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Description
The deep waters around Lake Vättern are ice-free most years. This makes it an excellent wintering area for birds. The lake holds large wintering populations of gulls like Pescăruș sur, Pescăruș argintiu and Pescăruș negru. This is also one of the best places for the rare Pescăruș de ghețuri, although it is not seen most years. Most gulls winter around Motala. The area also holds wintering waterfowl. Most commonly: Ferestraș mare, Lebădă de vară, Stârc cenușiu, Lebădă de iarnă, Rață moțată and Rață sunătoare. Around Vadstenaviken large amounts (many hundreds) of Rață mare winter. Often with other rarer (wintering) dabbling ducks in the mix. The lake also holds wintering populations of Cormoran mare, Ferestraș moțat, Ferestraș mic (visitors from Boren) Corcodel mare, Corcodel mic, and during mild winters: Corcodel de iarnă, Rață catifelată, Cufundar polar and Rață de ghețuri. The large fields around Vadstena and Norrsten hold wintering geese, Inăriță cu cioc galben and Pasărea omătului. Many birds of prey also winter. Most common are Uliu păsărar, and Codalb.
During the last weeks of Febuari the first spring birds arrive. Graur, Ciocârlie, Cinteză, and Nagâț are usually the first to arrive. Some of the previously mentioned birds might start to winter if the winters continue to be mild. Many geese like Gâscă călugăriță, Gâscă de vară, Gâscă de semănătură, Gârliță mare Tundra Bean Goose and Gâscă canadiană are often seen. Most geese congregate around Tycklingen and Norrsten. Sometimes Gâscă cu cioc scurt is also found.
During March most of the geese increase in number. More birds of prey arrive: Șorecar încălțat, Vânturel roșu, Șoim călător, and Gaie roșie. In Vadstenaviken large amounts of dabbling ducks often rest. Călifar alb (Regular), Pescăruș râzător, Scoicar, and Becațină comună also arrive during this period. From this period onwards Egretă mare is sometimes seen.
During April other wader along with Cânepar and Fâsă de luncă arrive. During April-May large amounts of passerine birds, wader, gulls, and terns use the lake as a landmark for migration. It starts in the middle of April with thousands of Cinteză and Cinteză de iarnă, continuing with thousands of Culic mare, with smaller amounts of other waders like Culic mic, Sitar de mal nordic, Bătăuș and Fluierar cu picioare roșii. Also large amounts of gulls like Pescăruș râzător and Pescăruș sur. In early May hundreds of terns (Chiră de baltă, Chiră polară) pass. Along with rarer birds like Chirighiță neagră, Pescăruș cu trei degete (quite rare) and Pescăruș mic.
During the summer many species of night-active birds can be heard like Grelușel pătat, Privighetoare de zăvoi, Cristel de câmp, Lăcar mare (vadstena reningsverk), Prepeliță and sometimes Grelușel de zăvoi. Many other warblers can be found during this period. In the cities of Motala and Vadstena city birds like Guguștiuc, Florinte, Codroș de munte (missing most winters), Cinteză de iarnă, Porumbel de stâncă, and Silvie cu cap negru can be found year round.
Details
Access
Parking can be done at ample places. Some of them are: Tycklingen, Motala, Råssnäsudden, and Vadstena castle. Click on a P in the map to get directions to that area.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Plain , Plateau , Lake , Beach , Mud flats , Agriculture , Reedbeds , River , City/villageConditions
Flat , Hilly , Sandy , Wet , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Be respectful of the birds. Especially during breeding season.