Langeland 27 May 2012.

Tryggelev Nor. The nature reserve at Tryggelev Nor (Nor means a cove in Danish) is a part of the EU Natura 2000 network, designated to protect the best nature sites in Europe. The area has neen purchased by The Danish Bird Sanctuary Fund in 1976. Sheep and cattle are hired to graze the area to avoid that the meadow turns into scrub. In the background the sea and Ristinge Klint.

Female Great Crested Grebe, toppet lappedykker (Podiceps cristatus) at the nest in Tryggelev Nor

The male Great Crested Grebe, toppet lappedykker.

Pair of Red-necked Grebe , gråstrubedet lappedykker (Podiceps grisegena) at Tryggelev Nor.

Red-necked Grebe , gråstrubedet lappedykker (Podiceps grisegena)

Common Eider, Ederfugl (Somateria mollissima) with its ducklings in the sea outside Tryggelev Nor

The females of the Common Eider, Ederfugl gather their duckling in kindergartens where several females can protect the duckling from doves and other predator birds.

Strandskade, Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) at Nørreballe Nor. Our next visit was to Nørreballe Nor Over a hundred years ago, Nørreballe Nor was an brackish fjord, connected with the Baltic Sea through Tryggelev Nor. (Nor means a cove in Danish). In 1883, the two Nors were separated with a dam, and Nørreballe Nor was dried off with the help of a windmill, and later an electric pump. It was then cultivated for agricultural purposes for the next 120 years, but in 2004 the whole area was purchased by The Danish Bird Sanctuary Fund who stopped the pump and reconstructed Nørreballe Nor. The fields are now covered by up to 2 meters of water, and many wild birds visit this area.

The Pied Avocet, Klyde (Recurvirostra avosetta). at Nørreballe Nor

The last stop of the day was at Ristinge Klint, where we had dinner. In the background Bagenkop