Westerhever, Schleswig-Holstein:

Westerheversand Lighthouse

In July, I worked for a day in the countryside around the Westerheversand Lighthouse in northern Germany.

The Westerheversand Lighthouse was built in 1908 and is one of the best-known landmarks of northern Germany. The 40-m-high tower stands within salt marshes close to the high-water mark of the Wadden Sea. During low tide, it is possible to walk many hundreds of metres outside onto the mud flats of the North Sea. However, this should be done only with an experienced guide to avoid being trapped by the waters of the rising tide. The entire area features a unique ecosystem with fascinating plants adapted to the high salt content in the soil and the occasional flooding. Additionally, it is a very important habitat for many shorebirds.

Westerheversand Lighthouse

on the way to the Westerheversand Lighthouse

sheep grazing on the salt marshes

canal through the salt marshes

path through the salt marshes

Westerheversand Lighthouse

Westerheversand Lighthouse

Westerheversand Lighthouse

Westerheversand Lighthouse

tiny flower in the salt marshes (Spergularia salina)

sea lavender (Limonium vulgare)

sea lavender (Limonium vulgare)

sea lavender (Limonium vulgare)

sea lavender and the lighthouse

sea lavender and the lighthouse

sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides)

sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides)

salt marsh

glasswort (Salicornia)

glasswort (Salicornia)

glasswort (Salicornia)

glasswort (Salicornia)

Eurasian Oystercatcher

mud flats

traces of lugworms (Arenicola marina)

lighthouse and mud flats

lighthouse and mud flats

lighthouse and mud flats

Common Redshank

Common Redshank

Common Redshank

Common Redshank

Westerheversand Lighthouse

Westerheversand Lighthouse

sheep grazing on the salt marshes

sheep grazing on the salt marshes

Black-headed Gull

I would definitely recommend a trip to the Westerheversand Lighthouse to everyone visiting northern Germany!