Ottenby bird observatory

Ottenby Bird Observatory sits at the southern tip of the Swedish island of Öland, on the Baltic Sea, one of Europe's long-running bird research stations.

About Ottenby Bird Observatory

This is a bird observatory rather than an astronomical one: Ottenby's ornithological importance was recognised long before a permanent bird observatory was set up in 1946, with the site gaining official protected status in 1961. It sits directly on the East Atlantic Flyway, a major migratory route for birds moving between Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas further south.

History

Bird ringing has taken place at Ottenby since the observatory's founding, and it has been carried out in a standardised way since 1972, building one of the longest continuous ringing datasets in the region.

Telescopes & research

Rather than telescopes, Ottenby's researchers use ringing and monitoring equipment to track migratory birds. The resulting long-term datasets have been used to study changes in migratory patterns, morphometrics, and population trends, particularly among wading bird species.

Location & getting there

Ottenby lies at the southern tip of Öland, an island in the Baltic Sea off Sweden's south-eastern coast, easily reached from the Öland bridge and mainland Kalmar.

Visiting Ottenby Bird Observatory

The observatory and its surrounding nature reserve welcome visitors interested in bird migration; check the official website for current opening details and seasonal ringing demonstrations.

See your named star from here

Ottenby's daily work centres on bird migration rather than astronomy, but if you name a star with Star Register, its coordinates travel with you anywhere, including this quiet corner of the Baltic coast. Browse the catalogue of named stars, or find a dedicated stargazing site among our observatories.