Utö- bird protection area

Year of protection: 1982, extended in 2011

Municipality: Ronneby

Character: Beech and oak forest, oak woodland, pasture islands, marine environment

Area: 1,290 hectares, of which 374 hectares are land and 916 hectares water

Landowner: The state

Nature conservation manager: Blekinge County Administrative Board

Form of protection: Nature reserve and Natura 2000

• Turn south at "Hasslörondellen", on the E22 between Karlskrona and Ronneby. The reserve is located east of the road after about 3 kilometers. Follow the signs to the reserve parking lot in the northwestern part of the reserve. - The nearest bus stop is "Gravfältet Almö", just west of the nature reserve.

You are welcome to visit Tromtö, but please note that it is not allowed to:

• damage land or bottoms in the water areas,
• damage stone walls or cairns,
• unduly disturb wildlife,
• remove or damage birds' nests
• damage growing or dead trees and shrubs
• picking mosses, lichens or woody fungi
• carry a loose dog other than for hunting
• ride a horse or bicycle other than on roads or paths marked for the purpose,
• camping or otherwise setting up camp in the nature reserve for more than two days,
• setting up a caravan or motorhome in the nature reserve overnight
• light a fire, use a camping kitchen other than in the designated fire pit,
• use disposable barbecues,
• drive a waterjet-powered vessel in an area marked on the nautical chart that is shallower than 3 meters (= inside the 3 meter curve in the nautical chart) other than when traveling directly to/from the pier,
• capture and collect invertebrates in such a way that their biotopes or reproductive habitats are damaged.

Protection of breeding birds

• To protect nesting birds on the islands of Tummaholmen, Lilla Ekeskär, Stora Ekeskär and Utö, special regulations apply for the period 1 April to 15 July and relate to a ban on traveling or staying on the islands and within a water area closer than 50 meters from the shores.
• To protect nesting birds on Råholmarna, special regulations apply for the period February 1 to August 15 and refer to a ban on traveling or staying on Västra and Östra Råholmen or the strait between them and a water area north and south of it that is marked with buoys. Representatives of the Sea Scout Corps af Chapman have the right to briefly visit their facility for supervision via the jetty on the northeastern part of Östra Råholmen.