Christian Wenande
May 16th, 2017

Share

The Grey Lighthouse is Denmark’s newest bird mecca (photo: Naturstyrelsen)

Skagen is already a favourite destination for tourists visiting Denmark, and now there’s another reason for taking in the vast sand dune expanses of of northern Jutland – particularly if you fancy bird watching.

A world class centre for migratory birds, Det Grå Fyr (‘The Grey Lighthouse’), has just opened neat Grenen in Skagen in what is expected to become a sanctuary for researchers, ornithologists and tourists to experience thousands of birds as they migrate between Africa and northern Scandinavia.

“The many thousands of tourists in Skagen can experience birds up close when they are ringed, and they can go on trips with the Danish Ornithologist Association (DOF) and learn more about the birds,” said Egon Østergaard, the head of DOF.

“Moreover, the Skagen Bird Station will become an important place for ornithologists and researchers to collect knowledge about birds. We hope that the good facilities will help attract researchers and bird lovers from near and far so the station can become one of the best in Europe.”

READ MORE: Danish national nature fund establishing an island paradise for migratory birds

Birds of a feather
Skagen Grå Fyr, which is Denmark’s second-largest lighthouse, will offer a virtual journey offering a digital insight into the latest migratory news – including live footage from the Straits of Gibraltar – and follow the birds on their migratory routes through Europe.

The bird centre was established by the nature authority, Naturstyrelsen, in co-operation with the tourism organisation Turisthus Nord and Frederikshavn Municipality.

“More knowledge about the behaviour of migratory birds can automatically inspire others to get out into nature with binoculars and spot birds,” said the environmental and food minister, Esben Lunde Larsen.

“Furthermore, it’s a good example of how we can use the nature to support our tourism.”

(photo: Morten Jenrich Hansen/DOF)