Sea eagle spotting on Usedom: The best places for eagle lovers!

Sea eagle spotting on Usedom: The best places for eagle lovers!

Once again, nature shows itself at its best on Usedom: observing sea eagles captivates nature lovers and photographers alike. Ulf Wigger, the head of the Usedom Island Nature Park, has put together the best places for eagle watching. The hotspots include the Wolgaster Bridge, Zecheriner Bridge and the Karnin lift bridge, which are located in the picturesque surroundings of the Peenestrom

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It's not just bird watching that's a pleasure here - the landscape is also enchanting with its interaction with the water. Usedom is praised as one of the best sites in Germany for spotting these majestic birds, with Müritz National Park and the Anklamer Stadtbruch being other popular locations.

Sea eagle population on Usedom

The last few years have shown a positive development for the sea eagles on Usedom. While only 12 breeding pairs were recorded in 2006, the number has increased to an average of 28 in recent years. In 2024, 40 nesting locations were registered, of which 31 were occupied. The 32 chicks that were born this year were record-breaking. The observations of monogamous pairs spotted at the Zecheriner Bridge are also a sign that the eagle population is stabilizing.

The sea eagles are opportunistic hunters and feed not only on fish, but also on other animals such as deer when the opportunity arises. Their impressive range of action of up to 20 kilometers allows them to explore various food sources. Despite their strength, the eagles also have their enemies, with humans posing the greatest threats from traffic, hunting ammunition and wind turbines.

A nature adventure for young and old

Special boat tours are available for anyone who wants to experience the eagles up close. The “Ida vom Peendamm” runs with an environmentally friendly electric drive across the waters of the Peene Valley, which is often referred to as the “Amazon of the North”. Jens Günther, an experienced nature guide, leads the tours, where there is a high probability of sighting the impressive sea eagles. Eight eagles were even spotted on one tour!

The journey to the joy of natural adventure begins either with your own car from Hamburg or Berlin or comfortably by train to Züssow, followed by a ride on the Usedomer Bäderbahn. Whether for families or groups, there is the option of chartering the entire ship or a houseboat. Even if Wigger himself doesn't find what he's looking for every time he observes and tends to come across common buzzards and red kites, the fascination of these animals remains unbroken.

For more information about eagle watching on Usedom, those interested can visit the website Baltic Sea newspaper visit or the platform Nature Photographer Forum Browse where various representations and information about these impressive birds are available. Off to the eagle hotspots and have fun discovering them!