Hornborga Lake 130407 day three

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Waking up at 5.15 to fix breakfast and get ready to leave at 6.00h. This morning we are going to Skövde skjutfält, a military, shooting range,  location, where we were guided to a field were there, hopefully, would be Black Grouse. It was chilly and the grass covered with frost as the sun rose. Quite a beautiful morning. We were lucky, there was 4 Black Grouse as I could see even if they were rather far away. You needed the spotting scope to see them. After an hour or so people started to have their breakfast. We sat down in the grass on the sunny side of the slope we used as birding site.  

 

After finishing breakfast we leave as the birds also left due to a bus stopping to close to them. We made a stop to listen for a lark but did not hear or see it. But we did hear a woodpecker. Later on we made a stop to look as some Bean goose.

 

We made a stop at a small village called Odensåker. It is a nice old culture area. A place with old buildings and fences and gorgeous nature with lots of Juniper bushes. I loved the roofs of the buildings with grass growing on it. :)  There was also a jewellery store where you could buy silver jewellery. And we also finished the coffee we might still have left.

 

Now we took the road around Hornborga lake and stoped at Varnhem for lunch. That´s the place where the movie of Arn was shot. This restaurant had a very nice bread baked of maize.

We finished the day with going back to Utloppet. There was a little more open water and birds then it was yesterday. Lots of swans, some ducks and gulls. And a few raptors as well. We stayed about 2h and then we headed back to the Hostel to finish the trip and get our belongings. At half past 4 I started my way back home. 3h in the car. Did take a look at Kvismaren but all geese were gone so I did not stay.

Thanks to the women who made this possible. You did a great job. And thanks to Lotta and Hanna who guided us. It was a great experience even if the lake was frozen.

Frosty Morning at Black Grouse location

Himmelsk    Sky Watch Friday

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Hornborga Lake 130406 day two Trandansen

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Hornborga Lake with Rapphönorna day 2
 



Herrtorp Qvarn

After a chilly night we got up at 5.30 to have breakfast and to gather a little food to bring with us. I had a few minutes to spare so I checked out the little waterfall at the side of the building. No birds but a glorious sunrise, mist and all.

 



At 6.45 the bus picked us up and we headed for what we call the Trandans which means "Crane dance". The place is located at the south point of the lake. They built a center for visitors and have a great view over the birds. The birds always stop at that location as they are being fed. It is good both for visitors/tourists and for the locals. The birds are not feeding on farmers land.

 

 

Whooper Swan with breeding colors

We spend all morning at the location watching Cranes, geese and mostly Whopper Swans. A few ducks here and there and two lapwings. After making an overall check of the area I went back the road we came as I had seen there was a very nice morning back light. I stayed put until the sun had raised so the glory was gone. There was also Tundra Swan. They said those are easy to spot. 4 was obviously seen. But I´m not sure I really saw any.

 

 



Trandansen

The "dancing" of the cranes happened occasionally. They merely jumped up and down flapping their wings.

At lunchtime we headed a bit north to

Löfwings Ateljé. An artist has a restaurant and are showcasing his artwork. Lovely nature art displayed both in separate rooms and on the walls. Seeing the nice art and enjoying a very good meal was a hit. And so was the company at the table. Especially Lotta and Hanna. Our guide and her daughter.   :)

Blue Tit being ringed

After lunch we headed for the lake and was divided into two groups. One group had free time to stroll alongside the lake looking for the Mute swans on the ice. Those I watched yesterday. Or trying to find some smaller ones in the bushes. But not many of these this time of year. The other group went to join a ringing session. After a while we changed groups. The little Blue Tit did not appreciate the procedure at all. Looking angry and tried to hurt the guys fingers. :)




Later on we change the original plans and headed to the other side of the lake as there was a little open water. The place called Utloppet (the outflow), so named as this is where the water exits the lake. Now we could see that actually some ducks and gulls has arrived to our frozen country. (This was the beginning of April.)

 

 

After a long day in the fields we went back to the Hostel for an evening meal. We call it pyttipanna. You can put whatever you like in a frying pan. The food disappeared more quickly then the staff had estimated from a bunch of woman. But adding some extra bread that problem was solved.

But the day was not over yet. We had a lecture to attend at the Trandansen so we headed out again. Alf and Clas had been counting the cranes for decades and that was what the lecture was about. But, honestly, the place now bathed in glorious evening light and it was hard to stay put and listen. At least for me as first and foremost is a photographer.

When we came back to the Hostel we were all tired. After a short session on what birds we had seen most of us went to bed.

Today I learned the difference in size and appearance between the Whooper swan and the Crane. I never realized before how big the swan really is. The two birds are almost the same in height but the body stays on completely different levels. Long legs on the crane the body stays high and the bird seems slender. Short legs on the swan makes the body close to the ground and gives a very heavy appearance. :) 

We are to be early birds again tomorrow.



Whooper swan in morning light

 And in evening light

Our World Tuesday     Outdoor Wednesday

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Kvismaren and Hornborga Lake 130405 day one

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Today I was going to Hornborgasjön with a group called Rapphönan - Grey Partridge. It is a network for female birders. So, this is a few days when I will spend time with woman only. And birds of course.

 

I left my home about 9.00h friday morning to go to Kvismaren at first. That is a Bird Observatory about 1,5h by car from where I live. I stoped at the first lookout and was surprised. No men whatsoever but I found 3 woman birding. One of them is now  a friend on FB.

 

The park observatory area was filled with geeze. I  think I never seen that many geese at one time. Then a few swans and a Sea Eagle. But not much else.

 

 

I took this shot from the lookout and it is interesting to see the birds gathering where there was just a fraction of open water.

 

I took a cup of coffee and then I continued west.

 

Note. When I was going home on sunday evening the area was empty. Maybe ten geeze or so was there. All others left the area. Going north I assume.

 

 

I arrived at the Hostel, Herrtorps Qvarn, around 15.00h. It is a very beautiful place and I checked it out for a while and then had the lunch I brought with me. There should be birds in the stream bot for now I did not see any. This place is an old flour-mill.

 

I was supposed to meet with the group ar 18.00h so I took my car and went to check out the main area of Lake Hornborga Nature Reserve.  

 

 

I realized this is a very beautiful countryside and had to make several photo stops. :)  I was a bit disappointed as the lake was still covered with ice at that time. It means not many birds. But there was mute swans looking their best in the back light. :)

 

 

 





Naturum Hornborgasjön

Then it was time to go back to the Hostel, meet with the group and have dinner. After dinner we had a person talking about the area and it´s history and birds. Very nice.

 

I stayed in a room with 4 other woman. It was a bit cold in the room so I did not sleep well. But I did not mind as I realised I had a window bed and could see all stars through the window. A little like when I was little and in my grandparents house. :)

 

 

 

 

Wild Bird Wednesday    Outdoor Wednesday

 

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