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Ljusfors

Östergötland  >  Sweden

At Motala Ströms river mouth in Glan you can see seldom visited coastal meadows, and bird rich islets from the wide view of the hills.

Added* by Ludwig Gustafsson
Most recent update 28 February 2023

Description

Ljusfors lies in the northern part of Östgötaslätten, a large Swedish plain. It is surrounded by large amounts of forest. The coastal meadows are often visited by flocks of Tufted Duck, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Coot, Goosander (some times up to 500) Grey Heron and Great Cormorant in the open not frozen parts of the lake. Smaller amounts of rarer wintering waterfowl like Little Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Smew, Great Crested Grebe, and Common Kingfisher.

In the oak meadows tits, woodpeckers, finches winter along with common winter birds like Eurasian Bullfinch, Bohemian Waxwing, Common Redpoll, and Brambling. On the fields geese and swans can be found. Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, and Taiga Bean Goose have all been sighted.

During spring and autumn the coastal meadows are filled with large amounts of gulls, waders, passerine birds and terns. Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Northern Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, and Eurasian Curlew are all observed although there are often not many wadingbirds.

During spring rains hundreds of Common Tern and Black-headed Gull could be forced on the lake. Along with smaller amounts of European Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Arctic Tern.

In the spring and summer large amounts of passerine birds can be heard in the forests. Although mostly common birds can be found, also rarer birds like Red-breasted Flycatcher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch can be observed.

On the islands Great Reed Warbler, Black-headed Gull (large colony), Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Barnacle Goose, Greylag Goose, Common Redshank and Great Cormorant likely breed. Common passerines on the coastal meadows are Twite (rare and only during the migration), Linnet, Western Yellow Wagtail, European Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and Eurasian Skylark.

Many species of dabbling ducks can also be found during this season like Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, and Garganey. Along the river Grey Wagtail and Common Kingfisher breed, and White-throated Dipper can be found.

Details

Access

There are 2 parking spots and 2 nature reserves at the river mouth, one at each side of the river. There is a parking spot and trail at both reserves. At ljusfors naturreservat the trail goes up on a large hill which is perfect for viewing the area. Click on a P in the map for directions.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Reedbeds , City/village , Mud flats , Beach , River , Lake

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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