A new and unique study published in today's issue of Science shows that the European Union's Birds Directive from 1979, have had positive effect on population trends of the species listed in the Directive. Lake Kvismaren is one of the conservation areas protected by EU regulations.

One ore two Great Egrets have been seen in the Lake Kvismare area recently. The first sighting was on July 22nd, and after that one or two individuals have been observed in both Lake Rysjön and in Lake Fågelsjön every day. The previous visit by a Great Egret in the area was on May 20th 2004, according to artportalen.se

Show sightings of Great Egret in the Lake Kvismare area, from artportalen.se

The ringing at Lake Kvismaren is running at full speed. So far during 2007, 1281 birds have been ringed at Kvismaren (until July 18th). Strong winds have recently made it impossible to ring birds on a couple of days. Despite strong winds, the largest number of birds ringed on one day this year was noted on July 17th, when 114 nidividuals were ringed.

Not only birds without a ring are caught, but also birds that have been ringed earlier at Lake Kvismaren or at other places. On July 17th a 5-year-old Lesser spotted woodpecker was caught and checked.

Penduline tit. Photo Albin Lundkvist.The ringing in Kvismaren started June 29 at Vallen, Västra Fågelsjön. Despite strong winds some 70 new birds were ringed, and around 20 previously ringed birds were controlled. Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, and Reed Buntings were most numerous. The effects of this year's advanced spring were noticeable: exceptionally many fledged juveniles, of many different species, were caught, and many adults had already started their complete summer moult.

Platform at Löten. Progress in July. Photo by Tobias Sahlman.
So far, large areas wetlands and wet meadows have been created in the area to the west and south west of Lake Rysjön. Accessibility has also been improved around Rysjön, witt paths suitable for wheel chairs, a renovation of the bird watching tower and a new platform at Löten, South of Lake Rysjön. New information signs have been placed on strategic locations around the Lake Kvismare area, and the central parking lot at the hill Öby kulle have new lavatories.

The Örebro County Administrative Board in cooperation with land owners, the City of Örebro and WWF, are working to restore wetlands and wet grazing meadows around the lakes during 2007. Another goal is to increase the accessibility of the area to ornithologists and other visitors. We who work with the Lake Kvismare Bird Observatory are of course very happy.

The newest feature on the website is a publications list. The research at the bird observatory has resulted in many publications over the years, and you'll find references to them in the publications list. Just follow the "publications" link in the main menu to the left. So far, only the most recent publications are entered in the list, but there are more to come.

This is the new web site of Lake Kvismare Bird Observatory. Make yourself at home, and contact webmaster@kvismaren.org if you have any questions.