Hauke-Haien-Koog

Hauke-Haien-Koog is a polder in Nordfriesland located between Schlüttsiel, Fahretoft, and Ockholm, covering around 1,250 hectares (3,090 acres) of reclaimed land. The area contains two freshwater retention basins and agricultural fields surrounded by protective dykes.

The land was reclaimed from the Wadden Sea between 1958 and 1960 using modern dyke construction methods. This reclamation marked a shift in how the region managed water and adapted its agricultural practices.

The polder takes its name from Hauke Haien, the protagonist of Theodor Storm's novella 'Der Schimmelreiter'. This literary connection shapes how locals and visitors understand the area and its relationship to the coast.

You can explore the area on your own or join guided mudflat walks and bird watching tours organized by the National Park center at Schlüttsiel throughout the year. Spring and autumn are the most rewarding seasons for visits when migrating birds are present.

The area serves as a crucial resting site for thousands of geese, spoonbills, and avocets during their spring and autumn migrations. These large flocks are remarkable to watch as they use the shallow water and grassland to feed and rest.