Denmark Trip Report

Denmark 2006

...with Mark Finn

December 11th-17th

This short winter tour to Denmark produced a remarkable passage of Little Gulls off the West Jutland coast numbering c10000 birds. In addition to this unusual sight we observed a wide selection of wintering swans, ducks and birds of prey. The latter group included close views of White-tailed Eagles. Due to rather un-seasonal weather patterns several winter birds were not present or indeed hard to locate.

December 11th: Gatwick - Billund - Langeland.

Weather: Strong winds and heavy rain, 6 C/8 C

We left Gatwick on time for the short flight to Billund in Western Denmark. On arrival heavy rain and strong winds were in evidence which was to stay with us until late afternoon. Very few birds recorded as we made our way to Langeland. The weather forecast for tomorrow looks much better.

December 12th: Langeland - Brandegard - Faaborg.

Weather: Sunny with occasional showers, north west winds, 4 C/9 C

In the hotel grounds of Lindelse Kro we recorded Song Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare flying overhead. We travelled south to visit the southernmost point of Langeland a known hot-spot for birds. Offshore large numbers of Great Cormorant, Common Eider, Common Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers. A short walk into the adjacent woodland produced Great and Blue Tits. We left the point passing a pond with Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal and continued to Bagenkop. Outside the village winter thrushes and Chaffinches feeding on berry-laden trees. We reached the reserve only to find it closed because of recent storm damage. Disappointed we retraced our steps towards Ristinge, stopping en route for a mixed flock of Mute and Whooper Swans. Nearby, Greylag Geese feeding on winter wheat fields. On the lake itself Little and Great Crested Grebes, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon and rafts of Common Coots. Ristinge Harbour was visited and then inland to Brandegard Lake a large shallow expanse of water bordered by woodland. On arrival we quickly located an adult White-tailed Eagle sitting motionless in a tree. On the lake impressive numbers of Goosanders and up to five drake Smew. Also present were Common Buzzard, Raven and Yellowhammer. A general exploration of the area including Faaborg produced the commoner wintering wildfowl and swans. Returned to Langeland for a final night before heading north tomorrow morning.

December 13th: Langeland - Vejle - Hanstholm.

Weather: Overcast followed by persistent rain, west winds, 4 C/8 C.

We left Langeland and followed the motorway network north towards Aarhus and Aalborg. The journey was quick and fast as we arrived at Vejle a huge wetland in north-west Jutland. Unfortunately heavy rain had made the extensive grasslands and dykes into a huge shallow inland sea. From the main hide we recorded the commoner ducks and impressive numbers of Common Goldeneye. Smew and Common Shelduck. The few remaining 'high' areas of grass attracted Whooper Swan, Canada and Greylag Geese and several flocks of Dunlin. We visited several other hides in the area adding two Hen Harriers and Grey Herons. At the last hide bordered by reedbeds we heard Bearded Reedling calling from the reeds. A rather frustrating and disappointing day in many respects due to the poor weather. Lets hope we have a change in fortunes tomorrow.

December 14th: Hanstholm Harbour - Road 181 - Agger Lakes - Bedsted - Vejle.

Weather: South westerly gales with rain, 10c/13c.

Little did we realise the effect that overnight storms and high winds would have on the days birding. This became apparent when we visited Hanstholm Harbour an important fishing port on Denmark's north coast. In the harbour Kittiwake and Little Gulls. Also present were Great Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls and a few Guillemots. I decided to visit the old breakwater further up the coast. The sea here was extremely rough making viewing difficult at times. We soon realised we were witnessing a very large movement of Little Gulls. A rough estimate was a minimum of c10000 birds. Offshore movements of Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were also impressive. We travelled south along the coast road visiting two villages both having the Little Gull experience. Feeders at the second village attracted Tree and House Sparrows, Great and Blue Tits, Chaffinch and Greenfinch. At the pier a single Purple Sandpiper. Agger Lakes were next on the agenda an extensive area of flooded marshes and reedbeds. Mixed herds of Mute and Whooper Swans, Goosander, Northern Lapwing and Common Redshank. After lunch we headed inland towards Bedsted looking at flooded fields and an assortment of ponds and small lakes. Luck was with us as eight (Taiga) Bean Geese were located resting in a field. Along the road a mixed group of Whooper Swans, Greylag and Canada Geese. The light was starting to fade as I made tracks to Vejle. On arrival the same birds as yesterday with the added bonus at dusk of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese coming into roost.

December 15th: Hanstholm - West Stadil Fjord - Tipperne - Billum.

Weather: Overcast with light westerly winds, 7 C/12 C.

Checked out at Hanstholm and headed south along the coast road. I decided to take a detour inland as the ferry service appeared to be uncertain. Severe flooding of fields and marshes made locating goose flocks and other birdlife more difficult. However, West Stadil Fjord again came up with the birds and appeared to be less affected by flood waters. The first grasslands held thousands of Northern Lapwings and European Golden Plovers. In among these flocks were Dunlin, Common Snipe and European Starlings. On fence posts Common Buzzards and a single Peregrine Falcon. Up to two Hen Harriers were also seen flying low over reeds and fields. Whooper and Mute Swans present in family groups plus the usual ducks on open waters. At the south end of West Stadil Fjord we located several flocks of Barnacle Geese numbering c8000 birds in total. In a seasonal pool Pale-bellied Brent Geese and Common Shelduck. The light was starting to fade as we entered Tipperne a large wetland reserve. On this occasion access was difficult due to flooded roads. Scanning the flooded fields revealed more Barnacle and Greylag Geese, Northern Lapwing and resting Eurasian Curlews. Headed to Billum for our final two nights in West Jutland.

December 16th: Billum - Skallingen - Blavand - Romo

Weather: Sunny periods with occasional rain showers, west wind, 5 C/9 C

After breakfast we set off for the barren landscape of Skallingen a remote peninsula overlooking Esbjerg. Very few birds on the open areas so we headed to the village of Ho. Alder trees within the village attracted European Siskins, Great, Blue and Coal Tits and flocks of Chaffinches. I followed a rather rough track adjoining an enclosed bay with the latter having Brent Geese, Common Eider, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers. Next was the Blavand area and a village next to the North Sea. This was exceptionally good for birds with offshore species comprising of Red-throated Diver, Little Gull, Common and Velvet Scoters and thousands of Common Eiders. On the shoreline and rocky groins Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and an assortment of gulls. At 1100 we headed south towards the German border passing the old city of Ribe to the island of Romo. From the causeway thousands of Eurasian Wigeon and isolated groups of Brent Geese, Grey Plover and Eurasian Oystercatchers. On arrival at Romo I turned north to visit an area used by the Danish military. Thankfully the site was not active today so birders and birds went undisturbed. On the open fields feeding shorebirds including Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Common Redshank, Knot, Northern Lapwing, European Golden Plover and Eurasian Curlews. Passerines were few with European Goldfinch, Twite and Corn Bunting being observed. We checked another area nearby next to a working farm. Behind the farm flocks of Barnacle Geese, hunting Hen Harriers and a male Peregrine Falcon perched and preening on a fence post. We checked other areas of Romo without success and returned to the causeway and went south again. Our final stop overlooking the sea produced Greylag, Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and two unusual winter birds in Great Skua and Avocet. The light had started to fail as we returned north to Billum and our last night in Denmark.

December 17th: Billum - Skjerne

Weather: Sunny with a cool north west wind, 3 C/7 C

For a change the dawned rather bright and sunny in contrast to the previous few days. We checked out of Billum Kro and headed towards the vast and varied Skjerne river delta and lake system. A short detour to the coast produced the usual gulls and Common Scoters loafing offshore. Further inland we visited Skjerne but the hides were inaccessible due to flood waters. However we drove around various roads and tracks looking for birds. Off the main road we located a flock of Corn Buntings. To our left a huge flock of feeding Barnacle Geese and nearby a large female Peregrine Falcon preening on top of a small mound of earth. Next we checked another field with an area of mud. This amazing place held Whooper, Bewick’s and Mute Swans, Taiga Bean Goose, Canada and Greylag Geese and Northern Lapwings. Time was running out as we headed to the rather pleasant environs of Billund Airport with a female Merlin near the entrance road. Our flight left on time for Gatwick and we arrived ahead of schedule.

For details of the full species list or to request further information about the next time we will be offering this trip. Contact us at enquiries@birdwatchingbreaks.com.