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Björken

Värmland  >  Sweden

Shallow lake with extensive marshes. The lake is surrounded by agricultural landscape.

Added* by Lars Eriksson
Most recent update 19 septembrie 2023
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Description

Björken is a very shallow lake with by extensive alluvial marshes. In the agricultural landscape the wetland is an important resting place for many birds, and a last outpost before the woodland takes over to the north. In the bird observation tower, you have a good view of most of the lake, including the lake's inlet and outlet, where the ice first breaks and the birds gather in the spring. Scan mud banks for resting waders during spring and autumn. The southern part of the lake can be viewed from a platform 400 m further south. Along the path to the bird observation tower, you have a good chance of hearing Mugurar roșu in the birch groves (May-June) and Presură de grădină in the birch thickets (first half of May). There is a small, but stable amount of nesting Presură de grădină, probably the only one in Värmland.

Many swans and ducks rest in Björken during the spring, also diving ducks such as Rață de ghețuri and Rață catifelată. When the marshes around the lake are flooded, large numbers of waders also rest, mainly various Tringa species. Codalb and Erete vânăt sometimes occur during the spring migration and Mierlă gulerată often make a stop here in the spring. In the forest groves there are Șoimul rândunelelor, Ciocănitoare pestriță mică, Frunzăriță galbenă and Mugurar roșu. From the surrounding fields sometimes Prepeliță and Cristel de câmp are heard, although the breeding frequency is uncertain.

In the autumn geese rest in the fields around the lake and the flocks can contain both Gâscă cu cioc scurt and Gâscă neagră. Waders can also stop in autumn, especially when mud banks in the lake are exposed by low water levels, which can also attract smaller numbers of Calidris waders. In some autumns Gușă vânătă are common.

Rare birds that have been observed in the area are Egretă mare, Rață mică, Rață roșie, Erete sur, Erete alb, Fugaci pătat, Fluierar de lac, Chiră mică, Pupăză, Fâsă de câmp, Fâsă de stâncă, Grelușel de zăvoi, Silvie porumbacă, Pitulice verzuie, Muscar mic, Grangur, Fofecuță bălțată and Presură de pădure.

Details

Access

From road E45, drive down towards and through Sunne and then continue on road 241 towards Munkfors. Continue on the same road to Torsberg and turn left there at the sign Bäckalund 8. Follow this road 3.6 km and park at the information sign near Tomthult's mission house (big red house with a white cross) on the right side of the road. Click on the P in the map for directions. Then follow the orange-marked path across the fields on the other side of the road to the bird tower (1.6 km). It is easy to move around the area around Björken thanks to several hiking trails, see the information board at the mission house.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Agriculture , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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