Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [27]
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The lemming is the smallest but most important mammal in the Arctic regions – its numbers set the population limits for everything that preys on it.
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Brown bears were persecuted for centuries, but recent conservation measures have seen numbers increase to around 2000. Bears mostly live in forests in the northern half of the country, but are spreading southwards.
Another fascinating forest dweller is the solitary lynx, which belongs to the panther family and is Europe’s only large cat. Sweden’s 1000 lynx are notoriously difficult to spot because of their nocturnal habits.
If you have no luck with wildlife in the wild, Grönklitt Björnpark (Click here) has an endangered-animal breeding program with large and natural-looking enclosures.
OTHER MAMMALS
The the symbol of Sweden, more than any other animal, is the elk (moose in the USA), a gentle, knobby-kneed creature that grows up to 2m tall. Elk are a serious traffic hazard, particularly at night: they can dart out in front of your car at up to 50km/h. For elk-spotting (and sausages), visit Sweden’s biggest elk park Grönåsens Älgpark Click here.
Around 260,000 domesticated reindeer roam the northern areas, under the watchful eyes of Sami herders. They, too, are a major traffic hazard.
Hikers encountering lemmings in the mountains may be surprised when these frantic little creatures become enraged and launch bold attacks. The mouselike lemmings are famous for their extraordinary reproductive capacity. Every 10 years or so, the population explodes, resulting in denuded landscapes and thousands of dead lemmings in rivers and lakes, and on roads.
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Swedish elk are slightly smaller than their closely related American relatives.
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Musk ox were reintroduced into Norway in the late 1940s, and herds have wandered into Sweden, notably in Härjedalen county. Angry adults have a habit of charging anything that annoys them.
Forests, lakes and rivers support beavers, otters, mink, badgers and pine martens. Weasels and stoats are endemic in all counties; northern varieties turn white in the winter and are trapped for their fur (ermine).
Grey and common seals swim in Swedish waters, although overfishing has caused a serious decline in numbers. In 1988 and 2002, thousands of seals were wiped out by the phocine distemper virus (PDV) after pollution weakened their immune systems. Common dolphins may also be observed from time to time.
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The fearsome-looking brown bear’s favourite food is…blueberries!
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BIRDS
Sweden attracts hundreds of nesting species and permanent residents. Some of the best birdwatching sites are the Falsterbo peninsula Click here; Öland, including the nature reserve at its southernmost tip Click here; Getterön Nature Reserve ; Tåkern Click here; Hornborgasjön, between Skara and Falköping in Västergötland; and the national parks Färnebofjärden Click here, Muddus and Abisko.
The golden eagle is one of Sweden’s most endangered species. It’s found in the mountains, and is easily identified by its immense wing span. Another dramatic bird of prey is the white-tailed sea eagle.
Coastal species include common, little and Arctic terns, various gulls, oystercatchers, cormorants, guillemots and razorbills. Territorial Arctic skuas can be seen in a few places, notably the Stockholm archipelago and the coast north of Göteborg.
Look for goldcrests in coniferous forests. A few spectacular waxwings breed in Lappland, but in winter they arrive from Russia in large numbers and are found throughout Sweden. Grouse or capercaillie strut the forest floor, while ptarmigan and snow buntings hang out above the tree line along the Norwegian border.
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For proof we aren’t making up these crazy bird names, read Where to Watch Birds in Scandinavia by Johann Stenlund.
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Sweden has a wide range of wading and water birds, including the unusual and beautiful red-necked phalaropes, which only breed in the northern