Helgoland

Crowded bird settling. Gannets, Black guillemot and Fulmars are all using “compact living” tricks.

Helgoland is usually famous for tax free stuff. Still true, but must say it used to be more dramatic difference in prices cf mainland. We confess – of course we buy some spirits (and strangely spicy herbs), but Helgoland offers more than tax free. It is the southernmost bird cliff of north Europe. Gannets, Guillemots, Fulmars  and Kittiwakes – all nest and breed in abundance on the most exposed parts of the sandstone cliffs. Always amaze us – why settle with a 10 square inch spot to nest and breed a chick, 80 meter vertical cliff – when there is a nice 1 sqm flat space to comfortably raise your offspring nearby. Well I am no bird expert – but still, recommend Helgoland for a visit, more for wildlife than anything else.

A day in a Gannet life. This video clip might take some time to load…