Rainy goodbye

This morning was unfortunately rainy and I could not open the nets to conduct a safe ringing session. 

I took this opportunity to have a slower morning, and could use the rest of sleeping-in a little later than usual! Even though ringing is an activity I really love, it is a tough schedule to sustain for long periods of time, especially in the summer days when the sunrise is very early. So when there are some days when the weather is bad, I take all the rest I can get!

I did try to have the station garden nets open in the afternoon when the weather cleared, and had them open for around 3 hours. However, not a single bird was caught despite some birds being around! I then took some time to study some bird species from the various books the station bookshelf has to offers. 

This morning was also a goodbye, because Jorn reached the end of his internship stay and left this morning to go back home to The Netherlands. After 9 weeks, working on the little tern project with Joseph, monitoring the nests and little tern population in the Blåvand Lighthouse area, as well as working on his school assignments and reports, it was time for him to have some holidays at home with his friends and family! I wish him all the best, and will miss having him around! 

Artificial Little Tern nest with wax egg, and quail eggs. The goal was to monitor predation, as well as testing out various nesting terrains regarding to the sand drift, camoufflage, and preference of the birds.

And by the way, thank you Jorn for the amazing Frisian treats you left for the station! I have been enjoying them so much as well as learning about your culture.

Tomorrow's weather looks uncertain as of now, and I will keep monitoring it closely. But there is a possibility that the nets have to stay closed for at least a part of the morning because of rain and strong winds. We will see! 

People at the station: Alix Bortolussi