Østensjøvannet

Østensjøvannet is a lake in Oslo, capital of Norway. It is well-known for the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that can be found there. It is entirely surrounded by the Østensjø borough. It is currently a wildlife preserve, though urban development posed a serious threat to the lake and its environs during the 80's and early 90's.

The name

Østensjøvannet ("Østensjø lake") takes its name from Østensjø farm, situated on the lake's east side. The name of the farm, is in turn related to the lake, "Østensjø" literally meaning "east of the lake". So in effect, the name means "The east-of-the-lake lake".

Wildlife

Østensjøvannet is well-known for its birdlife, and over 200 different species of birds have been sighted at or near the lake, quite a significant number by Norwegian standards. A full listing of the birds observed at the lake can be found here.

Other wildlife is regularly sighted at the lake, but the variety of species is not much different from surrounding places, such as Østmarka.

Fishing during the summer is forbidden, while ice-fishing is allowed.

Cultural history

Finds in the area suggest that people may have been living in the area as far back as the stone age,

Farming in the area started around 500 AD.

At various locations surrounding the lake, there are burial mounds from the viking period.

Abildsø Farm, located on the lake's west side, was Norway's second farm school, and is where Minna Wetlesen started Europe's, and possibly the world's first "houshold"-school where girls and young women could learn about running a household and performing the various tasks related to it.

Environmental issues

Situated inside the Oslo city limits, surrounded on all sides by built-up areas, has put a considerable strain on the lake, both in terms of pollution (especially caused by leaks from less-than-perfectly maintained sewage systems) and plans for using the fields and forested areas surrounding the lake for various purposes, including housing, a cemetary and even a small golf course.

The lake itself has been a wildlife preserve since 1992, while Abildsø Farm was preserved by the Norwegian Riksantikvar in 1997. June 11th, 2002, the Oslo city council passed plans for the "Østensjøvannet Environmental Park", which in effect preserves the various habitats and "green areas" surrouding the lake.

The sewage systems affecting the lake have been better maintained in recent years, and the environmental state of the lake is currently much better than it was a decade or two ago.

External links

Østensjøvannets Venner - Association for preserving the lake and its surrounding areas and to spread information and awareness about the same (in Norwegian).