A unique natural wonder between ebb and flow
Tidal flats, a sea breeze and wide open space: the Wadden Sea is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
That’s why the Wadden Sea is protected not only as a national park and biosphere reserve but also as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tidal flats are very biodiverse. With over 10,000 animal and plant species, up to 12 million migratory birds annually, and the biggest expanse of mud and sand flats anywhere, this very special habitat is one of Niedersachsen’s greatest natural treasures.
Creatures large and small
What’s that spaghetti on the seabed? And where are the cockles? National park rangers and certified tour guides are there to answer such questions during walks on the tidal flats. At low tide on the coast and the East Frisian Islands, walkers go out barefoot, in special wading socks, or in wellies. Of course there are larger animals here too. Who wants to watch the seals? During the Migratory Bird Days in October, it’s all about bar-tailed godwits, dunlins, barnacle geese and their friends. Long-distance flyers rest and feed here before continuing on to their warmer wintering grounds. And in spring, Wilhelmshaven’s south coast becomes a hotspot for marine mammals during the Porpoise Days.
The Small Five
Small but mighty! Do you know the ‘Small Five’ of the tidal flats? The mud is home to five tiny animals that do huge things, defying the harsh conditions of the North Sea coast, especially the regular cycle of flooding and draining. They filter the salt water and serve as a source of food for millions of waterbirds. What are they? The brown shrimp, lugworm, cockle, shore crab and mud snail.
Interesting facts explained
If you want to learn more about this unique habitat in northern Lower Saxony, the Wilhelmshaven Coastal Museum or the Watt Welten Visitor Centre on Norderney are the perfect places to visit, especially with children. Three national park and UNESCO World Natural Heritage centres, 14 national park houses and a national park information centre in Lower Saxony also provide a wealth of information on both the big picture and the small details. At the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea Visitor Centre in Cuxhaven, guests can discover the Wadden Sea, geest cliffs and coastal heathland with all their senses – with interactive objects to touch, seawater aquariums and audio guides. And under the microscope, even the smallest inhabitants of the mudflats can be seen deep in the eyes. The National Park House seal sanctuary in Norden-Norddeich offers fascinating insights into the rescue and care of seals and is an important place for the protection of marine mammals.
What you can discover here
