Located at the southern tip of Öland, Sweden, the Ottenby Nature Reserve stands as a remarkable sanctuary of biodiversity. The reserve, a designated Natura 2000 and Ramsar Site, is made up of a rich mosaic of wet grasslands, beaches, pastures, and sandbanks.
With 377 bird species recorded, it is renowned as one of Sweden’s premier birdwatching locations.
At the heart of the reserve lies the Ottenby Bird Observatory, where around 20,000 birds are ring-marked each year. This research facility contributes valuable data to the study of bird migration, helping to track and understand the movements of various species across Europe and beyond. The reserve’s ecological diversity and its vital role in scientific research underscore its importance as an environmental asset.
The recent Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 23 November 2024 captures the reserve blanketed in snow, highlighting its serene yet vibrant ecosystem. The Copernicus satellite data plays a crucial role in monitoring critical habitats like Ottenby, ensuring the continued preservation of biodiversity in such unique areas.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
