Dröstorp naturreservat

Mosses

Wetlands spread between dry meadows, gravel alps and rocky areas from fall to spring. This is in stark contrast to the dry summer, when most streams and wetlands have dried up. Dröstorps mosse in the western part is one of the Alvar's larger lakes and there is almost always water here, as well as in the crystal-clear springs that bubble up in several places in the reserve/area. Lapwings and snipe play in the wet meadows around the bog. Black terns can be seen hunting dragonflies over the bog itself.

Hazel snake

From Torrör to Ekelunda stretches one of the Alvar's most special areas of dry gravel and rocky ground. In the deep cracks in the limestone rock, hazel takes root and forms small groves. In the sheltered environment, the limestone is quickly heated by the sun and the hazel snake, our rarest snake, thrives here. In June, the southern European yellow cornel blossoms under the shelter of the hazel bushes and its yellow color shines intensely against the barren rocks.

Cave formations

The area is also geologically interesting. Karst (open cracks in the limestone) is abundant, especially in the central part, as well as springs, terraces and outcrops. A couple of dolines (collapsed cave formations) occur and the most famous is Prästgropen. It is a 2-3 meter deep circular pit with a diameter of 40 meters. It got its name from an old legend that the priest used to hide his parishioners here during times of unrest in the 17th century. Today it is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy their lunch in the shelter of the windswept alvar.

The Southern Öland Farming Landscape World Heritage Site

The agricultural landscape of Southern Öland is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage Site covers the entire landscape with villages, fields, lakes and Stora Alvaret.

Stora Alvaret, thousands of years of pasture

Stora Alvaret has been characterized by grazing for several thousand years and the purpose of the nature reserves here is to maintain the unique grazing-dependent cultural landscape, vegetation types that are representative of alvar land and to benefit both the typical and the rare plant and animal species that live in these environments. The aim is also to preserve and make visible Stora Alvaret's cultural and historical remains and to facilitate the public's opportunities to experience its natural and cultural values.

The nature reserve is located in the northeast corner of Stora Alvaret. The road towards Skarpa Alby takes off just south of Gårdby. The parking lot is located about 250 m after the sharp curve on the village street.

In the nature reserve you are not allowed:

• Drive a motorized vehicle.
• Camp more than one night in the same place.
• Bring dogs or other animals that are not on a leash.
• Make a fire anywhere other than in specially designated places.
• Hunting, killing, capturing or harming wild mammals, amphibians, reptiles or birds.
• remove or damage eggs or nests
• deliberately disturbing wildlife
• Damage or remove growing trees or shrubs.
• Digging or pulling up plants or plant parts by the roots.
• Collect loose rocks or remove pieces of bedrock.
• Make tracks or organize orienteering competitions.
• Damage fencing (e.g. fences or barriers).
• Damage ancient monuments (e.g. stone walls, cairns, etc.)

After consultation with the County Administrative Board and Uppsala University's Ecological Research Station, you may:

• Conduct surveys or research.