gwenz wildlife weblog » Wadden Sea

Stuck in a soft place

gwendolen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:12:46 +0000

Stuck in a soft place, originally uploaded by gwendolen.

Mudflat hiking is popular in the Wadden Sea, which stretches from the Netherlands, northwest Germany to Denmark. People walk and wade on the mudflats during low tide.

In the Netherlands, mudflat hikers can walk from the mainland to Terschelling, Ameland, Engelsmanplaat, Schiermonnikoog, Simonszand and Rottumeroog. In Germany, mudflat hikers can walk to Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Minsener-Oldoog. There is also a connection between the islands Amrum and Föhr. In Denmark, mudflat hikers can walk to Mandø, Fanø and Langli.

Mudflat hikers are only allowed out into the Wadden Sea under the supervision of licensed guides, who will lead walkers onto the organized routes. It is too dangerous to go out hiking on your own.

The boy in the picture was part of a group of hikers that just came back to the harbour of Noordpolderzijl, after a mudflat hike in the area.

Skydiving

gwendolen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:39:40 +0000

Skydiving

Black-headed gulls against a Wadden Sea skyline. The Wadden Sea is now a world heritage site. Have a look at the brand new worldheritage-waddensea website. Please take a few minutes to watch the video, it will show your how beautiful this area is. It’s a pity the Danes didn’t join the nomination. The Wadden Sea stretches from the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

Discover more Skywatch photos

Spoonies

gwendolen — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:32:45 +0000

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

After we recovered from watching the herring gull eating the cutest overload ever, we staggered on. After about a kilometer or two, we saw a pair of spoonbills. Much to our delight I should add. Spoonbills breed on all the Dutch Wadden Islands. The island of Texel even has three colonies. And a webcam! But we don’t get to see them that often, so spotting one is always a treat.

You can also track several of our spoonbills though the Spoonbill migration project. You can see the migration route of about 17 individuals on Google Earth.

What's that on its legs?

Ankle bracelet bling

View to a kill | BPW #39

gwendolen — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:44:22 +0000

After having a Sunday lunch at the Posthuys on Vlieland, we decided to start walking back to the village. The bus wasn’t due for another hour and a half and it’s only about 8 kilometres. It was low tide, so we were able to walk on the Wadden dike without disturbing the Common Eiders. The ducks rest there during high tide.

I packed my camera in my backpack, because carrying the big lens in my arms was going to be too heavy on an 8 K hike. After walking for about half an hour we saw the first crèche of Common Eiders. Just as we stopped to look at the ducks, a Herring gull flew over, swooped down and snatched up a little duckling before our eyes. I grabbed my camera!

A Jackdaw intermediately started to mob the gull hoping it would drop the duckling, which it promptly did. The Herring gull however managed to get it back first. And swallowed it. Cute feet and all.

Herring gull with Eider duckling

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