Since 1909, the island is owned by Verein Jordsand, an association that promotes the creation of bird refuges along the German North Sea coast.

Norderoog is a resting and hatching place for a number of rare species of marine birds.

Floodings of the island in summer are however a negative factor for breeding and may cause significant statistical deviations.

As the island is mostly devoid of human populations, these rats have been observed stalking and catching sparrows and large birds such as ducks for food.

However the island has been dedicated to birds ever since 1909 when Verein Jordsand bought it from farmer J. Feddersen for 12,000 German gold mark.

Previously, Feddersen had made a living by collecting the birds' eggs and using the island to make hay.

Jens Sörensen Wand frequently lived on Norderoog as a bird warden since 1909, and permanently from 1923 to 1950.

In 2005, an additional loghouse replaced a container building and serves now as a dwelling for the warden and as a visitors centre.

The film was recorded by a young female volunteer who spent three weeks on Norderoog during a voluntary ecological year.