Birding Copenhagen: Visible Migration

With the weather forecast predicting a sunny day and south-east winds, many of Sjaelland's birders were at Gilbjerg Hoved (the northern tip of Sjaelland) on Sunday to witness the visible migration. This hot-spot is an excellent place to witness spring migration and when Henrik Højholm offered me a lift, I couldn't say no..

We arrived on site at dawn (around 0515) with a frost on the ground and a light south-easterly breeze. Immediately, around 20 Song Thrushes flew out of the bushes, gained height and began to head east.. a good sign. Birds began to pass in numbers beginning with Tree Pipits, Chaffinches, Bramblings and Siskins. As the morning began to warm up these were joined by Redwings, Fieldfares, a single Ring Ouzel, White Wagtails, Crossbills, Redpolls and the first raptors of the day - Sparrowhawks. As the morning drew on, a single Goshawk powered by, my first Yellow Wagtail of the year flew east calling and a Black-throated Diver passed just out to sea.

A few birders began to search the bushes around the headland for migrants and it wasn't long before the first of two Wrynecks was reported and the year's first Wood Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. A couple of Whinchats, a Common Redstart and at least two Pied Flycatchers were also found close by.

By now the day was warming up and the stream of birds passing by included the first hirundines - Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins all in evidence - and a single Waxwing reminded us that it wasn't summer just yet.

As the wind wasn't too strong, many people moved to a small hill, just inland, from where the views are more expansive (not recommended in windy weather - it is very exposed). From here the first Red Kites and Common Buzzards were seen and, later, the year's first Hobby, an Osprey and 2 Merlins flashed by.

By now I had managed to miss both Wrynecks, the Hobby and a Black Woodpecker that migrated east - all good birds - and a reminder that you can't be in all the good places at the same time!

We left the site at around 1430 as the migration slowed to a trickle. The afternoons can be good for the larger raptors and, after we left, at least 2 White-tailed Eagles were seen. Even though we missed these magnificent birds, we enjoyed a very good day of visible migration. Some of the Danes were a little disappointed (!), citing the previous cold night as the reason it wasn't an even better day. But, in my view, this was an excellent day of migration and one that would be very hard to match in the UK. Thanks to Henrik, Morten, Jan and Andreas for their company on the day.

Photos: one of the early Pied Flycatchers at Gilbjerg Hoved