Nature and Scenery
Tipperne is located in a fertile marsh meadow at the base of Ringkøbing Fjord. The area
takes the form of a peninsula that extends a good way into the fjord. Tipperne consists of
around 3,000 hectares of flat landscape. The area comprises a number of small lakes and
meadows criss-crossed by channels and ditches. Large sections are covered with banks of
reeds. However, the Bjålum Klit area differs from the rest of Tipperne as it consists of dunes, heath and bogs with bushy vegetation.
History
As early as 1898, Tipperne was designated a protected area to ensure that the birds could
rest and breed undisturbed. The actual bird reserve was established in 1928, when a keeper
was appointed. Today, the Tipperne sanctuary is under the Danish Ministry of the Environment and is administrated by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency through Oxbøl State Forest District, which is responsible for its supervision and maintenance. The birdlife at Tipperne is monitored closely by ornithologists employed to do so by the Danish National Environmental Research Institute. The breeding birds at Tipperne have been counted every six months since 1928. Few other places in Europe can boast such a long period of counts.
The Tipperne meadows need care
Lack of use and care can transform the seaside meadows from bustling scenes of birdlife activity to deserted ponds ringed by rushes and reeds. Using the meadows as pasture for cattle, and cutting the hay and the grass ensures the continuation of the cropped meadows that are ideal for breeding and resting wading birds. Wide stretches of closely cropped meadowland have become a rare sight in Denmark. In ditches and channels, the water is collected to keep the meadows wet during the breeding season.
Visiting Tipperne
The coastal waters and sea around Denmark are extremely important to migratory birds
such as geese, ducks and wading birds. Therefore, Denmark has to meet international obligations to protects these birds. To ensure that the birds can breed, rest and forage in peace, some areas have to be closed to all traffic and hunters. The Tipperne area is part of a protection project for Ringkøbing Fjord, which has also been designated an area of international importance to aquatic birds, pursuant to the Ramsar convention and the EU bird protection directive.
The coastal waters and sea around Denmark are extremely important to migratory birds
such as geese, ducks and wading birds. Therefore, Denmark has to meet international obligations to protects these birds. To ensure that the birds can breed, rest and forage in peace, some areas have to be closed to all traffic and hunters. The Tipperne area is part of a protection project for Ringkøbing Fjord, which has also been designated an area of international importance to aquatic birds, pursuant to the Ramsar convention and the EU bird protection directive.
Værnengene
The southern part of the Tipper peninsula is called “Værnengene”. You can travel freely along the roads in this area without a guide all year round.
The Tipperne Sanctuary
Out of consideration for the birds, access to the sanctuary area is limited. However, you may visit the area at the following times:
Sundays from 1 Feb-31 March: 10.00-12.00.
Sundays from 1 April-31 Aug: 08.00-10.00.
Sundays from 1 Sept-30 Nov: 10.00-12.00.
Closed: 1 Dec-31 Jan.
If you drive to the area, you can follow the road all the way to the car park by Tipperhuset.
However, you are not allowed to stop en route, nor may you walk in the meadows that line the road. This will ensure you disturb the birds as little as possible. At Tipperhuset, there
are staff from the state forest organisation to guide visitors around the area. Other facilities
here include a tall birdwatching tower and an exhibition about Tipperne. You can also follow
the 2-km nature trail that starts next to the tower. Remember to bring binoculars and a
birdwatching guide. Students and large groups are often permitted to visit the area outside
normal opening hours. Please address enquiries in this regard to Oxbøl State Forest District on: +45 7654 1020.
Sundays from 1 April-31 Aug: 08.00-10.00.
Sundays from 1 Sept-30 Nov: 10.00-12.00.
Closed: 1 Dec-31 Jan.
If you drive to the area, you can follow the road all the way to the car park by Tipperhuset.
However, you are not allowed to stop en route, nor may you walk in the meadows that line the road. This will ensure you disturb the birds as little as possible. At Tipperhuset, there
are staff from the state forest organisation to guide visitors around the area. Other facilities
here include a tall birdwatching tower and an exhibition about Tipperne. You can also follow
the 2-km nature trail that starts next to the tower. Remember to bring binoculars and a
birdwatching guide. Students and large groups are often permitted to visit the area outside
normal opening hours. Please address enquiries in this regard to Oxbøl State Forest District on: +45 7654 1020.
