Stora Fjäderägg bird station is situated on an island in the nature reserve Holmöarna, in northern Sweden. The station started in 1984 and up to 2009 187 300 birds have been ringed. Most commonly ringed species are goldcrest Regulus regulus and willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus.

Our season is May (-mid June) but mainly August-October.

Because Stora Fjäderägg is situated at the narrowest point between Sweden and Finland it is an excellent place to study the Eastern-Western migratory movements of many Scandinavian birds. Our "speciality" is eastern vagrants and it is not a coincidence that three for Sweden new birds, all of eastern origin, have been caught at Stora Fjäderägg.

Every week there is a person responsible for the ringing, appointed by the station chief. A major aim is to teach beginners how to handle and ring birds, and therefore also not so experienced people are very welcome to visit and work at the station.

Station Chief and contact person for bookings: Niklas Lindberg, +46(0)70-2072896, niklas.lindberg@enetjarnnatur.se. A normal stay at the station lasts a week, from Saturday to Saturday. We do not encourage weekend stays. We are happy if someone like to stay a longer period!

Transportation: To get to Holmön you take the ferry from Norrfjärden:

click for time table

The trip takes about 40 minutes, no fee and no cars. Then there are smaller boats from Holmön to Fjäderägg, about 15 minutes, driven by Olle Nygren (+46(0)90-550 08, +46(0)70-6636706). It is often possible to get transportation on Friday afternoon and on Sunday. NB: You should make an agreement with preceding personel if you are to take over !

Another alternative from July-August is "Slupen" the traditional wooden boat run by the Boat museum.

The price is 200-300 SEK two ways.

Booking telephone: 070-69117220

Ask for help with the transportations when you book your stay.

Accommodation: In the former lighthouse keeper's house. There are electricity, oven, kitchen equipment, sauna, telephone, more than 15 beds with mattresses but without bedclothes (there is also room for ground sheets) and outside lavatory. During late autumn (October) the water in the pipes is sometimes frozen during night, but has usually thawed at lunch time.
There is also a youth hostel on the island.

Costs: You pay for accomodation (20 SEK/night and person) and boat Holmön- Fjäderägg (price depending on number of passengers).

Källa: Christer Larsson