Not many birds are around now with just a small scattering of Wrens, Robins and Chiffchaffs. A guided walk was given by Hans and Bennie here at the observatory and it was nice to re-catch the Yellow-browed and show the guests, however this bird is losing condition and unfortunately I fear it will die here. The loss of fat in just one day is quite suprising (from 2.0 to 0.5) there was a frost on Saturday night and this could have had something to do with it. Other birds seen were Great-grey Shrike, Merlin, Common Crossbill, Woodlark, Rough-legged Buzzard and a few Redpoll.
Day 3 – Monday 17th
Again the wind was high and after having the nets open for 5 hours we had managed to ring only 12 birds, Wrens, Robins, Goldcrest, Great Tit and Blackbirds. The tapes were turned on after this and another 3 birds were captured, a Goldfinch and 2 Siskins. Not really worth 11 hours of effort but still nicer than nothing. A trip to the nearby town of Gedser this afternoon to shop produced some half decent birds, a nice flock of around 50 Twite in the ploughed field next to lighthouse was nice and 2 late Sandwich tern fished along the sea front. A White-tailed Eagle flew west quite distantly – A dead Barnacle goose was found later and this was the presumed meal of the aforementioned Eagle. A few Rough-legged buzzards tried to migrate only 8 or so in Total but they gave great views. Eiders continued past the tip and a Black-guilly was seen by Anas (assistant ringer). The weather will continue to be bad for a day or two and so we hope for many birds after this “hold up” period. An attempt to dazzle on the Beach this evening was soon knocked on the head as no birds were present in the late evening due to a high tideline.
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