Djurrödsbäckens valley is a nature reserve with a wilderness feel. There are no paths here except those that the cattle trample up through pastures and swamp forests. The stream still has its calm meandering course and fresh water. Cultivation cairns, stone fence farms and an impressive lane are reminders of the time when the outfield was important as grazing land. In spring, the marshes are adorned with pink flowering cowslips. Everything can be seen from the Skåneleden trail that passes alongside the reserve.
Winding waters
Water has flowed in Djurrödsbäcken since the Ice Age. Its fresh water means that the wildlife in the stream is rich in both fish and all kinds of bugs. Where the stream flows through low-lying areas, swamp and marsh forests are formed.
Grazing and haymaking
The land around the stream has a long history of haymaking and grazing. They have never been fertilized with anything other than cattle manure and have been preserved as partially tree- and shrub-covered pasture. Mowing has ceased, but the scarce supply of nutrients and continued grazing mean that many grassland-dependent plants still survive. Several rich marshes and calcareous meadows provide further additions to the species richness. In the rich marshes, the cowslips bloom in beautiful pink during May-June.
From needles to leaves
Some of the slopes down to the stream were previously planted with spruce. As the spruce is felled, these parts will be converted to broadleaf forest. Parts of the area's deciduous forest have been part of the pasture, which is evident in the multi-stemmed and crooked beech trees that were grazed by cattle in their youth.
Wildlife
Like the plants, many animal species have benefited from the grazed land. With a little luck, you can see everything from small land snails to impressive red deer. Bird life is rich in the tree- and shrub-covered pastures, with species such as shrikes, warblers and yellowhammer.
Outdoor life
The Djurrödsbäckens valley nature reserve is located south of Andrarum. Where the road from Andrarum crosses the reserve there are parking facilities. A short distance from the road there is a rest area with a view of the valley. Right here, Skåneleden follows a gravel road along the ridge with a nice view of the valley's rich marshes that bloom beautifully during May-June. The Skåneleden trail runs along and through large parts of this elongated reserve. There are transitions into the pastures that lack a marked path system. A magnificent fairy street, the path lined with stone walls, is hidden in the rough and rocky pasture northeast of Djurrödsgården. Remember to take your rubbish home.
In English
Welcome to Djurrödsbäckens dalgång Nature Reseve
Djurrödsbäcken Valley is a Nature Reserve with a feeling of wilderness. There are no paths here other than those created by the animals walking through the pastures and wet woodlands. The stream retains its gently meandering route and clean water. Clearance cairns, stone walls and an impressive drove road are reminders of the time when these areas were important grazing grounds.
Winding water
Water has run along the Djurrödsbäcken since the Ice Age. The clean water means that it is rich in wildlife such as fish and all sorts of small creatures. Where the stream runs through flat areas, flooded woodlands and carrs are created.
Grazing and hay cutting
The land alongside the stream has a long history as hay meadows and grazed pastures. They have never been fertilized with anything other than manure from the livestock and have been conserved as wood pastures. Hay cutting has long been abandoned but the resumed grazing and lack of fertilization means that many of the plants dependent on management remain. Several rich fens and chalky wet meadows add to the species richness.
From needles to leaves
Some of the slopes down to the stream have been planted with spruce. As the spruce is cut down, these areas will be transformed into broadleaved woodland. Some of the broadleaved woodland in the area was once grazed, indicated by the multi-stemmed and crooked beech trees which have been eaten by livestock in their formative years.
Wildlife
Just like the plants, many animals have been favored by the management in the area. With a little luck you can meet everything from small snails to the impressive red deer. The bird-life is rich in the wood pastures rich in bushes.
Regulations
Within Djurrödsbäckens dalgång Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:
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dig, bore, paint or in any other way damage natural objects or formations such as those made of stones or earth,
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remove wood, damage living or dead, standing or lying trees or bushes,
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dig up plants or pick plants for commercial use,
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make a re with the exception of with a camping stove,
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camp or park up camper vans, caravans or equivalent,
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intentionally disturb or damage wildlife or their habitats,
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put up signs, posters, plaques, notices, tape or any other equivalent items,
Without permission from the County Administrative Board it is also forbidden to:
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catch insects, spiders, slugs, snails or other invertebrates other than with nets, by hand or other selective methods, with the subsequent rerelease within the Nature Reserve. This requirement does not apply to one-off specimens of each species on the basis that the record is registered in Artportalen and that the collection does not contravene any wildlife protection regulations,
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collect mosses, lichens or woodliving fungi with the exception of oneoff specimens for identification.
