Birding at Kvismaren

click photo to view with Lightbox

NF Photos 131007, Kvismaren

I had seen reports of  two Great White Egrets in Kvismaren. So waking up monday morning with ratehr good weather I decided to go there. It is about a little more then an hours drive to the location from where I live.

My first stop at the lake Rysjön where the Egrets were supposed to be I saw none. But a lot of greylag geese and swans and a few ducks.  I continued to the area called Öby Kulle, a place famous for lots of snakes in spring. They spent the winter hibernating in an area now fenced.

Well, I took my gear and started out to the birding tower. In the area there are cattle grazing and I saw something that made me stop. There was a newborn calf lying in the grass. I saw it´s first steps in this world. What a pleasure to see this. From what I can tell it was a boy. :)  On my way back I could see there was actually one more calf that seemed to be only days old. Both of them black in color.

After a while I left the little family and headed for the tower. Checking out the wetland I noticed it was very little water. Lots of small island I never seen before. But no egrets.  But a hungry Sea Eagle harassing the birds in the lake. After a while a group of Grey Herons flew in over the lake. The Eagle seemed to think one of them would make a great dinner. Maneuvering it out of the group. I was a bit unlucky as the pair flew in front of the sun and became silhouette's. But I was pleased anyway. The heron went for the grass and once on the ground it could use the beak as a weapon and the eagle had to give it up.  Good for heron but bad for eagle.

Now I turned my attention o the egrets once more. And now I finally found them. Far away of course but close enough to ID them. I sat down on the table an ate an apple. Enjoying the area around me. Took a lot of shots of course as that is what I do.

There is a problem in Sweden causing me to do one thing on the tower. I put my scope on the table and stood on the bench to watch the lake. On this tower I can do just that. So, why am I doing that? Because the towers are built for men and I am always too short to see anything. The rail is always in the height of my face causing me to either kneel or stand high up on my toes. And it is always blocking the sight path through my scope. None of it is fun.

Bird D´Pot    Camera Critters 

NOTE! Comment form for visitors outside GOOGLE 

Labels:  Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, resa, travel,  Kvismaren, Rysjön, Ägretthäger, The Great White Egret, Egretta alba, White Egret, egret, kalv, calf,

Kvismaren and Hornborga Lake 130405 day one

Translate? See Google translation in the sidebar!

 

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

 

NOTE! Comment form for visitors outside GOOGLE 

Labels: Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, airplane, flygplan, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, fågelblog, birdblog,  Grey Partridge, Herrtorps Qvarn, Hornborga Lake, Hornborgasjön, Kvismaren, Rapphönan, knölsvan, mute swan