Heligoland Bird Observatory

The Heligoland Bird Observatory (Vogelwarte Helgoland in German), one of the world's first ornithological observatories, is operated by the Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Helgoland e.V., a non-profit organization which was founded in 1991 to support research on the fauna of Heligoland, a small German archipelago, comprising the islands of Heligoland and Düne, in the Heligoland Bight of the North Sea. The principal research focus is on bird migration through banding studies. Over 400 species have been recorded. OAG Helgoland produces an annual bird report.

Aerial view of Heligoland with Düne in the background

Headquarter of the Heligoland Bird Observatory in Rüstersiel

Northern gannets breed on Heligoland

History

Heligoland is on a major migration route for birds crossing the North Sea; for centuries, both those on migration and those breeding there, were an important source of food for the islanders. In the early 19th century Heligoland also became a source of bird specimens for collectors and museums. Ornithologist and artist Heinrich Gätke first visited the island in 1837 and moved there permanently in 1841 as secretary to the British Governor. He began collecting specimens of rarities for both artistic and scientific purposes. He spent most of the next 60 years studying the birds and coined the term "Vogelwarte", producing a book ("Die Vogelwarte Helgoland") on his research in 1891, with an English translation published in 1895. The modern observatory was established in 1910 by Hugo Weigold with a systematic trapping and banding program using the "Heligoland traps" he developed.[1]

References

Notes

1. Hünemörder (1995).

Sources

• Hünemörder, Ch. (1995). "Ornithology on the island of Helgoland and the role of the Biologische Anstalt up to the foundation of the separate "Vogelwarte"". Helgoland Marine Research. 49 (1–4): 125–134. doi:10.1007/BF02368343.
• "OAG Helgoland". Ornithologischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Helgoland e.V. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
• "RRBO: History". Raccoon Ridge Bird Observatory. Retrieved 2 February 2010.

Further reading

• Gätke, Heinrich (1895). Heligoland as an ornithological observatory; the result of fifty years' experience. Edinburgh: D. Douglas.