Trischen - more than a bird`s paradise
	Since its emergence from the sea, Trischen was an important site for breeding and migratory birds. Today, while still important for birds, the island is a refuge for many plants and animals, and most of all for natural dynamics. In a landscape that is increasingly dominated by humans, Trischen is the jewel that represents the ultimate goal of the Wadden Sea National Park: humans play no role on this island, no artificial structures prevent erosion or facilitate sedimentation, no plants or animals are introduced or harvested - nature on the island regulates itself and is as pristine as anything can get in Europe.		Sand dunes Natural dune formation Salt marsh Harbour Seal Oystercatcher with chick Herring Gull Red Knots roosting Shelduck
	The idea of undisturbed natural processes
	Trischen Island lies within the core area of the largest German National Park. It cannot be accessed by the public and all natural processes run without human interference. Unlike most other German islands, Trischen is not stabilised by artificial structures, and the forces of North Sea currents and surf reshape the island continuously. Erosion and sedimentation processes destroy and create sanddunes and saltmarshes, and woody vegetation has no chance to establish on Trischen. The island is a mosaic of several vegetation types that result from small differences in flooding frequency, age and composition of the sediment. Tiny herbs grow along the beach front and lead to the formation of primary dunes. Once grown to a sizeable height, sand dunes are mostly covered with grass species. The eastern flat part of the island is a typical salt marsh with a clay soil. There is a gradient leading from the dunes down into the mudflats, with differences in elevation being so tiny that they can only be told by the different plant communities. The lowest part of the saltmarsh is a saltwort field that extends well into the mudflats and is flooded twice a day during high tide. The constant changes create many small disturbance patches that are vitally important for several species with good colonising abilities. The natural processes, despite appearing destructive at times, support one of the highest plant species diversities of all German islands.
	Breeding birds on Trischen
	Trischen has a long history of seabird colonies. In the early 20th century terns dominated on the island, and gulls and their eggs were harvested for food. Since 1960 the island has been protected as a nature reserve, and gulls have increased and are now the most numerous breeders on Trischen. Still, the island is important for several tern species. One of only three German colonies of the Sandwich Tern lies on Trischen, and in 2002 some 1200 pairs bred on the island. The lower saltmarshes serve as breeding areas for Redshanks and Oystercatchers, and since 1999 a Peregrine Falcon nests on the island. In 2002, two new species colonised the island and successfully reared their young. Today, Trischen is one of only two islands in the northern Wadden Sea where Spoonbills established a breeding colony.
	Migratory birds on Trischen
	The Wadden Sea is one of the most important stopover site for migratory waders in the world. In spring and late summer roughly 12 million arctic migrants use the nutritious mud flats in the Wadden Sea to stock up on energy for their long-distance flights. The tidal flats around Trischen harbour some 20.000 waders during April/May and August/September, most numerous are Dunlins, Knots, Curlews and Oystercatchers. During high tide, when the mud flats are under water, the birds use the sandy spits of Trischen to rest. For Sanderlings, a species that prefers sandy beachfronts, Trischen is an important roosting site in the northern Wadden Sea, with up to 3.000 birds resting here in May.
	By far the most impressive gathering of birds is the moult of the Shelduck. Almost the entire European population migrates to the waters around Trischen in July and August to change their flight feathers. The birds are flightless for 3-4 weeks until their new feathers have grown, and during this time up to 200.000 Shelducks float on the sea close to Trischen.