Black Sun in the Wadden Sea – Watch the birds dance
At the Wadden Sea Centre, we have a unique and attractive location in the heart of the Wadden Sea. Join our skilled nature guides in the beautiful and open landscape of this World Heritage site for an unparalleled Black Sun experience when thousands of starlings dance in the air in perfect coordination, creating a spectacular sight.
The Wadden Sea Centre offers guided tours to provide visitors with the best possible experience. Our nature guides are trained and have extensive knowledge of the Wadden Sea’s unique flora and fauna. They bring nature closer and ensure that visitors understand the many fascinating aspects of the Wadden Sea ecosystem.
Join a Black Sun tour with local nature guides
Do you want to experience one of Denmark’s most fascinating natural phenomena up close? Then book a Black Sun tour with our experienced local nature guides at the Wadden Sea Centre.
The tours take place in the beautiful Wadden Sea area, known for its vast marshlands and rich wildlife. By venturing into the marshes and observing the starlings from prime vantage points, there are excellent chances to experience Black Sun.
Black Sun is a unique and wondrous experience that should not be missed. Our guided tours allow you to witness this natural phenomenon up close while respecting and preserving nature.
Where can you see Black Sun?
There are two primary places to observe the phenomenon: the Ribe Marshes and the Tønder Marshes. The Tønder Marshes are an ideal spot, featuring an extensive system of streams, lakes, and wetlands, all ending in the Vidå River. The Ribe Marshes are known as one of Denmark’s best places to see Black Sun, with a significant number of starlings resting and foraging in the area. The Wadden Sea Centre is just a 15-minute drive from Ribe, and there are bus connections to the center. Some tours even start in Ribe with various pickup points.
The ideal aspect of the Wadden Sea as a place to observe Black Sun is that it is one of the largest wetlands in the world and an important stopover for migratory birds. This combination of large starling flocks and the unique habitat of the Wadden Sea creates an unparalleled opportunity to witness Black Sun.
Starlings often head to the Wadden Sea in the evening to roost in reed beds in the marshlands. This is because the Wadden Sea provides the necessary resources for the starlings, such as abundant food and protected access to water and grasslands.
Why do the birds create patterns in the Sky?
During the starlings' spring and autumn migrations, they often gather in large flocks that can sometimes number hundreds of thousands. The massive numbers create fantastic formations, and their synchronized movements in the sky are what we call Black Sun.
The acrobatic display and impressive formations are not just synchronized dances for spectators but a defense mechanism against attacking birds of prey. This behavior is similar to that exhibited by fish swimming in schools. When the birds gather in enormous flocks, they have many eyes to spot dangers, and their vast numbers help confuse their attackers.
Starlings are often targeted by swift and agile predators like the sparrowhawk, merlin, marsh harrier, and goshawk. Occasionally, the peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest animal, joins in the hunt for starlings.
When is the season for Black Sun?
The season for Black Sun occurs from spring to autumn, typically between March and October. It is especially during the spring and autumn migrations of the starlings that one can witness this impressive natural scenery.
At the Wadden Sea Centre, we offer guided tours where our guides take you into nature to experience Black Sun up close. During a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to learn more about starling behavior and the unique nature around the Wadden Sea.
Tips for a great Black Sun experience
To have the best experience with Black Sun, we recommend thorough preparation. The first step is to plan your trip well in advance. Black Sun can be experienced at various locations along the Wadden Sea, so it is important to choose the right place. To increase your chances of seeing Black Sun, you can book a guided tour. The guide will also be able to tell you about the starlings and their fascinating behavior during Black Sun.
See tours and book tickets easily online
We offer Black Sun tours by car, Black Sun tours by bus, and luxury Black Sun tours. All tours give you the chance to experience Black Sun with other nature enthusiasts.
At the Wadden Sea Centre, you can easily and conveniently purchase tickets and accommodations online for your next Black Sun experience. By visiting this site, you can select the desired date and time for your experience and buy the tickets directly.
Photos of Black Sun in the Wadden Sea
Black Sun in the Wadden Sea National Park is a breathtaking natural experience that has been captured countless times. Here, we have created a small gallery of some photos taken on our Black Sun tours in the Wadden Sea.
