Väddö prästgård

Mosses, wetland forest and exciting environments! In the Väddö Prästgård nature reserve you are free to wander and explore nature on your own. There are no trails or other facilities for visitors. The area is rich in dead wood and is partly very wet. Interesting species thrive here, such as the small green shield moss. Keep an eye on decaying logs and you may spot their small, protruding capsules.

In the eastern part of the nature reserve, the coniferous forest becomes less dominant. Instead, deciduous trees such as birch and goat willow grow here—a reminder that the landscape was once more open. This area used to be fields and meadows. The forest was grazed by the nearby vicarage's animals.

In parts of the nature reserve, the soil is rich in lime. This allows wood anemones and orchids such as broad-leaved helleborine and bird’s-nest orchid to thrive. The bird’s-nest orchid lacks chlorophyll entirely (hence its pale colour) and obtains all its nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, which in turn are connected to the roots of surrounding trees. Remarkable, isn’t it?!

Please note that there are many dead spruce trees in the reserve. Stay alert and be cautious, especially in windy conditions.