|
|
| Home Birding Spots The Pøleå Lakes | Site Map |
|
|
|
|
The Pøleå LakesStrødam Engsø -
Solbjerg Engsø -
Alsønderup Engsø
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
The observation tower at Strødam Engsø. |
|
Pøleåen is a stream in North Sjælland. It is about 20 km long, rises south of Hillerød and flows northwards through the artificial lakes Strødam Engsø and Solbjerg Engsø, then westwards through Alsønderup Engsø before it enters Lake Arresø.
Arresø has been heavily polluted for many years by nutrients. As part of a lake restoration programme, the three artificial lakes have been created along Pøleåen as an attempt to retain the nutrients from entering Arresø.
All three lakes are fine birding spots, especially for grebes, swans, geese, fresh-water ducks, and raptors. Birds can be seen all year except when the water is frozen.
Raptors include Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus, Rørhøg), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis, Duehøg), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus, Fiskeørn), and - with some luck - White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla, Havørn). Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus, Vibe) often appear in fairly large numbers, and in the migration seasons one may see quite a few other species of shorebirds. The Raven (Corvus corax, Ravn) isn't uncommon. In winter, the Dipper (Cinclus cinclus, Vandstær) often appears along the rapids where the stream leaves Strødam Engsø and Solbjerg Engsø. With a little luck, one may also see a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis, Isfugl).
Strødam Engsø was established in 1996. It is located north-west of Hillerød, immediately north of Primary Route 19. The Pøleå trail follows the west side of the lake. There's a sheltered observation tower situated at the western side of the lake accessible from the Pøleå trail.
How to get there by car: Follow the roads Tulstrupvej, Hejrevej, Damvejen and Strødam Mose. Leave your car about 300 m from Damvejen. Alternatively, you may use the parking bays at Primary Route 19 at the south-eastern corner of Strødam Engsø.
The map shows the path from the parking ground at Strødam Mose (green) to the observation tower (red).
 |
Map |
 |
Gribskovområdet. DOF |
 |
Gribskov. DOF |
| |
Strødamområdet & Strødam Engsø. DOFbasen |
Solbjerg Engsø was established in 1993. It is located west of Kagerup and east of Secondary Route 267. The Pøleå trail follows the west side of the lake. The lake supports a colony of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo, Skarv).
How to get there by car: There are two parking grounds. The northern parking ground is located at Solbjerggårdsvej - easily found just north of Kagerup. I prefer the southern parking ground as one has the best view over the lake from the southern end. To get to the southern parking ground from the north: Follow Bendstrupvej southwards, after 1.1 km turn left immediately after the blue sign "Hillerød kommune". To get to the southern parking ground from the south: Follow Kagerupvej northwards from Bendstrup, after 1.8 km turn right at the "P"-sign.
The map shows the path from the southern parking ground (green) to the northern parking ground (red). The best view over the lake is from the south, 200 m north of the southern parking ground.
| |
Map |
| |
Gribskovområdet. DOF |
| |
Gribskov. DOF |
| |
Solbjerg Enge & Solbjerg Engsø. DOFbasen |
Alsønderup Engsø was established in 1987. It is located north-west of Alsønderup, north of the Nejede Vesterskov forest. There's an open observation tower situated at the southern side of the lake.
How to get there by car: Follow Ravnsbjergvej westwards from Alsønderup, after 800 m turn right at the sign "Fugletårnet", then after another 400 m leave your car at the parking ground in the forest. Follow the forest road, turn right at the first road and after about 1 km you are at the observation tower.
The map shows the path from the parking ground (green) to the observation tower (red).
| |
Map |
| |
Arresø. DOF |
| |
Alsønderup Enge. DOF |
| |
Alsønderup Engsø. DOFbasen |
Text and photo: Stig Linander, created: 2002-09-17, links checked: 2023-08-30, last revised: 2023-08-30