Along Mjøskanten in the center of Hamar, the municipality has worked hard in recent years to facilitate both cultural life, restaurants and outdoor activities. But it’s not just people who thrive in the area. This summer, large numbers of birds have settled on one of the prepared bathing areas. Excrement in the water has led to such a large bloom of bacteria that the beach has been closed to swimming for almost the whole of July. When news visited the bathing area in the center of Hamar this week, among other things, these pigeons and ducks were observed. The municipality is now urging the public to stop feeding birds. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen / news The mayor does not know how to resolve the situation. – So far, the birds have only taken over the area. It is something we are taking note of and we will look at what we can do in terms of measures, says Vigdis Stensby (City and town list). Water samples taken several times in July show that the main beach at Koigen is not suitable for swimming due to the high bacteria content in the water. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen / news Measures must be taken The mayor is happy that the area around Koigen is being used, but she thinks it is a shame that the public cannot use the beach as normal. – The area is primarily designed so that it will be nice for people to be here. The birds thrive well, but pollute the water so much that we advise people not to bathe there. Hamar mayor Vigdis Stensby says there are strict rules for what the municipality can do to get rid of the bird problem. She points out that there are several other open bathing areas in Hamar. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen / news The mayor cannot answer how much money the municipality has spent on the bathing area. She also does not know what the municipality can do with the birds. – It is a new problem for us that the swimming area has been invaded by birds. In addition to a sandy beach and an artificial islet that screens the bathing area, Hamar municipality has also built a wheelchair ramp in the area. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen / news news has received a tip about feeding of the birds in the area. The mayor says the municipality will now put up a sign asking people not to feed the birds here. – It probably won’t solve the problem now, but it will prevent it from increasing. The municipality must also consider measures to ensure a better flow of water in the bay. The mayor also says that the municipality has checked the water and drainage and knows that it is in order. This is how people in Hamar are used to seeing the bathing area in the summer, full of people and life. This photo was taken in 2012. Photo: Knut Sveen / news Thinks the area is important for birds Kjetil Solbakken, secretary general of the voluntary nature conservation organization BirdLife Norway, says it is only natural that there are many birds in the area. Among other things, because the swimming area is only a few hundred meters away from the Åkersvika nature reserve. – Mjøsa is an important area for birds, although it is also an important outdoor area for people. Nature is under tremendous pressure in the area due to development. Solbakken refers, among other things, to the fact that for several years there has been a discussion about the development of a railway and road through the protected area. Kjetil Solbakken says chasing birds away doesn’t help. He believes that more long-term work is needed if you don’t want the birds to stay at Koigen. Photo: Norwegian Ornithological Association / BirdLife Norge Solbakken believes that many of the birds that live in the nature reserve also stay in the city. – You have to accept that it is a natural area, not just a bathing place. The birds are particularly attracted to islands and quiet areas. He encourages the municipality to contact professionals with expertise. He says it is important to have a long-term plan for how to resolve the situation. Solbakken says birds migrate to quiet places where they can be in peace in cities and towns. – We just have to accept that birds must also have a place to be in urban areas. If you are going to problematise it then you should be happy there is bird life in the area, he says. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen / news Published 01.08.2024, at 11.57
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Birds have taken over the bathing area in Hamar – the municipality has closed the beach – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
