Programe

Arrival – view transport in Denmark

Day 1. Round trip to the tidal flats

Visit Ballum Enge and Tøndermarsken in the round trip to the tidal flats. The tidal flats are to be found in the Wadden Sea ’s hinterland. Big flocks of barnacle geese, greylag geese and pink-footed geese can be seen on the fields. The day concludes at sunset with the “black sun” – a phenomenon where around half a million starlings gather before going to roost (see picture).

Day 2. Excursion to the tidal flats at Mandø to see wading birds

Mandø lies in the middle of Denmark’s biggest nature and game reserve, the Wadden Sea , and is the smallest inhabited island in the Danish Wadden Sea . Brent geese are to be seen in spring and autumn at Mandø Ebbevej, 5 km south of the lock, the dark-bellied form in spring and the light-bellied/dark-bellied forms in autumn, together with large numbers of overwintering swimming ducks – especially shelducks, widgeons and mallards. Mandø – a pearl in the middle of the Wadden Sea of a mere 950 or so hectares and about 56 inhabitants – is actually a Lilleput among the islands of the Wadden Sea, but when it comes to bird life, it’s well up the scale. Birds can be seen everywhere on Mandø – both inside the dikes and on the foreland, and – especially in the migrating and breeding seasons – Mandø is a true embarrassment of riches for bird lovers. Mandø is one of the so-called barrier islands in the Wadden Sea . Large parts of the island are low marsh areas which have been protected by dikes since 1938. The township is at the far west, behind a protective row of dunes rising about 10 metres above sea level. And be on the lookout on the way to Mandø whether taking Ebbevejen or Låningsvejen (both roads are under water at high tide – take the Mandø Bus!). The turnstone is a common sight on the roads, and peregrine falcons, cormorants and eider ducks are often sitting on bundles of brushwood along Låningsvejen. The foreland in front of the dunes and dikes is a breeding site for redshanks, lapwings, terns, gulls and avocets in particular, and of course the “Mandø girls” or “Mandø stork” – the ubiquitous oystercatcher. Both sea and fjord terns breed on the island’s eastern foreland. Greylag geese, tufted ducks, eider ducks, short-eared owls, marsh harriers, black-tailed godwits and other birds breed behind dikes and dunes. If taking a hiking or cycling trip around the island (11 km), stop at the ramps over the dikes and at the clay excavations. Fewest birds are generally seen during the migrating season at low tide, where they are spread out over the tidal flats. So if you can stay on the island during high tide, it’s a good idea.

Day 3. The birds on Rømø – see map

A whole day on Rømø – the southernmost island in the Danish Wadden Sea . Rømø has practically all types of natural habitat within a small area. Apart from an enormous number of sea and wading birds, there are also yellow wagtails, songbirds and geese – all year, including the nightjar in Kirkeby plantation. Using a telescope, start with a survey of the tidal landscape just beyond the southern parking area at the Rømø embankment. The curve in the embankment is a resting area for wading birds at high tide, and it is possible to see quite big flocks of resting waders at close quarters from the parking area. Under all circumstances the area also offers a splendid view over the entire southern part of the Wadden Sea , the tidal flats and their birdlife. Keep an eye on the tide table as the birds are best seen at incoming tide. The trip then goes west out to the beach, where migrating waders can be seen at quite close quarters during the spring and autumn migration seasons, especially during an easterly wind. Oystercatchers, godwits and sandpipers are to be seen along the edge of the beach. Flocks of seabirds can also be seen during strong south-westerly winds in autumn: gannets, skuas, shearwaters and other species come in close to the beach. Check the reeds west of  the road Småfolksvej for bitterns and common marsh birds. Keep a sharp eye out for Montagu’s harrier, often seen foraging out over the heathland. After stopping at Småfolksvej, drive down to the storm marshes. Look out over the salt marshes to the far south on Rømø and see the commonest breeding birds on the marshes, but there are also good views of flocks of brent geese and barnacle geese here – especially in spring – together with flocks of resting waders. Finally, it’s time to look out for little birds.

Dag 4. Excursion to the northern Wadden Sea

Excursion to the north of the Wadden Sea , stopping at Sneum floodgate south of Esbjerg , and a visit to Blåvand Bird station. Several small islands have also been constructed in the lakes around Sneum floodgate, where thousands of black-headed gulls breed, their calls a distinctive phenomenon throughout the summer half-year. The gulls provide protection for various other bird species. The many pairs of eyes are a good defence against birds of prey like the marsh harrier and the peregrine falcon, which often pass by. When this happens, all the gulls fly up and stress the birds of prey, and they go away. The black-necked grebe, seen in spring in the lake, thus depends entirely on the presence of the gulls, which are therefore important for the lake’s birdlife. Many wading birds are to be seen in the spring and autumn months, using the clay pits as a resting area at high tide. Golden plovers, lapwings, sandpipers, whimbrels and godwits fly in when the tide is coming in on a fixed route over the dike and into the lake.