Nordre Øyeren Nature Reserve is a large protected area encompassing the largest inland delta in Northern Europe. It is found on the north end of a lake called Øyeren, a bit east of Oslo and close to the town of Lillestrøm. It is 62,6 km² in size. 55,1 km² of the reserve is water, with the rest being delta plains, islands and a few mainland forest habitats. It is well known for its high diversity in species of both flora and fauna. Øyeren is the lake with the highest number of fresh water fish species in Norway (25 species).
There are three different rivers that flow into Øyeren, which then creates the delta. These are Glomma (the largest river in Norway), Nitelva, and Leira. The reserve was established in 1975, and declared a Ramsar site in 1985 because of its importance for migrating birds. 269 species of bird have been recorded here, making it one of the top spots for birding in the region. The reserve is also home to 18 species of mammal, with moose and roe deer being among the larger species. It is also well-known for its healthy beaver population.
There are plenty of reasons to visit Nordre Øyeren Nature Reserve, and the top one for many is just to have a very nice place in nature to go for a walk. The scenery is nice and the vegetation varied, from open meadows and reed beds to both conifer and broadleaf forests. For those interested in observing wildlife, it is also a top spot for birding, as many different species are found here. It is among the best places to spot the magnificent osprey, which is very common during spring and summer. A sighting is never guaranteed, but you see one more often than not. Other species of bird of prey are also present and often seen, such as common buzzard, marsh harrier, and kestrel.
If birding is not your thing, it is also a great place to fish. It is possible to fish both by land and by boat. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see a beaver while you are at it. They are quite shy, but if you get there closer to sunrise you increase your chances.
Short answer: Nature walks, birdwatching, fishing
Long answer:
When visiting Nordre Øyeren there is one thing you need to consider before you go, and that is what part of the reserve you want to see. There are two main areas for those wanting to just go for a walk and possibly do some birdwatching. It takes too long and is very inconvenient to try to see both places in one day, so picking where to go is essential.
The first area is a peninsula on the northeastern side of the reserve. It is also the one with the most pathways and more variation in terms of vegetation. There is a parking lot at the north end of this area, and a gravel road that takes you into the reserve. You can choose to stay on the gravel road, which will take you past fields and through a patch of forest until you get close to a bird tower. Here the gravel road ends and is replaced by a narrow pathway that takes you to the very end of the peninsula. An alternate route is to go right and into the forest early on, and then walk through the forest and along the river until you end up by the bird tower and on the same narrow path as with the first route. There are other pathways to explore as well, if one feels like it, but those are the two main ones, and many will do one pathway out to the bird tower, and the other on the way back again. The bird tower is perfect for a break, and to take in the view of the area and spot birds in the distance. Be on the lookout for white-tailed eagles at the edge of the peninsula, as a breeding pair has recently established themselves here.
The second area to visit is called Årnestangen and is on the western side of the lake. It can only be reached from the west, which is quite a distance away from the northeastern area. Even by car. This also a peninsula, with a long walk out, but with fewer alternative pathways and less variation in terms of vegetation and habitats. Most of the area is fields and meadows, with patches of forests here and there. There’s a bird tower here as well, quite the way out. At the very end of the peninsula there’s a platform perfect for watching wading birds.
What area you choose depends on what you want to get out of your trip. Both areas are great for birding, but the first area is the most diverse and most scenic if all you want it a stroll through nature. You are also more likely to spot beavers, roe deer, and the occasional moose in the first area. If you like to fish, then the second area, Årnestangen, is probably the better choice.
If birding is your sole aim for the day, then Årnestangen might also be your best choice, depending on what you want to see. Årnestangen is better for wading birds, and you get large flocks of yellow wagtails here during migration. The osprey is almost guaranteed, as the area is more open and birds of prey are easier to spot. Short-eared owls are also quite often seen. The first area is more diverse, however, and you might get more species here in total, but perhaps not the most exciting ones if you are particular about what you want to see. Ospreys are also common here, and possibly seeing white-tailed eagles is a draw for many.
I’d say the best time to visit is during spring. It’s great for migrating birds, but it also provides great nature viewing in general. If it has been a snow-rich winter, then the area might get flooded when the snow melts. Most of the reserve will then be inaccessible, so be sure to check this beforehand.
Early summer is also a great time to visit, as breeding season is in full swing and there will be lots of bird activity. Early fall is also nice, but bird activity levels have mostly dropped by then.
There’s only one period you should avoid, especially when it comes to the northeastern area, and that is the height of summer. It is then ridden with mosquitos, making it almost unbearable to stay there for any length of time.
Winter is fine, but do not expect lots of different species. There will be flocks of whooper swans present, if that’s something you’d want to see. Those are not too common elsewhere in the region.
Without a car it is quite the task to get to Nordre Øyeren, but if you have one, it is quite easy and straightforward. Perhaps the most accessible one by car is the northeastern area (but that might just be me being used to drive there more often).
If you plan to get there by public transportation then it is possible by bus to both areas, but firs you’ll have to get to Lillestrøm. This is easy by train from Oslo, and it goes quite often. When in Lillestrøm you have two bus choices, depending on what area you want to visit (these buses do not go as often so plan beforehand):
If you want to take a bus to the northeastern area, then “bus 480” from Lillestrøm will take you to “Riddersand skole”, which is the closest stop. You’d still have to walk 2.1 km before you reach the reserve, however, which might be a deal breaker to many, as you will have to do plenty of walking when you get to the reserve as well.
The second area, Årnestangen, is more accessible by bus, as the bus stop is closer to the reserve. Take “bus 350” from Lillestrøm and get off at “Årnesvegen”. Then you just walk down the road from there and you’ll end up at the reserve. Be sure to take the first turn left on the way down, or else you’ll walk into some ones property.
Nordre Øyeren is one of the natural places I know best, especially the northeastern area of the reserve. I was brought here many times as a kid, and as I got older and became interested in birds and wildlife photography, I began travelling there by myself quite often. I mostly got here by vehicle, and since I do not own one living in the city, I usually only travel there when I can borrow a car.
I love going to the northeastern part of the reserve, as I enjoy the walk through the forests here and the scenery it holds. I also love to sit and eat my lunch at the edge of the peninsula, as quite often something interesting flies by, such as a kestrel, an osprey, or even a white-tailed eagle. I also had one of my more memorable observations here, with a female western marsh harrier suddenly appearing above the reeds by the water. It was my first observation of this species, and I got some ok photos. Not great, but ok. It was mid-July and the mosquitos were eating me up, but the marsh harrier made it worth it. Still, I won’t do a mid-summer trip there again.
I haven’t been at Årnestangen as much. I went for the first time no too long ago, in 2019. I’ve taken the bus a couple of times, which is a lengthy journey from my place in Oslo, but not too bad considering I’ll get a great day out. Every time has provided me with plenty of great photo opportunities of several species, and multiple osprey sightings. I haven’t been there during peak migration, however, which is the best time to visit.
