birding...

Denmark is a relatively small country and the highest point above sea level is only 173m, but it has over 7,000km of coastline with marshland, mudflats, inlets and coastal meadows. Furthermore, Denmark lies on the main migration routes between continental Europe and the rest of Scandinavia. In spring and autumn, a massive migration of landbirds – both raptors and passerines – takes place, while enormous numbers of wildfowl and waders stop off, some of them even spending winter here. Denmark actually hosts almost the whole population of Pale-bellied Brent Geese from Spitzbergen in the winter months. In summer we are home to a large population of breeding waterbirds and approximately 200 bird species breed regularly in Denmark.

There are some 12,000 members of Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF – BirdLife Denmark), which is the only national organisation for birders in Denmark.

Most members look at their feeders, of course, but also birding is pretty common at wetland sites and at visible migration watch-points. Twitching is a small but fast growing pastime indulged in by perhaps between 300 and 500 people, but only a dedicated handful go for every rare bird.

There are about 100 ringers and only six Bird Observatories in Denmark with regular activities. Many people undertake some kind of monitoring or organisation work through DOF. There is one birdline called DOFcall, which provides fast information about the occurrence of rarities as well as more common birds. There are 13 regional bird magazines in black and white – one for each local branch. DOF – BirdLife Denmark provides three national bird magazines, which are in colour.

The best birding sites in Denmark are along the Danish west coast. In the south you find the northern part of the Wattensea. 100,000 birds, primarily ducks, geese and shorebirds, are visible in the area throughout the year. Further north along the coastline there are several wetlands, which all act as magnets to waterfowl. The entire coast is good for migrating seabirds, especially in the strong westerly winds.

At the westernmost point lies Blaavand Bird Observatory, where there is ringing of migrant birds in spring and autumn.

In the northernmost part of Jutland is Skagen. Skagen acts as a bottleneck and is probably Northern Europe's best spring migration point for birds of prey. Migration here starts in April and ends in mid June. Skagen Bird Observatory provides daily updates and counts of migrating birds in Skagen.



Another good spring migration site for birds is Gilbierg in North Zealand. Gilbjerg Bird Observatory provides daily counts and updates of migrating birds in spring. Ten thousand Cranes pass North Zealand each year – especially if the wind is in the right direction.

South of Copenhagen is the coast called Stevns. This is the site for birds of prey during autumn. When birds of prey leave Falsterbo in Sweden, Danes are ready to see them when they come off the sea.



The capital, Copenhagen, holds most birdwatchers and visitors to Copenhagen should visit West Amager, which is the best birding place near the capital.



The Southernmost point is Gedser. Birds of prey coming in from Sweden and first seen at Stevns, can sometimes be relocated on their further migration either by Gedser, Hyllekrog or Stignæs before leaving Zealand. As in Skagen and Blaavand birds are ringed at Gedser Bird Observatory. 2010 was a record year with over 20,000 ringed birds.


Towards the east is the island of Bornholm. Northeast of Bornholm are Christiansø that for many years was regarded as the Danish equivalent to Fair Isle.

Remember - politically the Faroe Isles are part of Denmark, but biologically they are not - Danes do not 'count' Faroes birds on their Danish lists.