Description
Just as any season at Gärstad, the area is overflowing with gulls even in winter. Most common are Silfurmáfur and Svartbakur. But also smaller amounts of wintering Stormmáfur and Hettumáfur. During cold winters even Hvítmáfur has been found. The gulls also attract large amounts of wintering birds of prey like Haförn, Förufálki, Músvákur, and Sparrhaukur. If the dams are ice free smaller amounts of ducks, geese and swans can be found in the area. Around Gärstadverken there are smaller amounts of wasteland enjoyed by birds during winter and alte autumn. Rare birds like Bókfinka (rare in winter), Hörfinka (rare in winter), Lyngfinka, Dvergsnípa and Húsaskotta have been found along with many more common wintering birds. Along with the gulls large amounts of crows also winter in the area. Most numerous are Grákráka, Hrafn and Dvergkráka.
During sping most of the Stormmáfur and Hettumáfur return to Gärstadverken. Rarer gulls like Sílamáfur, and Klapparmáfur are also found during this period. Early spring birds are also often found here first like Stari, Sönglævirki, Vepja, and Hringdúfa. The fields around Gärstadverken are also often filled with geese and swans during this period. When the dams open up most dabbling ducks common in the area can be found.
Gärstadverken is a quite surprisingly good location for wading birds. With Stelkur, Tjaldur, and Heiðlóa being common. During autumn even some arctic waders can be found.
During summer Toppgoði, Dverggoði, Vatnalóa, Flórgoði and Stargoði, who arrive in spring, all breed in the many dams in the area. Stargoði is extremely rare (only breeds in one other area in Sweden since it recently disappeared from Skåne) and might have left this location for good since it wasn't found in 2022.
During autumn gulls are most numerous. Thousands of Stormmáfur and Silfurmáfur. Although they often venture into lake Roxen. Here Klapparmáfur is relativley numerous, and Klapparmáfur can be found. Other rare gulls like Rita (very rare) and Dvergmáfur can also be seen.
Details
Access
Gärstadverken is located between the city of Linköping and lake Roxen. There is a parking lot. Click on a P in the map for directions to a parking.
