Craig Birding: 2013

2013 has been a relatively slow year, ringing wise. I've ringed little of interest and therefore haven't updated the blog. Now however, I'm back in Gedser, Denmark; where I have now work for a few weeks. I'll return home shortly and attend University (Nottingham Trent) in late September.

So Gedser, I arrived 31st July to a very hot, humid and green Gedser, it was a shock to the system having spent two autumns down here, often in sub zero conditions. The birds are obviously much different too. Autumn migration has been evident throughout my stay and continues to gather pace as millions of birds are funneled through the South of Scandinavia on their way to wintering quarters. Daily highlights in the beginning were 1000+ Crossbills, Swift and smaller number of terns moving. The focus has shifted now as Crossbills fall away and the Swifts have migrated, trickles of hirundines pass through daily with increasing numbers of waders and raptors beginning their autumnal passage. Warblers were evident on the ground throughout early August and after a few weeks of wrong winds,the floodgates opened for Marsh, Reed, Willow and Garden Warblers to pour South. Along with the 'common migrants' so far this season, we have recorded some nice scarcities.

Long-tailed Skua's, White-winged Tern (amongst the countless Black Terns), Ortolan Bunting, Spotted Crake, Montagu's and Hen Harrier, Merlin, Honey Buzzard and Osprey. Two-barred Crossbill and Red-throated Pipit have also been seen along the peninsular.

We've ringed a couple of thousand birds throughout August. Mainly warblers, Reed, Marsh,Willow,Wood, Garden and Icterine. Also Blackcap, White and Lesser Whitethroat also help make the bulk.

Ringing highlights have been few and far between this year, but Short-toed Treecreeper, Black Redstart, Wood Warbler, Rosefinch, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Firecrest and Thrush Nightingale along with the countless Marsh Warbler and Iccy's would all be great birds to catch back home.

I'll try to update my blog more often as I catch myself coming backwards with things to do after starting Uni, until then, here are some photos of the 'goodies' - don't worry, no Bill Oddie shots here.