18th Bird Migration Days in the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park
350+ events celebrating the bird migration season in the Wadden Sea
About Bird Migration Days WHV
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bird Migration Days WHV al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Experience the World's Largest Bird Migration
The Wadden Sea is one of the most important resting areas along the East Atlantic Flyway. Every autumn, millions of waders – Knots, Bar-tailed Godwits, Pied Avocets, Common Shelducks, Brent Geese – rest here on their journey from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering quarters in Africa or Southern Europe. The Bird Migration Days make this natural phenomenon accessible to a broad audience. Over nine days, guided tours, excursions, lectures, and family programs take place throughout the Wadden Sea region.
Arctic Tern: Title Bird 2026
Each edition of the Bird Migration Days features a specific title bird – the species that is the focus of the program and communication. In 2026, it's the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), the ultimate globetrotter: it covers distances of up to 90,000 kilometers annually, migrating between the Arctic and Antarctic. Namibia has been chosen as the partner country – an important wintering ground for many European migratory birds and a country with impressive bird diversity.
Over 350 Events
The program includes over 350 events, organized by the National Park Administration in cooperation with bird observatories, conservation associations, tourism organizations, and local providers. The offerings range from guided mudflat walks and lectures at the Wadden Sea visitor centers to boat trips and family programs. The Bird Migration Days serve as a model for successful nature communication – combining science, experience, and connecting people with the nature of their immediate environment.
Bird Migration Days WHV — edition 2026
18th Edition
The 18th edition continues the ongoing tradition of the Bird Migration Days. The format has established itself over the years as an important nature communication platform, attracting thousands of visitors to the Wadden Sea region annually.
Arctic Tern and Namibia
The choice of the Arctic Tern as the title bird and Namibia as the partner country underscores the global dimension of bird migration and Europe's responsibility for worldwide bird conservation.
Programme Bird Migration Days WHV 2026
2026 Program
The detailed program for 2026, including all 350+ events, is available on the official festival website. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
- Opening on October 10th with a central event
- Guided mudflat walks to resting areas
- Excursions to bird observation stations along the coast
- Lectures at the Wadden Sea visitor centers (Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven, Norderney, etc.)
- Boat trips to seal colonies and bird islands
- Family programs with age-appropriate content
- Focus: Arctic Tern (title bird) and Namibia (partner country)
- Closing on October 18th with a concluding event
Registration via the official festival website.
Highlights Bird Migration Days WHV 2026
- 350+ events over 9 days throughout the Wadden Sea
- Title bird 2026: Arctic Tern
- Partner country: Namibia
- Guided excursions, boat trips, family programs
Prices Bird Migration Days WHV 2026
Practical information — Bird Migration Days WHV
Getting There and Participation
Event locations are spread across the entire Wadden Sea region, from Emden to Cuxhaven, with focal points in Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven, Norderney, Wangerooge, Spiekeroog, Borkum, and the Halligen islands. Main organizer and contact point: Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park Administration, Virchowstraße 1 in Wilhelmshaven.
Registration
Most events require registration. Online booking is available via the official festival website. Early booking is recommended as many guided tours sell out quickly.
Equipment
Weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear, binoculars, and possibly a spotting scope are recommended.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bird Migration Days WHV al mejor precio.
Sponsored link