Southern Scandinavia 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

VB
Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
108 reviews
Aug 29 - Sep 12, 2024
Group size: 6 - 12
Southern Scandinavia 2024
Copenhagen, Denmark

Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
108 reviews

$5,295
Deposit: $700
Aug 29 - Sep 12, 2024
Group size: 6 - 12

About this trip

Join us for this epic 14-day birding and cultural Venture to the migration hotspots of southern Sweden and northern Denmark. The sheer natural energy of this charming region during fall creates an atmosphere of excitement and expectation, and with an estimated 500 million birds funneling through these areas each autumn, it makes them arguably some of the best migration sites in Europe. The seemingly endless stream of passage migrants at this time of year is an absolute must-see for ‘migration enthusiasts’ everywhere, or for anyone who wishes to increase their overall experience with European species. 

We begin and end our trip in Copenhagen, but make speed for the nearby Falsterbo peninsula where raptors are our main focus. The entire peninsula acts as a bottleneck for many birds of prey leaving Scandinavia for wintering grounds much further south, including buzzards, harriers, kites, eagles, hawks and falcons depending on timing. Thousands of birds can be observed moving south in a single day, and the experience of spending a leisurely few days photographing and studying multiple raptor species just overhead is one to savor. 

The second phase of the trip focuses attention further up the coast on the beautiful island of Öland (pronounced er-land), with the Ottenby World Heritage site at the extreme southern tip being the principal birding destination. Ottenby’s location at the southern tip of Sweden's second largest coastal island means that migrants heading south get funneled, and then bottleneck before having to cross back to the mainland. During favorable conditions, bird concentrations are exceptionally high and the area is often an exciting place to explore as it fills with countless passerines including redstarts, pipits, warblers, shrikes, chats, and wagtails. You don't have to go far to see some beautiful birds as the vegetation around the observatory gardens are some of the most sheltered food rich places on the peninsula.

The landscapes of this region are varied, offering unique coastal habitats including deciduous and coniferous woodland, marshes, reedbeds, tidal lagoons, heathland, arable field systems, gardens and even a couple of golf courses. On this trip we'll also dedicate time for exploring some of the interior forest habitat for woodland specialists such as black woodpecker, and add time to cater for any cultural tendencies of the cities we’ll pass through. Whatever your interest or level, come join me as we experience that utterly awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that is bird migration. 

What’s included

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Ground transportation
  • Guide services
  • Entrance Fees & Permits

What’s not included

  • International Airfare
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Laundry
  • Gratuities
  • Items of personal nature
  • Domestic flights

Available Packages

Double Occupancy

Room-sharing

$5,295
Deposit: $700
Single Traveler

For those wanting their own room

$6,045
Deposit: $700
$5,295
Deposit: $700


Your Organizer


VB
Ventures Birding Tours
108 reviews
Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

Reviews

Mike is fantastic. He is focused on getting a great experience (even in challenging weather)
By Peter K for 'Mondays with Mike' at Jackson Park - March 2025 on Apr 02, 2025
Non-stop world-wind tour of many of Ecuador’s best birding locations and lodges. We will definitely go again.
By John M for Ecuador's Fabulous Hummingbirds 2025 on Mar 27, 2025
Ecuador was incredible! After multiple trips to Costa Rica and Panama, I thought I had seen a great variety of birds. Ecuador took this to a completely higher level. We saw 60 species of hummingbirds alone! Sometimes it was dizzying, having so many tanagers and hummingbirds zipping back and forth right in front of us. Every time I thought we had maximized our hummingbird viewing possibilities, Juan (our driver and local guide) and Paul (our Ventures Birding guide) took us to an even more incredible spot. This tour went as high as 14,000 feet in elevation. Fortunately, the guides minimized the amount of walking at the highest elevations, to minimize the impact on us. The high elevation brought a bigger variety of birds along with incredible views. It was odd being so near the equator, and seeing snow topped mountain peaks. Our highest point was 14,261 feet, where we saw the Rufous-bellied Seed Snipe. When we had an unplanned main road closure that could have really messed up our plans, Juan and Paul calmly came up with a workaround plan that rearranged a few things, so we still got to see everything that was planned. Paul's ability to spot and identify the hundreds of bird species was mystifying. We saw over 500 species of birds, with the large majority being life birds for me. The lodges were very well chosen for each area we went. The staffs were all extremely friendly, the accommodations were all clean and new feeling, and all of the guests on our trip commented repeatedly about how great the food was. I have already started researching into Ecuadorean Cookbooks. One lodge was more rustic than the rest, but it made up for it with incredible cliff top views of the lake below and Andean Condor nests above. The roads in Ecuador were challenging, but Juan did an amazing job of minimizing the bumps for us. I have done EcoTours in many countries over the years. Antarctica has always been my favorite. This trip to Ecuador with Ventures Birding is the first trip to make me reconsider that ranking. It is a tough call between Ecuador and Antarctica.
By Richard L for Ecuador's Fabulous Hummingbirds 2025 on Mar 26, 2025
Our guide was excellent - really worked hard to get us on the birds, including the near endemics in Guatemala. We also saw some of the lovely tourist spots, like Antigua and the Mayan city of Tikal. Food was excellent - lots of fresh vegetables. Scenery was spectacular - lovely pine/oak forests with bromeliads, volcanoes, and Lake Atitlan. We felt very safe there.
By Barbara R for Guatemala Highlights 2025 on Feb 18, 2025
Wasn’t able to make the trip.
By Alan L for Guatemala - Goldman's Warbler & Ocellated Quail on Feb 14, 2025
Show More Reviews