Tryggelev Nor Bird Sanctuary

A Living Laboratory for Bird Conservation

Trigglelev Nor stands as one of Denmark's most significant bird sanctuaries, protecting a complex of three lagoons—Tryggelev, Salme, and Nørreballe Nor—across 178 hectares on Langeland island. The reserve is designated as both a national and international protected area under EU bird protection and habitat directives, reflecting its ecological importance. The sanctuary's primary mission is safeguarding vulnerable breeding species and providing critical stopover habitat for migratory birds traversing Northern Europe.

Vulnerable Species and Breeding Grounds

The reserve hosts some of Denmark's most threatened bird species. Spotted crakes, avocets, common terns, red-backed shrikes, and specialized duck species including garganey, pintail, and tufted duck breed within the sanctuary's carefully managed wetlands. Three artificial breeding islands within Nørreballe Nor provide predator-free nesting sites, protecting hundreds of breeding pairs annually from terrestrial predators. The sanctuary's autumn raptor migration is particularly spectacular, with common buzzards, eurasian sparrowhawks, and marsh harriers regularly observed in passage.

Ecological Restoration and Water Quality

The restoration of Nørreballe Nor represents a landmark environmental project, recreating a 50-hectare lake with surrounding meadows after decades of agricultural use. This restoration removed 70 percent of nitrogen previously flowing into the coastal lagoon, dramatically improving water quality throughout the reserve. The project expanded the sanctuary from 100 to 178 hectares, creating diverse habitat mosaics that support both breeding birds and migratory species. Four breeding islands were constructed during the restoration process, now serving as vital nesting platforms.

Year-Round Grazing and Habitat Management

The sanctuary employs continuous grazing by cattle throughout the year to maintain optimal habitat conditions. This management approach reduces overall livestock density while allowing rich summer flowering in meadows and maintaining low-growth grasslands essential for spring migrants and breeding birds. Winter grazing by cattle creates hoof marks and disturbance that expose soil, supporting plant and insect communities that form the food base for the reserve's bird populations. This integrated management supports a diverse reed forest ecosystem alongside open wetland habitats.

Visitor Experience and Observation Infrastructure

Multiple observation hides positioned throughout the reserve enable visitors to watch birds without disturbance. Walking trails wind through the sanctuary, offering views across the lagoons and into reed beds where secretive species shelter. The reserve welcomes visitors year-round, though autumn presents the most dramatic birdwatching opportunities during raptor migration. Information boards and guided interpretation help visitors understand the ecological processes and conservation efforts that sustain this internationally important wetland.