After 14 years as head of the Lower Saxony State Agency for Bird Conservation, Dr. Markus Nipkow retired in April. The role was seamlessly handed over to his long-standing representative, Knut Sandkühler. His first official trip in his new role took him straight into the Special Protection Area (SPA) “Unterelbe” (Lower Elbe), which covers more than 15,000 hectares.
“We are honoured that your visit to the Lower Elbe demonstrates your keen interest in meadow bird conservation and our activities within the LIFE Godwit Flyway project,” said Ulf Bauchinger as he welcomed the new head of the State Agency for Bird Conservation. Over a shared meal, the focus was on getting to know the station’s new staff members and learning of their diverse tasks.
Covering an area of 16,702 hectares, the SPA can, of course, only be partially explored in two days. “But the sheer expanse of this open and unspoilt landscape is always impressive,” confirmed the visibly enthusiastic head of the State Agency for Bird Conservation, highlighting the magnificent impact of this natural area. But it wasn’t all about enjoying beautiful views. Knut had brought his wellies with him. So early the next morning, the project team headed out into the fields to get to work. Together with the station staff, they were to ring young Black-tailed Godwits.
Numerous families of Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and Lapwings with their young confirm the success of the conservationists on at Lower Elbe. The team managed to ring 17 young birds that morning alone. The young birds, which were older than 10 days, were also immediately given individual coloured ring codes. “This way, we can identify our birds directly in the field with a good pair of binoculars – if they make it and return next year,” explains LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats project member and ringer Hilger Lemke.
For the new head of the State Agency for Bird Conservation, Knut Sandkühler, the fieldwork rounded off the visit to the Lower Elbe: “Wonderful – a chance to step away from office routines and experience bird conservation fieldwork up close on site. What more could you ask for? My thanks go to all the station staff!”
