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Description
Kilsviken is a shallow bay with large areas of reeds and grazing meadows where red deer are used as grazing animals. The bay is an important breeding site for reed bird species, a resting place for many wetland birds, and a good site for birds of prey. As is often the case with this type of site, spring is perhaps the most spectacular time, but a visit can be good from early spring to late autumn. The landscape is a mosaic of open water, reeds, and forested and grazed wetlands. More than 250 different bird species have been reported and about 60 species of waterbirds regularly visit the area. The rich bird life in Kilsviken is largely a result of farmers through mowing and grazing for centuries creating special coastal meadow environments. The 126 hectare reserve was established to preserve and care for a lake and pasture landscape of great importance for nesting and resting wetland birds. The best view of Kilsviken and its surroundings is from the Hygntornet tower (see the map).
Among the birds that can be observed are large numbers of ducks, geese, swans and waders such as Whooper Swan, Northern Shoveler, Northern Lapwing, Ruff and Common Redshank. The bay is regularly patrolled by White-tailed Eagle that cause panic among the water birds. Reed birds that can be heard or spotted include Bearded Tit, Great Bittern, Sedge Warbler, Water Rail and Western Marsh Harrier.
Details
Access
Kilsviken is located in the north-east corner of Lake Vänern. Take road 26 from Kristinehamn southwards past Bäckhammar to Nybble (about 23 km) and turn right towards Medhamn. Alternatively, take road 26 north from Gullpång to Nybble (about 14 km) and turn left towards Medhamn. After 5.3 km there are prepared car parks on both sides of the road, the right one with space for buses. Click on a P in the map for directions. From the car park, an orange-marked 900 m long footpath leads through the Inre Kilsviken nature reserve to a large bird tower (Hygntornet) on a headland between two cultivated beach meadows. After 700 metres there is a small observation platform next to the path.
In the north-west corner of the nature reserve there is a smaller birdwatching tower (Edtornet). This alternative observation point can be reached by driving another 700 m west from the "main car park" to a small (unmarked) car park in the forest to the right of the road. From the telephone station on the other side of the road there is a 700 m long orange marked trail to Edtornet.