Wildlife

Unique wildlife
on Sylt

Importance of the island for various
species

The wildlife on Sylt is diverse and unique. The North Sea island is home to numerous bird species such as oystercatchers, gulls, and sea eagles.

The Wadden Sea is particularly home to harbor seals and grey seals, which can often be seen on sandbanks. Rabbits, foxes, and the rare adder live in the dunes and heathlands.

The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a habitat for countless marine creatures such as lugworms and mussels.

A group of sheep on a green meadow, some looking into the camera.

A young seal lies next to an adult animal in the sand and rests.

Seagull on the promenade overlooking the beach and the sea.

A horse with a long, blond mane stands in the evening sun. Its gaze is calm and focused.

Oyster shell on moist mudflats with blurred background.

Large crab in shallow water on the North Sea beach in sunshine

Brent goose on a meadow with green surroundings.

Oystercatcher with orange beak on the beach.

Sylt's animals in the air: The diverse birdlife

Migratory bird species and their resting places

Sylt is a true paradise for migratory birds. Some birds stay only for a short time, others spend the entire summer on the island. Here, in the most species-rich seabird sanctuary on the German coast, northern gannets, red-throated divers, avocets, and oystercatchers flock. Some stop over on their journeys, others breed or live permanently in the island's diverse biotopes.

The Rantum Basin in particular offers ideal resting conditions for flocks of migratory birds from Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. With the open North Sea to the west and the Wadden Sea to the east, these feathered guests find perfect habitats, as do the numerous holidaymakers.

In total, over 330 bird species can be observed on Sylt.

Discover the full diversity

Observation opportunities for bird lovers

The island's diverse habitats—from mudflats, salt marshes, and dunes to inland waters and heaths—offer breeding, resting, and feeding grounds for countless bird species. Species such as dunlins, oystercatchers, avocets, and the rare spoonbill can be seen regularly.

Popular observation sites include Rantum Basinthe Bird hide Kampen or the area around Morsum CliffIn spring and autumn, millions of migratory birds migrate across the island – an impressive natural spectacle.

Button: Meet the "Flying Five"

A flock of birds flies over the Rantum basin, the sunset is reflected in the calm water. — © Finn Anjes l Sylt Marketing

Life in water:
Habitat for numerous species

From microorganisms to marine mammals

Cockles, mud snails, lugworms, shore crabs, and brown shrimps: they all belong to the so-called "Small Five." These inconspicuous creatures perform key functions: They aerate the soil, filter water, and serve as food for many birds.

The Small Five are particularly easy to discover on mudflat hikes – they impressively demonstrate how lively and species-rich the Wadden Sea is right beneath our feet.

harbor seals and grey seals

Sylt is an important habitat for two seal species: the harbor seal and the larger grey seal. Both species can be regularly seen around the island in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. Harbor seals often rest on sandbanks off List or Hörnum and can be observed particularly well on guided boat tours or mudflat hikes.

Grey seals, recognizable by their larger stature and long "dog face," are less common, but have been seen more frequently in recent years. A 100 by 25-meter sanctuary is established at Ellenbogen during the winter, where the animals can rest in a protected area.

The trips to the seal banks are a special experience. Naturally, nature conservation is a top priority here as well: All excursions to the seal banks on Adler ships are conducted in close coordination with the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park.

Trips to the seal banks

Have you found a seal or a harbor seal on the beach?
This is how you behave correctly:

Do not touch the marine mammal and please keep your dog on a leash.
Keep as much distance as possible.
Keep the escape route to the water clear and do not scare the animal into the water.
If the animal looks injured, please report the discovery to the police, the Wadden Sea Conservation Station, the Friedrichskoog Seal Station or, best of all, via the Seal app the national parks.

Porpoises

With a bit of luck, a dorsal fin will occasionally stick out of the water in calm seas. It belongs to the only native whale species – the porpoise. In 1999, the first Whale Sanctuary Europe.

Female bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 185 cm long, while males are significantly smaller, measuring approximately 150 centimeters. They are curious creatures, very skittish, yet relatively trusting, although you should not intentionally approach, follow, or touch them.

Here There are insights into the small mammals with Charlie Esser from the Sylt Nature Conservation Association.

Learn more about the "Big Fives"

Sylt's animals in the countryside

Nature conservationists on four legs

Whether on Elbow in List, on the Nössedeich in Morsum or at Rantum Basin - Sheep are an indispensable part of Sylt's life. These cute little woolly creatures have an important job: By grazing regularly, they keep the vegetation short, and their treads strengthen the turf on the dikes – a natural coastal protection.

Many of the animals belong to the robust breed of dyke sheep, which are perfectly adapted to the harsh North Sea climate. In addition to their ecological importance, they are also a popular photo subject. Remember: Sheep always have priority at the elbow!

Unique wildlife on Sylt