Hörröds- och Södra Lökaröds utmark, Naturreservat

The historically extensive heathlands at Hörröd and Södra Lökaröd in eastern Skåne remain as fragments, particularly in the Hörröd outfield. Large parts of this outlying landscape were planted with spruce about 80 years ago and will now be recreated within the reserve. When the land is opened up and grazed, flowers such as cat's foot and haymaking will be able to thrive again. The conditions are good with proximity to species-rich heather reserves such as Drakamöllan. Parking is available along Lillehemsvägen. The Skåneleden trail also passes through the western part of the reserve.

Historic heathland with haymaking and cat's foot

In the past, the heather-covered pastures spread out in the area, lands with a great diversity of species. Between the heather-covered tufts and stones, cat's foot was crowded with ground thistle and haymaking. There were also many butterflies, beetles and wild bees. At that time there were only sparsely scattered trees and shrubs, apart from the deciduous swamp forest that grew in the water-retaining hollows. Around 1950, large parts of the heathland were replanted with spruce.

Small flower-rich fragments remain

In Hörröd's outfield, in the western part of the reserve, there are still remnants of the formerly extensive outfield landscape, with heather and other now unusual meadow and pasture plants. Here you can still find fragrant thyme, bluebells, sedges and meadowsweet. There are also considerably more species-rich heathlands in the nearby reserves around Drakamöllan and Brösarp slopes. By removing the spruce forest, the county administrative board hopes to regain the heathland and parts of its original plant and animal life. The restoration of the spruce areas can be done quickly because the seeds of heather and other moorland plants remain as a seed bank in the ground. The re-establishment of the rarer meadow and pasture species is facilitated by the fact that they remain in the immediate area.

Bird-rich shrublands

In Hörröd's and Södra Lökaröd's outlying areas there are many birds that thrive in open pastures with shrubs. Both starlings and green wagtails, as well as moorhens and shrikes, will benefit from the removal of spruce and the return of heather. In nearby Drakamöllan there are still some nesting pairs of the extremely rare skylark. Restoration of the outfield landscape will make the Hörröd and Södra Lökaröd outfields a suitable environment for this exclusive bird. Drakamöllan and Brösarp's slopes are otherwise a hotspot for at least 30 red-listed sand-dwelling beetles. Perhaps some of these will find their way here when the land is opened up and grazed.

Outdoor life

Hörröd's and Södra Lökaröd's outfields are located half a mile west of Maglehem in eastern Skåne. The parking lot is located along Lillehemsvägen a few kilometers further west. The Skåneleden trail passes this access point and continues through the western part of the reserve. Avoid dogs among grazing animals. Remember to take your rubbish home.