About the Roskilde Fjord Portal

This site is based on the observation of birdlife in Roskilde Fjord from 1978 – 2014, which has also given us insight into other aspects of the natural environment and life in the fjord. Our aim has been to create a non-technical site, which is nonetheless based on a solid scientific foundation.

The site was developed by Erik Hansen, who carried out the study of the fjord together with Pelle Andersen-Harild, with the assistance of many others. The botanical surveys are by Per Mølgaard and Lisbet Løvendahl. The graphic design is by Lærke Roark, who is herself well acquainted with the fjord’s natural history. The translation into English is by Kim Parfitt.

The project has been financed by cooperation between a number of sponsors, for whose help we are very grateful.

We hope that this site will contribute to a wider awareness of this natural treasure and that it will inspire people to enjoy the fjord in a sustainable manner. It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped with the surveys, so let us just mention our old cutter, The Ugly Duckling, which played a central role in all our work.

The cutter ’The Ugly Duckling’ was in use as a research vessel.


Version 1 (May 2003):
The Roskilde Fjord portal was uploaded in May 2003. Created by Erik Hansen and Lærke Roark, it was based on 25 years of observation in Roskilde Fjord, carried out by Pelle Andersen-Harild and Erik Hansen. The project was supported financially by Frederiksborg Amt, Roskilde Amt and Sagafjord.

Version 2 (May 2004):
The site was updated to version 2 in 2004, with financial assistance from Roskilde Amt and Miljørådet for Roskilde Fjord. Several sections of this version were translated into English (by Kim Parfitt) and it was also expanded considerably with new material.

Version 3 (2009):
Version 3, uploaded in 2009, differs from version 2 mainly in the inclusion of results from 2003-2005 and of the result of a new botanical survey. There are also a few corrections and additions.

Version 4 (May 2015):
Miljørådet (Council for the Environment) For Roskilde Fjord, set up by the local councils around the fjord, was abolished in 2014. The local councils decided that any remaining money should be “donated to an activity which benefits the environment on Roskilde Fjord”. The Council for the Environment decided to use the money on a thorough revision of the Roskilde Fjord portal. We thank them for the donation, and hope that we can live up to expectations.


In this version the whole site has been translated into English, the graphic design has been substantially revised, bird counts have been brought up to date to 2014, and the maps are now based on Google Maps. There have also been many additions, revisions and updates in the material.

Erik Hansen, Lærke Roark and Kim Parfitt