Animals
Harboøre Tange (Harboøre Isthmus) – use and protection
The many natural habitats such as tidal meadows, lagoons, reed forests and low-water fjord areas provide a basis for a unique bird life on and around Harboøre Isthmus all year round.
Harboøre Isthmus is an important Danish bird locality for both migrating and breeding birds. It is important for migrating birds to have resting and foraging areas on the routes from their winter areas in southern and central Europe and Africa to their breeding grounds to the north. Denmark is committed via a number of international agreements to protect the birds which visit us.
To safeguard the bird life and the natural environment, an area of about 2,155 hectares at and around Harboøre Isthmus is classified under a statutory order as a protected reserve which is also covered by Ramsar and Natura 2000 provisions.
The statutory order governs use of and movement in the area, including sailing and hunting on land and aquatic areas.
Extensive biological studies of the game underlie the regulation of hunting at Harboøre Isthmus.
Hunting at Harboøre Isthmus is controlled by Thyborøn-Harboøre Hunting Association. Hunting is primarily for ducks and geese. An agreement has also been entered into with the Danish Nature Agency governing foxes and the two invasive predator species mink and raccoon dogs in order to improve the environment for ground-breeding birds on the tidal meadows.
North of Harboøre, the Thyborøn-Harboøre Hunting Association controls an area which is used for clay pigeon shooting and the training of hunting dogs. This ensures that the hunters and their dogs can be well prepared for hunting at Harboøre Isthmus.
It is important for marsh birds such as sandpipers, ruffs and godwits that the beach areas are not overgrown with reeds and other tall plants. Large parts of Harboøre Isthmus are therefore grazed. Together with regulation of the water level, this ensures that the marsh birds have the best possible conditions for breeding on the isthmus.