Diverse Birdlife Around the Bird Tower
This fertile area, together with the coastline, brings about a very diverse birdlife. Along the river, on your way to the tower, you’ll find ducks like Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Mallard, and Common Goldeneye. And on a good day, you’ll see a beaver or two. In the spring, the forest offers quite a choir. Some of the species participating are Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Eurasian Blackbird, Thrush Nightingale, Icterine Warbler, Garden Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Wren, Willow Warbler, and Common Chiffchaff.
From the bird tower, you can see species both on land and in the water. During the best periods, you can actually record 50 or 60 species just from the tower, from which you’ll see ducks, gulls, birds of prey, grebes, and loons. The latter two of these groups are often seen towards Drammen, far out at the point where Drammenselva runs out.
Dynodammen and Møysund
Dynodammen, located just east of the bird tower, is another exciting area to stop by. Along its brinks, there are usually many passerines. During migration, White-throated Dipper and Common Kingfisher might also be seen where the creek along the path runs out into the river. Additionally, there should be ducks in the water and Grey Herons in the trees. Remember to walk quietly here to be sure not to scare away whatever is around.
The great number of dead trees around the pond attracts different woodpeckers, like Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Eurasian Wryneck. A birch forest is also found in the area, and here, Wood Warbler has been seen many times. Different waders and singing warblers breed in this swamp forest as well, and if you’re fortunate, you might get to see Hawfinch, Marsh Tit, and Eurasian Treecreeper.
Around Møysund, just north of Gullaug kirke (church), you can go on a nocturnal bird trip. And if it’s a good night, you’ll hear Eurasian Reed Warbler, Water Rail, and Spotted Crake.
Outside of the Reserve
Outside of Linnesstranda nature reserve, you’ll find many places that are worth a visit. At Gilhusodden, for example, you can find Little Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit, and Western Yellow Wagtail, while at the same time getting a great fjord view. And around the knolls, you’ll find breeding species like Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Skylark, and Yellowhammer, among others. Oftentimes, Northern Wheatear and Golden Plover can be found during migration.
The web page www.nofbuskerud.net has a detailed description of Linnesstranda.
