Frihult, Naturreservat

Frihult Nature Reserve is part of a sandy hillside landscape created by the ice sheet around 16,000 years ago. The land has long been used for cultivation and grazing. Nowadays, only the grazing animals keep the land open. There are 11 ponds among Frihult's green hills. These small ponds are a magnet for amphibian enthusiasts.

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Rare amphibians

Frihult Nature Reserve and the surrounding areas are important habitats for many amphibians and insects. In addition to our common frogs and toads, several species of more or less endangered amphibians can be found here. Among other things, the reserve is an important core area for the rare onion frog in Sweden.

The nature reserve has 11 ponds that are kept free of shading vegetation, fish and crayfish. This is done to protect both aquatic insect larvae and the frogs' eggs and young. As wild boars like to eat frogs, efforts are made to keep them out of the reserve. Today, onion frogs are found in 7 of the ponds. All the ponds also have leaf frogs, common frogs, field frogs, edible frogs, bell frogs, common toads and great and small newts. All amphibians are protected in Sweden.

Insect-rich soils

In addition to the water bodies, the sandy areas with sun-exposed sandy patches are of great importance for both onion frogs and several insect species. Many beetles and butterflies that need sandy and herb-rich soils are found here, including the mealybug, meadow net butterfly and common metalwing swarmers. Sand patches and pollen-rich plants provide good conditions for various species of sand bees.

Outdoor life

Frihult has no marked trails, but you can roam freely in the softly rolling pastures. However, avoid dogs among the grazing animals. You can still hear the frogs playing if you walk on the roads that pass several small lakes. There is a rest area and parking along the thoroughfare in the south. Remember to take your rubbish home. Because there are so many different kinds of frogs here, you can hear frog songs from April to June.

In English

Welcome to Frihult Nature Reserve

It is a part of a sandy moraine hilly landscape that was created from melting ice some 16,000 years ago. The land has long been used by man for cultivation and grazing. There are grazing animals at the whole site today.

Frihult Nature Reserve is one of the most important core areas for the rare spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) in Sweden. Yellow-spotted whiteface dragonfly (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) thrives at the nutrient and plant-rich waters.

There are 11 ponds in the nature reserve which are kept free of shading vegetation, fish and crayfish. This is to protect the aquatic insect larvae and the eggs and larvae of the amphibians. Due to the fact that wild boar like to eat amphibians, the aim is to keep them out of the reserve.

The spadefoot toad currently occurs in seven of the ponds. The ponds also contain common tree frog (Hyla arborea), common frog, moor frog, edible frog, fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), common toad, smooth and great crested newt. All amphibians are legally protected in Sweden.

As well as the ponds, the areas with patches of bare sand exposed to the sun are of great importance for the spadefoot toad as well as for many species of insect. There are many beetles and butterflies which require the sandy and herb rich areas that are found here, including the six-spot burnet moth (Zygaena filipendulae), and purple-edged copper (Lycaena hippothoe).

Marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe) can be found in the pastures. Bare sand and plants rich in pollen provide suitable conditions for different species of sand bees. Dwarf everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium) can be found in the dry, sandy and sunexposed areas.

Regulations

Within Frihult Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• Dig up or damage in any other way natural objects or formations,
• Light a fire,
• Remove dead wood, break branches, fell or damage in any other way living or dead trees and bushes,
• Bring dogs or any other pet not on a lead during the period 1st March to 31st October,
• Intentionally disturb or affect wildlife,
• Park up a caravan, camper van or equivalent for more than five hours,
• Put up posters, signs, plaques, notices, or any equivalent items, with the exception of information signs for the nature reserve and boundary markers,
• Organize competitions or other activities which can interfere with or disturb the wildlife or the natural environment.

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

• Wade in the ponds
• Collect invertebrates, e.g. beetles. Individual samples may be collected on the basis that this does not contravene the Protected Species Legislation and that traps are not used.
• Put out foreign objects (e.g. geocaches or equivalent).