BLACK SUN TOURS

Black Sun safari with Wadden Sea Experiences

Black Sun can be seen in the Danish sky in spring and autumn when starlings gather in the marshes in huge flocks for migration. They come from the countries around the Baltic Sea and Norway, stopping around the Wadden Sea coast and the marshes near Tønder before heading south and north again in spring. The overnight ballet can be seen in several parts of the country, but the largest flocks are found in the Tønder marshes. Sometimes the Black Sun can be as large as 1 million birds gathered in one place.

The starlings come to the marsh to feed on cranesbill and goose beetle larvae, which are found in large quantities in the moist grasslands. During the day, the birds look for food in the outer boils of Tøndermarsken, and at night they seek out reeds in Rørskoven, where they spend the night.

Just before darkness falls and the starlings settle down for the night, the Black Sun phenomenon unfolds. It is just before the starlings descend to earth for the night that they form large flocks of fascinating patterns in the sky. The large flocks of birds dance across the sky, almost eclipsing the sun - hence the name Black Sun.

Black Sun tours with accommodation at Højergård

Vadehavets Oplevelser offers various Black Sun tours to Tøndermarsken!

Tøndermarsken is Denmark's largest marshland and is a unique and distinctive landscape created by the sea and shaped by man. In the towns and landscape of Tøndermarsken you can experience a rich architectural culture surrounded by magnificent nature that harbours some of Europe's most important bird habitats. Part of Tøndermarsken is part of the Wadden Sea National Park and has UNESCO World Heritage status.

If you're dreaming of a longer overnight trip, you can choose between a 3-day tour with Black Sun, oysters and herbs or 2 days in Tøndermarsken with Black Sun and historical city walk in the marsh town of Højer.

Both tours include full catering and skilled local guides. On both tours, we stay at the Højergård marsh farm, located in the centre of Højer. In the centre of the town square, Realdania By & Byg has transformed the two historic houses and a barn building into a cooking school. With the Marskgården project in Højer, the aim has been to preserve the valuable local building culture while revitalising the buildings and giving them new content and a modern use.

Højergård is a classic West Schleswig-style marsh farm built as a longhouse. The building was previously part of a larger farm complex with several buildings and was at one time a four-winged farmhouse. Today, Højergård consists of the farmhouse from 1823, an older barn from the 18th century to the east, a villa from 1906 to the north and a brand new wing from 2019 to the west. The four buildings are located on a 3721 m2 plot with a garden and courtyard.

On the longest tour of 3 days, you can experience the Black Sun, pick fresh Pacific oysters and collect herbs in the Wadden Sea National Park.

As far back as the Middle Ages, oysters were shucked in the Wadden Sea. From 1759 they were packed and stored in the oyster warehouse at Kiers Gård right here in Højer. In recent years, Pacific oysters have formed new beds in the Wadden Sea. Experienced guides take us out to the oyster beds at low tide, where we collect all the oysters we can eat and take home. At the salt meadow, we gather herbs to include in the meal, which we prepare at home in the kitchen at Højergård. These are just some of the unique nature, culture and gastronomic experiences that await you on this tour.

On our 2-day tour, you'll have the opportunity to experience the Black Sun and a historical city walk in Højer, located on a hill island at the edge of the marsh behind the outer dikes. From here you can look out into the damp low-lying marsh to the south and west. The town originated in the Middle Ages and served as a harbour for merchant ships and oyster boats. Højer is rich in architectural heritage and the town centre has one of the highest concentrations of listed and preservation-worthy buildings in Denmark. This city walk is like travelling back in time!

Black Sun guided 1-day tour - fully catered or self-catered

You also have the opportunity to join the Black Sun 1-day tours with an experienced nature guide in Tøndermarsken with Vadehavets Oplevelser.

On our 1-day tour with Black Sun We begin with a cup of coffee or tea and a brief introduction to Tøndermarsken at Højergård. Afterwards, we will travel together by bus to Rørskoven, where our experienced nature guides will take us out to experience Black Sun. There will be an introduction, stories from the marsh and the opportunity to ask in-depth questions before we return to Højergård, where there will be a delicious homemade dinner, coffee and cake.

On our second 1-day tour with guide and ticket We also meet at Højergård and travel by bus to Rørskoven. Here you will also get the unique Black Sun experience with an experienced nature guide by your side, where there is room for questions and stories from Tøndermarsken. It is possible to purchase both sandwiches and drinks on the tour. Finally, we drive back to Højergård and say thank you for today.