In the late thirties, German ethnologist, Erich Wustmann, visited Mykines and recorded a film about the birds on the island. During his visit, he also wrote a touching story revolving around the dangerous and optimistic life of the bird catchers in Mykines and praising the hospitality of the islanders.

The story is also a tribute to the beautiful nature and a reminder to us to take care of our fragile ecosystem.

Erich Wustmann writes later in his memoirs, that never again, on all his expeditions, did he see another ‘Bird Paradise’ comparable to the one in Mykines. He could not imagine at the time, that it ever would be possible to destroy such a large bird population. Where did our Bird Paradise go?

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See pictures from the book below: