Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
An archipelago comprising hundreds of islands and skerries. The larger islands close to the mainland support trees and tall vegetation, whilst those further out support little or no tall vegetation. The area can only be reached by boat and is frequented by tourists during the summer, although no significant disturbance is caused to birds.
The islands furthest from the mainland support the richest birdlife.
Somateria mollissima breed in large numbers; other breeders include
Anser anser,
Tringa totanus,
Actitis hypoleucos, gulls and auks. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Haliaeetus albicilla.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Decreases in the numbers of some waders (
Tringa totanus,
Arenaria interpres and
Charadrius hiaticula) have been noted, but the causes are unknown. American mink
Mustela vison have a very negative effect on some breeding species (for example, terns and auks).
National Partial
International LowIBA overlaps with several Bird Sanctuaries. IBA overlaps with Nature Reserve (Väggö, 162 ha). IBA overlaps with Special Protection Area (162 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Archipelago of Östergötland (Sweden). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/archipelago-of-östergötland-iba-sweden on 23/11/2024.
