Pulken-Yngsjön, Naturreservat

Who doesn't like birds? So welcome to paradise! Experience the bird life of the meadows all year round from the Pulken visitor center with outdoor museum. In spring, ducks, geese and waders gather in large numbers on the open water meadows in the Pulken-Yngsjön reserve. The spectacular crane dance usually takes place in late March and early April.

Yngsjön and Egeside lake

Yngsjön is surrounded by reeds and the open water surfaces are small. The lake has not always looked like this. In the past, Lake Yngsjön and Lake Egeside covered large parts of the reserve area, but in 1774 the farmers of Yngsjö dug a ditch that had dramatic consequences. Because of the ditch, Helgeån broke off a new course towards the sea in 1775. This led to the river's water level dropping by as much as 70 centimeters, all the way up to Kristianstad. The lakes were almost completely drained of water. The draining exposed virgin land, which could be used as hay meadows.

Flooded fields

The land along the River Helgeån is flooded during the winter months, when it rains (and snows) the most. The sea level in Hanöbukten also affects the water level, which can rise by as much as half a meter in one day. The floods have shaped the landscape and, together with the historic mowing, have been crucial to the area's rich plant and animal life.

Cranes attract lots of visitors

Pulken outdoor museum

The combined outdoor museum and bird tower offers views over the meadows. There is also an exhibition about bird life, cranes and the history of the area. The outdoor museum is wheelchair accessible, as is the path that leads here.

Outdoor life

Experience the bird life of the meadows all year round from Pulken's visitor center with outdoor museum. The spectacular crane dance with thousands of cranes usually takes place in late March and early April. Both the outdoor museum and the bird platform are accessible, as is the walkway from the parking lot and toilet. Read more at Vattenrikets webbplats - Pulken Link to another website, opens in new window. Remember that it is forbidden to go out into the meadows from March 1 to April 20 to avoid scaring the birds!

Pulken is one of the visitor sites in the Vattenriket Biosphere Reserve Link to another website, opens in new window.. Vattenriket offers 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.

Thank you for taking your rubbish home.

In English

Welcome to Pulken-Yngsjön and Egeside Nature Reserves

The extensive wetlands by the lower reaches of the River Helge å are a haven for birds and have a rich flora. The Nature Reserves are both located within the Kristianstad Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve. The rich bird life is best observed from the Pulken Outdoor Museum, which is also a birdwatching tower. In spring, you can see large numbers of ducks, geese and waders on the open wet grasslands. The area is a resting place for thousands of cranes in late March/early April. Egeside Nature Reserve is home to many birds and wild animals, but has no easy access or facilities for visitors.

Regulations

Within Pulken-Yngsjön Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• enter the areas in appendix 1 during the period of 1 March to 20 April,
• dig, remove, cover, bore, chisel, paint or in any other way damage boulders, stone walls, living or dead trees, shrubs or stumps,
• remove dead wood or fell or in any other way damage trees or shrubs,
• deliberately disturb wildlife
• light fires,
• camp or park caravans, campers or similar,
• put up notice boards, placards, posters, signs, trailmarking strips or similar, except for information and nature reserve signs and boundary markers,
• put up boats or other vessels on land.

Without permission from the County Administrative Board it is furthermore forbidden to:

• collect wild animals, e.g. insects, spiders, molluscs and other invertebrates, or pick wood-living fungi,
• arrange military exercises, competitions, camps or any other training activities.