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Utterslev Mose og Bispebjerg Kirkegård

København H  >  Denmark

A large nature reserve and adjacent cemetery close to the heart of Denmark's capital city, easily accessed by public transport and bike.

Added* by Nutcracker
Most recent update 26 February 2023

Description

Utterslev Mose & Bispebjerg Kirkegård are easy accessible from central København (Copenhagen). The site consists of open shallow lakes with extensive reedbeds, surrounded by a mix of mown grass, shrubs, and woods. The Mose is divided by roads into 3 sections, Østmosen in the east, Midtmosen in the middle, and Vestmosen in the west. The lakes hold a large colony of Greylag Goose, which are habituated to people so are very approachable. Most freshwater ducks occur in varying numbers, as do Great Crested Grebe and occasionally Black-necked Grebe and more rarely, Red-necked Grebe. Great Bittern are often present in winter, and could breed.

On migration, Osprey, Western Marsh Harrier and European Honey-buzzard often pass over along with numerous Common Buzzard. Rarer species like Black Kite can occur. Wader migration in early autumn includes regular Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper; after drought summers, more mud is exposed, which can attract Dunlin, Ruff, and Curlew Sandpiper.

The reedbeds hold large numbers of Reed Warbler and occasional Bearded Tit, while in adjacent wet ground with tall herbs, Marsh Warbler are frequent. The denser shrubby areas hold breeding Thrush Nightingale and Icterine Warbler, as well as commoner species like Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Penduline Tit can be seen occasionally, and has bred in the past. In winter, these are replaced by flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare. A headland on the north side of Midtmosen, Langholm, has some excellent rough scrub habitat, which at least used to hold breeding Red-backed Shrike. More open grassy areas can attract passage birds like Whinchat.

Bispebjerg Kirkegård (Bispebjerg Cemetery) has extensive tree cover, and is quiet with minimal disturbance, making it good for woodland birds, including Hawfinch and passage Common Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. Grundtvigs Kirke, the landmark church adjacent to the Kirkegård, has breeding Eurasian Kestrel and occasional passage Black Redstart.

Details

Access

An extensive network of cycle paths makes cycle access very easy. Bus stops on Frederiksborgvej (by the Kirkegård and the east end of Østmosen), on Horsebakken (between Østmosen and Midtmosen), and on Åkandevej at the west end; consult bus stop information boards for service numbers and timetables. Car parking is limited, but not necessary, with København's excellent public transport. Note that while Utterslev Mose is open at all hours, Bispebjerg Kirkegård is closed at night (opens 07:00, closes 22:00 in summer, 19:00 in winter).

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Reedbeds , City/village

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Summer , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

My information may be out of date; please leave any updates (Dansk or English) in the Comments section below!

Photos below are by Donald Hobern, creative commons licensed CC-BY, from Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Birds_of_Utterslev_Mose - if you have better, please add your own!

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