Cranes – Signs of Good Luck

25,000 cranes stopover in the lagoon area twice a year. These massive flocks of cranes stop to replenish their strength as they make the long journey back and forth from their winter homes in the south. It is a one-of-a-kind natural spectacle to watch these slender birds dancing and then taking off at dawn.

They are considered signs of good luck and guarantors of longevity: cranes. In Japan they are worshiped, Charlemagne kept them guards for his gardens, and, in Schiller’s poem the “The Cranes of Ibycus”, the sight of these delicate creatures even drove a murderer to confess.

And you can observe thousands of them in their natural habitat here in the National Park Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft. Each spring and autumn, massive flocks of cranes stop here to replenish their strength as they make the long journey back and forth from their winter homes in the south. The natural wetlands and shallow water are ideal for these creatures. Indeed, approximately one third of the total population in Western Europe stops over here twice each year.

There are no adequate words to describe the sight as these flocks take to the air, call to each other, sing, and communicate. The crane migration is one of the greatest spectacles and is an unforgettable experience here in the national park.

In the early morning hours, just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, one can often observe the cranes doing their fantastic “dances”. In autumn, numerous Events, guided walks, viewing platforms and even cruises on the lagoons at dusk are offered.