Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park

Birds

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, serving as a critical stopover for migratory birds along the East Atlantic Flyway. Millions of birds use the park’s mudflats, salt marshes, and coastal islands as feeding and breeding grounds.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
This striking black-and-white bird with a long, orange-red bill is a common sight in the park. It feeds primarily on shellfish, using its powerful bill to crack open mussels and cockles.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
A long-distance migrant, the red knot stops in the Wadden Sea to refuel on worms and small invertebrates hidden in the mud. It undergoes striking color changes, turning reddish in breeding season.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
This small, energetic shorebird is one of the most abundant waders in the Wadden Sea. It probes the mudflats for tiny invertebrates, often seen in large flocks performing synchronized flight displays.

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Known for its incredible non-stop migration from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering areas in Africa, the bar-tailed godwit relies on the Wadden Sea’s rich feeding grounds to gain energy for its journey.

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
A striking duck with a glossy green head and white-and-chestnut body, the common shelduck nests in sandy dunes and feeds on mollusks in the mudflats. They are often seen in large numbers during molting season.

Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)
These small, dark geese migrate from the Arctic to winter in the Wadden Sea. They feed on eelgrass and algae, forming large flocks that can be seen grazing along the shoreline.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Easily recognizable by its long, down-curved bill, the Eurasian curlew is Europe’s largest wader. It probes the mud for crabs and worms, using its specialized bill to extract prey from deep in the sediment.

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
With its distinctive black-and-white plumage and upturned bill, the avocet is an elegant wading bird. It sweeps its bill side to side in shallow water to catch small aquatic invertebrates.

Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Named after the town of Sandwich in England, this sleek seabird has a black crest and sharp bill. It dives for fish in the shallow waters of the North Sea and nests in large colonies on sandy islands.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
A large, dark waterbird, the great cormorant is often seen drying its wings on rocks and posts. It dives underwater to catch fish, using its powerful webbed feet for propulsion.

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a dynamic and vital ecosystem, supporting an incredible diversity of marine life and bird species. It remains a crucial habitat for both resident and migratory wildlife, making it one of Europe’s most important coastal conservation areas.

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The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a remarkable coastal habitat located along Germany’s North Sea coast. It is part of the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea, one of the world’s most extensive tidal flat systems. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly its marine life and mammals. The shifting sands, salt marshes, and mudflats provide a home for a variety of species uniquely adapted to this dynamic environment.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
One of the most iconic species of the Wadden Sea, harbor seals can often be seen basking on sandbanks during low tide. They are excellent swimmers and hunt for fish such as herring and cod. Their populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts, making them a common sight in the park.

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Larger than harbor seals, grey seals are recognizable by their long noses and robust bodies. They prefer more isolated sandbanks and are less common but still a vital part of the ecosystem. They are powerful predators, feeding on fish and cephalopods.

Common Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
This small, shy cetacean inhabits the deeper waters near the park. It is often spotted in tidal channels, where it hunts fish like herring and mackerel. Common porpoises are highly sensitive to underwater noise pollution, making the protected status of the Wadden Sea crucial for their survival.

European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
This critically endangered fish migrates between freshwater rivers and the ocean. Young eels, known as elvers, use the Wadden Sea as an important transit point before moving into European rivers. Overfishing and habitat loss have put this species at risk.

Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)
Once abundant, Atlantic cod populations have declined due to overfishing. Juveniles often shelter in the Wadden Sea’s tidal zones before venturing into deeper waters. This species plays a key role in the marine food chain.

European Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
A well-camouflaged flatfish, the European plaice is a vital commercial species. It buries itself in sandy seabeds, ambushing small crustaceans and invertebrates. The tidal flats serve as a crucial nursery for juvenile plaice.

North Sea Shrimp (Crangon crangon)
These small, translucent crustaceans are one of the most common inhabitants of the Wadden Sea. They play an essential role in the food web, serving as prey for fish and birds. Their populations fluctuate with seasonal and environmental changes.

Sand Goby (Pomatoschistus minutus)
A tiny, bottom-dwelling fish, the sand goby is well adapted to life in the shifting sediments of the Wadden Sea. It feeds on small invertebrates and is an important prey species for larger fish and seabirds.

Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
A primitive, jawless fish, the sea lamprey has a unique parasitic lifestyle, attaching itself to other fish to feed on their blood. It migrates through the Wadden Sea on its way to spawn in freshwater rivers.

Common Starfish (Asterias rubens)
This iconic marine species thrives in the shallow waters of the North Sea. It preys on shellfish such as mussels and barnacles, using its tube feet to pry open shells. The common starfish is a key predator in the tidal ecosystem.

Birds

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, serving as a critical stopover for migratory birds along the East Atlantic Flyway. Millions of birds use the park’s mudflats, salt marshes, and coastal islands as feeding and breeding grounds.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
This striking black-and-white bird with a long, orange-red bill is a common sight in the park. It feeds primarily on shellfish, using its powerful bill to crack open mussels and cockles.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
A long-distance migrant, the red knot stops in the Wadden Sea to refuel on worms and small invertebrates hidden in the mud. It undergoes striking color changes, turning reddish in breeding season.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
This small, energetic shorebird is one of the most abundant waders in the Wadden Sea. It probes the mudflats for tiny invertebrates, often seen in large flocks performing synchronized flight displays.

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Known for its incredible non-stop migration from breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering areas in Africa, the bar-tailed godwit relies on the Wadden Sea’s rich feeding grounds to gain energy for its journey.

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
A striking duck with a glossy green head and white-and-chestnut body, the common shelduck nests in sandy dunes and feeds on mollusks in the mudflats. They are often seen in large numbers during molting season.

Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)
These small, dark geese migrate from the Arctic to winter in the Wadden Sea. They feed on eelgrass and algae, forming large flocks that can be seen grazing along the shoreline.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Easily recognizable by its long, down-curved bill, the Eurasian curlew is Europe’s largest wader. It probes the mud for crabs and worms, using its specialized bill to extract prey from deep in the sediment.

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
With its distinctive black-and-white plumage and upturned bill, the avocet is an elegant wading bird. It sweeps its bill side to side in shallow water to catch small aquatic invertebrates.

Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Named after the town of Sandwich in England, this sleek seabird has a black crest and sharp bill. It dives for fish in the shallow waters of the North Sea and nests in large colonies on sandy islands.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
A large, dark waterbird, the great cormorant is often seen drying its wings on rocks and posts. It dives underwater to catch fish, using its powerful webbed feet for propulsion.

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park is a dynamic and vital ecosystem, supporting an incredible diversity of marine life and bird species. It remains a crucial habitat for both resident and migratory wildlife, making it one of Europe’s most important coastal conservation areas.