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Fågeldammarna i Surte
Fågeldammarna i Surte
Unfortunately, this was quite underwhelming.
Fågeldammarna i Surte (“The Bird Ponds in Surte”) used to be a well-known spot for ornamental waterfowl. For many years, the ponds held swans, ruddy shelducks, snow geese, rosy-billed pochards, and more. Sadly, it seems we visited too late.
When we were there, the area felt more or less deserted. The only birds we saw were mallards and a single female mandarin duck. That mandarin is feral, descended from birds that were once kept here and now live freely in the area.
The ponds were originally built in the 1800s to power Surte’s mills and glassworks, and in 1957 they were turned into a bird sanctuary with both wild and ornamental waterfowl. For decades, the local group “Föreningen Svanen” cared for the site. In recent years, however, most of the birds have disappeared. From what I could find, the last birds to pass away were the snow geese, and there don’t seem to be any plans to bring in new animals.
I wouldn’t really call this a collection anymore. Still, I’m sharing it because it’s something I’ve followed for many years, and it’s sad to see it in its current state.
Don’t get me wrong, the area itself is still very beautiful and pleasant to walk around. But the ornamental waterfowl that once defined this place are gone.
Mandarin duck
General Information
Opened: 5 May 1957
Closed: Unknown (ornamental bird collection no longer maintained)
Location: Surte, Ale Municipality, Sweden
Type: Public bird ponds
Fågeldammarna i Surte consists of several ponds originally constructed to supply water to the mills and power station associated with Surte Glassworks. On 5 May 1957, the ponds were inaugurated as bird ponds and became a popular local attraction, managed for decades by the voluntary association Kulturföreningen Svanen. The former collection included a variety of ornamental waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and swans, alongside naturally occurring wild birds. Over the years, the ponds became known for their colourful birdlife and surrounding woodland, with paths allowing visitors to explore the area. The ornamental bird collection has since declined, and the ponds are no longer maintained as a collection of captive waterfowl. Wild birds, including mallards and other waterfowl, may still be seen in the area, which remains a local destination for nature walks and birdwatching.
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