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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 Мартин сивий, Мартин сріблястий and Мартин морський. This is also one of the best places for the rare Мартин полярний, although it is not seen most years. Most gulls winter around Motala. The area also holds wintering waterfowl. Most commonly: Крех великий, Лебідь-шипун, Чапля сіра, Лебідь-кликун, Чернь чубата and Гоголь зеленоголовий. Around Vadstenaviken large amounts (many hundreds) of Крижень winter. Often with other rarer (wintering) dabbling ducks in the mix. The lake also holds wintering populations of Баклан великий, Крех середній, Крех малий (visitors from Boren) Пірникоза велика, Пірникоза мала, and during mild winters: Пірникоза червоношия, Турпан, Гагара чорношия and Морянка. The large fields around Vadstena and Norrsten hold wintering geese, Чечітка гірська and Пуночка снігова. Many birds of prey also winter. Most common are Яструб малий, and Орлан-білохвіст.
During the last weeks of Febuari the first spring birds arrive. Шпак звичайний, Жайворонок польовий, Зяблик звичайний, and Чайка чубата 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 Казарка білощока, Гуска сіра, Гуменник, Гуска білолоба Tundra Bean Goose and Казарка канадська are often seen. Most geese congregate around Tycklingen and Norrsten. Sometimes Гуменник короткодзьобий is also found.
During March most of the geese increase in number. More birds of prey arrive: Зимняк, Боривітер звичайний, Сапсан, and Шуліка рудий. In Vadstenaviken large amounts of dabbling ducks often rest. Галагаз євразійський (Regular), Мартин звичайний, Кулик-сорока, and Баранець звичайний also arrive during this period. From this period onwards Чепура велика is sometimes seen.
During April other wader along with Коноплянка and Щеврик лучний 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 Зяблик звичайний and В’юрок, continuing with thousands of Кульон великий, with smaller amounts of other waders like Кульон середній, Грицик малий, Брижач and Коловодник звичайний. Also large amounts of gulls like Мартин звичайний and Мартин сивий. In early May hundreds of terns (Крячок річковий, Крячок полярний) pass. Along with rarer birds like Крячок чорний, Мартин трипалий (quite rare) and Мартин малий.
During the summer many species of night-active birds can be heard like Кобилочка-цвіркун, Соловейко східний, Деркач лучний, Очеретянка велика (vadstena reningsverk), Перепілка звичайна and sometimes Кобилочка річкова. Many other warblers can be found during this period. In the cities of Motala and Vadstena city birds like Горлиця садова, Зеленяк звичайний, Горихвістка чорна (missing most winters), В’юрок, Голуб сизий, and Кропив’янка чорноголова 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.