2009 May 18 2009
Heligoland birds
For birders Heligoland is a paradise. The island and the surrounding rocks watts serve not only to the migration times as an important resting place for many birds but provide a valuable breeding site.
Guillemots
The Lummenfelsen at the northern end of West Cliff is the smallest nature reserve in Germany (1 ha), but has also the largest breeding bird density on all German nature reserves. Received its name from the red rocks of the thousands of guillemots here to raise their young. In July / August, the young, flightless murres then plunge off the cliffs into the sea. At this spectacle, the so-called "Lummensprung" travel every year, many birders from around the world to Helgoland.
Guillemots at the red sandstone cliffs of Heligoland
Gannets
The gannets are among the largest nesting birds on Heligoland. This up to 3-pound bird with a wingspan of 180 cm since 1991 pull their boys approached on Helgoland. The birds are good sailors and travel enormous distances in their search for food. The animals have a streamlined body, which allows them to impact velocities of 100 km / h to dive into the sea for their food, especially to catch herring and mackerel.
Gannet with seaweed
Fulmar
The fulmar spends the most time on the open sea. The 400 to 700 grams heavy bird with a wingspan of about 110 cm may momentarily dip to a depth of four meters. Striking a small opening on its beak through which he can emit recorded sea salt.
A fulmar in gliding
Herring gulls
Very common on Helgoland finds the herring gull. These gulls are up to 1.5 kg heavy, and can reach a wingspan of 145 cm. The animals are beautiful to see in flight, but can also be quite cheeky 
.
Gull in flight
Herring gulls on the sand dune
Other bird species
Of course there are dozens more on Helgoland bird species. So I was a flock of cormorants on their passage , as well as some Oystercatchers photographed. Even a pair of eider ducks was running before the lens.
Since I am not an ornithologist, I secure the classification of many bird species is difficult. But I should be right, then the following picture of an ivory gull may be a little rarity. This Möwenart is found mainly in the Arctic and rarely strayed so far to the south-lying areas. The plumage of the young gull is still speckled, older animals are snow white.
Young ivory gull
Bird Collection
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