Since 2009, Borkum has not only been the largest and one of the most beautiful East Frisian islands, it can also claim to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Wadden Sea.
In that year, the impressive natural area received the seal of approval from the United Nations organisation. One of the main reasons for this special honour is the incredible diversity of different animal species on land, in the water and in the air, which attract numerous visitors to the World Heritage Site every year, but also to Borkum in particular. More than 10,000 plant and animal species as well as 10 to 12 million birds that stop off on Borkum and the Wadden Sea as they pass through speak an impressive language. Which prominent animal inhabitants can our guests actually find on Borkum?
SEAL DOGS AND GREY SEALS
The grey seal has been back in our climes for around 20 years. On Borkum, they can be observed particularly well on the seal bank, which has moved ever closer to the northern and former main bathing beach in recent years. You might think they are so close you could touch them. But BEWARE: In general, you should keep a distance of 300 metres from the animals. The seal pups are born mainly in the summer months from June to August. In 2020, the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony was able to celebrate a new birth record for grey seals. During count flights, 372 pups were counted.
If one of the animals gets lost or the mother is looking for food, sthey may be found on the beach. If humans get too close, the baby seal will take on the scent of the human and be rejected by its parents. A transport to the seals station to Norddeich would be the consequence. So please always keep a safe distance. Better a few metres too much than too little.
Porpoise
The marine mammals are also frequently spotted off Borkum. They are often confused with dolphins, but differ mainly in the shape of their head and teeth. With a size of up to 2.5 metres and a weight of up to 200 kilos, they are very easy to spot from a boat. Unfortunately, Germany's only whale species is threatened with extinction, with small populations in particular often drowning in fishing nets. Off Borkum (Borkum-Riffgrund) in spring and all year round on Sylt's outer reef, however, the animals are more abundant than elsewhere. Experts suspect that the offshore wind farm is protecting them.
BIRDS
Taillies, Kentish plovers, oystercatchers and many, many more can be wonderfully observed here. Many of them are ground breeders and also build their nests in areas that are highly frequented by tourists, such as on the beach or in the dunes. Therefore, care must always be taken to maintain the rare populations.
To the Migratory Bird Days, which have been held annually over 9 days on the second weekend in October since 2009, several million migratory birds and over one hundred different species stop off on Borkum to rest and regain strength for their onward flight to warmer climes. Cormorants, peregrine falcons, northern gannets and greylag geese attract thousands of ornithologists every year who don't want to miss out on this special spectacle. More information about the Migratory Bird Days can be found on the national park's website.
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