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Sømosen

Københavnsområdet  >  Denmark

Area of bog, islands and islets and a rich birdlife in the middle of the suburbs of Copenhagen.

Added* by Frank Desting
Most recent update 3 Ιανουαρίου 2021

Description

Sømosen is situated west of the suburb of Herlev, next to Lautrupparken. The green area, of which one third is a park with grass and scattered bushes, is neighbour to many large institutions and popular for a short walk in the open air. The bog itself was formed in a hollow after the last Ice Age. It is drained by the stream of Sømose Å. The bog was previously very overgrown, but during the 1980’s the municipality of Ballerup carried out an extensive re-establishment project, opening up large stretches of water and recreating islands and islets where birds can breed without being disturbed. Sømosen has developed into a little oasis with a rich birdlife. In addition to the large colony of Καστανοκέφαλος Γλάρος, three species of grebe breed here ( (Κοκκινόλαιμο) Νανοβουτηχτάρι, Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι and Κοκκινοβουτηχτάρι), together with many waterfowl. Waders include (Ευρωπαϊκή) Καλημάνα and Ποταμοσφυριχτής. Ποταμογλάρονο breed here and can be seen foraging throughout the summer. Passerines include (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κούκος, Τσιχλαηδόνι and many warblers. The biggest attraction for birdwatchers is probably breeding Υφάντρα. However, the tits have unfortunately not nested here the last few years, although they can sometimes be spotted in the area in spring.

Sømosen is also an excellent locality for migrating and staging birds both spring and autumn. Geese, ducks ( (Ευρωπαϊκή) Σαρσέλα , (Ευρωπαϊκό) Κιρκίρι , Ψαλίδα (του Βορά) , (Ευρωπαϊκό) Σφυριχτάρι , Καπακλής and (Ευρασιατική) Χουλιαρόπαπια ) can be observed. Raptors include a fair number of (Κοινή) Γερακίνα and smaller numbers of (Ευρωπαϊκός) Σφηκιάρης, together with infrequent visitors such as Ψαλιδιάρης, Χιονογερακίνα, (Ευρωπαϊκός) Θαλασσαετός, Χειμωνόκιρκος, Καλαμόκιρκος, Ψαραετός (often seen foraging) – and with some luck Νανογέρακο and Πετρίτης. (Ευρασιατικός) Ήταυρος has been observed on a few occasions. If there are easterly winds flocks of (Ευρωπαϊκός) Γερανός may appear. Many waders ( (Ευρωπαϊκός) Στρειδοφάγος , (Ευρωπαϊκή) Καλημάνα , Ποταμοσφυριχτής , Πρασινοσκέλης , Δασότρυγγας , Λασπότρυγγας , Ακτίτης, (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι og af og til (Ευρασιατική) Μπεκάτσα ).

In addition, Μελανόγλαρος and Γιγαντόγλαρος and even Καρατζάς are occasionally seen. Also sparrows, a lot of larks, pipers, wagtails, swallows, thrushes and finches rest and pull in and over the bog. Μουστακαλής is seen occasionally. (Κοινός) Φοινίκουρος , Καστανολαίμης, Σταχτοπετρόκλης, Σταχτομυγοχάφτης, Μαυρομυγοχάφτης, Αετομάχος and Τσακρίλλι and Lesser Redpoll are seen regularly. Τσιχλοποταμίδα has visited the bog for a single year.

In the winter months many wildfowl can be seen and visitors from northern Scandinavia may turn up: Αγριόκυκνος, Χωραφόχηνα and Canada Goose. In periods of frost, one may be lucky enough to see (Ευρωπαϊκή) Νεροκοτσέλα foraging at close range in Sømose Å or even a Κουφομπεκάτσινο. In some years there can be invasions of Κεδρότσιχλα, Κοκκινότσιχλα or (Ευρωπαϊκή) Βομβυκίλα, and many colourful finches.

Details

Access

If using public transport, Sømosen is most easily reached from Copenhagen by taking bus 350S and getting off at Københavns Teknikum (the Copenhagen University College of Engineering) in Ballerup. One can also take the local 167/168 bus from Herlev Station (get off at Herlev Stadium and walk down Rørløkken to Sømosen). If coming by car, it is possible to park on Vingekrogen. There is a bird observation tower in the south-east corner of the bog, and in the north-east corner is a jetty which is very useful as a look-out post.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland

Conditions

Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration , Spring migration , Summer , Winter

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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