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Sommen

Östergötland  >  Sweden

Lake Sommen is a large and deep lake in southeastern Östergötland. Around the lake there are large pine and decidous forests. Sommen hosts a large archipelago.

Added* by Ludwig Gustafsson
Most recent update 8 juli 2023

Description

Lake Sommen is quite deep and most of the lake is ice-free all-winter. During this period large amounts of Laksand, Kvinand and Toppdykker winter in Sommen. Sometimes in the hundreds. Among these Toppand, Knoppsvane, Sangsvane, Sothøne, and Fiskemåke can often be found. The lake is also home to quite a few rarer wintering birds like Storlom, Siland, Kongeørn, Svartand, Sjøorre, Isfugl, Smålom and Hettemåke.

During the spring migration marine ducks can be found in the lake. At the same time Smålom, and Storlom, arrive at the lake. Storlom breeds in the lake while Smålom feeds in the lake and breeds in small neighbouring lakes. The rare Gulnebblom has been seen. Sommen archipelago hosts large colonies of Makrellterne, Fiskemåke, Hettemåke, Gråmåke, Gråhegre and Storskarv. Among these some rare birds like Sildemåke, and Rødnebbterne can be seen.

The large decidous forests around sommen especially on Torpön host plenty of quite rare birds like: Dvergfluesnapper, Dvergspett, Nøttekråke, and Hornugle. Around Sommen there is also old conifer forests around which support large populations of woodpeckers. Vendehals, Grønnspett, Svartspett, Dvergspett, Tretåspett (very rare), Flaggspett and Hvitryggspett (extinct in the area) have all been recorded. Other otherwise rare forrest birds found here are: Jerpe Storfugl, Orrfugl (Rocks mosse), and Nøttekråke.

During the autumn birds can be seen migrating through the lake. Most common are the doves, finches, terns, and waders. At Rocks mosse Orrfugl and Storfugl breed. At Visskvarn there are rapids where Fossekall, and Vintererle can be seen.

Details

Access

The area is quite vast, and has got many places to get a good view of the lake. The area is quite mountanous and a walk can be straining. Click on a P in the map to get directions to that point.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , River , Valley , Plateau , Mountain , Lake , Reedbeds , City/village , Agriculture , Wetland

Conditions

Hilly , Mountainous , Rocky , Slippery

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration , Winter , Summer

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Strenuous

Accessible by

Car , Foot , Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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