GEDSER - 18th September

A consistent, brisk NE wind was a constant through the day but cloud cover came and went with a clear, sunny spell mid-morning before heavy cloud and a few drops of rain arrived; the nets were busy throughout the morning without ever being hectic as we managed 199 new birds comprising mainly 83 Robins, 22 Chiffchaffs, 38 Goldcrests (the first notable arrival of the autumn) and 27 Chaffinches amongst other bits.  

The overhead passage was the highlight of the day as it started off pretty slow but as soon as the heavy cloud rolled in after the sunshine at least 5,000 Chaffinches began to pour over the garden, low to the east (an awesome 33,000 were counted at the point!!) – a brilliantly fantastic sight as the sky was sometimes black with birds passing overhead, calling loudly!   Other birds overhead included big flocks of Siskins (4,000+ at the point!) together with Bramblings, Greenfinches, Tree Pipits, Swallows, White Wagtails and Meadow Pipits etc. while odd bits included a decent flock of 50 Cranes calling loudly at dawn when there was also a mixed flock of White-fronted Geese and Bean Geese which headed SW, Grey Wagtail, a few Crossbills, 3 Stock Doves, a Red Kite and a few Sparrowhawks; a fantastic, classic autumn visible migration morning defining what it’s all about!

The very concentrated spell of passage wound down by lunchtime so we headed up to Bøtø where a great flock of 105 Cranes were the most impressive sight while the raptor list was also notable as it comprised 3 White-tailed Eagles, 2 Hen Harriers (including an adult male), a Marsh Harrier, a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Red Kite, a Merlin, probably the same juvenile female Peregrine harassing the ducks and Lapwings then fighting with the Harriers and several Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and Common Buzzards.   Other bits of note were 2 Great White Egrets, 31 Dunlin, 4 Ruff, an Avocet and 7 Barnacle Geese with the Greylags before a drive across the fields north of Gedser produced more of the same with a Rough-legged Buzzard and 2 Hen Harriers with [another?] adult male.

 

Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius in a bucket