Sweden - autumn migration at its best

There are few sights in the world of birdwatching as impressive as those of birds on migration. The sheer numbers involved, together with the sense of urgency and the ever-present chance of a rarity make any migration hotspot an exciting place to visit. Our new 6-day tour to Sweden takes in arguably the best place in Europe for watching migrating birds - Falsterbo at the southern tip of the Fenno-Scandinavian peninsula.

The tour will focus on the spectacular exodus of wildfowl, waders, raptors, and passerines as they leave northwest Europe via the shortest sea route possible, to Denmark. Thousands of passerines will be heading south into continental Europe and, in the right conditions, several thousand raptors of some fifteen species will gain height over Falsterbo before heading out to sea. In bad weather these birds congregate at the Point and nearby Ljungen Heath waiting for a change in the weather: if this happens outstanding views can be had at very close range.

At nearby Ottenby and Segerstad lighthouses, on the island of Öland, migration is no less impressive, with tens of thousands of ducks and geese following the west Baltic coastline, attracting attention from the resident White-tailed Eagles. Hundreds of Common Cranes rest on the island and the sight and sound of these birds gathering in the evenings is unforgettable. Öland is the island of wind and sun, where changing weather conditions can lead to large falls of passerines in the lighthouse gardens and patches of scrub. Imagine the sight of 42 Great Spotted Woodpeckers all feeding in the last tree on the island before making the sea crossing.

Wednesday 17 September to Monday 22 September 2003

with James Lidster and local ornithologists as leaders.

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Day 1: Late morning flight from Heathrow to Copenhagen. From here we will drive by minibus over the longest bridge in Europe that joins Denmark to the Scandinavian peninsula. After checking in to the Angavallens Gard, our hotel, our afternoon birding will involve a short drive to the lighthouse garden at Falsterbo to gauge how heavy the migration has been, and to assess the conditions for the following day's birdwatching. Night at Angavallen Farm.

Days 2-3: After breakfast each day we will head down to Falsterbo, where even on quiet days over 50,000 birds can head south over the peninsular. The majority of birds will be finches, larks, pipits, and wagtails, but as the morning progresses groups of raptors should start to appear, some preparing for the crossing while others take advantage of the plentiful supply of food available. We will take our picnic lunches on Ljungen Heath, from where it may be possible to see large kettles of raptors gaining height in preparation for the sea crossing.

The afternoons will be subject to the weather and intensity of the migration, and could include more birdwatching around Falsterbo or a trip to the Swedish Lake District to look for White-tailed Eagles, Red Kites, and Common Cranes. Nights at Angavallen Farm.

Day 4: After breakfast we will drive to the east coast town of Kalmar and from here over to the island of Öland via the second longest road bridge in Europe. Birdwatching will again be determined by the weather, but after lunch we may visit Ottenby Lighthouse and ringing station. Here we could find large numbers of migrants refuelling in the scattered vegetation before heading out across the Baltic. In addition large numbers of wildfowl will be heading south, occasionally being hassled by White-tailed Eagles or Marsh Harriers. Night at Gammalsbygarden Inn.

Day 5: We will return to Ottenby Lighthouse or the nearby Segerstad Lighthouse this morning hopefully to witness thousands of Eider, Wigeon, and Barnacle and Brent Geese at very close quarters. If the visible passage is quiet, birdwatching around the various gardens and coastal scrub may produce Red-backed Shrikes and Nutcrackers. Segerstad Lighthouse itself has a bird list of 276 species ranging from White-tailed Eagle to Siberian Accentor! In the afternoon we will head to the centre of the island where large flocks of Common Cranes gather in noisy parties, a truly impressive sight. Night at Gammalsbygarden Inn.

Day 6: After some early morning birding and breakfast we will drive back to Copenhagen to catch a mid-afternoon flight to Heathrow where the tour concludes.

Cost £990 (2003)

Single Room Supplement £80

Maximum group size: 14 participants and two leaders

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