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Stora Karlsö

Gotland  >  Sweden

The small island of Stora Karlsö is home to one of the largest colonies of alkoun úzkozobý and alka malá in all of the Baltic Sea.

Added* by Damon Groot
Most recent update 15 června 2021

Description

Stora Karlsö is a small island off the westcoast of Gotland. Most of the island consists of a limestone plateau, bordered by steep cliffs along the shore. The large quantities of alkoun úzkozobý and alka malá are a huge sensation, which is reason enough to visit the island. The island also houses a wide variety of other Baltic marine birds like turpan hnědý, kajka mořská and morčák prostřední.

The alvar (a biological environment based on a limestone plain with thin or no soil and, as a result, sparse grassland vegetation) dominates the landscape and together with the remoteness of the island creates a great environment for more rarer Swedish birds like pěnice vlašská, Žluva hajní and holub doupňák.

Details

Access

The island can be reached by ferry from Klintehamn, for which tickets can be bought from the Stora Karlsö website (see the link below). Once on shore guided toures are offered that will take you around the island and show all of its beauty.

Klintehamn offers lots of parking space for your car or caravan. Accomodations for the night can also be booked in beforehand and they have a lovely restaurant too.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Plateau , Plain , Canyon/cliff , Beach , Sea

Conditions

Hilly , Flat , Open landscape , Rocky , Dry

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring , Summer , Spring migration

Route

Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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