1 Sooty Shearwater and a Bunch of Little Gulls...

Ringing: Cancelled due to heavy rains and winds.

Observation: Listen, I don’t want to be known as that guy at Blåvand Fuglestation who writes all the pessimistic blogs complaining about “the good seawatch-days”, but… man, I’m tired of people hyping up western winds that are supposed to bring Storm Petrels and Sabine’s Gulls (Sabinemåge). All they ever bring are 1 Sooty Shearwater (Sodfarvet Skråpe) and maybe a good helping of Little Gulls (Dværgmåge). I always say this at the station whenever somebody gets hyped for a “good” wind (I have been burned 1 too many times), and I have yet to be proven wrong - including today! 

A mixed flock of adult and first year Little Gulls. Credit Henrik Lindgaard.

As predicted, we got our 1 Sooty Shearwater, and we did get our little gulls. However, I was surprised that we managed a total of 569 Little Gulls. By far the most I have ever seen in one day. The Scoters were also moving, with both species setting season records. A total of 4010 Common Scoters (Sortand) and a whopping 89 Velvet Scoters (Fløjlsand) flew by us at obs. 

The view at obs today. Credit Nanna Bakke.

The other highlights of today's obs were a single Arctic Tern (Havterne) and 1 Long-tailed Duck (Havlit) - both species that haven’t been daily at obs lately. 

One of the close fyling Little Gulls. Not usually a species that gets close to the beach. Credit Henrik Lindgaard.

Unfortunately, the rain came in and the migration pretty much ended immediately. We held out at obs for another hour or so, but as the birds didn’t seem to want to continue their journey, and with the promise of warm coffee at home, we decided to head back. 

Today's observations

At the Station: Mathilde Sif Eiby, Anton Ræbild Jensen, Johan Them Steffensen, Storm Hauris Borum, Helena