Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative (WSFI)

The Wadden Sea is a key stopover site for migratory waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway. In recognition of the responsibility that arises from this, the three Wadden Sea states Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands established the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative in 2012, with the vision that:

“Migratory birds find lasting refuge along the East Atlantic Flyway from northern breeding areas to their key Wadden Sea stopover and to the African coastline, and inspire and connect people for future generations”

In close collaboration with local, regional, and international partners, the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative (WSFI) participates in global efforts to strengthen the conservation of migratory waterbirds. With its monitoring programme and the capacity building and management programme, the WSFI aims to address the following key objectives. For more information on specific target actions, please click on the respective objective:

Strengthen cooperation among WSFI partners.

1

Strengthen the integrated flyway monitoring programme to assess the status of waterbirds and their sites along the East Atlantic Flyway, signal pressures and evaluate impacts and conservation measures.

2

Establish an integrated flyway research programme to identify causes or mechanisms behind changes in the status of waterbirds and their sites along the East Atlantic Flyway and recommend evidence-based management solutions to alleviate them.

3

Promote wise use of coastal resources and conservation of migratory waterbirds of the East Atlantic Flyway, especially measures to improve their conservation status.

4

Strengthen capacity along the East Atlantic Flyway for conservation, management and monitoring of migratory waterbirds and their critical sites.

5

Strengthen policies and legislations for migratory waterbirds and coastal wetlands in countries along the East Atlantic Flyway.

6

Build awareness of the East Atlantic Flyway, the values and connections of migratory waterbirds, and the importance of the flyway approach for nature conservation.

7

Strengthen cooperation among WSFI partners.

  • 1.1 Strengthen and maintain effective cooperation with WSFI partners
1

Strengthen the integrated flyway monitoring programme to assess the status of waterbirds and their sites along the East Atlantic Flyway, signal pressures and evaluate impacts and conservation measures.

  • 2.1 Monitor the status of waterbirds and their sites and habitats along the East Atlantic Flyway
  • 2.2 Determine the (changing) status of waterbirds and their sites and habitats along the East Atlantic Flyway
2

Establish an integrated flyway research programme to identify causes or mechanisms behind changes in the status of waterbirds and their sites along the East Atlantic Flyway and recommend evidence-based management solutions to alleviate them.

  • 3.1 Investigate the causes and mechanisms behind changes in status of waterbirds and impacts on their habitats along the EAF, in particular considering the impact of climate change
  • 3.2 Improve recommendations for evidence-based solutions for adaptive management of migratory waterbirds and their habitats
  • 3.3 Exchange of knowledge and expertise that benefit flyway conservation and thus the connectivity between sites along the East Atlantic Flyway
3

Promote wise use of coastal resources and conservation of migratory waterbirds of the East Atlantic Flyway, especially measures to improve their conservation status.

  • 4.1 Improved management of key coastal sites for migratory waterbirds along the flyway
  • 4.2 Improved management of breeding sites for migratory waders in the Arctic
  • 4.3 Identify and support sustainable community-led initiatives, especially for livelihood improvements, at important sites along the flyway
  • 4.4 Intensify collaborations among World Heritage sites
4

Strengthen capacity along the East Atlantic Flyway for conservation, management and monitoring of migratory waterbirds and their critical sites.

  • 5.1 Develop an integrated capacity building programme for the East Atlantic Flyway
  • 5.2 Implement an integrated capacity building programme for the East Atlantic Flyway
  • 5.3 Strengthen the East Atlantic Flyway Coastal Waterbird Conservation Network
5

Strengthen policies and legislations for migratory waterbirds and coastal wetlands in countries along the East Atlantic Flyway.

  • 6.1 Improved status of migratory waterbirds and their sites through advocacy interventions
  • 6.2 Climate and biodiversity policies are streamlined, especially relating to the East Atlantic Flyway network of sites
  • 6.3 Advocacy of the private sector and development institution
6

Build awareness of the East Atlantic Flyway, the values and connections of migratory waterbirds, and the importance of the flyway approach for nature conservation.

  • 7.1 Enhanced awareness of the East Atlantic Flyway and the key threats for flyway conservation
  • 7.2 Enhanced engagement of children and youth through a targeted education programme
  • 7.3 Enhanced engagement of communities through local level actions and wetland centres
7

News – latest Flyways stories

EAFYF poster by Regina Neto

Registration now open for the East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum 2024

The East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum 2024 will be held online on the mornings of 14 and 15 September. Participants will learn about the general principles of citizen science as well as specific considerations that should be given to the needs and wishes of the target groups.
Black-headed gulls by Martin Stock

World Migratory Bird Day highlights vital connection between birds and insects

This year World Migratory Bird Day focuses on the intricate relationship between birds and insects. Amidst the vast landscape of the Wadden Sea, migratory birds find refuge and food to sustain them during their arduous journeys. Insects often play a central role in the diet of many songbirds, but also waterbirds rely on this rich source of protein. One example of this is observed on the German island of Mellum, where black-headed gulls feed on ants during their nuptial flights.
Flock of migratory birds on the shore. Hans Schekkerman.

Insights from 2023 East Atlantic Flyway counts highlight global efforts for the protection of migratory birds

To understand the dynamics of migratory bird populations and the pressures they face, a comprehensive count of migratory waterbirds takes place every three years in January along the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF).
Poster of the East Atlantic Flyway

Exciting book on the East Atlantic Flyway published

Who has not seen the picture of the East Atlantic Flyway of shorebirds in one of the numerous information centres in the Wadden Sea? From the Wadden Sea as the central hub, the long migratory routes extend to the Arctic breeding grounds of north-eastern Canada, Greenland, Svalbard and northern Siberia. Southwards to the wintering grounds, the lines extend along the West African coast to the West Coast National Park in South Africa. 
Group picture

Inspiring Conservation Narratives Exchanged at the EAFYF 2023

The 3rd East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum (EAFYF 2023) was concluded on 10 September 2023, after two days of intensive training and collaborative work. More than 40 young adults, aged 18-30, from different countries along the East Atlantic Flyway, gathered to enhance their conservation skills, with a central focus on harnessing the power of 'Conservation Storytelling’ as a vital tool for effective stakeholder engagement in conservation efforts.
copyright: Lisa von Stebut, SEEG

Flyway Initiative participates in deployment of Rapid Expert Group on Health in The Gambia’s fight against avian flu

In the beginning of 2023, a large outbreak of Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI) – or avian flu – was documented in West Africa. In The Gambia, more than 7,500 waterbirds have died around coastal nature reserves. In response, the Gambian government approached the Rapid Expert Group on Health (SEEG), funded by the German government. In the beginning of September, a deployment that included the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative addressed both the current outbreak and prepare for potential future occurrences.
EAFYF 2023- Storytelling , Regina Neto

Register now for the 2023 East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum on Storytelling

Effective communication is key when working with stakeholders from different backgrounds. It is imperative to understand each other’s perspectives to reach a consensus on how best to implement sustainable solutions. But how do we communicate effectively? This is the focus at this year’s East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum (EAFYF) on ‘Conservation Storytelling’, held online, 9-10 September 2023, organised by the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Migratory Birds for People, and Youth Engaged in Wetlands. Registration to participate is now open.
Waterbird counts in the Bijagos, Guinea-Bissau by Floor Arts

Impressions from the total flyway count in 2023

Once every three years, migratory birds at all important wintering areas along the Atlantic coast, from Norway to South-Africa, are being counted. In January 2023, the fourth total count of the East Atlantic Flyway was organized by the WSFI. Organizations from 37 countries participated with one goal: to determine changes in numbers of waterbirds which spend considerable time of their lives in the Wadden Sea. An impression from three of the counted areas:
flock of sandwich terns

Experts formulate management guidelines for avian flu outbreaks in Sandwich tern colonies

As migratory birds are returning from their southern wintering grounds to their breeding sites in the Wadden Sea, in view of the experience in 2022, researchers and site managers are concerned about new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in colonially breeding birds. Ample discussions have been held over the past months regarding measures that may help to prevent or mitigate future outbreaks.