Ålsta hage

Ålsta hage is located south of Säbysjön near Barkarbystaden. A long-haired, long-horned breed of Highland cattle graze there. Thanks to the grazing of the cows, plants such as wild buttercups, brideweed and almond blossom thrive along with butterflies such as blue butterflies and bees such as the meadow band bee. For those interested in exercise, there is an outdoor gym just south of Ålsta hage.

In the early 1500s, there were four farms here and Ålsta was at that time one of Järfälla's largest villages. Over the years, the farms often changed owners and in the 1800s the land was owned by the large farm Säby.

Military remains

In the early 1900s, both Säby and Ålsta were bought by the state to be used as a military training area. Barkarby airfield became an important military airfield during World War II and the Cold War. The most obvious remains at Ålsta from that time are the remains of the gun emplacements that stood on the top of the hill. The gun emplacements were built of concrete and stone to protect the airport from aerial attack. Most of the structures have been removed, but there are still clear traces in the pasture.

Woodpecker or snake?

One of our lesser-known woodpeckers, the cuckoo, is also found here. It is brownish gray and mostly lives on the ground, where it looks for tasty bugs. The cuckoo woodpecker cannot peck out its own nest hole, but needs ready-made nest holes or birdhouses. When frightened or threatened, cuckoos can wriggle their necks and even hiss like a snake. This scares off predators that want to take the bird.