January 12, 2013– GERMANY – An island the size of 25 football pitches has appeared seemingly out of nowhere off the coast of Germany. The landmass, which is composed of sandbanks, gradually emerged from the violent waters of the North Sea over the past few years. It lies 24 kilometres off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany’s far north in a stretch of coastline known as the Wattenmeer, a marine national park. Nature lovers and yachtsmen noticed the appearance of Bird Island – named after the seabirds who rest, nest or feed on the sand dunes that are up to almost five meters high. Winds blew seeds from across Europe, and 49 species of plants have been detected on it. Detlef Hansen, head of the national park, said: “This is, for us conservationists, anything but ordinary.” –News

contribution Emanni