Villshärad, Naturreservat

The coastal meadows in Villshärad have a rich bird life and a rich flora. The reserve is crossed by high stone walls reminiscent of the farming system of earlier times. Many butterflies live along the walls and you can also see the stonechat here.

Light-demanding and uncompetitive species grow in the coastal meadows, which would otherwise be replaced by tall grasses, herbs and shrubs. Here you will find, for example, trift, coastal arrowhead, yellow warbler and shore creeper. Characteristic birds along the grazed beaches are oystercatchers, eiders and grebes.

Butterflies thrive at the walls

Along the sunlit stone walls, many butterflies and even the stone curlew can be found. The stone walls tell us about the division and use of the land in earlier times. They were built to enclose or exclude livestock and also served as boundary markers between estates, farms and villages. Most stone walls in today's landscape were built in the 19th century, when new boundaries were drawn in connection with the land reforms that were then carried out. Some of the stone walls in the reserve are cold-walled, i.e. built without mortar or other sealant.

History of the reserve

In the past, the sea and the beaches have meant a lot to the farming coastal population. The area has been used for centuries as pastures and fields. Seaweed has long been used to fertilize the fields.

Fancy a swim? Villshärad is directly adjacent to the Haverdal nature reserve, where there is a long sandy beach.