Corvid and thrush Mecca

Ringing:

Observation: My (Mathilde's) first day back at the station after a week at DOF UNG camp! I went for my potentially last obs of the season (depending on the weather), since I'll be taking Strummer's place as head ringer, when they sadly have to leave on Tuesday. 

A nice walk to the observation post - corvids already fill the sky. Picture by Mathilde Sif Eiby.

Today we had striking numbers of corvids, and especially giant flocks of Jackdaws (Allike), totalling in 1970 definite individuals and 2710 mixed individuals of corvids, with an estimate of 80% of them being Jackdaws too. With this estimate it results in the highest number of Jackdaws ever counted during the standard at Blåvands Huk, with the previous record being 2881 individuals October 15th 1997. The rest of the corvids were mostly Rooks (Råge), approximately 500 individuals, which means we probably broke the record for Rooks as well, with the previous record being 345 individuals October 3rd 2024. 

So many Jackdaws flew right above our heads today. Picture by Mathilde Sif Eiby.

We also had a great amount of thrushes, with a mix of 2890 Redwings (Vindrossel) and Songthrushes (Sangdrossel) migrating south, being the second highest number ever counted here, only surpassed by an amazing observation of 4655 individuals October 12th 1977.

Other than that we had a good amount of Blackbirds (Solsort), our first Waxwing (Silkehale) of the season and a super nice Great Egret (Sølvhejre) flying right above our heads. 

As the tide kept falling, in the last hour a White-tailed Eagle (Havørn) went to rest close by four adorable Harbor Seals (Spættet Sæl) out on the furthest visible shoal.

Four Harbor Seals enjoying the sun. Picture by Mathilde Sif Eiby.

Today's observations

At the station: Strummer Edwards, Mathilde Sif Eiby, Anton Ræbild Jensen, Johan Them Steffensen, Storm Hauris Borum