Kvismaren

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Overview

This wide valley in south-central Sweden once contained two lakes but drainage schemes in the late 19th century left the area as mainly low-lying pasture and arable land. However, some of the marshy areas remain with reedbeds and willow scrub and attempts have been made to partly restore the lakes.

The main wetland area is surrounded by canals and embankments to protect the farmland and there are pine woodlands in some areas.

Birds

Notable Species

For breeding wetland birds Kvismaren is one of the best sites in southern Sweden. Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier, Great Bittern, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Crake all breed, Little Crake and Baillon's Crake are also present. In addition there are grebes and various ducks and the reedbeds have a range of warblers which can include River Warbler, Savi's Warbler and Blyth's Reed Warbler. Penduline Tit is a recent colonist.

The farmland surrounding the marshes has Quail, European Honey Buzzard, Icterine Warbler and Ortolan Bunting as well as Common Rosefinch and Thrush Nightingale.

During passage periods the area is excellent for waders, including regular Great Snipe, and waterfowl, and in winter there are White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Little Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Bittern, Grey Heron, Taiga Bean Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, European Honey Buzzard, White-tailed Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Merlin, Northern Hobby, Common Quail, Water Rail, Spotted Crake, Little Crake, Baillon's Crake, Corncrake, Common Crane, Northern Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Great Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Gull, Black Tern, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Eurasian Wryneck, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Thrush Nightingale, Eurasian River Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Willow Warbler, Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, Great Grey Shrike, Common Rosefinch, Ortolan Bunting, Reed Bunting

Other Wildlife

The highest concentration of reptiles in Northern Europe, Beaver, Wolf, Elk.

The carpet of wood anemomes in Sorn oakwood is something to behold.

Site Information

History and Use

To do

Areas of Interest

To do

Access and Facilities

To reach this Ramsar Site and nature reserve leave Örebro on Route 207 for 15km then turn right towards Norrbyås, from here continue another 3km to the Kvismare canal.

Contact Details

To do

External Links

To do

Content and images originally posted by Steve

Reviews

Bill Alexander's review

A naturalist's paradise containing a very wide range of bird species. Sometimes between 9-11,000 Crane, 15,000 beanies, circa 20 breeding pairs M.Harrier, c.30 breeding pairs Great Reed Warbler, maybe some years 10 breeding pair Penduline Tit, River Warbler around the canal (if lucky) White-tailed and Golden Eagle, Black Tern Breeding, Red-footed Falcon on migration, Nutcracker ...The list goes on. The highest concentration of reptiles in Northern Europe, beaver, wolves, elk The carpet of wood anemones in Sorn oakwood is something to behold. http://www.kvismaren.org/

Pros

• Great Hides
• Good variety of habitat.

Cons

• Err- errrr -none

Derek McGinn's review

Agree with Bill on the basis of a three-day stop-over in 2002. If Bill reads this perhaps he can post a reply. I'm planning a return visit in 2005.