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Falsterbo 1 – 6 September 2024

Mass migration by the Baltic coast

Ranked number six in the top thirty birding sites in Europe, with over 350 species recorded, Falsterbo should be on everyone’s radar. It has been estimated that around 500 million birds leave Scandinavia every autumn, and most of them pass through Falsterbo at the southern tip of Sweden, before crossing the Øresund to Denmark and far beyond.

Falsterbo is recognised as one of the top birding sites in Europe.

This vast stream of migrants makes the Falsterbo peninsula one of the greatest bird migration watchpoints. Each autumn, literally thousands of passerines including larks, pipits, wagtails, hirundines, thrushes, warblers, flycatchers, finches and buntings pass through each day, providing an amazing spectacle. In September 2019, flocks of hirundines and of yellow wagtails on the golf course at Falsterbo were the most numerous; the constant trickle of calling tree pipits was another feature. Among all this action we may find scarcer species such as wryneck, red-throated pipit, bluethroat, red-backed shrike, icterine warbler, nutcracker or Lapland bunting.

Redstart and red-backed shrikes are two migrants we'd hope to find.

Bird of prey hotspot

Falsterbo is particularly famous for raptor migration. The numbers are staggering, with mixed flocks in the hundreds every day. Virtually every European raptor is regularly recorded here, including rarities such as spotted and lesser spotted eagles and pallid harrier.

At the time of our visit honey buzzard numbers will be at a peak, with hundreds passing through on a daily basis, making a seasonal tally of around 5,000. The regular passage of sparrowhawks is a great feature in early September.

The coastal location gives opportunities to look for waders and seaducks.

Meanwhile, on or flying past the shoreline there can be wildfowl such as brent and barnacle geese and pintail. Waders are likely to include grey and golden plovers, little stint, spotted redshank and wood sandpiper. On the sea we look out for eiders, scoters and red-breasted merganser.

A little farther afield we can also look out for whooper swans, white-tailed and golden eagles, red kite, goshawk, white stork, common crane, Caspian tern, eagle owl, black woodpecker, marsh tit and hawfinch, so prepare for a remarkable birdwatching bonanza.

Other wildlife

Though mostly a birdwatching holiday, there is a good supporting cast of butterflies, dragonflies and other invertebrates, flowers, fungi and galls. Our previous holiday reports give a feel for this. Examples in 2022 include Queen of Spain fritillary butterflies and the flowers sea pea and Breckland thyme, both very local in the UK.

sea pea
Large-flowered hemp-nettle, edible frog, sea pea (all from 2019).

Itinerary

From Copenhagen airport, it is a fairly short drive across the famous Øresund Bridge into Sweden to the Falsterbo area. Over the next few days we shall witness the daily spectacle of mass migration from Nabben at the very tip of the peninsula, as well as exploring the local coastline, woods and heathland.

Two days are away from Falsterbo at Lake Krankesjön and Fyledalen nature reserve, the latter a wooded valley with a stream and meadows where fallow deer can be seen. At the end of this spectacular break we return across the bridge to Copenhagen airport for our flight home.

Holiday details & accommodation

We stay at Höllviksnäs (formerly called Falsterbo Kursgård). It's fair to say this isn't typical Honeyguide accommodation, being more of a holiday village than a small hotel. It's well-located, with very good hospitality and food. and worked well in 2022 and 2024.

Price: £1650 per person in twin room for five nights, Sunday - Friday.

Single room supplement: £120

En suite facilities.

What the price includes: return flights to Copenhagen, five nights’ half board en-suite accommodation, all ground transport in Denmark and Sweden, bird checklist and guidance.

What the price excludes: lunches, either shop-bought, in a café or bought from Falsterbo Kursgård; drinks with meals; personal spending. Bear in mind that Sweden can be expensive - that's just the way it is.

Flights: Ryanair scheduled flights from London Stansted to Copenhagen.
1 September 2024: FR2618 depart London Stansted 13:10 arrive Copenhagen 15:55
6 September 2024: FR7381 depart Copenhagen 15:35 arrive Stansted 16:25

Another option is Norwegian Air from London Gatwick

1 September 2024: D83513 depart London Gatwick 12:35 arrive Copenhagen 15:25
6 September 2024: D83518 depart Copenhagen 17:35 arrive Gatwick 18:20

Two in September 2024 are flying from Manchester to Copenhagen. One group member in September 2020 was planning to fly with easyJet from Bristol and have a night in Copenhagen. This kind of option is possible if it ties in with the main group.

Deposit: £400

Maximum number (two leaders): 14

Leaders

Christopher Hall runs his own birdwatching company, New Horizons, though enjoys being a guide for others and to leave the administrative roles behind. Falsterbo is one of many birdwatching destinations he knows well and was our first choice as a joint project. His wildlife watching tours for a growing ‘family’ of loyal regulars means he has guided more than 150 tours worldwide. He has also been a science teacher and run birdwatching evening classes.

Chris Durdin is the driving force behind Honeyguide, running holidays since 1991. For many years he combined this with his work for the RSPB in Eastern England, often the Society’s spokesman, but has been concentrating on Honeyguide full-time since 2009. Chris is the co-author of a book about Norfolk’s cranes and leads monthly guides walks at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Thorpe Marshes nature reserve. He’s also a barbershop singer. As a naturalist, Chris is an all rounder.

Christopher and Chris were co-leaders for our Falsterbo holidays in 2019 and 2022.

Conservation project

This holiday supports what many of us remember as 'Stop the Massacre' , which campaigns to protect migrant birds on their journeys across Europe. The money will go via BirdLife International's stop illegal bird killing programme - a good example of which is that turtle dove hunting is now illegal in several Mediterranean countries. Our visit to Falsterbo is particularly to see migrants, which pour through this part of Sweden into mainland Europe and beyond, reminding us all of the need for bird protection across international boundaries. BirdLife Sweden is a partner in the campaign.

Birdwatchers gather at Falsterbo's tip.

For prices, see Holiday Details at the bottom of the page.

FCO travel advice for Sweden here.

Covid

Advice on Gov.uk

"As of 1 April 2022, people travelling to Sweden from the UK or other countries outside the EU/EEA will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination."

Denmark (where we arrive): "There are no COVID-19 related requirements regarding test or self-isolation when entering Denmark."