Skanörs ljung, Naturreservat

Skanör heath is one of Europe's largest wet heaths. 150 years ago, large parts of the Falsterbo peninsula were covered by this heathland. On fine autumn days, many migratory birds gather here. Then the birds of prey soar freely in the warm air currents that form over the heather. The Skåneleden trail passes through Skanörs ljung, both to the north and south, on its tour around the Falsterbo peninsula. An old railway embankment runs through the reserve, which is now a fine walking and cycling route between Höllviken and Skanör.

From oak forest to heath

More than half of the Falsterbo peninsula was heather 150 years ago. The oak forests that existed previously were cut down in the Middle Ages. There was a great need for firewood and timber then. After hundreds of years of grazing, the heathland emerged. All that remains of the vast moors today is Skanör heather. A reminder of how man and grazing animals have shaped the landscape on the Falsterbo peninsula.

One of Europe's largest wet heaths

Skanörs ljung is one of Europe's largest wet heaths. Out on the heath there is a mosaic of wet and dry areas. Among the heather and bell heather are rare plants such as bell gentian and heather eye thrush. But here you can also see the carnivorous plant lesser celandine. Birds that regularly nest here are meadow pipit, skylark, lapwing and chiffchaff.

Grazing animals and conservation burning

A heather moor must be managed to prevent it from growing back. Cattle graze on the heath to keep it open. When spring comes, smaller areas are burned to renew the heather.

Important resting place for migratory birds

To the south and north of the heath are meadows that are also part of the Skanörs ljung nature reserve. Ängsnäset is the beach meadow area in the south. It is a valuable nesting area. But migrating wading birds also rest here. In order to give the nesting birds peace and quiet ** there is a ban on entering Änganäset from 1 April to 15 July**. Examples of birds that nest in the salt meadows are avocets, little terns and greater sandpipers.

Pine trees in straight lines

There is also a pine forest in the Skanörs ljung nature reserve. The pines were planted in the 1930s to prevent sand drift. In some places you can see that the pines stand in clear, straight lines.

Outdoor life

Skanörs ljung is a vast heather moor out on Falsterbonäset. You enter the nature reserve after passing the Falsterbokanalen canal. Skanörs ljung extends from the coast in the north and further down to Änganäset and the coast in the south. Falsterbovägen (road 100), which runs between Vellinge and Skanör, goes straight through the reserve. Skåneleden runs along the entire coast of the Falsterbo peninsula and passes through the reserve both to the north and south. Between the Skåneleden trail in the north and south, a connecting trail runs right through the open heathland. If you walk here on a warm fall day, you have a good chance of seeing many birds of prey. They fly in circles in the rising warm air that forms on the heath. Grazing animals ensure that the heath is kept open and does not overgrow. There are several parking lots along Route 100. One of them has a toilet, rest area and a shelter a short distance away. Another entrance is at Falsterbo camping in the west. Remember to take your rubbish home. The nearest bus stop is Skanör Haga and is located just west of the reserve.

**Remember that Änganäset is off-limits - forbidden to visit - during spring and summer so that the birds do not abandon their young.

Skanörs ljung is one of nine nature reserves around the Falsterbo peninsula. There are good outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, including hiking, bird watching and swimming. The Skåneleden trail (SL5 Öresund, stages 20 and 21) takes you around the entire peninsula. Remember that the reserves have different regulations, so check what is allowed where you are.

In English

Welcome to Skanörs ljung Nature Reserve

A wide sky above flowering heather. The air full of raptors circling higher and higher in the air before gliding out across the sea. A spectacle that attracts birdwatchers from near and far in early autumn.

Flowering heather

More than half of the Falsterbo Peninsula was open heathland 150 years ago. The original oak forest was cut down in the Middle Ages to provide fuel and timber. Today, only Skanörs Ljung Nature Reserve remains as a reminder of how humans have shaped the landscape on the peninsula.

Out on the heath, which is one of the largest wet heaths in Europe, you find a mosaic of wet and dry areas. Rare species such as marsh gentian, common slender eyebright and oblong-leaved sundew, an insectivorous plant, grow among common heather and bell heather. Heaths must be managed so as not to become overgrown. Grazing cattle keep the heath open, and in spring, smaller areas are burned to rejuvenate the heather.

Coastal meadows with waders

The nature reserve also protects coastal meadows on both sides of the peninsula. Ängsnäset, a wetland area to the south, is a valuable breeding site as well as a resting place for migrating waders. Access to this area is prohibited between April 1 and July 15, to ensure that the wet grassland birds can breed undisturbed.

Regulations

Within Skanörs Ljungs Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• damage sand or gravel deposits in the reserve,
• change drainage conditions in the reserve,
• camp or park caravans,
• pick or dig up plants without permission from the reserve manager,
• plant or sow seeds,
• enter the area at Ängsnäset from April 1 to July 15 (marked on the map).

The Falsterbohalvöns havsområde Nature Reserve comprises the waters around the
Falsterbo Peninsula. Where this overlaps with the marine areas within Skanörs Ljung, the
regulations of both reserves apply.

Within Falsterbohalvöns havsområde Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• wind or kitesurf throughout the whole year within areas on the map marked with red or green stripes, and during the period 1 March - 1 July within the area indicated by red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 5 knots within the areas on the map marked with red stripes or red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 10 knots within the areas on the map marked with blue squares or green stripes,
• operate or launch water scooter, jet ski or similar watercraft in areas outside general navigable waterways. The rules do not forbid launching of water scooter or jet ski in Skanör harbor for the shortest route towards general navigable waterway no. 205 Drogden-Blenheim SJÖFS 1988:5, or launching in the Falsterbo channel for continued journey on general navigable waterway no. 206, SJÖFS 1988:5.