Helgoland June 2027

Seabirds and the gannet

The oceans make up the majority of the earth's surface, 71 percent to be more precise. And seabirds occur everywhere on earth. Common to the birds we call seabirds is that they obtain their food from the sea. Ten years ago, people spoke of 346 seabird species, of which 200 are entirely pelagic species, meaning that they live their entire lives at sea - except when they breed.

Gannets thus spend most of their lives out at sea and only come ashore when it is time to raise young. We find them on both sides of the North Atlantic. When it is not breeding season, we often find them a little further south in the Atlantic - where food availability is especially good.

Helgoland

Helgoland lies about 70 km off the German west coast, and here we find the gannets unusually accessible. Sometimes they breed just half a metre from the barrier, and they do so completely unconcerned. Just like many other pelagic bird species, the gannet is an exceptional glider out at sea, where it can travel long distances without expending significant energy. But on land, when it is about to land or take off, it is almost clumsy. And this gives us many opportunities for exciting and sometimes amusing pictures.

Helgoland consists of several islands, of which the main island, Helgoland, is the most important. Helgoland is known for its fantastic cliffs, unique red sandstone formations and rich seabird populations and is a popular destination for nature lovers and tourists seeking beautiful scenery. Historically, the island has been an important strategic and commercial point, and it became part of the German Empire in 1890 after previously having been leased from Great Britain. Today Helgoland is best known for being an excellent place for birdwatching, for its maritime history and its dramatic landscape.

Not just gannets

On Helgoland there is a wide variety of bird species, many seabirds, gulls, greater black-backed gulls, terns but also other coastal and forest birds. Kittiwake and common guillemots are also among the breeding birds. Most birdwatchers, however, are attracted by the gannets, which breed on cliffs on the island's western and northern sides.

During migration periods you can see thousands of birds gathering, which makes Helgoland a popular place for bird enthusiasts. We will come in May when some migratory birds will pass through and many will probably stop over.

The island has a tax-free status, which attracts many tourists, especially from the mainland. Cheap spirits and beer and many shops with luxury goods. But that is down in the town district that lies just above sea level. There are also many pleasant pubs and restaurants.

But we are above all interested in the gannets that are found higher up, on the 70-80 metre high cliff that makes up over half of the island.

Grey and harbour seal

We will also visit the neighbouring island of Dün, and here we find both grey and harbour seal and much other seabird life. Here a distance of at least 30 metres to the seals applies; if you get closer a friendly guard will come and ask you to back off. So here we use slightly longer telephoto lenses. (When it comes to the gannets, the standard zoom and the wide-angle can also come in handy.

Brutus Östling will give tips and small “workshops” if there is a desire for it.

Images below © Frode Wendelbo and Brutus Östling respectively

Helgoland is a restful island to spend lovely holiday days on. No private car traffic is allowed on the island.

Here, however, we find the gannets unusually accessible. Sometimes they breed just half a metre from the barrier, and they do so completely unconcerned.

The gannet is an exceptional flyer out at sea, where it can travel long distances without expending significant energy. But on land, when it is about to land or take off, it is almost clumsy. And this gives us many opportunities for exciting and sometimes amusing pictures.

The gannets are best photographed in the evening, and if the sun shows itself there are good chances of gannets with the setting sun as a background.

On one of the days we take the boat to the uninhabited neighbouring island of Dûne. There we find both grey and harbour seal and much other seabird life.