Day 3

The inlets in West Jutland – Nissum and West Stadil Fjord

On day 3 we recommend going south to see the birds at the West Jutland inlets of Nissum and West Stadil Fjord. We recommend the coast road (route 181). On your way south, pay attention to the area to the left of the road. The first locality is Nissum Fjord. A large number of birds breed around Nissum Fjord. On the salt meadows to the north and south of Thorsminde, you will find a vigorous population of redshanks, lapwings and oystercatchers. The godwits are easy to spot and hear in April-June in the salt meadows, particularly at Bletholm. Dunlins can be seen among other places at the meadows at Klægodde, where you will also see the avocets on their long blue legs. The dunes on the western side of the inlet have a good population of the blue-headed wagtail.  In spring you will meet large flocks of migrating golden plovers, bar-tailed godwits, dunlins, ruffs, and knots. You will also see large flocks of geese at this time of year, especially pink-footed and barnacle geese, but the rare brentgoose is also present in handsome numbers – particularly just north of Thorsminde or at Fjandø. During the migration period, Nissum Fjord, in particular the northern part, is still an important resting place for many different species of swimming ducks such as teal, mallard and widgeon, which are the most numerous. Other species include the greylag goose, the goldeneye and the goosander, the latter two species in particular at Felsted Kog. The many birds in this area also attract numerous birds of prey. Common buzzards, rough-legged buzzards, hen harriers and kestrels are often seen hunting, but peregrine falcons and white-tailed eagles are also observed every year.

You will reach West Stadil Fjord by continuing south along route 181. We recommend that you turn left and go into the area at the road Skelmosevej. West Stadil Fjord is not nearly as big as Nissum Fjord, but on the other hand, the concentration of birds is much larger, and they are therefore easier to find. You will reach a parking area on Skelmosevej from where you can walk to the shelters which have been established for observation. The area to the north of the parking area in and around the lake and the reed forest is home to a large number of birds during the spring and autumn months. Here you can see the bittern, the great crested grebe, water rails and various kinds of ducks and swans. The birds of prey are always around, and you will see among others white-tailed eagles, fish hawks, peregrine falcons and marsh harriers. West Stadil Fjord is characterised by the large concentration of geese in the migration period. We therefore recommend that you stop and look for geese in the fields around the inlet. You may see flocks of up to 25,000 pink-footed and barnacle geese.