Birdwatching Ostträsket

Skellefteå

Ostträsket is northern Västerbotten's main resting place for bean geese and cranes during the spring. During the day, hundreds of geese can graze in the fields west of the lake, to take refuge at night on the nearby lake ice.

The best time at Ostträsket is usually around May 1. In addition to bean geese and a smaller number of greylag geese, large flocks of cranes, tundra swans and Eurasian Curlew rest there. Many sea ducks rest in the lake, the most common being teals. Even in autumn, the number of cranes is large and the greylag geese are also numerous.

Examples of rarer species that are seen regularly in the area are for example the Greater White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose and peregrine falcon. In the past, mountain geese rested every year in the area.

Osträsket is also a nesting site for several wetland birds. Among the nesting birds, Wood Sandpiper, Eurasian Hobby, crane and warbler can be seen, in some years also Western Marsh Harrier and Short-eared Owl. During the summer months, Arctic Tern and Little Gull often hunt insectsacross the lake.

Regulations

Welcome to visit Ostträsket. Please note that it is not allowed to:

  • During the period 15 April to 31 May stay within the area PDF, 1.5 MB. except along specially marked paths.
  • Deliberately disturbing wildlife.
  • Remove or damage nesting site.
  • Felling, breaking branches or damaging living trees and shrubs.
  • Damage growing crops, hangings or other devices for agriculture and forestry.