Black Sun - Thousands of Starlings in the Sky

In Spring and Autumn huge numbers of migration starlings land in the marshes at the Wadden Sea. They are looking for daddy long legs and garden chafer grubs in the wet meadows. At such time you can observe a fascinating panorama called “Black Sun”.

 

Thousands of starlings are circling around creating fascinating formations in the air before they land at dusk in an area covered with reeds. Several starlings descend on the same reed – the uppermost in danger of being caught by a bird of prey, while the lower ones might end with their feet in water.

 

Some evenings the starlings are especially active “air dancing”  - making rapid changes of direction and flying around the are before they decide where to settle for the night. This is due to birds of prey nearby – goshawks, falcons or common buzzards. Other evenings no birds of prey are nearby. Then the starlings  make no “air dances” but descend directly in the reeds.

 

At the marshes near Ribe you can watch the “Black Sun” as well, and here you can see a little of the the video "Black Sun" filmed by The Wadden Sea Centre: "Black Sun".

 

Often the starlings will change their sleeping locations, as they try to trick the birds of prey. Besides the reeds often break because of the heavy weight of the amount of birds. You can’t quite be sure where the starlings choose to stay for the night.

 

Many evenings you can watch the starlings dance from the bird watchtower at Ribelund (around 1 km. from Danhostel Ribe). Take an evening stroll through the park of Ribelund and watch all the animals (deer, kangaroos, goats, horses, donkeys etc. From the watchtower you may then enjoy the beautiful view of Ribe Østerå and the marshes of Ribe. Enjoy the tranquillity and the sunset above Ribe Cathedral. Please don’t disturb the birds by photographing with flash, though.

 

Other evenings the most magnificent sights have been near Tangeskoven or Kammerslusen. You may spend the day at the Wadden Sea with a visit to Ribe Diget and to Mandø. Another option is a visit to the Wadden Sea Centre near Ribe, where you can learn more about the marsh and the Wadden Sea as a rich nutritional reservoir for the migratory birds. At the Centre you may also ask where the starlings spent the night before.

 

Often you can join “Black Sun” excursions with experienced guides.

 

Here you can read about : The Wadden Sea - The tidal wetlands along the North Sea

Here you can read about : Storm surges and dike building near Ribe, Denmark

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