Heligoland, Schleswig-Holstein:

Northern Gannet

In early June, I went on a day trip to tiny Heligoland in the middle of the North Sea.

Heligoland is a group of two islands located approximately 70 km off the German coast. The islands changed owners throughout the centuries and belonged to Danmark as well as Britain for some time. In 1890, Germany handed control of the East African island of Zanzibar to the British in exchange for the strategically important Heligoland. The island became a major military base in the early 20th century and was heavily bombed in World War II. The results of these air strikes can still be seen by the presence of abundant craters on the so-called Oberland. Nowadays, Heligoland is a popular holiday destination – especially among birders who like to visit the breeding colony of several hundred northern gannets, common murres, and black-legged kittiwakes (as well as few razorbills and northern fulmars).

on the way to Heligoland

promenade

shops at Heligoland

view across the Unterland towards the Düne

view across the Unterland

the Düne (“dune”)

view of the harbour

Mittelland and view of the southern harbour

houses on the Oberland

Mittelland and view of the southern harbour

lighthouse

footpath on the Oberland

lighthouse and cliff line

famous red cliff of Heligoland

Triassic sandstones

famous red cliff of Heligoland

at the bird colony

at the bird colony

Northern Gannets, Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes

Common Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes

Northern Gannets, Common Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes

Common Murres

Black-legged Kittiwakes

Northern Fulmars

Northern Fulmars

Common Murres

a crow stealing an egg

Razorbill

Northern Fulmars

Lange Anna (“Tall Anna”)

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannets

Northern Gannet with egg

Northern Gannet with young

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannets

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

European Herring Gull

the Düne (“dune”)

ships waiting in the harbour

harbour of Heligoland

boat bringing the visitors back to the ferries

boat bringing the visitors back to the ferries

leaving Heligoland

In addition to the photographs, I also took a few video clips of the birds:

If you like to see a bit more of the “daily life” in the colony of northern gannets, click here:

This was my third visit to Heligoland and I can only recommend to travel there yourself! If you have the time, it is also worth spending two or three days and stroll across the island with more leisure. Additionally, you can visit the tiny Düne with its beautiful beaches where you can observe groups of Harbour and Grey Seals. In conclusion: there is always something to see or do and it’s one of my favourite places in Germany!