Håslövs ängar, Naturreservat

Håslöv's meadows, about 1 mile southeast of Kristianstad, is a flat peninsula that juts out into Hammarsjön, as well as some islands. Large parts of the reserve's meadows are flooded annually and, together with grazing and haymaking, the water creates an interesting flora. The wet meadows attract a variety of wading birds to the area, including the unusual red-breasted godwit.

Extensive wetlands

The meadows are part of a large wetland area around the lower reaches of the River Helge, with large areas of grazed and hay meadows. The river, the lakes and the extensive wetlands are of great importance not only for breeding birds, but also for resting and wintering birds.

Wading birds

Wading birds are particularly attracted to the wet meadows. During spring and early summer, nesting curlews, redshanks, lapwings, snipe and curlews make their mark on the area.

Ducks and geese

Everywhere in the meadows, large flocks of greylag geese graze with their young during the spring and the brown marsh harrier is regularly seen patrolling. Black terns often roam along the shoreline. In the shallow, open water areas between the lake and the meadow, spoonbills and oystercatchers nest. During March - April, large numbers of ducks stay in the flooded meadows. Mallards and teal often rest in their hundreds.

Birds of prey

Even during the fall migration, lots of geese usually rest in the reserve and there are good opportunities to see birds of prey such as blue harrier, kestrel, red kite and mountain buzzard. In winter, white-tailed eagles regularly pass over the geese in the meadows and duck flocks in Hammarsjön in search of prey.

Outdoor life

In the north there is a parking lot with bench tables (the toilet is permanently closed for resource reasons). If you follow the ground road west (blue-white trail), you will reach the accessible bird platform after about 700 meters. If you continue another 700 meters, you will reach the bird tower and resting place located at the southernmost edge of the lake. For a round trip, you can continue the marked trail east, through the grazed meadows. The round trip is about 2.5 km. Wheelchair users can drive all the way to the accessible bird platform (a parking lot). In order to protect bird life, there is a ban on entering the meadows all year round. The ban does not apply to parking areas, hiking trails, bird platforms and the area around the bird tower. In the event of flooding, the road and hiking trail may be under water.

Just north of the reserve passes Skåneleden (SL6 Vattenriket) which runs between Kristianstad and Åhus. Håslövs ängar nature reserve is one of the visitor sites in the Vattenriket biosphere reserve Link to another website, opens in new window.. Within Vattenriket there are opportunities for hiking, cycling and kayaking/canoeing. Next to Helge å in Kristianstad is the Vattenriket nature center where you can get good nature guidance.

In English

Welcome to Håslövs ängar Nature Reserve

One spring morning the meadows are teeming with life. The birds have returned to the riparian meadows. Redshank, lapwing, snipe and the rare black-tailed godwit are here to breed on the meadows.

Along the lower course of the river Helge å are large pastures and riparian hay meadows. Håslövs ängar is one of the main bird localities in this large expanse of wetland. The flat peninsula which constitutes the reserve was formed when the river Helge å cut a new channel in 1775, and a new discharge area in the bay Hanöbukten emerged at Yngsjö. The water level dropped by almost one meter. Grazing, hay-making and seasonal flooding create a diversity of micro environments, providing habitats for a large number of bird species.

Birdlife all year round. Large flocks of greylag geese with their young graze the meadows while the marsh harrier regularly patrols above. Black terns often sweep along the shore or try to catch insects above the shallow waters at Åla kärr in the center of the nature reserve.

During autumn migration, geese rest on the meadows, and there are good opportunities for spotting birds of prey such as hen harrier, kestrel, red kite and rough-legged buzzard. In winter, white-tailed eagles regularly circle above the geese on the meadows and the groups of ducks in Lake Hammarsjön, searching for prey.

In order not to disturb the rich birdlife, access to the meadows is prohibited all year round. However, you are welcome to follow the blue and white trail around the area or walk out to the bird tower.

Regulations

Restricted access to the land area in Håslövs ängar Nature Reserve applies all year round , except for on roads and parking areas, designated paths, and the fenced in area around the bird tower. Restricted access also applies to part of theaquatic area, see map.

It is also forbidden to:

• park caravans, campers or similar between midnight and 5 a.m.
• light fires other than in designated places
• dig up plants
• bring dogs (or other pets) unless on a physical leash
• start or land with aircraft, or fly remotely controlled unmanned aircraft (e.g. drones) at a height below 120 meters above mean sea level.

Furthermore, without written permission from the County Administrative Board it is forbidden to:

• catch insects, spiders, gastropods or other invertebrate animals other than by netting, hand picking or other selective method with subsequent reintroduction within the nature reserve. The requirement for reintroduction does not apply to individual voucher specimens of each species on condition that the record is logged in the reporting system Artportalen or corresponding national database and that the collection is not contrary to species protection regulations,
• put up boards, placards, posters, signs, paper strips, make inscriptions, or similar other than temporarily for nature trails, quizzes or quiz walks,
• place out alien objects.