Reopening and plan for the future utilisation of Sønderho Old Duck Decoy.

The intention is to re-establish the Duck Decoy as a Duck Decoy where birds are caught. Furthermore, it shall be possible to visit the Duck Decoy and experience the historic atmosphere from the past. Through direct communication, the visitor will receive information on how the Duck Decoy functions and how it is incorporated in the natural/cultural/ historical context it forms a part of. This includes the way bird catching has been an important financial factor in the past. The use of duck Decoys has been widespread in the entire Wadden Sea, where the first ones were seen in the Middle Ages.

Direct communication and other experiences should include setting the Duck Decoys and bird migration over Fanø into a local, a national and a global perspective. They should focus on the Duck Decoys’ importance to Fanø and the occurrence of birds at stopover sites around the island. Seen from a national perspective, some of the main concentrations of a number of species of birds are seen around Fanø. Furthermore, large flocks of birds migrate past the island due to the trap effect created by the Jutlandish west coast. This includes species such as oyster catcher, grey plover, ringed plover, sanderling, little stint, curlew, falcon, pipit and thrush. Seen from a global perspective, the Wadden Sea is one of the most important stopover sites for the millions of water birds, which use what is called the East Atlantic flyway, i.e. the denomination of the migration route between the arctic breeding areas and the wintering areas, which stretch along the coasts down to South Africa.
Beyond dissemination of information, bird catching in the Duck Decoy shall contribute to research on migration, thus increase our general knowledge of the birds, their migration routes and their survival. Finally, bird catching shall contribute to sustainable utilisation and protection of the bird populations.

Action plan for reopening Sønderho Old Duck Decoy.

Objective:
To open Sønderho Old Duck Decoy to the public within the next 5 years from 2002.

Action plan:

• A steering committee was established in 2002.
• The steering committee applies for funds for renovation and for making a prospectus.
• In the autumn of 2002, applications for funding were sent to various funds etc.
• The work began during the autumn of 2003, where the Duck Decoy is started to be renovated and the path system is reestablished.
• During 2005-2006, the Duck Decoy can be opened to the public.