At home in the mudflats, the North Sea, and on the dike

Whether feathered, on four hooves, in the salty North Sea or on the green dike—on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, you can discover numerous species and animal inhabitants. Some are visible at first glance, while others require a keen eye and a bit of luck. The stars of the Wadden Sea, our Eiderstedt mascot—the sheep—and the fluffy Highland cattle in the salt marshes of Böhl are right here at home with us on the North Sea coast.

Small Five, Flying Five, and Big Five

Do you know them all?

So, what animals are these?

Can you name them all and sort them into the right group?

You’ll also find the answers on this page.

The Wadden Sea's "Big Five"

"You'll find me sunbathing on the sandbank or in the North Sea waves."

Watching seals

"I'm Germany's largest predator and can grow up to 2.20 meters long. By the way, you can tell me apart from a seal by my long snout."

"I'm one of the smallest whales in the world, and my favorite place to swim laps is in the national park off the coast of Sylt and Amrum."

"I am the largest bird in the Wadden Sea, and I prefer to feed on fish that swim close to the water's surface."

"I used to be the biggest fish in the national park, but I'm no longer to be found in the wild."

Found a seal pup?

Dealing with Crybabies

“Heuler” is the name given to seal pups that are separated from their mothers during the nursing period. If you happen to come across a “Heuler” while taking a walk on a North Sea beach, please keep the following in mind:

Keep a safe distance (at least 300 meters) and do not block the path to the water so that the mother can find her way to her pups.
Do not touch the animal or move it from where you found it, and be as quiet as possible.
Keep dogs and other animals away from the “Heuler.”
Report the animal and its location to the police by dialing 110. The police will notify the volunteer seal hunter.

The Wadden Sea's "Small Five"

"I eat my fill of sand, leaving behind those little piles of sand spaghetti that you can find on the beach."

"My name says it all—my wavy shell is heart-shaped."

"I dash sideways across the beach, and in low german, I'm called a 'Dwarslöper' (sideways runner)."

"I graze on the mudflat surface, thereby contributing to the formation of mudflats."

"You probably know me as Krabbe."

A Special Natural Spectacle

Bird Migration

Every year, up to 12 million birds stop over in large breeding areas within the Wadden Sea National Park. Some of these areas are closed to the public during the breeding season. Before and after the breeding season, in spring and fall, you can observe the spectacular bird migration.

More about the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea's "Flying Five"

"With about 1.3 million of my fellow birds, I am the most common migratory bird in the Wadden Sea."

"My favorite food is cockles, and I spawn in the Wadden Sea in the summer."

"Dressed in my black-and-white plumage, I poke around in the mud with my long red beak, searching for worms in the mudflats."

"Besides crabs and worms, I also like to polish off guests' fish sandwiches."

"I have this name because of my white neck ring."

A flock of sheep on the dike in front of the "Westerhever" lighthouse

White, curly, and fluffy soft

The Sheep

Counting sheep isn’t just a dream here—because on the dikes of Eiderstedt and sometimes even at the water’s edge, you can see our curly-haired mascots of the peninsula in person. They graze in large groups on the grassy areas and also enjoy exploring the mudflats, which dry out and are sandy in places.

Fresh from the Field – with Jo from Salt & Silver and Himbeertobi

Amid raspberry bushes, fresh vegetables, and regional cuisine, we welcome culinary artists Himbeertobi and Jo from Salt & Silver—right in the middle of Tobi’s field on the Eiderstedt Peninsula. Together, they talk with Simone about sustainable vegetable farming, true regionality, and the question of why good food is so much more than just what ends up on your plate. How do creative dishes emerge from what grows right on your doorstep? What opportunities lie in close collaboration between agriculture and the restaurant industry? And why is it worth appreciating regional products more consciously again? Straight from the summer greenhouse: A conversation about passion, sustainable thinking, the flavors of the North, and why the natural surroundings of St. Peter-Ording and Eiderstedt offer so much inspiration for cuisine, enjoyment, and quality of life.

Beach Stories from the stilt house – with Heinzi Hecke

Heinzi has been with the Tourismus-Zentrale St. Peter-Ording for over 40 years and knows the beach like no one else. As a true native of Eiderstedt, he has collected countless stories—from special encounters on the pier to family reunions on the beach, right down to moments that have stayed with him to this day. In this episode, Simone talks with Heinzi about his daily life by the sea, Eiderstedt culture, and the changes that have shaped St. Peter-Ording over the years. It quickly becomes clear: For Heinzi, the beach is far more than just a workplace. An episode full of North German humor, memories, and real stories straight from the stilt house.

Strand aufs Herz—with Taina and Your Stories from St. Peter-Ording

What makes St. Peter-Ording a special place in the hearts of so many of you? Simone talks with Taina about life on the North Sea, special moments on the beach, and the magic of wide-open spaces and nature. Together, they delve into your fondest memories and stories—from “I’ve-made-it” moments and unforgettable St. Peter experiences to heartwarming encounters and extraordinary adventures. Each of your stories—from ultramarathon training to ice swimming—was unique. Thank you so much for enriching this podcast episode with your experiences! ❤️ This episode is a declaration of love for a place that, for many, is far more than just a vacation destination: a constant, a place to be—and sometimes even a second home.

Coast Against Plastic – with Jennifer Timrott

She’s an environmentalist, a creative mind, and a coastal dweller—we welcome Jennifer Timrott to the stilt house on the beach at St. Peter-Ording. Many years ago, she and her husband founded the organization “Küste gegen Plastik” (Coast Against Plastic). They came up with an app that lets users scan a barcode to let manufacturers know they’d prefer products without plastic packaging. Find out what drives Jennifer and what else she has planned in our conversation with her.

At the Frisian Sheep Cheese Dairy – with Redlef Volquardsen

On the Eiderstedt Peninsula, just a few kilometers from St. Peter-Ording, Simone visits the Frisian Sheep Cheese Dairy in the picture-perfect village of Tetenbüll. Here, Monika and Redlef Volquardsen carry on a long family tradition, lovingly crafting the milk from their 120 sheep by hand into unique Bioland sheep’s cheese. The first episode of “Deichmomente” isn’t just about the cheese: Redlef talks about working with his flock of sheep, life on the farm, and the small and big moments between the barn, the cheese dairy, and the farm stand. A glimpse into craftsmanship, tradition, and real life on Eiderstedt.

The Magic of the Wadden Sea – Experiences in the National Park

40 Years of the Wadden Sea – Our National Park Is Celebrating Its Birthday! In our new podcast episode, we’ll take you to a very special place: the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea—a national park for 40 years and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for 15 years! In this episode, we chat with two true experts on the Wadden Sea: National Park Ranger Caro, who’s out in the field every day—keeping her eyes open for nature’s wonders and her ears open to visitors’ questions—and Claus from the team at the Aquarium Multimar Wattforum in Tönning—our largest information center for the Wadden Sea National Park. Why is the Wadden Sea so unique? What has changed over the past 40 years—and what can we do for the future? Tune in now, be amazed, and join the celebration!

Behind the counter at Haus Peters: Spices, Secrets, and Stories from an Old General Store

In this episode of DEICHMOMENTE, we’ll take you inside Haus Peters—a 19th-century merchant’s shop that has been preserved to this day. Amid creaking floorboards and nostalgic merchandise, we’ll delve into the history of trade in Eiderstedt. But this house in the tranquil, picture-perfect village of Tetenbüll is more than just a museum: it’s a vibrant cultural hub featuring exhibitions, events, and plenty of North Frisian charm. Give it a listen and experience the past up close! Or why not stop by and check it out for yourself if you’re ever in Eiderstedt!

The Digital World Meets North German Originals—Our Special Episode with Heinzi and Schacho

We have a very special podcast episode for you—our special episode, DEICHMOMENTE! Who doesn’t know them? Heinzi & Schacho! Two North German characters who really shook things up on our social media channels in 2024. By now, the two of them are known not only here on our Eiderstedt peninsula, but far beyond as well! No one would have guessed 40 or even 25 years ago that the two of them would ever end up in front of the camera, and generally speaking, landing this job here on the North Sea coast was more of a coincidence. It makes it all the more wonderful for us that they’re still part of our team today. But before we give too much away: Why not just give it a listen—Finja, our social media manager, sat down with these two coastal kids to get to the bottom of things.

A seal spotted! Now what? The seal hunter tells the story.

In this episode, we talk with Toni, the seal hunter at SPO and on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, and Finia, SPO’s social media manager, about a very special topic: seals, harbor seals, and monk seals—the small but wild stars of the North Sea. What does a seal hunter do? When should I report a stranded seal? What makes this work so special, and why is public communication on this topic so important? We have the answers—be sure to tune in!

25 Years of the Garding Musicians' Exchange

A music event known far beyond the Eiderstedt Peninsula is celebrating a special anniversary: The Gardinger Musikantenbörse is turning 25! In this episode, we speak with Jan Gawellek and Rainer Martens, who give us fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into this unique event. Learn all about the origins of the Musikantenbörse, the work of the “Musik für Garding” association, and the special highlights of this year’s “Silberbörse.” Why is the Musikantenbörse a must-see for music lovers? How did it all begin, and what motivates the organizers? What stories and anecdotes from the past 25 years are there to share? Our guests answer these and many other questions while sharing their passion and enthusiasm for the event and their hometown of Garding.

A Visit to the Kirchspielkrug in Westerhever

How about a trip to the lighthouse followed by a cozy stop for a bite to eat? Whether it’s hearty North Frisian fare or heavenly sweets, pure indulgence awaits you in Eiderstedt. By the way, typical spots in Eiderstedt are the “Kirchspielkrüge”—as the name suggests, these are taverns located right near a church, inviting you to stop by. For our new podcast episode “Deichmomente,” we were guests at the Kirchspielkrug Westerhever and spoke with Volker Böttcher about North Frisian moments of indulgence. After all, these moments play a major role at the Kirchspielkrug Westerhever, which bears the FEINHEIMISCH seal of culinary excellence. 🤗

Stormy North Sea

In the fall and winter, the weather on the Eiderstedt Peninsula on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein tends to get stormy. So it’s high time for our podcast "Deichmomente" to tackle the topic of storm surges. In this episode, as we chat with tour guide Herbert Wolff, you’ll learn a lot of fascinating facts about the North Sea’s forces of nature, as well as about the dikes and the impressive "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) which protects the coast. But we’ll also be chatting about the unique world of the Hallig islands, mudflat tours in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, and the special “Spökenkieker” information center in Olversum on Eiderstedt.

The First Stilt House Behind the Dike - The Erlebnis-Hus

St. Peter-Ording, our favorite “sandbox” on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein—and here on the Eiderstedt Peninsula—has gained a new highlight: The Erlebnis-Hus, the first stilt house built behind the dike, is something truly special. Planned and built in collaboration with Holzer Kobler Architekturen GmbH and Uniola AG, the new Erlebnis-Hus was officially opened in the summer of 2023. But where exactly is this new stilt house located? What does it look like? What can you experience and discover at the Erlebnis-Hus? We’ll find out the answers in a conversation with Katharina Schirmbeck, Director of Tourism for St. Peter-Ording, and Christin Reisewitz from the events department of the Tourismus-Zentrale St. Peter-Ording.

Tönning Christmas Event

It’s the absolute highlight of the winter season on the Eiderstedt peninsula: the Christmas event at the Tönninger Packhaus! In this episode, we get to see this very special Christmas market from a different perspective, as we take a look behind the scenes and get to know the “Packhaus family.” Uwe Wrigge from the Packhaus Friends Association tells us how the Packhaus—once one of the largest warehouses on the coast—became the world’s longest Advent calendar and how the Christmas event came to be.

Around here, we say MOIN!

You’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and here it is: our low german episode, “Deichmomente”! From “Huulbessen” to “Slackermaschü”: In this episode, Katharina talks with “citizen of the world” and low german expert Marianne Ehlers about the low german language, why she’s so committed to preserving it, and why low german means “home” to her. Take part in the low german quiz and look forward to a low german story about “de schöönste Halfinsel.”

A Night in the North Sea—with Extreme Swimmer André Wiersig

Helgoland—can you swim there? In 2021, extreme swimmer André Wiersig swam from St. Peter-Ording to Helgoland wearing nothing but swim trunks and a swim cap. We talk to André about his experience, about the eerie and beautiful moments he spent in the sea, and about how important it is to him to protect our oceans!

X-H2O Water Sports Center — A Favorite Spot on Ording Beach

Our podcast guest is Hein Jeve, owner of the X-H2O Water Sports Center, which has been a fixture on the Ording waterfront since 2006 and is one of the largest surf schools in the country! We talk with Hein about his love for water sports, how his surf school got started, the effort involved, and give a quick overview of how all the different water sports differ from one another. We were very impressed by Hein’s answer to the question of what has driven him for so many years to run a business whose operations depend, among other things, on waves, wind, and weather!

A Guest in the World - At Home in a Stilt House

We visited Salt & Silver am Meer on Böhl Beach with Deichmomente. We spoke with Salt & Silver’s founders, Johannes Riffelmacher and Thomas Kosikowski, about the everyday madness that comes with opening a new restaurant. They explained to us the wonderful moments that come with a restaurant’s location right by the sea, but also the areas where this creates extra work, why sustainability must encompass many facets, and how you can learn, step by step every day, to advocate for a better future. What stands out most is that the two have a very special connection not only to the people around them but also to the ingredients they use in their dishes.

A Christmas Story by & starring Selina Seemann

Hohoho & Merry Christmas, dear Deichmomente listeners! In this episode, Selina Seemann is our guest on the podcast "Deichmomente". Selina has won the hearts of northern Germans with her unique way of speaking. We talk with the poetry slammer from the north about the Christmas season and its traditions, as well as the kind of Christmas cards she likes to write and why, for her, Christmas marks the start of a weeks-long sugar binge every year! She’s also brought along her very own low german Christmas story—just give it a listen, it’s going to be exceptionally heartwarming! You can also read Selina’s Christmas story in her latest book. You’ll find the recipe for traditional North Frisian Klütjes cookies on the Herzelieb blog. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

Working where others go on vacation

In this podcast episode, Simone talks with Katharina Schirmbeck, the tourism director of St. Peter-Ording and head of the Local Tourism Organization St. Peter-Ording / Eiderstedt, about St. Peter-Ording as a place to call home: living, working, enjoying free time—all around the clock on the 12-kilometer-long sandy beach. In addition to topics such as the Tourism Office as an employer and its core responsibilities, the two also delve into a very trendy topic: workation. What that actually means, why the concept is also very appealing to visitors, and how you can easily make a workation happen in SPO—you’ll learn all about it in an exciting 25-minute episode.

Art in Eiderstedt

On Sunday (August 29, 2021), the “Eiderstedt Open Studios Day” will take place. For an entire day, artists from Eiderstedt will open their studios and galleries to the public. To learn more about art in Eiderstedt, Katharina interviewed Dirk-Uwe Becker, the chair of the Förderverein für Kunst und Kultur Eiderstedt e.V. (Eiderstedt Association for the Promotion of Art and Culture). Dirk-Uwe Becker not only talks about the different types of art and creative work found on the peninsula, but also about how the light and the vast sky along our North Sea coast can influence art. And did you know that one of the oldest artists in Eiderstedt, puppeteer Marianne Vocke, packed up her rod puppets and traveled all the way to Morocco in her Volkswagen van to perform for people there?

Guided Tour of the Hochdorf Garden

Back in the spring, the “Hochdorfer Garten” was the topic of our podcast “Deichmomente.” Since we received such great feedback on that episode—and the weather right now is perfect for exploring the Hochdorfer Garten—you can look forward to a guided tour this month with Hans-Georg Hostrup through the stately village park in Tating. This episode takes a closer look at the individual sections of the garden and highlights just how diverse this historic garden is here on the North Sea coast.

The beach chair—our favorite wicker piece!

June 15 is the official “Beach Chair Day.” Find out in this episode why it’s this particular day and who actually invented it—our secret star by the water’s edge! We also stopped by Oliver Theede’s workshop, “Eiderstedter Strandkörbe” (https://eiderstedter-strandkoerbe.de/), in Friedrichstadt and learned a lot about beach chairs and how they’re made. How many hours does it take to build a beach chair? Is the beach chair actually only this popular here in Germany? We’ll get to the bottom of all these questions—stay tuned! We hope you enjoy this new episode of Deichmomente!

Enjoy! This is the taste of SPO & Eiderstedt

Detlef Arlt is a journalist, author, podcaster, and a jack-of-all-trades. For many years now, he has been writing for publications such as the St. Peter-Ording / Eiderstedt magazine and the foodie magazine Mohltied! Detlef loves Eiderstedt cuisine and knows exactly what treats you can indulge in at SPO and on our beautiful peninsula! We’ll also be talking to him about the perfect fish sandwich, farm-fresh vegetables, and quirky drinks that’ll really get you fired up! So if you’re interested in learning more about our regional dishes, don’t miss this episode! You can find plenty of Detlef’s tips for dining and exploring on our website: https://www.spo-eiderstedt.de/eiderstedt/essen-trinken And if you’re up for it, you can put together your own Northern German menu and get cooking: https://www.spo-eiderstedt.de/eiderstedt/essen-trinken/eiderstedter-spezialitaeten

Spring in the Hochdorf Garden, the beautiful village park in Eiderstedt

In the small village of Tating, located just outside St. Peter-Ording, lies one of the most beautiful spots in Eiderstedt: The Hochdorfer Garden. In this episode, Hans-Georg Hostrup—whom we met in the episode about the Haubarg (traditional farm housing)—tells us many fascinating things about the village park “Hochdorfer Garten” and the Schweizer. Did you know, for example, that a special variety of apple from this very garden won an award at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris? If you’d like to learn more about this unique garden landmark, you can find all the information here: https://hochdorfer-garten.de/

Asking the Mayor

In this episode, Simone asks Rainer Balsmeier, the current mayor of St. Peter-Ording, what it’s actually like to step down after 25 years as mayor and leave the North Sea in a few weeks. She also talks to Jürgen Ritter, the future mayor, about what the local residents can look forward to in the future. Stay tuned for the 12th episode of “Deichmomente”!

A Journey Through the Seasons in the North

Join Simone and Anna & Michael from the blog “SaltyLove” on an imaginary journey through the seasons here with us on the North Sea. Exactly one year ago, these two bloggers fulfilled a dream and found their new home in Eiderstedt. In this 22-minute podcast episode, you’ll learn about everything these two northerners have experienced since then and why they love being outdoors so much, no matter the weather.

The WOCHENENDER Travel Guide

In Episode 10, Simone talks with Elisabeth Frenz, publisher of the WOCHENENDER travel book series, about the most beautiful places on the Eiderstedt peninsula, discovering unique spots, and how the first WOCHENENDER book actually came to be.

Haubarg, the Giants of Eiderstedt

In this episode of “Deichmomente,” Katharina & Simone speak with Hans-Georg Hostrup, owner of the Blumenhof Haubarg and chairman of IG Baupflege Nordfriesland & Dithmarschen e. V., about the giants of Eiderstedt: the Haubargs (traditional farm housing). Haubarg (traditional farm housing) is the typical farmhouse of the Eiderstedt Peninsula—where, for centuries, people and animals lived under one roof, albeit in separate rooms. The story of the Haubargs continues! Today, they serve as restaurants, vacation houses, and hiding places for true treasures of the past.

St. Peter-Ording Water Park

The "Deichmomente" podcast is back after the COVID-19 hiatus! Katharina & Simone spoke with three very different people about "St. Peter-Ording: A Swimmer's Paradise." In addition to Claus Heitmann, a local historian, and Nils Stauch from the DLRG St. Peter-Ording, Heinz-Dieter “Heinzi” Hecke is back to share his unique experiences from the sandbank.

Everything about sheep!

In mid-February, Katharina & Simone visited the sheep barn of amateur shepherd and horse lover Wiebke Weber in Tümlauer Koog. She answered all our questions about sheep with humor and passion. In this episode, you’ll find out what sheep are doing here on the dike and how long it takes for those cute little lambs to be born.

In Search of Amber!

Simone met up with Boy Jöns at the North Sea Amber Museum for the latest winter story! Boy, the North Sea coast’s leading expert on amber, reveals where amber can be found on our sandbank—and how this “gold of the North” actually ends up there.

Beach Stories from St. Peter-Ording - Tell Me a Story... In Eiderstedt!

Laugh along with Heinz-Dieter “Heinzi” Hecke, who has been working for 30 years as a beach supervisor, lifeguard, and beach chair rental operator on the beach at St. Peter-Ording, as he shares the funniest and most curious anecdotes and stories from his daily work.

1,000 Years of Church Architecture—Tell Me About It... In Eiderstedt!

We’ll take you on a journey back to the year 1000, where you’ll learn fascinating facts about Eiderstedt’s oldest resident, St. Magnus Church in Tating, and the development of the peninsula’s unique church landscape, featuring 18 remarkable churches!

The Tümlauer-Koog Through the Ages - Tell Me a Story... About Eiderstedt!

From a farming community to a popular vacation spot—the Tümlauer-Koog has changed quite a bit since its embankment was constructed in 1934! Let its residents tell you how their lives in the Tümlauer-Koog have changed!

Andresen Pub - Tell me a story... in Eiderstedt!

Discover the oldest tavern on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein! Volker Andresen, the owner of the Wilhel m Andresen tavern, will guide you through the historic rooms of this historic thatched-roof house on the Katinger Watt.

lighthouse "Westerhever" - Tell Me a Story... About Eiderstedt!

Come along on a visit to the lighthouse "Westerhever"! In the first episode, lighthouse guide Jürgen Birkigt will share the most important and fascinating facts about our peninsula’s landmark during a guided tour of the lighthouse!

Intro - Tell me something... About Eiderstedt!

In the first few episodes, experience the "Tell Me Something... In Eiderstedt!" event series from the Eiderstedt Peninsula via our podcast—and look forward to many more stories from the North Sea coast!

At Home in the Salt Marshes

Highland cattle

It’s not just the feathered residents who live in the salt marshes of St. Peter-Ording; our Highland cattle also call the meadow landscape behind the dike home—at least during the summer months.

In the local district "Böhl", very close to the Böhl Lighthouse, they roam freely and can be observed grazing or cooling off in the salty tidal creeks.