11. Beijershamn
GPS: 56.58650, 16.41456
Beijershamn
The amazing bird habitat Beijershamn is a result of a failed project in the 1840s. It was planned to become Öland’s largest port and compete with Färjestaden, but rapid siltation turned it into an overgrown sea gulf, and later the wetland area. In the end, the area turned into a sea of reed.
In the late 1980s, the County Administrative Board in Kalmar County and ÖOF (Öland’s Ornithological Society), in a joint effort, started the work to clear the area from reeds and brushwood. ÖOF bought cattle to use for intensive grazing, this to recreate the ancient meadow environments.
Beijershamn can be reached from the western main road between Färjestaden and Mörbylånga. Follow the signs towards the coast and on to a car park in the woods.
From the car park is a two-kilometer hiking trail around the reserve, adapted so it’s handicap accessible, and along the hiking trail there are two observation towers.
In the alder forest in the reserve’s eastern part, Collared Flycatchers, Long-tailed Tits and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers can be found.
In the beach meadows and on the sandbank outside, are, among others, Pied Avocets, Dunlins, Little Terns, Yellow Wagtails, Graylag Goose and Canada Goose nesting.
Scores of waders, ducks and other water birds rests here during migration times, and the importance of the area as a resting place during migration is probably high for a range of bird species.
In the late summer is here some days thousands of waders of many different species.
How to get here:
The area is located approximately 7 kilometers south of Färjestaden. It has parking space, information boards, observation towers, bird platform, hides, trails for Disabled etc..
GPS coordinates to the parking lot WGS 84 decimal (lat, lon): 56.58650, 16.41456
© Lantmäteriverket, Ur Geografiska Sverigedata, översiktskartan Dnr. 106-2004/188”
Slideshow pictures: Grågås © HO, Common Greenshank © LL, Western Yellow Wagtail © LL, Collared Flycatcher © LL, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker © LL, Pied Avocet © LL
HO: Hans Olsson, LL: Lars Lundmark
Source: Ölands Fåglar © Ölands Ornitologiska Förening ÖOF (authors this chapter: Pav Johnsson)
Translation: Visitoland.com
The book: Ölands Fåglar, 496 pages (only in Swedish), can be ordered at Naturbokhandeln
ISBN: 9789188124555