Värnamo, situated in the south of Sweden appr. 170 km east of Gothenburg, is a fine starting-point for exploring the birdlife of the western parts of the province of Småland. The region consists of habitats like coniferous and deciduous forests, lakes, agricultural districts and bogs with the vast Store Mosse National Park as an outstanding area, similar to the bogs in Lapland in northern Sweden. The different habitats result in an interesting birdlife with both northern and southern species breeding. At the National Park you´ll find e.g. breeders like Whimbrel, Jack Snipe and Greenshank as well as southern species like Shoveler and Garganey.

Over 250 species have been recorded in the region of which about 140 are breeders. The period from March to June is the most interesting as a wider variety of species are found with both migrants and breeders. The places described are the main sites in our region and a visit to some of these will give you a good sample of the birdlife in our region. The numbers refer to the thumbnail-map.

1. Kävsjön - Store Mosse National Park
2. Osudden
3. Södergårdsviken

How to get there: The lake is situated north of road 151 between Värnamo and Hillerstorp. From the large car parking there is a small gravel road to Kittlakull, distance approx. 1 km, where a path leads out on the bog. You can reach Svänö by foot (appr. 5 km) or continue by car on road 151 towards Hillerstorp, Turn right at the roundabout and go on for appr. 5 km. Turn right towards Stråkeved (signposted) and follow this road for another 5-6 km. Turn right at the fork towards Häradsö and soon you´ll find a sign-post "S. Svänö" and the symbol for the National park. Turn right and follow the small gravel road for appr. 3 km to Svänö.

Lake Kävsjön, situated in the Store Mosse National Park, is the big gem in the Värnamo area, with 227 species recorded. At the lake there are three observation towers, a large at the car parking with four stores and elevator up to the first and a small tower appr. a 15 minutes walk from the car parking. The small tower is better to visit during spring when you get closer to ducks and waders. The third tower, Svänötornet, is situated on the eastern part of the lake. From Svänö it is a 15 minutes walk to the tower. Svänömaden, a marsh that is grazed during the summer, is best wieved from this tower. Note the bird protection between 1/3 and 30/9.

Kävsjön is mainly a migratory and breeding location. The bird life has however declined during the 90-s and species like Black-necked Grebe, Pochard and Moorhen is nowadays not breeding. The earlier large colony of Black-headed Gulls with appr. 1500 pairs was abandoned in 1997. Measures have been taken during recent years by the managing County board and promising results have been achieved. Black-headed Gulls are e.g. back which will benefit the ducks.

At Kävsjön the birdlife starts in spring when the ice breaks with the arrival of Whooper Swan and geese. The numbers increase in order to culminate in march depending on how early the spring is. When the majority of swans and geese move on Cranes and ducks arrive. Mallard and Teal are the most common ducks with Wigeon and Shoveler as runners-up. Gadwall is seen sometimes and Garganey and Pintail are annual. Smew is regular in March and April. Ducks as Common and Velvet Scooter and Long-tailed Duck visit the lake occasionally in April-May.

In the end of April the waders are back with species like Snipe and Jack Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew and Whimbrel and Ruff etc. Ruffs can be seen displaying out on the bog around the lake. At dusk in end of April Jack Snipes display and are usually heard from the large tower where also Spotted Crake can be heard in May. Great Snipe displays irregularly in the first two weeks of May and can be heard at dusk and early morning from Svänötornet. This is also the best place to watch migrating and breeding waders. Sedge Warbler is common in the lake and at the small tower you sometimes hear Water Rail. Rare visitors include e. g. Great Egret, Ruddy Shelduck, Marsh Sandpiper, Rednecked Phalarope and Pallid Harrier.

Greylag Goose and Canadian Goose are early breeders with chickens hatched in April. Other breeders are e. g. Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Hobby, Marsh Harrier and Crane. On the southern part of the moss Whimbrel is breeding. It's actually one of a few breeding places south of the Scandinavian fjelds. In order to find the Whimbrels start from Kittlakull and follow the path that leads out across the bog for approx. 20 minutes. A bench along the path is a good target.

During late summer arctic waders as Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Temminck´s Stint and Grey Plover are found. Svänötornet is the best place to watch these but due to the water level in the lake the little tower can also be a good option. In august the first Hen Harriers arrive. Look also for Montague's Harrier which is regularly seen during summer.

The national park is an important wintering area for Golden Eagle. It's mainly northern individuals beginning to show up in the end of October. White-tailed Eagle arrives later and in less numbers.  Kävsjön freezes early in winter which reduces the numbers of birds encountered mainly to the eagles, tits, woodpeckers and Great Grey Shrike.

Around Svänö Great Spotted, Green and Black Woodpecker are found and Willow, Coal and Crested Tit are present in the pines.

A nice place to enjoy the displaying Snipes and Jack Snipes in April/May is Blådöpet, a fen in the southern part of the National Park. Drive south from Hillerstorp and turn left to High Chaparral (it is a wild west amusement park). Continue past High Chaparral for 3 km and turn left at sign-post to "Lövö". Drive for 4 km and park at the end of the road. From the cottage follow the track towards "Utsikt" (marked with orange). After appr. 1 km you pass Blådöpet and beyond the small bridge you´ll find a bench. This is an excellent place without disturbing noise from the traffic.

2. Osudden

How to get there: From road 27 turn off to the hospital. In the crossing turn right to Hånger. Turn left at the first road (second if you arrive from east). Follow this approx. 300 m passing a couple of farm buildings, turn left at the beach signpost. Follow the tarmacked road for 500 m and park at the red shed which is a good starting point.

At Osudden beach south of Värnamo there are agricultural fields on both sides of river Lagan and fields grazed by cattle west of the river. A small forest with mainly birch, oak and alder enclose the beach and in the western part of lake Vidöstern extensive reeds grow. This is a good spot to cover the spring and autumn migration. Lagan and Vidöstern serves as a migratory track for birds like e.g. Cranes and attracts a large number of species. The number of breeding birds is on the contrary low. At Osudden 226 species have been recorded.

In winter lake Vidöstern is usually frozen which facilitates the search for Bearded Tit in the reeds while an occasional Great Grey Shrike is found in treetops. In the trees you might find Redpoll and Long-tailed Tit.

The ice breaks at the outlet of river Lagan and forms a big opening in the ice which attracts e. g. Goosander, Goldeneye, Herring and Great Black-backed Gull. From march and forth is a visit at Osudden more rewarding. Snow Bunting on passage feeds regularly in the fields, occasionally White-tailed Eagle circuits over the lake, Red-throated Diver is on passage and the Grey-lag geese are back; an increasing species. The Cranes pass in the end of march / beginning of April in numbers of several hundred per day, while migrating Pintail, Shoveler, Garganey and sometimes Gadwall gather at the reeds. Common Scooter and Eider are found further south in the lake. Scaup, Velvet Scooter and Long-tailed Duck are seen irregularly. The best observation place for these is at Tånnö (number 4 in the map).

Marsh Harrier nests in the reeds and in the fields Yellow wagtail, Lapwing and Curlew breeds where you will also find Wheatear and Whinchat. In the wood  Icterine Warbler and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are present and in the reeds Bittern is recorded regularly. In the end of May Brent geese are sometimes seen on passage, preferably mornings and evenings. Rarities in spring include e.g. Alpine Swift, Savi's Warbler, Citrine Wagtail and Oriole.

In august Ortolan Bunting and Bluethroat are irrregular on autumn migration and prefer to feed in the harvested oats fields. Merlin, Great Snipe and Red-throated Pipit are usually found in September. A walk in the wet fields close to the lake may produce Snipe and Jack Snipe and along the beach waders as Ringed Plover and Dunlin may occur. Migrating Cranes are regularly seen from September with a peak in October (over 2300 recorded in one day). In the fields flocks with finches and larks forage and occasionally Lapland Bunting and Twite is found here. Golden Plover and Ruff are common on passage. Uncommon species during autumn includes e.g. Little Auk, Dotterel and Richard's Pipit.

3. Södergårdsviken

How to get there: 12 km from Värnamo, following road 27 towards Växjö, you will reach the village Bor. Turn right 500 m after the village (yellow signpost "Södergårdsviken"). Turn left at the sewage plant 200 m after the road fork. Follow the track along the fence and park at the end of the fence. Enter the area from the southern part where you´ll find a platform. Another tower is situated in the SW part.

Södergårdsviken is a former creek situated in the northern part of lake Flåren. It is separated from the lake by a bank, thus forming a large pond. The area has been subject to a major restoration which has restored the wetland area. App. 50 pairs of Black-headed Gulls and 10-15 pairs of Coot breed here. During spring migrating waders are found foraging in the area.

Rarities seen at Södergårdsviken include e.g. Pine Bunting and Alpine Swift.

Bird areas in our neighbourhood

Lake Draven, 25 km west of Värnamo, is a restored lake situated in an agricultural area. It supports a good variety of both breeding and migrating birds. Follow road 27 westbound from Värnamo. Turn left a couple of km:s west of Bredaryd village at the signpost "Fågeltorn".
More information: Västbo Fågelklubb

Husebymaden is a restored wetland situated approx. 70 km southeast of Värnamo. It was officially appointed National Reserve in 1998 and has already proved to be a very significant bird area.
More information: KOF.