Wadden Sea National Park

🇩🇪 Germany

🦭 Germany's Best Seal Haul-Outs
🌍 #215 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #10 in Europe #37 in Temperate Forest
Central Europe, Germany 923 spp. recorded

Wadden Sea National Park sits along the northern coast of Germany, protecting a vast coastal region of mudflats, shallow waters, and tidal channels. Unlike traditional terrestrial reserves, this dynamic marine environment constantly transforms as the tides rise and fall twice daily across the flat shores.

53.680° N   6.801° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

European Oystercatcher ★
NT

European Oystercatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haematopus ostralegus

50–60% · Likely
Barnacle Goose ★
LC

Barnacle Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Branta leucopsis

30–40% · Possible
Harbor Seal ★
LC

Harbor Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phoca vitulina

30–40% · Possible
Lesser Black-backed Gull ★
LC

Lesser Black-backed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus fuscus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Carrion Crow
LC

Carrion Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corone

60–70% · Likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

60–70% · Likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

60–70% · Likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
Great Cormorant
LC

Great Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax carbo

50–60% · Likely
European Herring Gull
LC

European Herring Gull

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Larus argentatus

50–60% · Likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

40–50% · Likely
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

40–50% · Likely
Blue Tit
LC

Blue Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanistes caeruleus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Harbor Seal ★
LC

Harbor Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phoca vitulina

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

30–40% · Possible
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

30–40% · Possible
Gray Seal
LC

Gray Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Halichoerus grypus

20–30% · Possible
Common Hedgehog
NT

Common Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus europaeus

10–20% · Possible
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

10–20% · Possible
Coypu
LC

Coypu

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Myocastor coypus

10–20% · With luck
European Mole
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

10–20% · With luck
Muskrat
LC

Muskrat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ondatra zibethicus

10–20% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

0–10% · With luck
Common Porpoise
LC

Common Porpoise

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phocoena phocoena

0–10% · With luck
Fallow Deer
LC

Fallow Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Dama dama

0–10% · With luck
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

0–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

European Oystercatcher ★
NT

European Oystercatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haematopus ostralegus

50–60% · Likely
Barnacle Goose ★
LC

Barnacle Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Branta leucopsis

30–40% · Possible
Lesser Black-backed Gull ★
LC

Lesser Black-backed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus fuscus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Carrion Crow
LC

Carrion Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corone

60–70% · Likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

60–70% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

60–70% · Likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

60–70% · Likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
Great Cormorant
LC

Great Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax carbo

50–60% · Likely
European Herring Gull
LC

European Herring Gull

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Larus argentatus

50–60% · Likely
European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

40–50% · Likely
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

40–50% · Likely
Blue Tit
LC

Blue Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanistes caeruleus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Viviparous Lizard
LC

Viviparous Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zootoca vivipara

10–20% · Possible
Slow Worm
LC

Slow Worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis fragilis

10–20% · With luck
Adder
LC

Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Vipera berus

10–20% · With luck
grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

10–20% · With luck
Pond Slider
LC

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

0–10% · With luck
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

0–10% · With luck
Common Wall Lizard
LC

Common Wall Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis muralis

0–10% · With luck
barred grass snake
LC Endemic

barred grass snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Natrix helvetica

0–10% · Rare
Ouachita Map Turtle
LC Endemic

Ouachita Map Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Graptemys ouachitensis

<5% · Rare
Smooth Snake
LC

Smooth Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Coronella austriaca

Insufficient data
River Cooter
LC Endemic

River Cooter

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudemys concinna

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

20–30% · Possible
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

20–30% · Possible
Smooth Newt
LC

Smooth Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lissotriton vulgaris

10–20% · With luck
Natterjack Toad
LC

Natterjack Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Epidalea calamita

10–20% · With luck
Moor Frog
LC

Moor Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana arvalis

10–20% · With luck
Alpine Newt

Alpine Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ichthyosaura alpestris

0–10% · With luck
Fire Salamander
VU

Fire Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Salamandra salamandra

0–10% · With luck
Pool Frog
LC

Pool Frog

Amphibian

Pelophylax lessonae

0–10% · With luck
Great Crested Newt
LC

Great Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus cristatus

Insufficient data
European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

<5% · Rare
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

<5% · Rare
Marsh Frog
LC

Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax ridibundus

<5% · Rare

Animal Events

🐦

Tidal Flat Foraging Festival

SepOct

Autumn brings flocks of waders and waterfowl to the Wadden Sea to fatten up on abundant invertebrates and plant material before migration. The spectacle is a hallmark of the park's ecological richness.

European Starling
LC

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

50–60% · Likely
Great Cormorant
LC

Great Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax carbo

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Curlew
NT

Eurasian Curlew

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numenius arquata

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Seal Haul-out and Pupping

JanOctDec

Harbor Seals and Gray Seals gather on sandbanks during low tide to rest, breed, and nurse pups. The Wadden Sea hosts one of the largest seal colonies in Europe.

Great Black-backed Gull
LC

Great Black-backed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Larus marinus

20–30% · Possible
Harbor Seal
LC

Harbor Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phoca vitulina

30–40% · Possible
Gray Seal
LC

Gray Seal

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Halichoerus grypus

20–30% · Possible
🐦

Migratory Bird Spectacle

MarAprMayJulAugSep

Over 10 million migratory birds pass through or winter in the Wadden Sea, including species like the Eurasian Oystercatcher and Barnacle Goose, using the tidal flats as a vital stopover.

European Oystercatcher
NT

European Oystercatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haematopus ostralegus

50–60% · Likely
Common Redshank
LC

Common Redshank

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tringa totanus

30–40% · Possible
Barnacle Goose
LC

Barnacle Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Branta leucopsis

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
European Oystercatcher
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
Barnacle Goose
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
30–40
30–40
30–40
Harbor Seal
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
Lesser Black-backed Gull
0–10
10–20
20–30
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
10–20
10–20
Carrion Crow
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Mallard
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Wood Pigeon
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Black-headed Gull
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Eurasian Blackbird
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
20–30
20–30
50–60
60–70
60–70
Great Cormorant
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
European Herring Gull
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
European Starling
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
Great Tit
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
Grey Heron
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
Chaffinch
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
10–20
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
Blue Tit
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Tidal Flat Foraging Festival
🐦 Seal Haul-out and Pupping
🐦 Migratory Bird Spectacle
0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦭 Germany's Best Seal Haul-Outs

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
734
🐒 Mammals
137
🦎 Reptiles
30
🐸 Amphibians
22
923 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
68 Threatened 57 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
56%
📊
Coverage (166 species at ≥5% of 923 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
18%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
47% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
130
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
19
⚖️

Wadden Sea or ?

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