Migratory Bird Days in Horumersiel: Record bird count and exciting competitions!

Migratory Bird Days in Horumersiel: Record bird count and exciting competitions!

In Horumersiel on October 19, 2025 there was nothing less than the crowning conclusion of this year's Migratory Bird Days. The winners of the popular “Aviathlon” competition were celebrated at a lively event in the Kursaal, moderated by the charming Nadine Knipping. This competition, which assesses the number of bird species observed between the islands and the mainland in the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea, derives from a long tradition of birdwatching and promotes the commitment of participants.

A total of 350 events during these Migratory Bird Days met with a great response, with 12,800 enthusiastic participants, including an impressive 2,700 children. These numbers speak volumes: interest in bird watching and nature in general is booming! Reporting contact points were set up at all regional park houses, where birding lists were available and participants could submit their sightings daily.

Impressive number of participants

How many birds were the passionate observers blessed with this year? A total of 222 different bird species were reported, including three new exotic species: the arctic gull, the cattle egret and the bush mocker. This not only shows the diversity that the Wadden Sea has to offer, but also that every day represents a new adventure for bird watchers.

• Norderney errang mit 171 Meldungen den Sieg unter den Inseln und stellte damit einen neuen Rekord auf.
• Wangerooge folgte mit 167 Meldungen.
• Auf dem Festland verteidigte Cuxhaven den ersten Platz mit 146 Meldungen vor Wilhelmshaven, das 131 Meldungen verzeichnete.

The remarkable figures from previous years show how the competition has developed over time. In 2021, Wangerland and Norderney each obtained 167 species, which speaks for the joy of this competition. In addition to the challenge of recording the diversity of bird life, the Aviathlon also offers a platform to strengthen the sense of community among nature lovers.

Fascination with bird watching

The Migratory Bird Days are not just about competitions, but also about education and fun. Children had the opportunity to make birds and take part in numerous hands-on activities. These activities are part of a larger concept supported by organizations such as NABU, which offers expert excursions and encourages bird watching at events such as EuroBirdwatch.As a special highlight of these days, the common gull was chosen as the title bird, which is not only a symbol of the migratory bird days, but also of nature's resilience.

Finland as a partner country was also discussed and emphasized the importance of the East Atlantic Flyway for bird migration, raising awareness of the need for protection of these important routes.

The diversity of bird species, the language of nature and the commitment of the observers not only bring joy, but also awareness of how important it is to protect our natural habitats. The Migratory Bird Days in Horumersiel once again showed how strong the connection between people and nature can be and that the view of the sky goes far beyond the competition.