Current News

In recognition of his wide-ranging scientific œuvre, his important contributions to the history of ornithology and his many years of commitment to the Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft.

In recognition of her internationally pioneering research on the magnetic sense and orientation behaviour of birds and her outstanding life's work for ornithology.

In recognition of his internationally pioneering research on the magnetic sense and orientation behaviour of birds, his life's work for ornithology spanning more than five decades and his many years of commitment on the DOG Executive Board.

For his outstanding contributions to bird migration and movement research, his pioneering services to the further development of bird ringing, and his exceptional commitment to conservation, support for early-career researchers and international ornithology.

For his pioneering research on the ecology of bird migration, his outstanding contributions to understanding how bird populations adapt to environmental change, and his innovative work on polar ecology and the ecological consequences of global change.

For her outstanding scientific work on the Aquatic Warbler and her special services in linking ornithological research, applied bird conservation and peatland conservation.

For her pioneering long-term studies of Common Terns, her innovative contributions to understanding individual life histories and ecological change, and her special commitment to science communication, support for early-career researchers and conservation.

The Specialist Group Woodpeckers reports on its spring meeting in Halberstadt: for three days, woodpeckers and wrynecks, current research and exciting excursions were the focus. The conference report and photographic impressions are now online.

The DOG has updated its call for travel grants for the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) 2026. Five early-career researchers will each receive €2,000. The application deadline is 30 September 2026.

Die 159. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Ornithologischen Gesellschaft findet vom 16. bis 20. September 2026 an der Universität Mainz statt. Eine Anmeldung zur Tagungsteilnahme ist bis zum 14. August möglich.

Fritz Hertel has been working to protect the Antarctic for more than 20 years. In conversation with the DOG, he talks about the Danger Islands, their outstanding importance for seabirds and the challenges of preserving one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth.

Franz Bairlein, Honorary President of the DOG and Editor of the Journal of Ornithology, has received the Springer Nature "Editor of Distinction Award 2026" for his commitment to scientific quality and the peer review process. We warmly congratulate and thank him!

The European Bee-eater has been part of Germany's birdlife for centuries. Dr. Hans-Valentin Bastian, spokesperson of the DOG Specialist Group "Bee-eaters", reports on current population trends, climate change and the conservation of these colourful birds.

More than 50 goose researchers and bird enthusiasts met from 6 to 8 February for the 20th meeting of the DOG and DDA Specialist Group Goose Ecology at the Bildungszentrum Ostfriesland in Potshausen.

This year's meeting of the Specialist Group "Birds of Agricultural Landscapes" took place on 20 and 21 March 2026 at the Michael-Otto-Institut im NABU (MOIN) in Bergenhusen. In addition to scientific talks, there was an outing into the surrounding grassland and an excursion to the Beltringharder...

In 2026, the German Council for Bird Protection (DRV) is awarding a research prize worth €10,000. It is seeking research projects on the effects of renewable energies on birdlife, in particular on the bird-friendly design of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems.

The Leipzig workshop on the history of the DOG brought experts and members together to openly discuss the society's Nazi past. One thing is clear: coming to terms with the past is a joint process – and the discussion will continue visibly.

The Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft awarded travel grants to several early-career scientists for the 5th EOU Fledglings Meeting 2026 in Gdańsk, where they presented their latest research results in talks and posters.

Our Deputy Managing Director Dr. Natalie Wellbrock has become a mother for the second time: on 20 March her daughter Clara Amanda "hatched". Mother and child are doing well. We warmly congratulate the young family and wish them all the best!

In her spring letter, President Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers reports on key developments in the society – from new online formats and organisational progress to digital processes in the office and strengthening support for early-career scientists.

Since autumn last year, Prof. Dr. Arne Hegemann has been Deputy Director of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, on the island of Riems near Greifswald. The DOG warmly congratulates its long-standing member on this new role.

This year's meeting will take place from 24 to 26 April 2026 at the Seminarhotel K6 in Halberstadt. The event will also host the 2nd International Wryneck Symposium.

On 20 February 2026, our 2nd Vice President Sylke Frahnert presented the DOG Special Prize to twelve young researchers in biology at the Berlin state competition of Jugend forscht – together with a certificate and an ornithological book.

Since 12 February 2026, the Naturkundemuseum Erfurt has been showing an extraordinary flatshare from the history of science: the successful exhibition on Oskar and Magdalena Heinroth can be seen until 3 May 2026.

Four DOG members set off from Ushuaia on an unusual Antarctic expedition. Their destination is the remote Danger Islands, home to more than one million Adélie Penguins and an important new protected area under German responsibility.

On 6 September 2025, the new NABU visitor centre KRANICHWELTEN opened in Günz on the Darß-Zingst Bodden chain, headed by DOG member Günter Nowald – Europe's largest centre dedicated to the "birds of good fortune".

Ein DOG-gefördertes Projekt von Jens Hering und Kollegen enthüllt erstmals Zugrouten der Zwergschnepfe: In Sachsen markierte Vögel führen bis nach Nordskandinavien. Weitere Datenlogger-Funde sollen nun das Geheimnis ihrer Wanderungen lüften.

Honoured for his services to the society: Prof. Dr. Roland Prinzinger, former President of the DOG, receives honorary membership. Presented by President Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers; the laudation was given by Dr. Elke Brüser.

Honorary membership for PD Dr. Franziska Tanneberger: honoured for her work on the protection of peatlands and the Aquatic Warbler. Presented by President Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers; the laudation was given by Dr. Martin Flade.

The DOG Young Speakers' Competition is an integral part of the annual conventions. It gives students the chance to present their research to a large expert audience for the first time and to compete with other early-career scientists.

The poster competition has been an integral part of the annual conventions for many years and thrives on the active participation of attendees. Using the ballot papers in the conference bag, all posters could be rated during the convention.

The DOG invites you to its Annual Convention – and celebrates the 175th anniversary of the society. Look forward to a varied programme with an anniversary session, a staged reading, exciting talks and specialist excursions. A highlight of the year – we look forward to seeing you there!

Study projects as part of her work as Co-Director of the Hiddensee Bird Observatory at the Zoological Institute of the University of Greifswald.

by Miriam Kott

The DOG Specialist Group "Ornithological Collections" awards this year's Maria Koepcke Prize to Dr. Renate van den Elzen from Vienna for her outstanding contributions to the development, visibility and study of bird collections.

At the invitation of Martin Päckert and Frederik Albrecht, our colleagues at the Senckenberg Natural History Collections, the Specialist Group "Ornithological Collections" met in Dresden from 14 to 16 February 2025.