We were a little bit late this year, as only 3.650 cranes were at the place.
Only few days before a record of 11.050 cranes were observed!
Three days later only 725 were left.


With so few cranes, there was more space left over for the other birds...
Some of the birds you can see here are rare and endangered: the black-necked grebe,
the southern dunlin, the black-tailed godwit, the great snipe and the garganey.


The dance of the cranes was still to be observed, but you had to be patient.
Normally you have to get up early in the morning.


The first cranes normally appear at the beginning of March. These birds are not going to
show up easily, but at the end of that month, the large flocs start arriving.
After a few days rest, they set off for Lapland or other destinations in Northern Scandinavia.


Hornborga is not only for the cranes. It is first and foremost a bird lake. During the spring and
summer thousands of ducs and waders rest in the area; some of them also stay to breed.
But, of course, such a place also attract all the migration birds and offer a pleasant rest on their
way to the north. On this picture 6 grey-geese on their way.


View from the tower of the Hornborga Naturum, which also has an exhibition.
To day the lake has a maximum depth of 1,5 m and an average depth of 0,9 m.
The lake consists of a mosaic of open water, reed and bush areas,
together with shore meadows with a total wetland area of 3.300 ha.


Fulica atra, or Coot, is plump, black plumage with white bill and frontal shield. Soze abt. 40 cm.
This is one of the many other birds to be seen around here throughout the summer.


And for a newcomer, it is not difficult to get very close to this bird - the Coot.


But don't let us forget the cranes. The main-reason for visiting this place - at least at
this time of the year - the early spring. After having flown from Spain, and stopped here and there,
last time in Germany, they had another 6-7 hours trip to make to arrive at Hornborga lake.
Lake Hornborga is one of the most important wetland areas in Europe.


Early in the morning you can see the birds coming in from the southern end of the lake,
to eat on the shore during daytime. When the numbers are on top, it is a fantastic
view to observe thousand of birds coming in for landing. Then at sunset they go back to
the small islands out in the lake where they spend the dark hours.


And if you have spent all the day birdwatching, you probably wish to get som sleep yourself.
To day there are several parking lots around the lake where you can park. At the parking lot close
to the highway, you'll have to pay about 6 or 7 Euros for the night. Elsewhere it is free


And so we dream about birds. birds. birds.... and birds.
and even more birds...

back      other trips to Hornborga Lake

All pictures, except where otherwise stated - are my own.
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