Balgö, Naturvårdsområde

Balgö is a scenic grazing island in the Balgöfjord. The reserve also includes several outlying islands and skerries. Due to sensitive bird life, access to parts of the reserve is prohibited from April 1 to July 31. Balgö is also home to the rare beach toad. You need to have access to your own boat to get to the reserve.

The island is an Eldorado for birds with valuable nesting and resting places for mainly waders and seabirds. For example, little terns and avocets nest here, as well as all of Sweden's species of swimming ducks. There is also a large population of nesting eider and large colonies of gulls. In winter, white-tailed eagles are regularly seen in the area. The shallow water areas are important wintering sites for seabirds. In order to protect the birds, parts of the reserve are a bird protection area and access is prohibited between April 1 and July 31.

Also protection for seals

Balgöfjorden has a population of harbor seals that vary in number, sometimes up to 50 animals. Gray seals also occur in the area. The islands Lilla and Stora Både are seal protection areas and access is prohibited between May 15 and July 15.

Halland's most important site for the beach toad

The vegetation on the island consists mainly of rocky heaths, dry meadows and beach meadows with rich flora. Balgö is home to the largest population of the beach toad, which used to be called the stink toad. The toad used to be widespread in Halland but is now rare and only a few individuals remain in the rest of the county. At night, after warm rainy days in May-June, you can hear the drilling chorus of playing beach toads all the way to the mainland.

Geologically interesting

The entire fjord is geologically interesting, and Balgö is part of a system of end moraines that run through the fjord. End moraines were formed during the Ice Age when the ice retreated. Large amounts of moraine were deposited in front of the ice edge, and if the ice edge remained in the same place for a long time, large ridges, known as end moraines, were formed. The island has both shingle fields and sea walls.

Island with many lichens

A survey of lichens in Halland in 2001-2003 found that Balgö is home to a very rich flora of lichens. A total of 135 different species were found on sand, stone and mortar.

Folder for the reserve

Balgö - Swedish Link to another website

Balgö - English Link to another website.

Balgö - German Link to another website.