Birds at the Danish Lighthouses 1883 - 1939

In the period 18831939, there were 45 lighthouses and lightships functioning in Denmark. These lighthouses were used by several species of birds during the nights of the bird migration period from the years 1886 through 1939. The presence and activities of these birds were recorded, especially by the life keepers of these lighthouses who also collected specimens that were sent to the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen. These birds were carefully preserved and catalogued by collection workers at the museum and the specimens can still be found there today. Observations on weather conditions during nights when birds were observed by light keepers were also included.