Stora Äsperöd, Naturreservat

Stora Äsperöd's broadleaf forests and pastures are located along Rörum's southern river in Österlen. The meandering river is home to common tern and common grayling. Long-legged frogs and mosaic dragonflies can be seen in the small waters of the pastures. The nature reserve is difficult to access. There is no access point or other facilities for outdoor recreation.

Long history as a deciduous forest

Mature beech forest covers most of the nature reserve. The fact that the forest has a long history is shown, among other things, on the General Staff map from 1861. On the economic map from 1926-34, the deciduous forest still dominates, while the land along Rörum's southern river is marked as meadowland. Today, parts of this meadowland are forest. Forestry has been practiced in parts of the area, but the forest on the heights has developed freely.

Late-grown tree with thornbush

In the barren environment on the heights, the forest has grown slowly. Although the trees are old, they are relatively small. The ground is covered with blueberry bushes. Down in the hollows, the nutrient levels are higher and the vegetation is more lush. Here you will instead find wild garlic, nettle bell, cuckoo pea and yellowhammer. The wildlife is also rich. Some birds that live in the reserve are the green warbler, the sparrowhawk, the wood pigeon, the stone curlew, the treecreeper, the nuthatch, the nutcracker and the nesting bird of prey. Insects that can be seen in the area are the thorn beetle, lesser oak beetle and large cardinal beetle.

Meandering river with common tern

Rörum's southern river has partly regained its winding, meandering course within the reserve. At the same time, the river is bordered by a shady curtain of trees. The landscape has thus regained a fine and biologically valuable river environment. During the last ten years, the exclusive black stork has been seen on a couple of occasions. Kingfishers, common terns and white-tailed godwits can also be seen along the river, as well as otters. In the damp pastures along the river, lapwings rest, and in the constructed frog ponds live tree frogs, long-legged frogs and great crested newts. In summer, dragonflies such as the blood-red meadow dragonfly, brown mosaic dragonfly and autumn mosaic dragonfly can be seen flying above the water level.

Outdoor life

The area is inaccessible and has no facilities for outdoor recreation.