Borrevannet, Norway - Local Patch Birding
This gallery contains a selection of bird and other nature images taken at my local birding patch Borrevannet near Horten in Vestfold, Norway. Not all the images in this gallery may be of the highest quality but are included to show some of the species diversity that may be found here. Norwegian species names are also included with the images to help as a local language identification key.
The lake which is situated close to the Oslofjord, attracts many migrant water-birds during spring and autumn and provides an important ‘stopover’ feeding station as well as nutrition for local breeding species, which includes a large population of Great Crested Grebes. There is an ever-increasing reed-bed at the southern end of the lake with breeding Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings and more recently Marsh Harriers, but also Bearded Reedlings are occasionally found here during autumn. The adjacent surrounding areas comprising of farmland, woodland and a golf course is an important area for both breeding and migrant birds as well as an important breeding area for many insect species. The southern end also contains a breeding population of Marsh Warblers and is well known for large numbers of passerine migrants and rare vagrants. There is an observation tower here which is a good place to observe the water-birds and also watch migrating raptors. During winter the lake is frozen and almost devoid of birdlife but it is then used by skiers and skaters until the arrival of spring which is probably the most exciting time here for local birders.
Until 2019 an autumn bird ringing (banding) project close to the observasjon tower had been active for many years and occasionally scarce species, or even new species for Borrevannet have been caught and ringed here, including Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler.
In 2020, the southernmost fields outside the lakes perimeter, a new permanent flooded area forming a small lake was unintentionally created and this has been particularly valuable in attracting breeding wildfowl and for numerous migrating wading birds, which use it as a refueling station.
Borrevannet is continuously under threat by non-ornithological interests but hopefully this small selection of bird and other images will draw attention to the ornithological importance of this wonderful lake and surrounding area.
![]() Common Ringed Plover / Sandlo(Charadrius hiaticula) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 | ![]() Little Ringed Plover / Dverglo(Charadrius dubius curonicus) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 26th May 2010 | ![]() Black-tailed Godwit / Svarthalespove(Limosa limosa islandica) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 8th September 2021 |
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![]() Black-tailed Godwit / Svarthalespove(Limosa limosa islandica) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 8th September 2021 | ![]() Ruff / Brushane(Calidris pugnax) first year male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 | ![]() Ruff / Brushane(Calidris pugnax) first year male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 |
![]() Temminck's Stint / Temmincksnipe(Calidris temminckii) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 10th May 2014 | ![]() Temminck's Stint / Temmincksnipe(Calidris temminckii) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 24th August 2021 | ![]() Dunlin / Myrsnipe(Calidris alpina) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 |
![]() Dunlin / Myrsnipe(Calidris alpina) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 | ![]() Little Stint / Dvergsnipe(Calidris minuta) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 25th August 2021 | ![]() Little Stint / Dvergsnipe(Calidris minuta) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 28th August 2021 |
![]() Spotted Redshank / Sotsnipe(Tringa erythropus) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 24th August 2021 | ![]() Wood Sandpiper / Grønnstilk(Tringa glareola) first year - Borrevannet, Vestfold 23rd August 2021 | ![]() Eurasian Marsh-Harrier / Sivhauk(Circus aeruginosus) - adult male, Borrevannet, Vestfold 5th May 2017 |
![]() Ural Owl / Slagugle(Strix uralensis liturata) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 9th October 2012 | ![]() Ural Owl / Slagugle(Strix uralensis liturata) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 9th October 2012 | ![]() Great Grey Owl / Lappugle(Strix nebulosa lapponica) - Haukli (close to Borrevannet), Vestfold 20th March 2012 |
![]() Eurasian Wryneck / Vendehals(Jynx torquilla torquilla) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 19th June 2015 | ![]() Eurasian Skylark / Sanglerke(Alauda arvensis arvensis) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 31st May 2015 | ![]() Marsh Warbler / Myrsanger(Acrocephalus palustris) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 4th June 2015 |
![]() Greater Whitethroat / Tornsanger(Sylvia communis communis) pullus/newly fledged - Borrevannet, Vestfold 13th July 2015 | ![]() Eurasian Treecreeper / Trekryper(Certhia familiaris) adult with food for young - 14th May 2022 | ![]() Eurasian Treecreeper / Trekryper(Certhia familiaris) pullus just out of nest - 14th May 2022 |
![]() Eurasian Wren / Gjerdesmett(Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 28th September 2015 | ![]() White-throated Dipper / Fossekall(Cinclus cinclus cinclus) - Borrevannet (Falkensten), Vestfold 3rd November 2017 | ![]() Spotted Flycatcher / Gråfluesnapper(Muscicapa striata striata) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 14th July 2015 |
![]() Thrush Nightingale / Nattergal(Luscinia luscinia) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 14th May 2014 | ![]() Thrush Nightingale / Nattergal(Luscinia luscinia) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 14th May 2014 | ![]() European Stonechat / Svartstrupe(Saxicola rubicola) first year male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 10th November 2022 |
![]() European Stonechat / Svartstrupe(Saxicola rubicola) first year male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 10th November 2022 | ![]() Red-throated Pipit / Lappiplerke(Anthus cervinus) - Borrevannet, Vestfold 16th May 2010 | ![]() Blue Underwing / Blått ordensbånd(Catocala fraxini) - Borrevannet, Vestfold, 28th August 2021 |
![]() Migrant Hawker / Septemberlibelle(Aeshna mixta) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 28th September 2015 | ![]() Ruby WhitefaceØsttorvlibelle "Northern White-faced Darter" (Leucorrhinia rubicunda) male - Borrevannet, Horten, Vestfold Norway 12th June 2020 | ![]() Yellow-spotted WhitefaceGulflekktorvlibelle "Large White-faced Darter" (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) male - Borrevannet, Horten, Vestfold Norway 12th June 2020 |
![]() Ruddy Darter / Blodhøstlibelle(Sympetrum sanguineum) male - Borrevannet, Vestfold 28th July 2016 | ![]() Yellow-winged DarterGulvingehøstlibelle (Sympetrum flaveolum) pair - Borrevannet, Horten, Vestfold, Norway 14th August 2019 |