Utklippan

Utklippan, which means "Outer Rock" is one of the most amazing places on earth, I can say it though I have traveled to many places around our fantastic earth. It´s situated one hour by bout south of the town Karlskrona in the southern landscape (county) of Blekinge. It´s the last outpost in the archipelago but you will see land easily on a clear day. Her you can see the light house which was actually built by convicts in 1840. It was manned until 1972.

Today it is a fantastic place for birds and also a very good station for banding birds. I have spent something between 150-160 nights here since my first year 1991. Only one week has been spent during spring migration which is a shame but never the less, a week in the middle of fall is a splendid break from work and also the peak time for rare migrants from the east. Here you can see a lifer for me, the Dusky Warbler and the quite common Chiffchaff (good way to see the difference). Below all the lucky and happy guys who are celebrating this great event.

When you visit Utklippan for birding you stay in what used to be the home for the workers who took care of the fire/ light house in the past. It´s very rustic but extremely comfy and perfect for this type of experience. There´s no running water and just a classic "dry" toilet in a shed. There is a wood heated sauna where you can clean yourself and just relax after a hard days work with banding. Here you can see Christer, on of the icons of this island, when he´s repairing the sign.

298 species have been seen on the island which is an amazing high number for a place that many inland species will not reach. In fall tens of thousands geese and ducks migrate through on a good day and many passerines stop to rest. That´s why you can band many birds on a good day. During a few times I have been here when we have banded more than 1000 birds in one day. Myself has been part of banding of 93 different species while almost 200 species have been banded through all years. Some more common species are Goldcrest, Blackcap, Goldfinch and Lesser Whitethroat.

I have had both my children with me here and also for them this has been a great place with many experiences and memories. Here you can see my son (when he was young) in full storm and my daughter with a Sparrow Hawk in her hand.

During a good day you have to work really hard to make everything work as expected. It´s then nice to relax when things have calmed down a little.

Usually during late fall some owls show up. Here the most common, the Long-eared Owl and more seldom the Short-eared Owl.

The weather really can differ from day to day but each day has its own beauty.

When you have caught a bird you need to measure it and give it a ring. Here I am supervising my daughter and her friend Emma. Later you can see these happy girls with a Willow Warbler and a Robin.

What you hope for among all the common species is a rare one. If the weather and winds are right you quite often get at least on rare bird every week. Here the very rare breeder in northern Sweden, the Little Bunting and a Pallas´s Leaf Warbler from further  east.

From early October usually some Purple Sandpipers show up. Depending on how the winter is they might  stay here until next year. This picture is taken on a rainy and windy day when they flew in to the "main island" to seek shelter and food.

Sometimes flocks fly into the nets together and then it´s best for them to be released at the same time. Here a bunch of White Wagtails.

Utklippan consists of two bigger islands with a lagoon in the middle where the boats can be tied safely during stormy days and nights. If you want to go to to the other one you need to row across the lagoon. There are some nets there as well and our Dusky warbler was actually caught there. Here you can see me and Emma walking towards the boat.

Not only birds are present here. Also some rare frogs and toads call this island home. Here a Agile Frog.

Sitting on the veranda and se the sun go down after a good day is very nice a you feel humble to the beauty of this island and the privilege to be here.

I finish my story of this lovely island with an old picture of me and my son just before the release of some Bohemian Waxwings and the silhouette of some birders taking out as much as possible of the last light for the day.