SkogstrolletThe free map for exploring Sweden’s outdoors.

Near Kalmar

Nature reserves near Kalmar

Kalmar Municipality includes parts of 12 nature reserves. Three areas around Kalmar Strait bring together coastal woodland, grazed shore meadow, ancient oaks and exceptionally rich bird and insect life.

Island woodland and giant oaks

Svinö lies between the city and the Öland Bridge. Conifer forest, oak and flower-rich shore meadow meet a major bird route through Kalmar Strait. Blue spruce, eastern white pine and jack pine stand among native trees, probably planted when summer cottages occupied the island.

Horsö-Värsnäs includes former open pasture now largely returned to woodland. About fifty giant oaks remain. Rough bark and hollows filled with wood mould support lichens, birds, bats and wood-living insects, including hermit beetle.

When a harbour became bird habitat

Beijershamn on Öland began as a major nineteenth-century harbour project. The faulty basin silted up and was abandoned after only fifteen years. Shore meadow, reeds and shallow water took over; later clearance and renewed grazing helped restore one of the island’s finest bird sites.

Well over two hundred bird species have been recorded. More unexpected is the insect richness: 650 species of butterflies and larger moths, together with twelve bat species. Svinö, Horsö-Värsnäs and Beijershamn show planted woodland, ancient pasture trees and a failed industrial scheme developing into three very different habitats close to Kalmar.

Three reserves near Kalmar

Map of nature reserves near Kalmar