The crane dance at Lake Hornborga
If you visit us in spring, the crane dance at Lake Hornborga is something you should not miss. Thousands of cranes gather on the fields by the lake to rest before flying on north, and you hear them long before you see them. From us it takes 15 minutes by car, so it is easy to be there early in the morning.
The crane dance
12 kmWhen the cranes arrive
The first cranes usually arrive in early March, and then there are more of them every day until the end of April, when they fly on north. At Trandansen, the crane viewing site in the south of the lake, you can watch them up close from the viewpoints without disturbing them. The dance, with its bows, jumps and wingbeats, is their way of showing themselves to each other, and you can hear it almost as much as you can see it.
At Trandansen there is an information centre, and during the season hosts are on site who are happy to tell you about the birds. The County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) counts the cranes, so before you go you can see how many are at the lake right now.
15 kmNaturum Hornborgasjön
Naturum Hornborgasjön at Fågeludden, on the east side of the lake, is an excursion in itself, even if you are not a birdwatcher. The exhibition shows how the lake was drained and how it was then saved, and it tells of the nature, geology and birds around the lake. The staff are happy to answer questions about what can be seen right now, and slideshows are shown in the auditorium. You can take a lift up the bird tower inside the building and have coffee at Café Doppingen, and children have their own reading and craft corner.
From Naturum a boardwalk leads out to Fågeludden, with hides where you get really close to the birds. Several hiking trails also start here, through shore meadows and pastures.
Our tips
- Go early
In the morning it is calmest at the viewpoints, and from us it is only 15 minutes there.
- Bring binoculars
and dress in layers. It is often cold and windy over the open fields, even on a sunny day in April.
- Plan for about an hour and a half
at Trandansen, and add a visit to Naturum.
- Come on a weekday
if you can. At weekends in the high season it is crowded.
Birdwatching and Naturum
The bird lake that was saved
Lake Hornborga has not always looked as it does today. During the 1800s and the early 1900s it was lowered several times to give more farmland. After several drainages the lake had in the end almost completely overgrown with reeds. Between 1992 and 1995 the water level was raised again in several stages, and the birds came back.
Today nearly 300 bird species have been seen at the lake, and in autumn tens of thousands of birds can rest here on their way south. Around the lake there are bird towers and trails through shore meadows and pastures, so you can do anything from a short walk to a whole day's visit.
Birdwatching all year:
- Spring: the cranes at Trandansen, and at the same time swans, geese and ducks return to the lake.
- Summer: nesting time, among others for all five Swedish grebe species, including the rare Slavonian grebe.
- Autumn: over 70,000 birds can rest on the lake on their way south.
Around the lake there are nine visitor sites with bird towers, from Fäholmen in the north to Trandansen in the south, so you can drive around and try different views. Bring binoculars.
Please note: During the breeding season, parts of the lake are bird protection areas – follow the signs on site. Dogs must always be on a lead.
Getting there from the campsite
Overview map
- Car
about 12 km, roughly 15 minutes to Trandansen, or about 15 km, roughly 15 minutes to Naturum. There is parking at the information centre.
- Bike
just over an hour to Trandansen.
During the crane dance the roads around the lake are busy, so it pays to go early.
Quick facts
The cranes arrive
from early March, fly on in the end of April
Where
Trandansen in the south of the lake, information centre at Bjurum
Bird species
nearly 300 have been seen at the lake
Bird towers
nine around the lake
Hiking trails
17 km in the reserve
History of the lake
lowered several times in the 1800s and 1900s, restored in the 1990s
Nature reserve
since 1997, about 4,000 hectares
Distance from Valle Camping
Trandansen about 12 km (15 min by car), Naturum about 15 km (15 min by car)
Frequently asked questions
When is the crane dance?
The cranes arrive in early March and stay until the end of April. How many are at the lake varies from day to day.
How far is it from Valle Camping to Trandansen?
About 12 km, roughly 15 minutes by car.
Does it cost anything to see the crane dance?
Watching the cranes is free, but parking may cost a fee. Current information is available at sommariskara.se and from the operator itself.
What is there to see at Lake Hornborga in summer?
Bird towers, hiking trails and Naturum, and nearly 300 bird species have been seen at the lake.
Are you open during the crane dance?
It varies from year to year. See which accommodation can be booked in the booking box, or contact us. Current times for the crane dance are available at sommariskara.se and from Naturum.
Can I bring a dog?
Yes, but it must be on a lead throughout the nature reserve.
Stay close to the cranes
With Valle Camping as your base, the lake, the countryside and Skaraborg are close by. Choose your accommodation and dates.
