Skagen (or the Skaw) - at the very top of Denmark - is famous as the best spot in Northern Europe for observing bird migration in spring. Birds travelling from their winter quarters to breeding sites in Scandinavia and northern Russia pass this way. The season lasts from March to June, and hundreds of birders, including visitors from other countries, come here to enjoy the experience.
In 2005, the local BirdLife partner in Northern Jutland, DOF-Nordjylland, decided to organize a Birding Festival. The idea was to offer a series of activities to birders visiting the area at the same time as creating publicity for BirdLife Denmark, for the town of Skagen and – not least – for the birds themselves.
For four hectic days in the spring a series of events attracts more than one thousand visitors. There are guided birdwalks in the area around Skagen, bird ringing, competitions and a bird race. An information centre is in the old White Lighthouse open throughout the festival.
The event is proved so popular that it has been repeated on much the same basissince 2005. Organizing the festival for 2014 is now in full swing.