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Description
The deep waters around Lake Vättern are ice-free most years. This makes it an excellent wintering area for birds. The lake holds large wintering populations of gulls like Θυελλόγλαρος, Ασημόγλαρος του Βορά and Γιγαντόγλαρος. This is also one of the best places for the rare Glaucous Gull, although it is not seen most years. Most gulls winter around Motala. The area also holds wintering waterfowl. Most commonly: Χηνοπρίστης, (Βουβός) Κύκνος, Σταχτοτσικνιάς, Αγριόκυκνος, Μαυροκέφαλη Πάπια and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Βουκεφάλα. Around Vadstenaviken large amounts (many hundreds) of Πρασινοκέφαλη Πάπια winter. Often with other rarer (wintering) dabbling ducks in the mix. The lake also holds wintering populations of (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κορμοράνος, Θαλασσοπρίστης, Νανοπρίστης (visitors from Boren) Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι, (Κοκκινόλαιμο) Νανοβουτηχτάρι, and during mild winters: Χειμωνοβουτηχτάρι, Βελουδόπαπια, Λαμπροβούτι and Χιονόπαπια. The large fields around Vadstena and Norrsten hold wintering geese, Twite and Χιονοτσίχλονο. Many birds of prey also winter. Most common are (Κοινό) Ξεφτέρι, and (Ευρωπαϊκός) Θαλασσαετός.
During the last weeks of Febuari the first spring birds arrive. (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψαρόνι, (Κοινή) Σιταρήθρα, (Κοινός) Σπίνος, and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Καλημάνα are usually the first to arrive. Some of the previously mentioned birds might start to winter if the winters continue to be mild. Many geese like Barnacle Goose, Σταχτόχηνα, Χωραφόχηνα, Ασπρομέτωπη Χήνα Tundra Bean Goose and Canada Goose are often seen. Most geese congregate around Tycklingen and Norrsten. Sometimes Pink-footed Goose is also found.
During March most of the geese increase in number. More birds of prey arrive: Χιονογερακίνα, Βραχοκιρκίνεζο, Πετρίτης, and Ψαλιδιάρης. In Vadstenaviken large amounts of dabbling ducks often rest. Βαρβάρα (Regular), Καστανοκέφαλος Γλάρος, (Ευρωπαϊκός) Στρειδοφάγος, and (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι also arrive during this period. From this period onwards Αργυροτσικνιάς is sometimes seen.
During April other wader along with (Κοινό) Φανέτο and Λιβαδοκελάδα arrive. During April-May large amounts of passerine birds, wader, gulls, and terns use the lake as a landmark for migration. It starts in the middle of April with thousands of (Κοινός) Σπίνος and Χειμωνόσπινος, continuing with thousands of (Ευρασιατική) Τουρλίδα, with smaller amounts of other waders like Σιγλίγουρος, Θαλασσολιμόζα, Μαχητής and Κοκκινοσκέλης. Also large amounts of gulls like Καστανοκέφαλος Γλάρος and Θυελλόγλαρος. In early May hundreds of terns (Ποταμογλάρονο, Χιονογλάρονο) pass. Along with rarer birds like Μαυρογλάρονο, Τριδάκτυλος Γλάρος (quite rare) and Νανόγλαρος.
During the summer many species of night-active birds can be heard like Θαμνοτριλιστής, Τσιχλαηδόνι, Ορτυκομάνα, Τσιχλοποταμίδα (vadstena reningsverk), (Κοινό) Ορτύκι and sometimes Ποταμοτριλιστής. Many other warblers can be found during this period. In the cities of Motala and Vadstena city birds like (Ευρασιατική) Δεκαοχτούρα, (Ευρωπαϊκός) Φλώρος, Καρβουνιάρης (missing most winters), Χειμωνόσπινος, Αγριοπερίστερο, and Μαυροσκούφης can be found year round.
Details
Access
Parking can be done at ample places. Some of them are: Tycklingen, Motala, Råssnäsudden, and Vadstena castle. Click on a P in the map to get directions to that area.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Plain , Plateau , Lake , Beach , Mud flats , Agriculture , Reedbeds , River , City/villageConditions
Flat , Hilly , Sandy , Wet , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Be respectful of the birds. Especially during breeding season.