Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje (Sønderho Old Duck Decoy)

Historic 19th‑century duck decoy in Fanø’s heathland, where tranquil woodland paths, a restored trapping pond and Wadden Sea views tell the island’s waterfowl story.

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Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

Hidden in the heathland between Nordby and Sønderho on Fanø, Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje is a rare, 19th‑century duck decoy turned open‑air museum. A pond with six curving trapping channels, information boards and a small observation tower explain how islanders once lured wild ducks here for food, and later for scientific ringing. Today it is a peaceful nature site with free access, quiet woodland paths and wide views over Albue Bay and the Wadden Sea.

A brief summary to Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

Landevejen 105, Fanø, 6720, DK
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 3 out of 5

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Bring waterproof footwear in wet or windy weather; sections of the heath path and ground around the pond can be soft and muddy after rain.
Allow extra time to climb the small observation tower for wide views over Albue Bay and the Wadden Sea landscape surrounding the decoy.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash to protect the area’s birdlife and respect the site’s status as a living museum.
Pack water and snacks, as there are no food outlets at the site itself; combine the visit with a longer walk across Sønderho Heath.
Visit in spring or autumn if possible, when migratory birds use the Wadden Sea and the pond area is especially lively with waterfowl.

Getting There

Bus from Nordby

From Nordby town on Fanø, use the island bus service running along the main road towards Sønderho; services typically operate at least hourly in daytime for most of the year. The ride to the stop at the parking area by Landevejen near the decoy usually takes around 15–25 minutes. A standard single ticket on Fanø’s local buses is generally in the range of 20–35 DKK, depending on zones and concessions. From the stop, expect a short walk on a marked path across the heath on mostly flat but sometimes uneven natural terrain.
Car or rental vehicle on Fanø

If you have a car or rental vehicle on Fanø, you can drive along the main road between Nordby and Sønderho to the signed parking area near Landevejen 105. The drive from Nordby usually takes around 15–20 minutes, and from Sønderho village about 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic and seasonal conditions. Parking at the heath car park is typically free, but spaces can be more limited on sunny summer days and during school holidays. From the parking area, allow 10–20 minutes on foot along a prepared path to reach the duck decoy itself.
Cycling on Fanø

Fanø is well suited to cycling, and many visitors reach Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje by bike using the main route between Nordby and Sønderho. From Nordby, the ride normally takes 35–50 minutes, largely on flat terrain exposed to wind; from Sønderho village, plan 15–25 minutes. Bicycles can be rented at several points on Fanø, with day rental often in the range of 80–150 DKK depending on type and season. You can leave your bike at the parking area before following the signed walking path over the heath to the site.

Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje location weather suitability

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Discover more about Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

A quiet gateway to Fanø’s duck decoy past

Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje sits in gentle coastal woodland and heathland just inland from Albue Bay, a short way off the main road between Nordby and Sønderho. At first glance it feels like a modest clearing in the trees, but this is one of Fanø’s most distinctive historic sites and the only preserved duck decoy of its kind in Denmark. The setting is deliberately secluded: low pines, wind‑shaped shrubs and sandy soil shelter a shallow pond at the heart of the old trapping system. As you step through the entrance gate, you move from open heath into a semi‑enclosed world designed around the habits of wary wildfowl. The path curves gently, giving you fleeting glimpses of water and reeds before the full layout of the decoy comes into view. It is easy to imagine how, long before it became a museum, this quiet pocket of woodland was engineered to feel safe for birds and practical for the people who depended on them.

The 1866 duck decoy and its ingenious design

Built in 1866, the installation is essentially a large, purpose‑made trap. At its centre lies a roughly rectangular pond from which six narrow, curving channels lead out like arms. These “pipes” were once covered with nets and subtly bent so the ducks could not see the end, encouraging them to swim deeper inside. Decoy ducks and trained dogs would guide wild birds from the open water into these channels, where they were finally caught. Walking around the pond today, you can trace the form of the channels in the terrain and remaining structures. Low wooden fences, earth banks and restored elements hint at the careful planning that went into each curve and narrowing. Information boards describe how the work was timed to the seasons, how many birds could be taken on a good day, and how the system differed from ordinary hunting. It is a rare chance to see a complete piece of working landscape architecture rather than just isolated artefacts behind glass.

From food supply to living museum and research site

For decades, duck meat from places like Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje helped feed communities along the Jutland west coast. Fanø was unusual in Denmark for having several decoys, two of which remained in use until 1931, when trapping ducks for consumption was banned nationwide. Instead of being abandoned, this site gradually gained a new life. In the mid‑20th century it was used by wildlife biologists for ringing and studying ducks, turning an old hunting ground into a place of scientific observation. Extensive restoration work in recent years has stabilised the banks, refreshed the woodland paths and recreated key elements of the trap, while keeping the surroundings simple and natural. Today, the decoy functions as a “living museum”: rather than large indoor exhibits, the story is told in situ through discreet signage, restored structures and the presence of real waterfowl that still drop in to rest on the pond.

Views over Albue Bay and the Wadden Sea landscape

A small observation tower near the site offers one of the most evocative viewpoints in this part of Fanø. From its modest height you can look across Sønderho Heath, over to Albue Bay and towards mainland Jutland on the horizon. The broader Wadden Sea landscape stretches out as a patchwork of dunes, mudflats and tidal waters, underlining why this coast has long been crucial for migratory birds. Down at ground level, the sense of space is different but just as striking. Paths lead through low heather, grasses and patches of pine, with the wind almost always audible in the treetops. Depending on the season you might notice blooming heather, the calls of waders overhead or flocks of ducks circling the bay before dropping onto the sheltered pond.

A calm, free and dog‑friendly nature stop

The site is open all day, year‑round, with free admission and simple, unfussy facilities. A parking area and waymarked trail across the heath make it easy to add the duck decoy to a broader walk on Fanø. Dogs are allowed as long as they remain on a leash, a reflection of the area’s role as habitat for wild birds. Most visitors spend an unhurried hour or so here, combining time at the pond and channels with a short detour to the tower or an extended loop across the heath. It is not a high‑tech museum; the appeal lies in the blend of open air, quiet history and the feeling of stumbling across an almost forgotten technique, preserved in the very landscape where it was once part of everyday life.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Sønderho Church

4.0 km

An 18th‑century island church filled with Denmark’s largest flotilla of votive ships, anchoring Sønderho’s seafaring history in a tranquil Wadden Sea village.

Æ Kåver

4.3 km

Reborn wooden seamark on Fanø’s southern edge, Æ Kåver recalls 17th‑century seafaring in a wild Wadden Sea landscape of wind, sand and wide horizons.

Fano Bed and Boats

7.5 km

Charming seaside bed & breakfast and boat rental in Nordby, Fanø—offering cozy rooms and authentic maritime experiences on Denmark’s storied North Sea island.

Fanø Krogaard

7.6 km

Experience the timeless charm of Fanø Krogaard, a historic inn blending Nordic cuisine, island tradition, and warm hospitality in the heart of Nordby harbour.

Fanø Tourist Office

7.7 km

Centrally located on Fanø, the Tourist Office is the ideal starting point for discovering authentic island charm, local culture, and practical travel advice.

FanøFærgen, Esbjerg

8.5 km

Compact harbor terminal in Esbjerg serving the fast 12‑minute Fanø ferry, linking mainland bustle with island calm in the Wadden Sea UNESCO landscape.

Esbjerg Water Tower

8.9 km

Historic red-brick water tower on a Bronze Age mound overlooking Esbjerg’s harbour, blending medieval-inspired architecture with the story of a young, ambitious port city.

Dronning Louise

9.1 km

Urban beachfront serenity meets Danish royal heritage at Marselisborg Strand, Aarhus’ favorite local escape for swimming, sunbathing, and seaside strolls year-round.

Namaste Esbjerg

9.1 km

Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’ vibrant urban beach, blending sandy coastline, tranquil bay views, and easy access to city highlights and lush forest parks.

Denmark

9.2 km

Marselisborg Strand is Aarhus’s urban beach escape, offering sandy shores, a classic pier, family-friendly facilities, and beautiful views right at the city’s edge.

Vadehavskysten

9.4 km

An iconic copper bridge tower turned cultural gem, offering harbor panoramas, intimate events, and a taste of Copenhagen’s creative spirit on Knippelsbro.

Begravet bunker

12.0 km

A preserved German WWII bunker revealing the hidden lives of occupation soldiers beneath Danish soil.

Kammerslusen Ribe

15.2 km

Discover Copenhagen's Black Diamond: A fusion of modern architecture and cultural heritage on the waterfront.

Hjerting Badehotel

16.6 km

Picturesque sandy beach blending serene sea views, lush forests, and family-friendly facilities just minutes from Aarhus city center.

Queen Dagmar of Bohemia

20.2 km

A contemplative statue on Ribe’s former castle hill, honouring the gentle 13th‑century Queen Dagmar where her life and legend became entwined with Denmark’s history.

Unmissable attractions to see

Albue Fuglekøje

1.2 km

A preserved duck decoy tucked into Fanø’s dunes and pines, where quiet paths and old earthworks reveal how islanders once trapped wild ducks for a living.

Skovlegeplads

1.7 km

Woodland wonderland on Fanø: a free forest playground with natural equipment, fire pits and storybook corners hidden inside Fanø Klitplantage.

Pælebjerg - Det højeste punkt på Fanø

2.6 km

A modest 21‑meter summit with big sky views over dunes, heath and plantation, Pælebjerg distills Fanø’s quiet, wind-shaped landscapes into one gentle climb.

Sønderho Mølle

3.4 km

Wind, flour and island history meet in this beautifully restored 1895 gallery Dutch windmill above the village of Sønderho on Fanø.

Mosedalsbjerg

4.0 km

A breathtaking linden-lined street in Møgeltønder, Slotsgaden charms visitors with its historic thatched cottages and scenic path to Schackenborg Castle.

Fanø Blokart

4.1 km

Land-sail across Denmark's legendary beach at speeds up to 50 km/h—no experience needed.

Fanø Free Folk Festival

4.1 km

Intimate North Sea festival where experimental folk, improvised sounds and village life meet among dunes, thatched houses and long Nordic summer evenings.

Fanø Kunstmuseum

4.2 km

Intimate island art museum in an old merchant’s house, celebrating Fanø’s luminous Wadden Sea light and a century of coastal-inspired painting.

Hannes Hus

4.2 km

Step into a perfectly preserved Fanø skipper’s widow’s cottage and experience everyday island life from the age when sailing ships shaped Sønderho’s world.

Seal Bank Walk Meeting Point

4.3 km

A windswept beach meeting point at Sønderho, where guided low-tide walks lead across the Wadden Sea seabed to Galgerevet’s thriving seal bank.

Stormflodssøjlen, Sønderho

4.3 km

A slender harbor-side column that quietly records Sønderho’s greatest storm surges, turning Fanø’s gentle Wadden Sea horizon into a vivid story of water and wind.

Detrigonometriskestation

4.4 km

A quiet dune top on Fanø where 19th‑century surveyors fixed their instruments, this modest trigonometrical station now offers big skies, wind, and quiet reflection.

Rindby Strand

6.0 km

Wide, drive-on sands, kite-filled skies and classic Danish dune scenery make Rindby Strand Fanø’s easygoing North Sea playground for long, windblown beach days.

Club Fanø

6.0 km

Island adventure hub offering seal safaris, beach sports, and coastal experiences on Denmark's famous Fanø.

Club Fanø Rindby

6.0 km

Fanø's premier hub for kite sports, beach adventures, and Nordic coastal experiences with expert instruction and welcoming spirit.

Essential places to dine

Tre Søstre

4.1 km

A cosy island café in Sønderho serving good coffee, simple local bites and creamy ice cream, perfect for a slow midday pause on windswept Fanø.

Cafe Nanas Stue

4.2 km

Historic thatched café in Sønderho blending Fanø comfort food, Dutch tile art and intimate music evenings in one atmospheric village living room.

Restaurant/Café Fajancen

4.3 km

Cosy family-run bistro in historic Sønderho, serving Danish–French classics made from local Fanø and Danish ingredients in warmly lit, intimate village-house surroundings.

Sønderho Kro

4.3 km

Historic 18th‑century inn on Fanø where thatched-roof charm, gourmet Danish cuisine and Wadden Sea landscapes come together in the heart of Sønderho.

LIGHTHOUSE BURGERS

6.0 km

Gourmet-minded burger bar on Fanø, serving organic local beef, house-made buns and sauces, and a relaxed island atmosphere just a stroll from Nordby’s heart.

Axel's Kitchen

6.1 km

Authentic Italian pizzeria with indoor playground, celebrating local Fanø ingredients and family moments.

Stoppestedet I/S

6.1 km

Casual, family-friendly fast food on holiday island Fanø, serving hearty portions of fish, chips and burgers a short hop from the wide North Sea beach.

Restaurant Dino

6.9 km

Casual island restaurant in Fanø Bad serving pizzas, Bosnian specialities and Danish comfort food just steps from the North Sea dunes.

VadeMad

7.0 km

Casual food‑truck dining paired with island‑brewed craft beer, set in the laid‑back courtyard of Fanø Bryghus just a short stroll from the Wadden Sea.

Rudbecks Fanø

7.2 km

Cosy family-run café, deli and wine bar on Fanø’s main street, celebrating local organic produce, Fanø salmon and cheeses in a warm, relaxed village setting.

Tacobørsen

7.3 km

Colorful Mexican-inspired street food on Fanø’s main street, perfect for easy takeout, casual meals and beach picnics between dunes, harbor walks and village strolls.

Restaurant Aroma - Fanø øko Øl

7.3 km

Cosy island restaurant and organic microbrewery in a historic skipper’s villa at the heart of Nordby, pairing house‑brewed Fanø beers with relaxed European plates.

Haven Fanø

7.3 km

Cosy 1849 island house turned boutique hotel, café and garden retreat, serving organic breakfasts and Fanø’s own flavours in the heart of Nordby.

Fanø Pizza

7.3 km

Straightforward Danish-style pizza and takeaway favorites in Nordby, offering an easy, kid-friendly dinner option after a day exploring windswept Fanø.

Pandekagehuset Fanø

7.4 km

Cosy island creperie in Nordby serving generous sweet and savoury pancakes with a hygge-filled courtyard and relaxed Fanø village atmosphere.

A small-but-stylish fashion and lifestyle shop in Nordby’s former bank building, SALT blends island charm with Scandinavian design on Fanø’s main street.

Late-opening dance bar on Skolegade in Esbjerg, where a mature crowd sings along to classic hits and keeps the party going until early morning.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje (Sønderho Old Duck Decoy)

A brief summary to Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Bus from Nordby

Car or rental vehicle on Fanø

Cycling on Fanø

Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Sønderho Gl. Fuglekøje

A quiet gateway to Fanø’s duck decoy past

The 1866 duck decoy and its ingenious design

From food supply to living museum and research site

Views over Albue Bay and the Wadden Sea landscape

A calm, free and dog‑friendly nature stop

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Sønderho Church

Æ Kåver

Fano Bed and Boats

Fanø Krogaard

Fanø Tourist Office

FanøFærgen, Esbjerg

Esbjerg Water Tower

Dronning Louise

Namaste Esbjerg

Denmark

Vadehavskysten

Begravet bunker

Kammerslusen Ribe

Hjerting Badehotel

Queen Dagmar of Bohemia

Unmissable attractions to see

Albue Fuglekøje

Skovlegeplads

Pælebjerg - Det højeste punkt på Fanø

Sønderho Mølle

Mosedalsbjerg

Fanø Blokart

Fanø Free Folk Festival

Fanø Kunstmuseum

Hannes Hus

Seal Bank Walk Meeting Point

Stormflodssøjlen, Sønderho

Detrigonometriskestation

Rindby Strand

Club Fanø

Club Fanø Rindby

Essential places to dine

Tre Søstre

Cafe Nanas Stue

Restaurant/Café Fajancen

Sønderho Kro

LIGHTHOUSE BURGERS

Axel's Kitchen

Stoppestedet I/S

Restaurant Dino

VadeMad

Rudbecks Fanø

Tacobørsen

Restaurant Aroma - Fanø øko Øl

Haven Fanø

Fanø Pizza

Pandekagehuset Fanø

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Sønderho Gårdbutik

Arbuckle Design

Silken

Fanø Angus & Merino

Kunstladen

Rindby Supermarked A/S

Mission Afrika Genbrug

Fanø Lægeurtehave

Fanø Brugsforening

SuperBrugsen

Westwind

SPAR