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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 Pescăruș râzător, three species of grebe breed here ( Corcodel mic, Corcodel mare and Corcodel cu gât roșu), together with many waterfowl. Waders include Nagâț and Prundăraș gulerat mic. Chiră de baltă breed here and can be seen foraging throughout the summer. Passerines include Cuc, Privighetoare de zăvoi and many warblers. The biggest attraction for birdwatchers is probably breeding Boicuș. 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 ( Rață cârâitoare , Rață mică , Rață sulițar , Rață fluierătoare , Rață pestriță and Rață lingurar ) can be observed. Raptors include a fair number of Șorecar comun and smaller numbers of Viespar, together with infrequent visitors such as Gaie roșie, Șorecar încălțat, Codalb, Erete vânăt, Erete de stuf, Uligan pescar (often seen foraging) – and with some luck Șoim de iarnă and Șoim călător. Buhai de baltă has been observed on a few occasions. If there are easterly winds flocks of Cocor may appear. Many waders ( Scoicar , Nagâț , Prundăraș gulerat mic , Fluierar cu picioare verzi , Fluierar de zăvoi , Fluierar de mlaștină , Fluierar de munte, Becațină comună og af og til Sitar de pădure ).
In addition, Pescăruș negricios and Pescăruș negru and even Pescăriță mare are occasionally seen. Also sparrows, a lot of larks, pipers, wagtails, swallows, thrushes and finches rest and pull in and over the bog. Pițigoi de stuf is seen occasionally. Codroș de pădure , Mărăcinar mare, Pietrar sur, Muscar sur, Muscar negru, Sfrâncioc roșiatic and Inăriță and Inăriță mică are seen regularly. Lăcar mare 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: Lebădă de iarnă, Gâscă de semănătură and Gâscă canadiană. In periods of frost, one may be lucky enough to see Cârstel de baltă foraging at close range in Sømose Å or even a Becațină mică. In some years there can be invasions of Cocoșar, Sturzul viilor or Mătăsar, 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.