Winter Eagles - Skåne - Sweden
Just across the Øresund Bridge from Denmark, Skåne is stronghold for wintering white-tailed and golden eagles and other larger birds of prey such as red kites and buzzards. Further southern Sweden has healthy populations of black and green woodpeckers, and there is always a chance of a wintering owl, over the years I have seen tawny, short-eared, long-eared, eagle, northern hawk, eurasian pygmy, boreal and great gray owls, with tawny and long-eared being the most reliable. I am familiar with several key sites within a 45-60 minute drive from Copenhagen and a full day can produce nice and extended sightings.
Best time to visit
November-March - Winter is the best time eagles and large birds of prey. Woodpeckers and owls are notoriously early breeders, with black, green and great-spotted woodpeckers scattered throughout Skåne. Additionally, large flocks of geese are present, with a chance of waxwing and nutcracker, or a special owl species or two.
Key Species
The following “highlight” species is a small selection.
Birds of prey - white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, red kite, hen (northern) and marsh harriers, common and rough-legged buzzards, peregrine falcon, goshawk (elusive), eurasian sparrowhawk, common kestrel. Each year always provides one or two rarities as well, with gyrfalcon appearing frequently over the past few years.
Tawny owls are fairly common on both sides of the Øresund and long-eared owls often have small roosts in and around Copenhagen. Short-eared owls are usually around in small numbers and less common owls can appear at any time.
Overwintering ducks, swans and geese in their thousands.
Good numbers of black, green and great-spotted woodpeckers, potential great grey shrikes. Bohemien waxing and nutcrackers (irruption species)
