Falsterbo

The Falsterbo peninsula is one of the greatest destinations for autumn bird migration in Europe. Every autumn, around 500 million migratory birds pass over southern Sweden. For many northern birds the Baltic Sea is the first difficult barrier to cross on the southward migration route. Therefore, the birds follow the south and west coasts of Sweden until they finally reach Falsterbo. The location of the Falsterbo peninsula is key, protruding out into the western Baltic Sea and catching migrant birds once they’ve passed through mainland Sweden and before the continue over the water and on into western and southern Europe. 

Starting around the beginning of September, the big numbers of birds start in the beginning of October. By the end of October, the numbers start to go down, but this is also largely dependent on weather conditions en from which way the wind blows. Southwest winds are best. On a good day the sky is full of birds passing over and migration of raptors can be magnificent. Especially Honeybuzzards and Sparrowhawks can be all over the place. But virtually anything can turn up at Falsterbo. The great thing about the bird migration in Falsterbo is that sometimes the birds can be very close. Some birds fly very low and right past you. When that happens in large groups it is no less than a mind-blowing experience. Also the birds of prey that sometimes pass very low are fascinating to observe.

On Birdingplaces.eu all the best birding sites around the Falsterbo peninsula are described in detail. With map, species list, how to get there, where to park and how and where you can find the birds. Zoom in on the map and click on a red dot for a detailed area description. What many birders that visit Falsterbo do is: start at Nabben in the (early) morning and then move further up the peninsula to the site of Ljungen later in the morning as the air warms up and the birds of prey take flight.