpåfugleøje" is of course always a highlight.

Saturnia pavonia "Lille natpåfugleøje"

Trip to Fanø:

It was already planned for long – a trip to Fanø to visit Joseph and explore the island. And see the Kentish Plovers “Hvidbrysted Præstekrave”. And finally, the trip was happening! After all nets were closed and all food packed, we went to Esbjerg and took the ferry to the island. Especially Clara was amazed to be on a boat – bit we were all a bit surprised, how short the boat ride was. Before we knew it, we arrived at the harbor of the island. From the boat we already saw the characteristic light green car – Joseph was there to pick us up. First we made a stop at Kims lovely house on the island and had some lunch. Then we went off and Joseph showed us the island. One of the first birds we saw were two Kentish Plovers “Hvidbrysted Præstekrave”. First goal of the trip accomplished!

Kentish Plover “Hvidbrysted Præstekrave”. Picture by Joseph.

Highlights on the beach were a very good number of Bar-tailed Godwits “Lille Kobbersneppe”, the Sperm Wales “Kaskelothval”, that are dead on the beach since late winter – it was very impressive to see them, although especially one of them smelled really bad.

Quite a thick skin, such a Sperm Wale “Kaskelothval”. Picture by Joseph.

The birds are happy about that unflagging food source we saw gulls feeding on them and late three White-tailed Eagles “Havørn”, that were sitting in a row on the beach, looking at the dead Whale.

White-tailed Eagles “Havørn”. Picture by Joseph.

Later, we saw a colourringed/ flagged Kentish Plover “Hvidbrysted Præstekrave” on the beach. It had the letter CT on its ring. After Joseph had entered it into CR birding, we found out that the bird - we had called it Carl Theodor – was ringed as a chick at Marker Wadden in the Netherlands. Last year, it had been observed breeding on Fanø! Interesting, that Carl Theodor is breeding so far from the place where he was hatched. We wish him the best luck for this years breeding season! Although we saw some overflying the Little terns “Dværgterne” were not yet inside their breeding fence. Instead, we saw quite a lot of Common Gulls “Stormmåge” that thought, that it was quite a cozy place inside. That did not make us very happy because the Common Gull is one of the worst predators of Little Tern Nests and chicks.

After that unpleasant discovery, we nevertheless had a nice evening by the fire with a lovely dinner that Joseph cooked us. After a very long day, we took the ferry back to Esbjerg Jorn drove us all back home to the station.

Tak til Joseph for en fantastik dag og godnat!

At the station: Clara Delahaye, Jorn de Jong. Hanelie Sidhu og Joseph Stephan (Fanø)