As said before, I was only 13 year old when I visited Gotska Sandön for the first time in late May 1976, along with good birding fellows. We were young then, and we still keep in touch and birding together, now and then. I fell in love with the island and visited her again in May 1977 and 1978. And then there was a gap of more than 30 years until the visit in May 2009. On this visit we were several birders from Sweden, but I travelled with my good old mates Classe and Janne Cronlund and Ante Eriksson. In 1976 I was there along with Classe and a few others and in 1978 I was there with Janne. In those ancient days one reached Gotska Sandön by fishing-boat from Fårö (Gotland). However, many birders were still present at our arrival: Mattias Gerdin, David Lundgren, Raul Vicente, Per och Micke Åsberg, Jörgen Hansson, Martin Widén, Krister Nordin and Tord Lantz. A small happy family, so to speak. Here you'll find photo galleries from 2009 and 2010.
Highlights during the stay: Greater Short-toed Lark, Citrine Wagtail, Common Quail, Pale-bellied Brant Goose, Greenish Warbler, several Red-breasted Flycatchers, Collared Flycatcher, many Marsh Warblers, White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle. In addition also a flock of five migrating Red-necked Phalaropes and 140 beautiful Grey Plovers in one single flock. A total of 116 bird species were seen. And as usual the weather were just hot and pleasant.
Short facts about the National Park Gotska Sandön: Gotska Sandön is the most isolated island in the territorial waters of Sweden and the entire Baltic Sea. It is remote, desolate and barren, but at the same time strangely beautiful. With its miles of sandy beaches, its dense pine forest, and broad horizons in every direction, Gotska Sandön is a very special place that has fascinated visitors for centuries.
Sights: Deserted sandy beaches. Characteristic landscape featuring sand dunes and pine forest. Dead forest at Arnagrop. Rich flora. Bird migration route. Unusual beetles. Buildings of cultural interest.
Area: 4,490 hectares, of which 842 hectares are water.
As National Park: Established in 1909, extended in 1963 and 1988.
Location: In the middle of the Baltic Sea 38 kilometres north of Fårö (Gotland) and 85 kilometres south-east of Landsort (Stockholm's archipelago).
Visiting Gotska Sandön: There are regular boat tours from Fårö Island and Nynäshamn on the mainland during mid May to mid September. The island has no harbour. Visitors may choose to dwell in their own tents or in a cabin. Lodging facilties must be reserved in advance. At the lighthouse compound, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has provided a nature centre with an exhibit of the island's natural and human history.
Getting there: You will find everything about travel, schedule, prices and so on concerning Gotska Sandön on the english subsection at www.gotskasandon.se/index1.html, where you can make bookings as well.
Web resources:
Birds on Gotska Sandön managed by Bertil Johanson (of course available in Swedish language too)
Gotska Sandön – Högpotent raritetsö. An article by Måns Grundsten, published in the birding magazine Roadrunner (4/2006). In Swedish language only.