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Helgoland

Schleswig-Holstein  >  Germany

Helgoland Island is famous for their seabird colonies and the rarities that can show up here, especially songbirds. 430 bird species are recorded here.

Ajouté* par Thiemo Karwinkel
Dernière actualisation 29 octobre 2023

Description

Helgoland is the place in Germany with the most recorded bird species: 430 species recorded. The basis are the 'Big Five' Seabird Species at the breeding colony at the steep red cliff: Fou de Bassan (~2000 breeding pairs), Guillemot de Troïl (~4000 breeding pairs), Pingouin torda (~80breeding pairs), Mouette tridactyle (~4000 breeding pairs) and Fulmar boréal (~50 breeding pairs). The Fou de Bassan breed directly behind the visitor fence and can be observed absolutely closely! Best time to see the breeding birds is May to June. In the evenings of June the young flightless Guillemot de Troïl and Pingouin torda jump from the cliff into the sea, the so called "Lummensprung".

For Birders Helgoland is very famous for its concentration of rare bird species, mainly occuring during autumn migration between September and November. Helgoland holds many first records for Germany and also for the Western Palearctic. Regular Rarities (although Oxymoron) are Pouillot à grands sourcils, Pouillot de Pallas, Étourneau roselin , Bruant nain, Bruant lapon, Pipit de Richard, but also see the species list below to get an overview about the stunning bird records (attached list + 53 species of unclear/escape origin). Especially during autumn migration weather conditions can concentrate huge amounts of (song)birds on and over the island with tenthousands of birds passing by.

During stormy conditions (strong NW-Winds) seawatching is worth to observe Labbe parasite, Puffin fuligineux and Mouette de Sabine. Even during Winter a visit is worth to see Plongeon imbrin, Goéland à ailes blanches, Goéland bourgmestre, Guillemot à miroir, Cormoran huppé and large concentrations of Bécasseau violet and Pipit maritime. On the nextby Dune Island a Gray Seal population established with over 500 born individuals in the last years.

October every year the ornithological Working group (OAG) host a small 3-day bird festival ("Helgoländer Vogeltage") with presentations, bird quiz and bird race attracting hundreds of birders. Their Website is worth checking before visiting Helgoland as recent observations are updated daily. On Helgoland the bird observatory records and rings birds for over 110 years, one of the oldest bird ringing stations worldwide. The catching garden can be visited on guided tours offered by the Institute of Avian Research "Vogelwarte Helgoland". The nature conservation society "Verein Jordsand" also offers guided bird tours at the Guillemot de Troïl-breeding cliff during May-June and bird and general guided tours on the neighboring Dune island. Summarizing, Helgoland is a place that every birder near Germany should have visited!

Détails

Accès

You can go to Helgoland by Ferry or by Airplane. Airplanes start from Cuxhaven/Spieka and Heide/Büsum. The Ferry from Cuxhaven is the most frequent ferry that also goes year-round. in summertime ferries also go from Bremerhaven, Büsum and occasionally from Hooksiel. There is also a high speed catamaran from Hamburg via Wedel and Cuxhaven, and a high speed catamaran from Sylt via Amrum. Birding is not possible from the high speed-ferries as they are too fast. Birding from the other ferries is highly recommended! Sightings of Grand Labbe, Labbe parasite, Mergule nain or Puffin fuligineux, as well as big flocks of Macreuse noire are not too rare! Between the main Island and the Dune island a ferry departs every half hour.

Terrain et Habitat

Canyon/falaise , Plage , Dunes , Mer/océan , Prairie , Arbres et buissons disséminés

Conditions

Plat , Rocailleux

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Oui

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Automne

Itinéraire

Route non pavée , Sentier large , Route pavée , Sentier étroit

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Durée de la marche

Accessible via

A pied , Fauteuil roulant , Bateau

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Non

Informations supplémentaires

Please take care that the privacy of the local people is not violated! Do NOT go on the cemetery, do not enter privat gardens, despite rare birds! The ornithological society has published "social behavioural guidelines for birders" on their Website (in German). Better visit Helgoland for more than a daytrip to experience the island without mass day tourism. Be early in booking Hotels, as they are quickly booked out. There is a Birdcall - Whats-app group that keeps you updated in time on any rare bird on Helgoland. You can enter them freely. See the link below for description how to enter those.

Liens

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

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