News on the Flora and Fauna in Denmark 

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This page brings news about wild animals and plants in the danish nature. A map of Denmark can be found here: Map of DK.
As references are used scientific and popular periodicals, newspapers, TV, other homepages and unpublished observations from different people.

Mammals:
In the summer 2000 two young beavers has been spotted and the beaver are now again breeding in Denmark.
The beaver (Castor fiber) has been extinct in Dennmark for the last 3.000 years propably due to hunting and clearing of the forests. In the last years it has been discussed if it is possible and desired to establish a population in some of the larger nature reserves in Jutland. The beaver build dams across streams and thereby flood the surrounding areas creating wet forests and marshes. This behaviour could create some more natural forests and environments for other rare animals and plants (1).
Autumn 1999 a few beavers has been let out in Western Jutland. They come from Northern Germany which has a population of beavers along the Elb. Beavers from this region is believed to be best adapted to the danish climate and to be genetic quite similar to the beavers which once lived in Denmark.
During the winter 1999/2000 it has been reported, that the beavers has been spreading much farther and quicker than expected. They have invaded some gardens along the stream and have eated vegetables and destroyed some appletrees.

At a beach in Northern Jutland a walrus has crept to land in 1999. This is a very rare animal seen in Denmark. Unfortunally the walrus was sick and very weak and it was decided to kill it to ease its pain.

A young moose (Alces alces) has in the summer 1999 swimmed across the narrow strait between Sweeden and Northern Seeland. It has been wandering around in the area and has also been spotted in South Seeland. A few times in this century this has happened, but the moose has mostly been shot due to its danger in the traffic in the high populated areas on Seeland. Only once a single moose has been living for some years in the big forests in Northern Seeland. This time the moose will be allowed to live if it doesn't mess around in the traffic. There have been rumours about a second moose, and may be they can settle down in the big forests in Northern Seeland and breed in some years ?
There has never been a wild population of moose in Dennmark, but the species is common in Sweeden.
Latest news: The single moose has now been killed by a train.

The otter (Lutra lutra) is now spreading in Jutland due to conservation plans and establisment of fauna passages. Sensationally a small population has recently been discovered in Western Seeland where the otter was believed to be extinct.

Birds:
In 1999 the crane (Grus grus) has been breeding with 11 pairs in Denmark.

The spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) has now established a small colony in a big marsh area in Northern Jutland (1). In 1999 3 pairs were breeding and they got an offspring of 12.

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is nearly extinct in Denmark with only three breeding pairs in 2000. The black stork (Ciconia nigra) is perhaps now more common, but breeding pairs are kept a secret due to fanatic egg-collectors.

The eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is spreading in Jutland and is breeding in many places especially in gravel-pits in Mid-Jutland. The danish birds has in the recent years come from Germany, where a breeding program has been carried out.

The black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) is nearly extinct in Denmark with only a few birds beeing spotted this year.

Still more breeding pairs of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) are recorded and the species has now become a full member of the danish birdlife. In 1999 a total of 6 pairs are known to have breed.

In the summer of 1999 an adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) has been seen together with a young in a nature reserve in Northern Jutland. This is the first evidence of breeding of this species in Denmark in historical times.

This site brings some news about rare birds in Denmark: Birdmigration at Skagen.

Reptiles and Amphibians:
 
 

Fish etc.:
 
 

Butterflies and Moths:
Go here for news: Lepidopterological Society.

Other Insects and Arthropods:
The spider Argiope bruennichi is now an established member of the danish fauna. With the females wasp-like black and yellow striped body it is a very conspicous animal. The first record was in 1992 and the species is today found in c. 25 places, mostly in the southern parts of Denmark. Also males and egg-clusters have been seen. The species is common in Central and Southern Europe, and has been spreading to the north through the last 50 years and now also to Denmark (1).

The dragonfly Anax imperator has during the 1990'ies colonized the southern parts of Denmark. And it is still spreading further north. Is it the rising global temperaures that is a cause of this ?

Other Invertebrates:
 
 
 

Plants:
 
 

Fungi:
Go here for some news: Mycological Society.

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