Vickleby ädellövskog (Vickleby broadleaf forest)
“The most beautiful grove you’ve ever seen.”
When Linnaeus in the 18th century rode through Vickleby he regarded it as “The most beautiful grove you’ve ever seen.” The ground in Vickleby hardwood forest in May is a sea of kidneywort, wood anemones and yellow anemones with hints of purple corydalis and spring pea.
Öland’s coastal broadleaf forests
Just a few hundred years ago there were lush deciduous forests along Öland west coast between Borgholm and Smedby. Most of this area is today arable land or has been planted with coniferous forests. At Stora Vickleby the deciduous forest is remaining. The shrub layer consists of, as in most of Öland’s groves and forests, big grown hazel bushes. Vickleby forest is a mixture of different forest types. Hazel rich oak forests are most common but there are also in wetter soils ash forest and alder swamp forests.
A rich spring flora
In the hazel-rich oak forests are a rich spring flora, including kidneywort, spring pea and cowslip. The oaks have often wide crowns which show that the forest was previously a leafy meadow. In the summer the canopy dense and then plants like Dog’s Mercury, ground elder and Wood Meadow-grass takes over. In elm dominated parts species like Wonder Violet and Coralroot thrives. Here is also swamp areas with dense alder swamp forests where alders standing on high pedestals and give the forest a little magical nature. Tall species such as Greater Pond-sedge and meadowsweet are typical.
Voices in the bird choir
The deciduous forest at Vickleby has a rich birdlife. In a survey it was found that 41 bird species was nesting in the protected part of the forest. The most common breeding birds are common chaffinch, European robin, willow warbler and wood warbler. Examples of some rarer species are hawfinches, long-tailed tit, lesser spotted woodpecker and Stock Dove.
Fungi and lichens
In the forest there are rare fungus including Cortinarius fulmineus, Hygrophorus nemoreus and ox tongue. Of rare lichens include Scribble lichens and Blemished lichen
Facts:
Size: 47,5 ha (117.38 acres)
Year of decision: 1999
Purpose: To preserve a representative section of the coast of Öland hardwood forest with its biodiversity. The area is part of the EU’s network of protected areas, Natura 2000.
How to get there:
The nature reserve is located 5 km south of Färjestaden. From the port of Färjestaden, take the coast road to Mörbylånga. On the right side, adjacent to the road, is the reserve after approximately 7 km. Look for a sign for the reserve, the entrance to the forest is easy to miss.
GPS coordinates to the parking lot WGS 84 decimal (lat, lon): 56.59527, 16.43953
Map: Naturcentrum AB, Stenungsund.
Download: the County administrative boards brochure over (in Swedish only) (415 kB):Vickleby Ädellövskog
Download: the entire brochure (in Swedish only) (19 MB): Utflyktsguide Öland
© Lantmäteriverket, Ur Geografiska Sverigedata, översiktskartan Dnr. 106-2004/188”
Source: County Administrative Board, Kalmar
Translation: Visitoland.com