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Description
At the beginning of the 1990’s, the area around Præstesø was formed of small patches of open water, large areas of reedbed, rush and sedge, and even larger areas which were drained. To the north were cultivated fields and to the south the land was more or less overgrown. A pump station pumped water from the area into the lake of Søndersø. In 1992 work was started on a nature re-establishment project which entailed raising the water level and introducing grazing around the new lake. In 1996 the pumps were stopped and the 6 ha lake became permanent. A bird observation tower was erected and the whole area was put under preservation orders.
Thrush Nightingale breed in the vegetation to the south of the lake. The grazed meadows are home to Northern Lapwing. An interesting guest is Caspian Tern, which is seen regularly in June/July. Osprey is a regular visitor from July to October, when it can be spotted fishing in the lake and sometimes sitting in the bushes very close to the observation tower. Great Egret and Bearded Tit are regular guests throughout the year. Other birds that can be spotted are several species of ducks, geese and gulls, and Common Kingfisher, Common Tern, Western Marsh Harrier, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.
In dry summers, the water level in the lake drops a good deal and an island with mudflats appears in the lake. This is adopted by waders during their migration south. They do not usually appear in great numbers, but there are many species.
Details
Access
Præstesø is located between Kirke Værløse and the lake of Søndersø, north-west of Copenhagen. The nearest S-train station is at Værløse. From here one can take bus 151 in the direction of Kirke Værløse and get out at Lejrvej, Kildebakken. If you come by car, you can park on the road called “Sandet”. Press P on the map for directions to the parking. From the parking it is a walk of about 400 m to reach the bird observation tower at the south of the lake. The present tower was erected in January 2023 and has room for many birdwatchers. There is also a bench where one is sheltered from the wind. From the tower, the whole lake is visible, and the northern area can be viewed with a telescope.