Lista has a high number of registered bird species and almost all parts of the preservation areas are used by the birds. As opposed to the maritime mason bee, the birds can be seen throughout the year. For nesting, migration, and wintering. For some species, the Lista Peninsula is the last stop in autumn before they cross the North Sea on their way to their wintering grounds further south. Trekking is a nutritionally demanding activity and the birds need rest at their resting places. Many are eager to see them, but the birds can react physiologically to our activity in a way that can be difficult for us to perceive. A Common Eider that lies on a nest and broods will in many cases remain lying down even if a human approaches the nest. We can perceive this as if the bird is not disturbed, but that may be far from the truth. A possible consequence of too much bird disturbance can be biodiversity loss.
Therefore as part of my diploma a bird observatory is introduced at a safe distance from the birds´ habitats. The observatory has two platforms: The lower overlooks the wetlands to the north-west and the higher has views to the beaches further south. Ladders, reflecting the steep rock formation behind, bring the observers between the different platforms. Placed in between two ruins from World War 2, the observatory becomes part of the fabric on site, but as opposed to these, it is anchored in few points and touches the mountain gently. The timber columns and beams slot into steel foots which are bolted into the mountain to anchor it. Birds have no concept of national borders and travel far - as a result, changes in nature or climate in one place can have consequences for the number or health of birds in another. For example, changes in the Sahara desert can lead to more or less birds being observed at Lista. In this way, the bird observatory is in reality part of a composite condition much larger than the one visible from the building itself.
Supervisors Matthew Anderson and Lisbeth Funck