Assmåsabetet, Naturreservat

Assmåsabetet, or Betlehem's outfield as it is also known, is an ancient pasture. Between wide-crowned trees and flowering shrubs, the pasture flora spreads out. Here you can see rare plants such as sedge and bluebell. In the lower parts there are frog-rich small waters with exclusive species such as bell frog and leaf frog. There are no marked trails, but it is possible to wander freely. Avoid bringing dogs among grazing animals.

People and livestock

The nature reserve gives the visitor a good picture of what an outfield could look like a couple of hundred years ago. The more or less wooded pasture was common in the past. This was where the cattle grazed, excluded from the cultivated land next to the farms.

Wide crowns and wet roots

Where the trees have been sparse on the dry hills, the wide-crowned oaks and beeches have had the freedom to develop. There are also many "scrape trees" (wild apple) and a rich shrub layer with large blackberry bushes. In the wet parts of the area, the alder swamps have developed into a biologically valuable swamp forest.

Birds, frogs and plants

The ponds and pools in the Assmåsareservatet are good habitats for the tree frog, bell frog and great crested newt. The varied environment means that the flora is rich in species. Tall species such as manna grass and marsh thistle are found on the wet meadows that are flooded in the spring. On the drier soils, you will find, among other things, sedge and bluebell. The dense bushes provide shelter and food for many insects, small birds and not least tree frogs.

Flutter among the crowns

In the reserve and the surrounding area, it is possible to see a magnificent red deer or at least a roe deer. The reserve is home to as many as eleven species of bats, which nest in the old deciduous trees. The insect life is rich, as is the bird life, with blackcaps, treecreepers and brown harriers as examples.

Outdoor life

There is no marked trail in this wooded pasture. But it is possible to roam freely. Avoid dogs among grazing animals. There is an information sign and parking in the southern part of Assmåsabetet. Remember to take your rubbish home.