Protecting birds in the Wadden Sea: Navigating opportunities and constraints of predation management
Online
Over the past years, significant efforts have been made to address the growing impact of predation on breeding waterbirds in the Wadden Sea. From habitat restoration to predator control programmes, these initiatives had the goal to improve breeding success of key Wadden Sea species, but challenges remain. The presence of both invasive and natural predators on the Wadden Sea islands continues to threaten the survival of ground breeding species, making effective management more crucial than ever. However, legal and logistical challenges as well public perception of predator control mechanisms often slow down conservation efforts.
The workshop "Protecting birds in the Wadden Sea: Navigating opportunities and constraints of predation management" aims to bring together experts, representing research, nature conservation or management, to exchange information on proven solutions for predator control in the Wadden Sea while also discussing possible innovations and the various constraints.
The workshop is expected to be subdivided into two parts:
Day 1 will provide a general overview on the situation in the three Wadden Sea countries as well as concrete examples of successful research, monitoring and management efforts. This part will be open to all interested participants. Click here to register for Day 1
| Preliminary outline of Day 1 | |
| 13:00-13:05 | Welcome |
| 13:05-13:30 |
Setting the scene Breeding success and Breeding Bird trends in the Wadden Sea. Development of predation management in the Wadden Sea. |
| 13:30-14:00 |
Overview The status of predation management in DK, SH, LS, & NL |
| 14:00-15:15 |
Monitoring & research Short presentations on different monitoring and research projects, aimed at mapping predation risk and intensity |
| 15:15-15:30 | Coffee break |
| 15:30- 16:45 |
Management Short presentations on management measures taken to reduce predation risk or eradicate predators |
| 16:45-17:00 | Wrap up & Outlook |
On Day 2, we will discuss specific monitoring and management issues in the Wadden Sea in smaller breakout groups. The participation will be upon invitation only. The outcomes of these discussions will be considered for the update of the Breeding Bird Action Plan, while they are also expected to be relevant for the development of the new Nature Recovery Plans.
Target audience: Site managers, conservationists, NGOs, researchers, bird & predator experts.
If you would like to give a short presentation on predator monitoring or predation management in the Wadden Sea, please contact Kristine Meise (meise@waddensea-secretariat.org) by 30 June 2025.