Danish bird group asks beachgoers to count dead seabirds

The Danish Ornithological Society is asking people to record dead seabirds during autumn holiday beach walks, DR reports. The counts can help researchers understand which species are dying and why.

“If we lose them over time because we do not investigate what is happening, that is sad,” said Simon S. Christiansen, head and nature guide at Skagen Bird Station. Volunteers in some parts of Denmark also collect dead birds for examination.

Seabirds face several threats, including food shortages, pollution and changes to the marine environment. Some become entangled in discarded fishing nets or eat plastic, while others starve, Christiansen said.

The Danish Ornithological Society says mass deaths have been recorded in recent years among gannets, kittiwakes, northern fulmars and auks. About 200 dead seabirds washed ashore near Fanø over the course of a week in 2022.

Both beginners and experienced birdwatchers can take part, though participants should know how to identify birds or go with someone who does. The society’s app can be used to photograph birds for identification.

To join, download the DOFbase recording app and email [email protected] for instructions. Any distance or amount of time spent counting is useful. Volunteers can also sign up to collect and store birds for examination.

Counts can be carried out along any Danish coast. Dead seabirds often wash ashore on the west coast, the east coast of North Jutland and Djursland, and the coast of North Zealand.