Excursion to the tidal flats at Mandø to see wading birds
Mandø lies in the middle of Denmark’s biggest nature and game reserve, the
Wadden
Sea
, and is the smallest inhabited island in the
Danish
Wadden
Sea
. Brent geese are to be seen in spring and autumn at Mandø Ebbevej, 5 km south of the lock, the dark-bellied form in spring and the light-bellied/dark-bellied forms in autumn, together with large numbers of overwintering swimming ducks – especially shelducks, widgeons and mallards. Mandø – a pearl in the middle of the Wadden Sea of a mere 950 or so hectares and about 56 inhabitants – is actually a Lilleput among the islands of the Wadden Sea, but when it comes to bird life, it’s well up the scale. Birds can be seen everywhere on Mandø – both inside the dikes and on the foreland, and – especially in the migrating and breeding seasons – Mandø is a true embarrassment of riches for bird lovers. Mandø is one of the so-called barrier islands in the
Wadden
Sea
. Large parts of the island are low marsh areas which have been protected by dikes since 1938. The township is at the far west, behind a protective row of dunes rising about 10 metres above sea level. And be on the lookout on the way to Mandø whether taking Ebbevejen or Låningsvejen (both roads are under water at high tide – take the Mandø Bus!). The turnstone is a common sight on the roads, and peregrine falcons, cormorants and eider ducks are often sitting on bundles of brushwood along Låningsvejen. The foreland in front of the dunes and dikes is a breeding site for redshanks, lapwings, terns, gulls and avocets in particular, and of course the “Mandø girls” or “Mandø stork” – the ubiquitous oystercatcher. Both sea and fjord terns breed on the island’s eastern foreland. Greylag geese, tufted ducks, eider ducks, short-eared owls, marsh harriers, black-tailed godwits and other birds breed behind dikes and dunes. If taking a hiking or cycling trip around the island (11 km), stop at the ramps over the dikes and at the clay excavations. Fewest birds are generally seen during the migrating season at low tide, where they are spread out over the tidal flats. So if you can stay on the island during high tide, it’s a good idea.
