Öland in Spring 2027
- Speyside Wildlife
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
By Roy Atkins
The Island of Öland off the east coast of Sweden is simply delightful. Flat limestone countryside dotted with windmills, a gorgeous little guest house with a warm welcome and fabulous food, and fantastic birding all close at hand. It must be one of our most relaxed destinations. We have traditionally done this trip in Autumn to enjoy astonishing migration, but we are now running spring trips too - also for migration as the birds head back north - but with several exciting breeding birds too and fabulous flowers.
The woodlands here have nesting Collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers, Montagu’s Harriers nest close to the hotel, Marsh Warbler, Red-necked Grebe. Thrush Nightingale, Icterine and Barred Warbler and breed here as well as Wood Warbler. Migration can include such birds as Garganey, White-tailed Eagle, Common Cranes, Broad-billed Sandpiper and waders in breeding plumage with a slimmer chance of Wryneck or perhaps a Bluethroat and who knows what rarity might be passing through.
Red-breasted Flycatcher, Montagu's Harrier, Red-necked Grebe - Roy Atkins
The biggest difference is the flowers. The huge areas of 'Alvar' or limestone pavement in the middle of the island looks dead in October but in spring it is a swathe of flowers with sheets of Meadow Saxifrage and Goldilocks Buttercup - and orchids! Endemic flowers include Oland Rockrose (an island subspecies) and Oland Wormwood and there’ll be Lily-of-the-Valley, Yellow Pheasant’s Eye, Birdseye Primrose and so much more - but we’ll make a special effort to see the orchids with many species possible including Green-winged, Elder-flowered (in two colours), Burnt-tip, Fly and stunning Military Orchids - such a rare species in the UK.
Hoary Rockrose, Military Orchid - Roy Atkins
This is a lovely, relaxed holiday in late May 2027, the perfect time of year to see so much - and it has just become available for booking so if you missed getting on it this year - get in quick!
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