Lake Hornborga is a nature reserve. The aim is to preserve the lake with the sorrounding water meadows for bird species wishing to rest and breed and to retain the old, small-scale cultura landscape. It is situated just north of Falkoping City east of Gothenburg.



Lake Hornborga is one of the most important wetland areas in Europe. The cranes normally
appear at the beginning of March. A few weeks later the large flocks start arriving. These are
cranes that are returning after a pleasant winter in Spain, and which will then continue northwards, perhaps to a marsh in Lapland.

Huge quantities of potatoes were left in the soil - after harvest intended for the snaps destilleries around the area. Nowadays, no potatoes are available, so the cranes are
instad given grain, which also offers them excellent nutrition. By Mid-April usually some 10.000 cranes are found around the lake, but arrival varies from year to year.
At the time we visited this year, on April 22nd, there were only about 3.000 left - but sufficient for us to enjoy our visit.



The crane, which is the European crane - grus grus in Latin - is the largest bird passing
this area. It weighs between four and seven kilograms and is about 120 centimeter tall.
The male has a wing span of 250 cm. Cranes can live to a maximum age of 25-30 years,
and they are ready to breed when they are between three and four years of age.


Photo from the brochure: 'Lake Hornborga - Nature Reserve In The County Of Västra Götland -
Swedish Environment Protection Agency
(I am sure it is © Copyrighted....)

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