Hagestad, Naturreservat

Hagestad is located on the south coast, just west of Sandhammaren. Here, visitors are greeted by open sand dunes, flowering heaths and sparse forests of pine and gnarled, small oaks. The area is known for its special sandy soil species. Among the most exclusive are the large sand lily, the clove, the field larkspur and the flat seed runner. The long sandy beach is ideal for swimming and hiking.

The beach that disappears

The sea is eating its way further and further into Hagestad. In 30 years, the shoreline has moved over 200 meters inland. The sand eroded away at Hagestad and Löderup follows the sea currents eastwards. It then lands at Sandhammaren, where the beaches are built up instead. Waves and currents constantly reshape the coasts of the Baltic Sea. The highest dunes in Hagestad can be found east of Tygeå.

Open fields with flying sand in the 18th century

Hundreds of years ago, the oak forest spread out in Hagestad. The forest was a common land used jointly by the local farmers. They gathered firewood and grazed their animals here. Gradually, the trees became fewer. In the 18th century, there were only a few trees in the open pastures. Soon the wind had free rein and a field of drifting sand was formed. Grass and heather could only grow in the wind-protected hollows. At the same time, the sand became a problem inland, blowing across the fields and destroying the crops. In the 19th century, pine trees - today's pine forests - were planted to bind the sand and prevent it from blowing away.

Insects that thrive in wind-protected and sun-warmed sand

Many of the area's plants and insects need the variety that existed in the past, before sand drift and pine plantations. These sandy soil species thrive in forest glades with sun-warmed sand and in open land with scattered sand patches. Through the SandLife project, we have been able to recreate such environments. The shiny green sand lizard thrives in the warm sand patches. Otherwise, perhaps the most exclusive sand species in Hagestad are the flat-footed sandpiper and the tufted sandpiper. The rise of various solitary bees and sand-dwelling beetles also makes the area more attractive to birds such as the nightjar and skylark.

Remains of the scrub oak forest

There are also remnants of the old oak forest - a sparse oak forest with small, gnarled trees. This so-called scrub oak forest is also of great value for many unusual insects. In summer, you can see the lily of the valley blooming here in large numbers. Here you can also find the orchid forest knotweed. If you're really lucky, you might hear the wistful whistling of the summer wren from the treetops.

Birds and flower-rich pastures

Open flower-rich pastures are found in the northern parts of the reserve, along Tyge å and up towards Backåkra. The species richness of the sandy, lean soils is due to the fact that they have been grazed for many hundreds of years. In dry areas, wood anemone, field anemone, blood nettle and sweet vernal grass grow. The real rarities include the large sand lily and the clove. In the open fields you can also catch a glimpse of the rare bird skylark. In the fall and spring, large numbers of small birds such as thrushes, warblers and flycatchers rest here. The migrating seabirds pass overhead.

Outdoor life

Hagestad is located on the south coast of Skåne. In the reserve there are several unmarked trails that run through pine and deciduous forest. Closer to the water there is an outdoor museum that is worth a stop. The area also offers a long, fine beach for swimming and hiking. Horse riding is also permitted along the shoreline during the winter months (1/9-1/4). There are parking spaces along the road that runs through the reserve. There are rest areas adjacent to the parking lots. Remember to take your rubbish home. Toilets are now missing. The nearest bus stop is Backåkra, about 1.5 km north.

Hagestad is one of several nature reserves located along the south coast. The Skåneleden trail (SL4 Österlen, stages 2 and 3) passes through Hagestad and offers a longer walk along the coast.

**Please note that some plants are protected and forbidden to pick, such as the wood anemone, field anemone, wood anemone, large sand lily and the common carnation.

In English

Welcome to Hagestad Nature Reserve

Hagestad is one of Sweden's most valuable areas of sand dunes. Sand-living insects, fungi and plants find a haven here. The reserve is home to rare sandy-soil specialists such as the ground beetle Harpalus hirtipes and blue hair grass.

To encourage these and other sand-living species by creating environments with open patches of sand, several actions have been carried out here during 2012-2018 within the Sand Life Project.

In parts of the reserve you find species-rich flowery meadows and pastures, where butterflies, bees and bumblebees find nectar and pollen.

An oak forest with special characteristics grows towards land; its trees are low and gnarled and stand thinly. The insect life in the oak forest is abundant, with a range of rare species. Thousands of lilies-of-the-valley spread a sweet scent between the trees in early summer. From the tree tops the melancholy fluting of the golden oriole can be heard.

Regulations

Within Hagestad nature reserve it is forbidden to:

• put up notice boards, placards, posters, signs, or similar, or make inscriptions,
• blast, dig, drill, paint or in any other way damage stones, boulders, flat rocks or other types of terrain,
• carry out any form of construction work or erect objects alien to the reserve,
• cause disturbance by operating sound equipment or similar,
• camp or park caravans, campers, or similar,
• light fires or use grills other than in designated places,
• park other than in designated areas,
• bring unleashed dogs or other untethered pets,
• ride other than on designated paths,
• drive motorized vehicles other than on designated roads or parking areas,
• drive watercrafts at speeds exceeding 5 knots,
• drive or launch jetboats, jet-skis or similar craft,
• organize competitions that may disturb the natural environment,
• deliberately disturb or damage wildlife and their habitats, e.g. by chopping or moving decaying wood,
• dig up plants or pick plants for selling,
• break off branches, fell or in any other way damage living or dead, standing or fallen trees or shrubs.

Furthermore, without permission from the County Administrative Board, it is

forbidden to:

• collect insects, spiders, snails, slugs and other invertebrates other than by netting, hand picking or other selective method with the subsequent reintroduction within the nature reserve. The requirement for reintroduction does not apply to individual samples of each species on condition that the record is logged in the reporting system Artportalen and that the collection is not contrary to the species protection regulations.