Proposal/programme

Day 1. Birds between sea and inlet

The primary target for the first day of birding in Northwest Jutland is the isthmus of Harboøre and Agger Tange, where the Liim Fjord runs into the North Sea . These last bastions to the west are strategic and central areas for a large number of seabirds and migrating birds. At Harboøre Tange, the birds are best seen from the old country road along the isthmus. The area is dominated by two large and several small shallow brackish water lakes (lagoons), where resting water birds in particular can be seen.

Large numbers of pintails and widgeons arrive in March. These are joined in April by teals, garganeys, shovelers and a few gadwalls. The spring migration of wading birds peaks during the first half of May. The numerous festively dressed ruffs in particular are a spectacular sight. During mild winters, short-billed geese dominate Knopper Enge in particular as early as the beginning of January. During heavy onshore winds, the northernmost outer jetty in Thyborøn harbour offers good viewing of sea birds.

The ferry from Thyborøn will take you to Agger Tange, on the other side of the Liim Fjord – see timetable – .

In the area south of the ferry (Refshalen) you will often see a large number of blackish-grey sandpipers. You can see these birds before taking the ferry to Agger. At Agger Tange, the birds are best viewed from the road. There are very few cars on the road during the migrating season, so it’s easy to pull over when you catch sight of something. At Agger Tange, you can see large flocks of geese and all species of water and wading birds to be found in Denmark . This is one of the best areas in West Jutland for the red-necked phalarope, and there are large numbers of knots, little stints, curlew sandpipers and a few broad-billed sandpipers. Several species of American sandpiper and the grey pharlarope have been seen at Agger Tange. Ringed plovers, golden plovers, grey plovers, lapwings, common snipe, black-tailed and bar-tailed godwits, redshanks and greenshanks can be seen in large numbers.

Day 2. The Hanstholm conservation area and Bulbjerg

The second day of your birding holiday is a fascinating trip to the different bird areas in Thy. The trip starts in the morning at the harbour in Hanstholm, where a number of interesting seabirds can be seen from the northernmost jetty. The trip then continues to the Hanstholm conservation area – a nature area of almost 4,000 hectares. The Hanstholm conservation area is one of the few remaining breeding areas in Denmark for the golden plover. Another feature of this site is that there are only a few of most species of breeding birds, but on the other hand, you will see species which are becoming rare in Denmark . The little wader, the wood sandpiper, breeds at the lakes and other wetlands in the conservation area. Like the golden plover, relatively few of these birds breed in Denmark . Mallards, teals, pintails, greylag geese and mute swans are among the members of the duck family breeding here. The conservation area as such is a breeding place for between 30 and 40 different species of birds, including also the marsh harrier and the common crane. Towards the end of summer you can see the autumn flights of curlews, and small flocks of mallards and teals will arrive over the following months. Red-breasted mergansers, goosanders, tufted ducks, goldeneyes, and pochards are also regular migration visitors in the conservation area. Small flocks of bean geese from breeding areas in northern Scandinavia and northwestern Russia can be seen migrating at the end of October, sometimes together with the pink-footed goose. Birding trips in the conservation area are generally on foot as large parts of the area are closed to cars.

After the Hanstholm conservation area, we head north to Bulbjerg – Denmark ’s only bird cliff. The steep inaccessible cliff is a breeding place for up to 500 pairs of the North Atlantic gull the kittiwake, also known as the three-toed seagull. The rare fulmar also breeds at Bulbjerg, although to a smaller extent. The fulmar is not a seagull like the kittiwake, but is related to the albatross. This is clear when it drifts across the water with stiffened wings, even in strong winds. Both birds have adapted to life at the sea and have specialised in building their nests on the small shelves and projections on rocks, hills and cliffs. 

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.

Day 4. Vejlerne

Back in Thy on the fourth day, you will see one of the most important bird areas in northern Europe . The possibilities for observing the birds are exceptional in Vejlerne – no fewer than nine shelters have been erected at selected places in the area. (See the folder on the observation shelters in Vejlerne.) The birdlife at Vejlerne is probably unique in Denmark . The salt meadows, the reed swamps and the shallow lakes house an amazing range of bird species. All wading birds from the Danish salt meadows breed at Vejlerne: redshanks, dunlins, lapwings, godwits, ruffs, avocets and oystercatchers – and add to this numerous migrating birds in spring and autumn. Large flocks of geese and ducks are of course also widespread in the area. It is estimated that more than 1400 pairs of greylag geese breed here. The reed forests house more than 200 bitterns together with water rails, reed warblers, reedlings, marsh warblers and spotted crakes.  The black tern can be seen in the open part of the reed forest. The ducks predominate in autumn, but spoonbills can be seen throughout September. In 2005 there were 87 spoonbills. At the same time, increasing numbers of cranes have begun flocking to Bygholmengen – more than a hundred in the middle of October. The best place for observation is the shelter called Kraptårnet, in the evening. Flocks of lapwings and golden plovers are to be seen in the meadows, and all types of swimming ducks rest in the meadows in the autumn with impressive numbers of widgeons, mallards and teals. Up to 300 garganeys have been spotted at the same time!