As the sun disappears below the horizon, enormous flocks measuring upwards of a hundred thousand black birds fly in ever-changing wavelike formations creating fascinating patterns in the sky. At times the incredible formations formed by the movements of the numerous starlings completely block out the sun, which is why the biannual occurrence is named Black Sun.
The south western corner of mainland Jutland in Denmark is one of the most popular gathering points for migrating starlings, moving between their winter grounds in southern Europe and their summer breeding grounds in Scandinavia.

Exceptional tidal conditions forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands permit a highly diverse flora and fauna in this coastal area of south western Denmark also known as 'the Wadden Sea'. The wildlife of the Wadden Sea includes millions of birds and fish, hundreds of seals and a copious amount of oysters. The area is rich in biological diversity and most activities such as seal safari, oyster hunting, angling, amber hunting and, naturally, the Black Sun phenomenon, allow participation by people of all ages.

Due to its uniqueness, this nature reserve will become Denmark’s third new national park in 2010. The two existing national parks are Thy National Park and Mols Bjerge further north east in Denmark on the peninsula of Djursland. In addition to the three, another two natural areas of unsual and outstanding natural beauty have been nominated by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency as future national parks: Skjern Å (Danish for "river") and Kongernes Nordsjælland.

Both areas are expected to be officially inaugurated as national parks within the next 2-3 years. Together these five natural areas contain some of the most unique and distinctive Danish nature – feel free to explore yourselves!

More useful links when exploring the area include:
The Wadden Sea Centre
Mandø-bussen
The town of Ribe
The island of Fanø