Denmark’s historical lighthouse turned into bird center

The Grey Lighthouse near Grenen in Skagen has been renovated to house the Skagen Bird Station, which was opened recently for researchers, ornithologists and tourists to experience thousands of birds as they migrate between Africa and northern Scandinavia, according to newspaper The Copenhagen Post. (Photo: Wishes anonymity/ Wikipedia)

COPENHAGEN–A hundred-year-old lighthouse at the northernmost point of Denmark has been turned into a bird center as part of the local community’s efforts to woo ornithologists as well as tourists, local media reported Tuesday.

The Grey Lighthouse near Grenen in Skagen has been renovated to house the Skagen Bird Station, which was opened recently for researchers, ornithologists and tourists to experience thousands of birds as they migrate between Africa and northern Scandinavia, according to newspaper The Copenhagen Post.

“The many thousands of tourists in Skagen can experience birds up close when they are ringed, and they can go on trips with the Danish Ornithologist Association (DOF) and learn more about the birds,” DOF head Egon Oestergaard told the paper.

“Moreover, the Skagen Bird Station will become an important place for ornithologists and researchers to collect knowledge about birds.”

Built in 1858, the Skagen Grey Lighthouse, which is Denmark’s second tallest at 46 meters, will offer guests a virtual journey offering a digital insight into the latest migratory news and follow the birds on their migratory routes through Europe.

The bird center was established by Nature Agency under the Ministry of Environment and Food in cooperation with the tourism organization Turisthus Nord and Frederikshavn Municipality.

“It is a good example of how we can use nature to support our tourism,” Environmental and Food Minister Esben Lunde Larsen was quoted as saying.