The lakes

Grudavatn Lake (in the background) is linked to the Figgjo river and, during flooding, also to the Vasshusvatn Lake in the foreground. Photo: Marius Harlem

The Jæren lakes are important habitats for insects, plants, algae, fish and amphibians, while associated river catchments are home to red-listed species such as freshwater mussels, wild salmon and eels. But the birds are by far the most spectacular. Thousands of ducks, geese and waders can be seen on the water, and the lakeside vegetation is home to finches and warblers. Although the lakes are protected from destructive intervention, they are impacted by agricultural nutrient run-off.

Grudavatn Lake

In 1974, Grudavatn Lake, located along the lower reaches of the Figgjo river, became the first wetland reserve established in Rogaland. When water levels are low, extensive mudflats are uncovered offering large volumes of food for waders. As at 2017, as many as 248 different species had been recorded in the reserve.

The smew (Mergellus albellus) is a beautiful winter guest on Grudavatn Lake. It migrates all the way Siberia. Photo: Claire Spelling

Alvevatn Lake

Alvevatn Lake is classified as a rich cultural landscape lake and forms a very species-rich habitat. More than 100 bird and 167 plant species have been recorded on the reserve, many of them red-listed. Groundwater levels were lowered in 1920 and the lake has become overgrown in recent years due to fertiliser run-off. Many finch species thrive in the lakeside reed beds, but the numbers of water birds are in decline.

The marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) is a rare species that has established itself at Alvevatn Lake.
Photo: Paco Gómez

Øksnevad tarn

From 1937 to the 1990s, the surface area of Øksnevad tarn was reduced by more than 95% due to drainage and invasive vegetation. To rescue the lake, reeds, trees and bushes were removed and the lake was excavated to make it deeper. Since then, bird and plant populations have started to recover. A rich insect fauna is also recorded here, including as many as 34 species of hoverflies.

The hoverflies (Syprhidae) look like wasps, but this is just a trick to deter predators! Hoverflies are important pollinators, known for ‘standing still’ in the air. Photo: hedera.baltica, Flickr