Vestsjælland / Western Zealand 

1) Korshage, Hundested & surrounding sea

2) Skælskør Nor, Skælskør Fjord & Borreby Mose

3) Tissø, Lille Åmose & Hallensbæk Mose

4) The Tystrup-Bavelse lakes

5) Valsølille lake
 

DOF Western Zealand

Korshage, Hundested and surrounding sea

 
Location:
On the north-west coast of Zealand, the sound between the Isefjord and the Kattegat lies between two promontories: the Rørvig peninsula to the west, on which Korshage is situated, and the Halsnæs peninsula to the east, on which the town of Hundested is situated.

Protection/IBA Status:
The Korshage area is a Nature Reserve and the rest of the area is protected by the general nature preservation laws, being also an IBA.

Important Birds:
Eider, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Woodpecker and Red- backed Shrike.

Habitat:
The Korshage area on the northernmost point of the Rørvig peninsula has been appointed a nature reserve. An attempt is being made to secure the coast against erosion, and grazing cattle are being used to help maintain the original vegetation.

The town of Hundested takes up a large part of the western end of the Halsnæs peninsula, but there are some spots round the town that are good for bird-watching during the migration season.

Birds and other Wildlife:
The vicinity of Hundested is renowned as a good all-round locality. Migrating raptors can be seen soaring over Spodsbjerg on the coast to the north of the town. Seabirds accumulate off the coast in autumn. Passerines gather both in spring and autumn around Spodsbjerg Lighthouse and Vindø marsh and at the coastal meadows east of Sølager, at the mouth of Roskilde Fjord. White-tailed Eagles visit during winter.

Visiting & Access:
Route 16 leads north from Copenhagen all the way to Hundested. There is a ferry crossing between Hundested and Rørvig. From Rørvig a small road leads all the way north to Korshage. 

 
 
DOF Western Zealand

Skælskør Nor, Skælskør Fjord & Borreby Mose
Location:
Skælskør Nor is situated north of the town of Skælskør in the south-west corner of Zealand. Skælskør Fjord dog-legs seawards south-west of the town. Borreby marshes lie south of the fjord.

Protection/IBA Status:
The locality has been appointed an EU Bird Protection Area, an EU Habitat Area and a Ramsar Area. Skælskør Nor was appointed a nature reserve as early as 1942, and this was extended to include Skælskør Fjord in 1995.

Important Birds:
Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Corncrake, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Little Tern.

Habitat:
Skælskør Nor is an almost completely freshwater lagoon, and is connected to the inner part of the fjord by a narrow stream running through the town of Skælskør. The fjord is brackish and relatively shallow, with only the navigation channel being over 2 meters deep. To the south lie the Borreby marshes: a large expanse of marshland surrounded by farmland and small woods.

Birds & other Wildlife:
Skælskør Nor is of international importance for staging Greylag Goose and particularly for Tufted Duck, which winter in numbers from approx 1,400 in normal years up to 24,000 during exceptionally cold winters. The Nor is also used by Mute Swan and Whooper Swan in the winter months.
 
Breeding birds include Marsh Harrier, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Ruff, Avocet, Arctic Tern, Little Tern and Corncrake.

Great Crested Newt and Fire-bellied Toad are spotted in the locality.

Visiting & Access:
Route 265 from Korsør (on the west coast) passes through Skælskør. It is designated a Marguerite Route most of the way through this locality. Smaller roads and a number of marked paths lead  to the nature reserve, to the fjord and the marshes. There are special regulations concerning hunting, boating, etc., in the reserve.

At car parks, maps of the area show the marked paths:
- From the car park shortly after Borreby Estate one can walk along Borreby marshes and Skælskør Fjord (1.6 km)
- From the tourist information office at the harbour in Skælskør there is a walk round Skælskør Nor (7.3 km) or along Skælskør Inderfjord ( 3.5 km) or along the Lodshus path (7 km)

DOF West Zealand

Tissø, Lille Åmose & Halleslev Mose
 
Location:
Tissø is situated some 15 km south-east of Kalundborg and is Denmark’s 4th largest lake. It is a freshwater lake, forming part of the course of Halleslev Å.  Lille Åmose is situated north of the lake and Halleslev Mose to the south.

Protection/IBA Status:
Round the eastern bank of Tissø - from Lille Fuglede to Sæby Kirke, and onwards to Hallenslev in the south - the narrow margin between the lake and the coast road is a nature reserve. Tissø, Lille Åmose and Halleslev Mose are an EU Bird Protection Area and also form part of an EU Habitat Area, which also includes the further course of Halleslev Å to its outlet into the Storebælt.

Important Birds:
Bittern, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Bean Goose, Greylag Goose, Teal, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Osprey, Avocet, Dunlin, Ruff, Little Tern, Kingfisher. 
 
Habitat:
Tissø lies in a so-called kettle-hole, created when the ice cap withdrew after the last ice age, isolating a huge lump of ice, which later melted. Down through the ages the lake has always offered good fishing, particularly for pike, tench and bream. Recent archaeological digs in the area have revealed settlements here going back to 600 AD onwards.

Tissø is characterized by significant changes of water levels. The wide meadows and reedbeds in the bogs west, north and south of the lake are often water-logged during summer. Throughout late summer and autumn the lake’s water level is often so low that sand and pebble banks are revealed. East of Tissø there are dry moraine slopes with interesting plant growth. There is also a small wood: Klinteskoven.

Birds and other Wildlife:
The lake, reedbeds and meadows house breeding Bittern, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Ruff, Little Tern, Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting. Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit and Grasshopper Warbler can also be spotted here.

The area is also an important staging area for waterfowl such as Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Goosander, various ducks, Whooper Swan, Bewick's Swan, Greylag Goose, Bean Goose, Canada Goose and Osprey. 

Resident fauna include Northern Crested Newt, Spined Loach and Otter.

Visiting & Access:
Heading for Tissø from Kalundborg, follow Route 22 for approx 5 km and turn left along the Marguerite Route 219 through Ubby village, after which the road follows the east bank of Tissø, with good views over the lake. The west side of the lake is rather boggy, but a minor road passes through the area, and from here there are views over the meadows.

The Viking settlement, where remarkable finds have been made, is situated nearby. In the moraine landscape east of Tissø there are several old estates. The area is of great local recreational value, although there are regulations concerning sailing, hunting and fishing in the nature reserve. Visitors are urged to keep to the paths in Klinteskoven.

 
DOF Western Zealand

The Tystrup Bavelse Lakes

Location:
The Tystrup Bavelse lakes are situated in the middle of Zealand, south of Sorø and north-west of Næstved. They are two lakes connected by a smaller stream. The largest river on Zealand, the Suså, runs through the lakes, which are surrounded by a hilly moraine landscape with farmland and large forests. Smaller tributaries empty into the lakes. 

Protection/IBA Status:
The Tystrup Bavelse lakes are a valuable birding location with a rich birdlife all year round, and have been appointed both an EU Bird Protection Area and an EU Habitat Area. They have also been designated an IBA. The lakes and surrounding 3750 ha were designated a nature reserve in the 1960s.

Important Birds:
Whooper Swan, Bean Goose, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Honey Buzzard, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Golden Eagle, Corncrake, Avocet, Common Tern, Little Tern, Kingfisher, Red-backed Shrike.

Habitat:
This landscape was created during the last ice age when two glaciers merged, shaping a sub-glacial stream trench, which today forms the Suså river and the Tystrup Bavelse lake system. At its deepest point, Tystrup Lake is 21.7 m deep, whilst Bavelse Lake is 8.8 m deep. As the lakes are so deep, and as many springs rise from the lake beds, the lakes stay ice-free longer than other lakes in cold winters. The openings in the ice benefit, not least, the rich birdlife.

There are a few areas with shallow water at the edge of the lakes, and there are reedbeds at several places. Midway along the lakes are the Vinstrup Holme: flat islets surrounded by reedbeds.

Birds and other Wildlife:
The woods, meadows and fields round the lakes offer a variety of birdlife alle year round. The commoner passerines breed in the woods, but also raptors and owls. Suserup Skov is a wood with many hollow trees, which are ideal for nesting woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Stock Dove and Pied Flycatcher. Along the lake banks, grebes, ducks, various reedbed birds such as Marsh Harrier and waders such as Oystercatcher, Redshank and Ringed Plover breed.

During winter, many birds arrive from Scandinavia to stage here: Great Crested Grebe, Smew, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick's Swan and numerous Coot. Winter also sees the arrival of large flocks of ducks: Tufted Duck winter in numbers of up to 15,000, and large numbers of Mallard, as well as smaller populations of Goldeneye, Pochard and Teal are seen. At Tamose bog Shelduck, Shoveler and Garganey can be spotted.

Geese also call in early winter. Bean Geese dominate in numbers, but Greylag and Canada Geese are also well represented. Occasionally Pink-footed, White-fronted and Barnacle Geese are observed.

In the forests in winter, flocks of passerines such as tits, finches, woodpeckers, treecreepers, and crossbills are found. In some streams the Dipper can be seen. The Kingfisher is mostly observed at the mouth of the Suså. In open areas of the forests, Great Grey Shrike can be spotted. Raven are commonly seen flying over the woods and fields.

Raptors such as Common Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Goshawk and Hen Harrier are attracted to these lakes. The most thrilling experience is witnessing the occasional visit from the White-tailed Eagle, with its huge wing span. Golden Eagle also visit the lake occasionally, and it is not unusual to catch sight of Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard and Peregrine.

Visiting & Access:
Drive southbound out of Sorø past the Sorø Academy on the Marguerite Route No. 239 for approx 7 km, then turn left along the road following the west bank of Tystrup Sø. Turn left at Dyrehave (the deer park), and carry on through Rejnstrup to the Suså and Bavelse Sø.  There are several car parks around the lakes, with paths giving access the lakeside itself.

Walking is permitted on the roads and paths in the private woods, which occasionally may be closed due to hunting or ongoing forestry work. The "Adgang forbudt" (Admission prohibited) sign at Bavelse Estate applies only to the estate buildings, not the road along Bavelse Sø. At the north end of Tystrup Sø is Kongskilde Friluftsgård with restaurant, Youth Hostel and Nature Centre, offering outdoor activities in the area. At the lakeside nearby at Frederikskilde Skov is a basic camp site, with tables, benches and grill facilities, free for public use. It is also possible to bathe in this part of the lake, as an artificial beach has been created. The lakes are used for canoeing, but with restrictions, and there are also restrictions on hunting, sailing, etc. 

It may be useful to acquire the Forestry and Nature Agency's folder covering the northern end of Tystrup Sø and the area around Hørhaven, which can also be downloaded from www.skovognatur.dk/Udgivelser/Vandretursfoldere/atilaa/Kongskilde

There are four good spots for bird-watching:

- From the car park at the farm of Suserup Gård at the north end of Tystrup Sø, a path leads eastwards to a bird hide at Tamose with good views over the lake on the way. Swans, many species of ducks, raptors, waders, pigeons, owls, Kingfisher, woodpeckers, and many species of warblers are seen here.
- From the car park at the Nature Centre at Kongskilde, follow the yellow marked path past the water mill towards Mølle Sø. There are views over the lake, and Tystrup village can be seen on the opposite bank. Here all kinds of birds can be observed.
- Hørhaven on the west side of Tystrup Sø can be reached by driving eastwards from the village of Vinstrup. There is a car park near the end of the road, from where there is access to Bavnen, a 55 m high hill, from where there are fine views and a chance to spot the large raptors. There is also a short yellow marked walk in the area.
- From the car park at the church at Bavelse, a pathway leads along Bavelse Sø with views over the lake and reedbeds. During spring and summer, look out for breeding birds from this path.
 
 
DOF Western Zealand


Valsølille lake

Location:
Valsølille lake is situated approx 10 km north of Ringsted, just a few kilometers from the highest point on Zealand, the 126 m high Gyldenløveshøj, in the middle of the hilly Skjoldenæsholm-Valborup forests.

Protection/IBA Status:
Valsølille lake has been appointed an EU Habitat Area. The locality does not qualify as an IBA, but is of interest due to its educational potential, with a variety of birds that are easily seen.

Important Birds:
Bittern, Smew, Marsh Harrier, Stock Dove, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Habitat:
Valsølille lake is rather shallow, from an average depth of 60 cm to a maximum of 2.9 m. The uninhabited island in the middle of the lake is covered in mixed woodland, and is renowned for its ancient oaks. There is limited forestry on the island. The lake is surrounded by reedbeds, behind which is a belt of alder, ash and willow, and behind that again woodland, meadows and fields. The lake has been heavily affected by agricultural pollution. This has now been stopped, but the lake is still nutrient-rich.

On the north headland of the lake is an idyllic spot with an earthwork: the only remains of a castle torn down in the 1500s.The present Skjoldenæsholm Estate was built in its place around 1662. Immediately north of Valsølille lake is Skjoldenæsholm Engsø, a newly established lake set in meadows, and a golf course.

Birds and other Wildlife:
Spring is the best time to visit Valsølille lake to hear the Bittern. Sometimes two booming males can be heard, east and west of the earthwork. The Marsh Harrier breeds regularly at the lake, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker have been seen in the alder swamps. Stock Doves probably breed in the old oaks on the island, and are often heard. Kingfishers are observed occasionally, but it is unknown if they are breeding here. Tawny Owl and Long-eared Owl are heard around the lake. Greylag and Canada Goose also breed here.

In early summer the Woodcock patrol the earthwork at dusk. In autumn there is a likelihood of seeing Osprey and Marsh Harrier. Sizeable populations of up to 600 Greylag Goose and flocks of Canada Goose are also seen, as well as Teal, Goldeneye, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Large flocks of Redwing often turn up in the alder and birch scrub around the lake.

Skjoldenæsholm Engsø attracts many species of staging and foraging waterfowl. Red-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe and Great Crested Grebe can be seen. Canada Goose and Greylag Goose stage here regularly, as do Mallard and Teal and the occasional Garganey and Gadwall. Waders such as Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper and Redshank are all visitors. Ruff and Yellow Wagtail are seen in late summer.

During winter, swans, Mallard and sometimes large flocks of Goosander, Pochard and Tufted Duck are observed. Smew and Bewick's Swan have also been seen. 

Visiting & Access:
From Route 14 between Roskilde and Ringsted, turn off towards Jystrup, and follow signs to Skjoldenæsholm Sporvejsmuseum (tramcar museum). Having passed through Jystrup and the golf course on the right, carry on a short distance along Knud Lavardvej, past the road to the Sporvejsmuseum and golf course, to a badly signed car park opposite an old red house. Follow the farm track through a cattle pen and continue to the lake. Alternatively, take the farm track heading south at a large oak tree on Knud Lavardvej. This also leads to the lake.

There is public access to the earthwork on the headland on the north side of the lake. The lake can be overlooked from the jetty. Valsølille estate and church are situated on the east side of the lake. South of the church, parts of the lake can be viewed from Valsølillevej. West of Valsølille lake is the village of Jystrup , but here the lake is hidden behind fields and woods.