Flommen, Naturreservat

Here you will encounter the uniquely distinctive coastal environment of the Falsterbo peninsula. Flommen, just west of Falsterbo, is one of the reserves and accommodates both resting birds, playing toads, and golf games. The Skåneleden trail runs through the Flommen nature reserve, but there are also small paths that take you around the area and it is also possible to walk along the beach. This is undoubtedly Sweden's best migratory bird area, and the Falsterbo lighthouse and lovely summer swimming add to the experience.

A changing landscape

Waves and wind constantly reshape the landscape on the Falsterbo peninsula, creating new reefs, bays and lagoons. Flommen is named after the shallow, narrow lagoons (flommar) that lie within the dunes. The beach meadows at Flommen were previously the outlying land of Falsterbo and Skanör. Grassy peat was collected here and cattle were grazed.

Dunes with martens and beach meadow toads

A network of paths takes you around the special environments of the lagoons and coastal meadows. The rare plant Danish iris blooms on damp ground, and among the dunes you can find the buckthorn. The reserve is also home to a large population of green toads, as well as beach toads and sand lizards.

Sweden's best migratory bird site

The Falster peninsula is one of the country's most important resting places for migrating birds. The first migratory birds arrive as early as late summer. On a good day in late September/early October, thousands of birds can pass the tip of Nabben on their way south. Falsterbo Bird Observatory has been monitoring migratory bird migration since the 1950s.

The avocet is a characteristic species of Flommen. In spring, the elegant black-and-white wader can be seen breeding in the reserve's meadows. A project to protect breeding waders from mammalian predation has been successful, benefiting waders such as the avocet, oystercatcher and redshank.

Old castle ruins and lighthouses

In the Middle Ages, Europe's largest herring market was located in Skanör-Falsterbo. In Skanör Castle in the northern part of the reserve, the Danish bailiff sat and collected taxes for fishing. Today, only the castle hill and the remains of the moat remain. The medieval fishing huts were located on the reefs between central Skanör and the sea. To the south is Kolabacken, a remnant of Sweden's oldest lighthouse. Dominican monks built lighthouses here in the 13th century. Today, all that is visible is a hill of sand mixed with coal residue. The lighthouse at the far end of Nabben was built in 1796 and extinguished in 1990. Flommens golf course is located within the reserve.

Outdoor life

The Skåneleden trail (SL5 Öresund, stage 20) runs through Flommens nature reserve, but there are also small paths that take you around the area and it is also possible to walk along the beach. Don't miss the lighthouse located on Nabben, in the southern part of the reserve. Remember to take your trash home with you.

There are several bus stops along the reserve in both Falsterbo and Skanör. Parking is available in Skanör harbor, at Skanör castle ruin/Skanör church and at Flommens golf course. NOTE: the parking lot at Falsterbo golf course (the one by the lighthouse) may only be used by those who are playing golf!

Flommen 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 Flommen Nature Reserve

The Falsterbo Peninsula has unique coastal environments shared by people, plants and animals throughout the year. In order to protect and preserve the natural treasures that are found in the sea and on land, several nature reserves have been established on the peninsula. Flommen, just west of Falsterbo, contains not only resting birds and singing toads, but also opportunities for sea bathing and golf.

A Changing Landscape

Waves and wind constantly reshape the landscape of the Falsterbo Peninsula, creating new reefs, bays and lagoons. Flommen takes its name from the shallow, cut-off lagoons (called flommar in Swedish) that lie inland of the sand dunes. The coastal meadows at Flommen were previously the outlying land used by the people in Falsterbo and Skanör for cutting turf and grazing cattle.

A network of paths takes you round the special environments that the lagoons and coastal meadows constitute. The rare Blue Iris flowers on wet ground, and you can find Sea Holly among the dunes. The reserve also contains one of the country's largest populations of European green toads, as well as Natterjack Toads and Sand Lizards.

The Best Place for Birds in Sweden

The Falsterbo Peninsula is one of the country's most important resting places for migrating birds. The first of the migratory birds arrive as early as late summer. On a good day at the end of September or beginning of October, there can be thousands of birds passing the outermost point of Nabben on their journey south. Falsterbo Bird Station has monitored the bird migration since the 1950s.

The Pied Avocet is a characteristic species of Flommen. In spring you can see this elegant, black and white wader tending to its young on the reserve's coastal meadows. There has been a successful project to protect breeding waders from predation by mammals, which has benefited the waders such as Pied Avocet, Oystercatcher and Redshank.

Old Castle Ruins and Lighthouses

In the Middle Ages, Europe's largest herring market was located in Skanör-Falsterbo. The Danish sheriff sat in Skanör Castle in the northern part of the reserve and collected taxes on the fish trade. All that remains today is the mound on which the castle was built and the moat. The fish stalls of the Middle Ages were located on the sandbanks between the center of Skanör and the sea. Kolabacken lies to the south and is the remains of Sweden's oldest lighthouse. Dominican monks erected a beacon here in the 13th century. All that can be seen today is a hill made of sand mixed with charcoal remains. The lighthouse at the tip of Nabben was built in 1796 and was used up until 1990. Flommen Golf Club's course is within the reserve.

Regulations

Within Flommen Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

1. travel through or enter the areas marked with an A on the map in appendix 1 during the period of 15 March to 15 July,
2. travel through or enter the areas marked with a B on the map in appendix 1 during the period of 1 February to 31 October,
3. camp or erect equipment for overnight stay,
4. pick or dig up plants,
5. intentionally disturb grazing animals, mating amphibians or birdlife
6. bring dogs that are not on a physical leash during the period 1 March to 31 October
7. drive motorized vehicles outside road or parking area
8. place out or put up notice boards, placards, signs, posters or similar,
9. use watercraft of any kind in the waters in the areas marked on the map, appendix 1, appendix 1a-f ,
10. start or land with manned or unmanned aircraft, or fly kites ( appendix 1a-f ).

Further, without the permission of the county administrative board you may not:
11. place out or put up paper strips, orienteering check points or similar devices other than temporarily, maximum 10 days, on condition that contact details and date of erection is written on the objects that have been placed out,
12. moor boats or other craft other than temporarily when visiting the beach.

Please note that the regulations for the Falsterbo Peninsula aquatic area - Falsterbohalvöns havsområde nature reserve - also apply to the aquatic area in Flommen Nature Reserve.

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.