Description
Utterslev Mose & Bispebjerg Kirkegård are easy accessible from central København (Copenhagen). The site consists of open shallow lakes with extensive reedbeds, surrounded by a mix of mown grass, shrubs, and woods. The Mose is divided by roads into 3 sections, Østmosen in the east, Midtmosen in the middle, and Vestmosen in the west. The lakes hold a large colony of merihanhi, which are habituated to people so are very approachable. Most freshwater ducks occur in varying numbers, as do silkkiuikku and occasionally mustakaulauikku and more rarely, härkälintu. kaulushaikara are often present in winter, and could breed.
On migration, sääksi (kalasääski), ruskosuohaukka and Mehiläishaukka often pass over along with numerous hiirihaukka. Rarer species like haarahaukka can occur. Wader migration in early autumn includes regular rantasipi, metsäviklo and liro; after drought summers, more mud is exposed, which can attract suosirri, suokukko, and kuovisirri.
The reedbeds hold large numbers of rytikerttunen and occasional viiksitimali, while in adjacent wet ground with tall herbs, luhtakerttunen are frequent. The denser shrubby areas hold breeding satakieli and kultarinta, as well as commoner species like pajulintu, tiltaltti, hernekerttu, mustapääkerttu and lehtokerttu. pussitiainen can be seen occasionally, and has bred in the past. In winter, these are replaced by flocks of punakylkirastas and räkättirastas. A headland on the north side of Midtmosen, Langholm, has some excellent rough scrub habitat, which at least used to hold breeding pikkulepinkäinen. More open grassy areas can attract passage birds like pensastasku.
Bispebjerg Kirkegård (Bispebjerg Cemetery) has extensive tree cover, and is quiet with minimal disturbance, making it good for woodland birds, including nokkavarpunen and passage leppälintu and kirjosieppo. Grundtvigs Kirke, the landmark church adjacent to the Kirkegård, has breeding tuulihaukka and occasional passage mustaleppälintu.
Details
Access
An extensive network of cycle paths makes cycle access very easy. Bus stops on Frederiksborgvej (by the Kirkegård and the east end of Østmosen), on Horsebakken (between Østmosen and Midtmosen), and on Åkandevej at the west end; consult bus stop information boards for service numbers and timetables. Car parking is limited, but not necessary, with København's excellent public transport. Note that while Utterslev Mose is open at all hours, Bispebjerg Kirkegård is closed at night (opens 07:00, closes 22:00 in summer, 19:00 in winter).
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Reedbeds , City/villageConditions
FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Summer , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migrationRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
My information may be out of date; please leave any updates (Dansk or English) in the Comments section below!
Photos below are by Donald Hobern, creative commons licensed CC-BY, from Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Birds_of_Utterslev_Mose - if you have better, please add your own!


