22nd April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE), Bo Nielsen (BNN)
Weather: Very windy day, though slighty less so in the morning. Dust storms through the afternoon.
Projects: Wetlands Census, Starlings.
This morning, the second area’s of the wetlands census was completed.
Hammarmaden
Whooper Swan: 1
Greylag Goose: 26
Gadwall: 1 pair
Wigeon: 41
Teal: 25
Lapwing: 5
Crane: 4
Hammarbotten
20th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Very windy after 9am, cold start.
Projects: Wetlands Census, Goose Census
Part 1 of the Wetland Census was begun today, unfortunately without super powers covering the whole site in a day before 10am is impossible, but for the third set of results for the survey there will be many more personel on hand to assist.
A pre-breeding Greylag Goose count is conducted early in the season in order to establish how many adults are using the site, half of this was conducted this morning.
19th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Warmer than it has been.
Projects: Marsh Harrier
Another warmer day as it starts to really feel like spring, the last of the snow has melted and many birds are in song.
No new Marsh Harriers nests on Åslasjön today but 2 pairs continued to nest build at the locations that have already been noted.
Wetland Census time tomorrow!
DWE
18th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Warmer than it has been.
Projects: Marsh Harrier
Sun broke through a little today and with low winds, it was nice to be able to reduce the number of layers worn out to fieldwork for the day.
After spending so much time around Åslaholmen, it was time to have a look at proceedings at Rysjön. Sadly to report 1 female hunting but not much activity in the nesting department thus far, back to Åslaholmen tomorrow!
DWE
17th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Cold and breezy at times.
Projects: Marsh Harrier
Once again the weather proved no fase to the Marsh Harriers around Åslaholmen. A new nest was discovered on Åslasjön with at least two more pairs established as well as a long female still displaying. These are all promising signs for a good season with many nests.
DWE
16th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Cold, but clear day, some very light snow.
Projects: Marsh Harrier
Apparently a bit of snow doesn’t stop Marsh Harriers! Spring in Sweden is somewhat strange by a British standard, Chiffchaffs singing whilst snow falls and 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers were seen nest building today in similar conditions.
15th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Cold, but clear day
Projects: Marsh Harrier
With no more snowfall but very cold overnight temperatures, Åslasjön had frozen over almost completely, but with clear skies in the day things warmed up above 0 and the harriers seemed to be enjoying it with lots of display flying from the males over Åslaholmen.
14th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Snow
Projects: Marsh Harrier
So today was a snow day! A significant amount of snow fell throughout the day and as such it was rather difficult to get any project work done. However 3 Marsh Harriers were hunting in the snow at Fågelsjön but largely no one was thinking of nest building in the conditions.
It was nice to see a good number of Bramblings and Song Thrushes being more active in the cold weather. A poor Chiffchaff looked like it might be regretting migrating on Vallen.
13th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Dry and (you guessed it) cold
Projects: Wetlands Census, Marsh Harriers
Today was a dry day at Kvismaren and there was much less wind so the opportunity was taken to complete the last of Wetlands Census for the week. It proved an excellent morning for birds, a Bewicks Swan was present on Öbymaden and a Jack Snipe showed itself on Kvinnerstasjön during the wetland census.
12th April 2017
Staff: Daniel Wade (DWE)
Weather: Very cold and wet
Projects: Marsh Harriers
An unfortunately drizzly day, leading to rather unspectacular results from the days Marsh Harrier attempts from the Rysjön tower. 1 male was seen feeding only over a couple of hour period, but the weather will mostly be to blame for the lack of activity.
This year we are attempting to identify each harrier by its markings to aid us in understanding how many adults are polygamous birds. This male was well marked with ‘blonde shoulders’.