Category: Nature & Wildlife

  • Birding at Østensjøvannet

    Birding at Østensjøvannet

    When I’m not staring at a computer screen, I like to stare at other things. Whether it’s gazing out of the window into the garden, or across a pond – I love to watch birds.

    Despite having lived in Oslo for quite a few years, it was only this past Autumn that I made my way to Østensjøvannet – a freshwater lake outside of the city.

    Østensjøvannet is home to one of the richest population of ducks and birds in Norway. Surprising, considering the immediate surroundings have a strange suburbia vibe. The area has been “developed” into something that feels more like a man-made nature reserve as opposed to a natural occurrence.

    As we strolled around the outside of the lake, I snapped some photos of the birds we saw. The most visible birds were all waterfowl, but we also encountered a woodpecker too.

    This Spring, I aim to return to Østensjøvannet on a more regular basis – armed with some binoculars and a keen eye. Records show sightings of over 200 different species of birds in the area. Until I return, I can share photos that I took on this outing.

    Do you like bird watching? What are your favourite birds?

    A photo of a swan sat upon a lake
    A close up of a barnacle goose
    Two mallard
    A small collection of cormorant gathered on an island
    A mallard spreads its wings as it rises out of the water
    A large gull bites the head of a smaller gull as a mallard looks on in a race for food
    A Great Spotted Woodpecker makes its mark on a tree
    A close-up photo of a magpie in the trees