Holiday in the Tønder Marsh, Denmark, October 3, 2015

Møgeltønder is situated a few kilometers west of Tønder

The Tønder marsh is a unique area between Tønder, Møgeltønder, Højer and extends to the other side of the German border. The Tønder Marsh has emerged as a result of centuries of interaction between nature and humans. Here is both a beautiful nature, a rich animal and bird life, and an ancient cultural landscape with yard farms, dikes and kogs (polders). Vidåen has been an important waterway and is a good fishing stream. In the 1920's Vidåen was diked and the Tønder marshland drained. There is a number of pumping stations along Vidåen that drains the kogs. The whole area south and west of Tønder is drained and pumped. The area is divided by dikes and named ”Kogs”. The western, and latest kogs, New and old Frederiks kog and Magrethe Kog, are protected by a special law to secure its pastures and traditional ways of maintaining the water level. In the lower left part of the picture you can clearly see the difference to the German side of the Tønder Marsh, where all the field are cultivated and there is very little grassland left. Tøndermarsken er opstået som et resultat af århundreders samspil mellem natur og mennesker. Her finder man både en smuk natur, et rigt dyre- og fugleliv, og et gammelt kulturlandskab med smukke værftsgårde, diger og koge.

The Castle Street "Slotsgaden" is the main street in Møgeltønder. It is covered with paving-stones and flanked with lime trees. Møgeltønder is known for the royal residence of Schackenborg. Møgeltønder (or Great Tønder) was once the main town in the area and Tønder just its small port.

Traditional farm just next to the Magisterkog and the Vidå

Walking along the Magisterkog at the dike. Vidåen can be seen in the background

Looking inland from the new Højer Sluice to the lakes in the Magrethe Kog, gives an idea of the impressive amount of birds feeding and resting in the area. In the background the old dike protecting the marsh from flooding

View over the Wadden sea where the Vidå enters the sea (the new Højer Sluice)

Looking inland (Magrethe Kog) from the Højer Sluice

The old dike is maintained as an additional security. Here is the old Højer Sluice and the old dike.

Hjerpsted beach noth of the Højer and the marsh. Hjerpsted strand er en mindre strand nord for Højer. Herfra havde vi en imponerende udsigt over vadehavet.

The northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) ready for the night at Højer Sluice. Viberne går til ro ved Højer Sluse