Nature and Scenery

In the heart of the Danish section of the Wadden Sea lies the island of Mandø, and amid the
marshes on the mainland stands the mediaeval city of Ribe, which is linked to the Wadden Sea by Ribe Å river. Where the water from the river flows into the Wadden Sea stands Ribe Kammersluse (lock). Ribe Kammersluse and along the dikes

In winter, large flocks of whooper and tundra swans can be seen alongside the road between Ribe and the lock, from the top of which there is a fine view out over the Wadden Sea. In the foreland (the areas in front of the dikes), you can often see large flocks of grey and barnacle geese. The clay pits (the pools created by excavating clay for the dikes) immediately north of the lock are home to a wide range of species of both wading birds and ducks. At high tide around Kongeåslusen (another lock around 5 km north of Ribe Kammersluse), you can see large numbers of wading birds gathered on the foreland and higher mud flats that serve as high-tide resting places. Approx. 1 km south of Ribe Kammersluse, the contours of the old path of the river can still be made out in the landscape, and by the old mouth of the river (in the current foreland), you can often see flocks of wading birds – particularly sandpipers and bartailed godwits – at rest. A further 1 km or so to the south, you will find Sdr. Farup læggrav (clay pit), which is the habitat of flocks of ducks. In the autumn, it is often visited by thousands of starlings. When these birds settle down for the evening around sunset, you can experience the phenomenon known as “Black Sun”. By Mandø Ebbevej, 5 km south of the
Kammerslusen lock, you can observe Brent Geese in the spring and autumn. These birds are dark-breasted in the spring and light/darkbreasted in the autumn, when the area is also
visited by large numbers of ducks – especially common shelducks, wigeons and mallards.

Mandø – a Wadden Sea treasure
Measuring just 950 hectares and home to just 56 people, Mandø is a tiny Wadden Sea island
– but it is home to an impressively rich and varied birdlife population. Wherever you may go
on Mandø, there will be plenty of birds to see – both within the dikes and on the foreland.
During the migratory and breeding seasons, Mandø is a true paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. Mandø is one of what are known as the Wadden Sea “barrier islands”. Large parts of the island are low marshes which have been protected by the sea wall since 1938.
To the very west stands the town, protected by a range of dunes rising approx. 10 m above sea level. Even while you are travelling to Mandø, irrespective of whether you take Ebbevejen or Låningsvejen (both roads are flooded at high tide - so take the Mandø Bus!), it is a good idea to keep a sharp lookout. The ruddy turn-stone is a common sight by the roads, and on the fascines that line Låningsvejen, you can often spot peregrine falcons, cormorants and eider ducks. The foreland in front of the dunes and dikes is a breeding area for, in particular, redshanks, lapwings, terns, gulls and avocets and, of course, the “Mandø girls” or “Mandø Storks” – the ever-present oyster catchers. The eastern foreland is the breeding ground of both Arctic and common terns. Species that breed behind the dikes and dunes
include greylag geese, tufted and eider ducks, short-eared owls, marsh harriers and blacktailed godwits.