New walk: Bird life at Isbladskärret
The Royal Walks app will guide you on a scenic walk in the Royal National City Park. The app now includes a new walk that will show you the bird life at Isbladskärret.
The walking app will guide you through the Blockhusudden and Isbladskärret areas of Royal Djurgården. Here you will find wetlands, meadows, deciduous forests, spruce forests and oak groves that are home to a wealth of flora and fauna, not least a wide variety of bird species.
This a unique area, with its varied nature located in central Stockholm.
"Sparrowhawks and goshawks sometimes hunt by the marsh, which is always exciting to see."
The walk is about 3 km long, and consists of eleven stops where the area's bird species are described in words and pictures. At Isbladskärret, for example, there is a large colony of herons, and the National City Park probably has Sweden's densest population of tawny owls.
Tips from a bird expert
The bird walk has been produced in collaboration with ornithologist Henrik Waldenström, who shares some of his top tips:
"Exciting things usually happen early in the morning, and sometimes at dusk. Sparrowhawks and goshawks sometimes hunt by the marsh, which is always exciting to see – prey or no prey.
"In June, a night-time visit can bring exciting encounters with various nocturnal songbirds.
"One bird you really shouldn't miss in the spring is the grey heron, with its clattering beaks, its nest building, its ugly chicks and its fishing techniques. Things like that really make your day."
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BIRD WALK
You can follow the bird walk all year round, but spring (April–June) is when the area is most rich in bird life. During the breeding season, visitors are encouraged to stick to the paths and designated seating areas.
Bring your binoculars, and a notebook to write down what you see.
The walk is about 3 km long and takes around 40 minutes to complete. Allow about two hours if you want to read, listen and look around.
How to get there: Bus 67 – the 'Thielska Galleriet' stop is the starting point for the walk. Parking is available below the Thiel Gallery. SL commuter boat line 80 – the 'Blockhusudden' stop is close to Stora Sjötullen, one of the stops on the walk.
KEEN TO SEE MORE BIRDS?
The app also includes a bird walk through Ulriksdal Palace Park Opens in new window..
Top image: Isbladskärret on Royal Djurgården. Photo: Jonas Borg
Isbladskärret on Djurgården is home to a large colony of herons. Photo: Stefan Oscarsson/N
The area consists of both wetlands and forest, and you can spot many different bird species here. Photo: Jonas Borg
The marsh and the canal attract large and small seabirds to the area, including the Slavonian grebe pictured here. Photo: Stefan Oscarsson/N
THE ROYAL WALKS APP
The Royal Walks app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store and Google Play. The text is in Swedish and English, and is illustrated with new and historic photos.
The app includes park walks on various themes in Haga Park, in Ulriksdal Palace Park, on Royal Djurgården, and around Tullgarn Palace, Gripsholm Castle and Drottningholm Palace. There is also a walk around the Royal Palace.
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