Helgoland

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.

Geplaatst* door Thiemo Karwinkel
Meest recente update 29 oktober 2023

Beschrijving

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: Jan-van-gent (~2000 breeding pairs), Zeekoet (~4000 breeding pairs), Alk (~80breeding pairs), Drieteenmeeuw (~4000 breeding pairs) and Noordse Stormvogel (~50 breeding pairs). The Jan-van-gent 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 Zeekoet and Alk 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 Bladkoning, Pallas' Boszanger, Roze Spreeuw , Dwerggors, IJsgors, Grote Pieper, 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 Kleine Jager, Grauwe Pijlstormvogel and Vorkstaartmeeuw. Even during Winter a visit is worth to see IJsduiker, Kleine Burgemeester, Grote Burgemeester, Zwarte Zeekoet, Kuifaalscholver and large concentrations of Paarse Strandloper and Oeverpieper. 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 Zeekoet-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!

Details

Toegang

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 Grote Jager, Kleine Jager, Kleine Alk or Grauwe Pijlstormvogel, as well as big flocks of Zwarte Zee-eend are not too rare! Between the main Island and the Dune island a ferry departs every half hour.

Terrein en leefgebied

Kloof/klif , Strand , Duinen , Zee , Grasland/weide , Verspreide bomen en struiken

Omstandigheden

Vlak , Rotsachtig

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Telescoop meenemen?

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Herfst

Route

Onverharde weg , Breed pad , Verharde weg , Smal pad

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemiddeld

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Rolstoel , Boot

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Nee

Extra info

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.

Links