Copenhagen weekend 1-3 June 2018.

Kalvebod Faelled and looking across to the outskirts of Copenhagen

Hopefully developments won’t encroach this fantastic place.

Red-necked Grebe- probably the star bird on this ‘city’ break.

This wasn’t an Anser trip but thought I would share the following notes that may be of interest.

Birthday gifts are always nice, my equally travel loving wife had set up a budget weekend to treat me to a new destination. Denmark was the only Scandinvian country I hadn’t visited and whilst a few days doesn’t really qualify, I was pleased with an opportunity to spend time among Danes and immerse myself in a little of the ‘hygge’ lifestyle. We flew from Bristol with easyjet, the flight was delayed for a time which was pain as we had hosts waiting to hand over keys etc. Bristol Airport checks, scans and boarding area was a very smooth experience and relaxed. The flight out would’ve been fine but for a few members of a rugby club on a stag do, the minority choosing to swear and make various loud and continuous comments for the duration, the older and what you assume would be more responsible members of the party did little to curb the ‘clubhouse jive’. We were glad to get off and hoping the Danes would experience better manners from them.

Stepping out at the airport to glorious sunshine and hot weather we jumped in a taxi to make up some time and was dropped at the apartment home we were staying at for two nights. Mats and Thea rent out a room through the Airbnb website and we were welcomed by Mats. We didn’t see him for the rest of the weekend and only met Thea on Saturday night as we and they were out and about or working.

With no time to hang about we readily took up the offer of the loan of their bikes, we were going to hire but no need. Less than half an hour of arriving we were on our way toward Copenhagen city centre taking the ‘green’ route. We visited many of the well known sites and explored easily on the excellent and safe cycle lanes.

A few species of bird were seen but the parks in town were interesting from an odonata point of view, although I was pick-nicking I couldn’t ignore the Downy Emeralds and other dragonflies out enjoying the sun. A wonderful wild park (Amager Fælled)was the final stop on the bikes before heading back at dusk. This wet scrub and grassland area was an amazing space for peace and wildlife, sadly it seems it is threatened with development. A Cuckoo gave us great views as we cycled the paths.

Back at Slusholmen it was noticeable that Common Gulls were about the apartment blocks, these ‘floating’ homes were not quite as is seems due to each one being an island in the sea channel. The gulls were vocal and fairly tame. We walked out across bridges nearby bar and enjoyed the music, atmosphere and a cold beer or two before heading ‘home’.

We were up and about in the morning and took the few steps to the rather healthy cafe across the ‘canal’. We sat outside to eat the granary rolls, pastries and drink coffee and fresh pressed juice to die for. This ceremony was to be repeated the next day. Replete and keen to explore another huge wetland reserve on the bikes.

Kalvebod Fælled is quite simply a brilliant nature reserve.

We spent much of the day exploring the paths and trails across the country and along the seawall, a lunchtime excursion to a restaurant in Viberup (Lille Kongleund) was the only detour and it didn’t disappoint. The food was great but the Honey Buzzard and Tree Sparrow flocksreally topped it off.

The birds seen include the following…

Mute Swan- seen about the harbours in Copenhagen and in numbers on the wetland reserve.
Greylag Goose- 1000s in the wetland reserve area, also seen flying over the city.
Barnacle Goose– flocks of 100s seen on the wetlands with small parties heading N over the city.
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Teal
Tufted Duck
Eider- many creches and groups of females on the coast.
Pheasant-introduced birds
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Red-necked Grebe– very common at Kalvebod Faelled. I eventually traced the gallinule/rail like calls to this species, interesting to see them breeding in narrow ditches and all pools.
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Marsh Harrier
Common Buzzard
Honey Buzzard– a male flew over the restaurant at Viberup mobbed by other species.

Hobby- one feeding on odonata over the marshes.
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Avocet- dozens
Ringed Plover
Lapwing- large colonies stuffed with young on the wet grasslands and marshes.
Turnstone- one at Kalvebod Faelled
Wood Sandpiper- one heard at Kalvebod Faelled
Black-tailed Godwit
Snipe- displaying birds were drumming overhead.
Ruff- three flew past us near the hides of Kalvebod Faelled
Black-headed Gull- a few darvic ringed birds around the city harbours and parks, too busy to nail them!
Common Gull- seen (and heard) about Copehagen
Herring Gull
Sandwich Tern- seen along the coast.
Common Tern-about the city park ponds and lakes.~
Caspian Tern- 2-3 fishing the coast and deeper water along the seawall of Kalvebod Faelled.

Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Cuckoo- singing and showy birds seen and heard at both Amager and Kalvebod Faelled
Swift
Skylark
Woodlark
Swallow
House Martin
Tree Pipit
White Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail- recently juveniles of the presumed flava race
Thrush Nightingale– singles heard singing on scrubby tree covered banks and motorway embankment on the way to Kalvebod Faelled. A few singing and one showing at Amager Faelled.
Redstart- one singing from a clump of trees at Kalvebod Faelled
Black Redstart- seen and heard around Copenhagen including outside our apartment.
Wheatear- one at Kalvebod Faelled among the cattle.
Whinchat- a pair along the ditches in the open areas of Kalvebod Faelled.
Fieldfare- breeding birds in the Amager Faelled park.
Whitethroat- many seen.
Garden Warbler- heard.
Blackcap- many seen and heard.
Lesser Whitethroat-3-4 seen and heard.
Reed Warbler-heard.
Marsh Warbler– seen and heard in Amager Faelled park
Great Reed Warbler– a scarce bird in Denmark but one male singing and showing brilliantly at Kalvebod Faelled.

Willow Warbler- a few heard.
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Bearded Reedling-seen and heard along the seawall embankment of Kalvebod Faelled.
Magpie
Jay
Raven-2
Hooded Crow- seen around Copenhagen
Starling
House Sparrow- the Ivar Huitfeldt, Langelinie park column statue was releasing sparrows from her heart!