Tursköpsskogen, Naturreservat

Tursköpsskogen consists of broadleaf and deciduous swamp forest and is surrounded by farmland. This forest is of particular importance as a stopover site for migratory birds. The area is particularly important for migrating birds of prey, but also for large numbers of passerines and thrushes. Svedberga kulle Open in new window, another wooded nature reserve, is located about 2.5 km northwest of Tursköpsskogen, while the Christinelund nature reserve is located about 7.5 km southwest.

Important roosting place for birds

This forested island surrounded by open farmland is of great importance as a roosting site for birds during spring and fall migration. It is particularly important for birds such as ospreys, bees, sparrowhawks, buzzards and skylarks. But there are also birds that stay here more permanently. Among the birds of prey, peregrine falcons and white-tailed eagles are seen for much of the year. Other birds in the reserve include the greenfinch, yellowhammer, birch thrush, chiffchaff and black and white flycatcher. Ornithologists have found 100 different bird species in Tursköpsskogen.

Old meadows from the Iron Age

In 1753, the area was called Tursköpings lund and was then a meadow with trees and shrubs. The land has probably been used as meadow and pasture since the Middle Ages / Iron Age. In the 1814 land consolidation, the area is called Tursköping meadows. Since the 1900s, trees have become increasingly dominant in the area.

Nowadays species-rich deciduous forest with old trees and dead wood

The forest contains a lot of coarse oak, beech and hornbeam. In places there are also maple, alder, ash, birch and hazel. The clay-rich soil also contributes to a rich shrub layer with various hawthorn species, grapevine and elder. In places, there are older broad-crowned trees reminiscent of the time as a meadow with more sunlight and only scattered trees and shrubs.

Both the amount of old, coarse trees and the amount of dead wood contribute to today's high species richness. Almost 40 different red-listed species have been found in the area. 12 of these rare species are insects. Two of the more exclusive ones are the blue-black brown beetle and the beech ox, both of which indicate that this is a very valuable broadleaf forest.

Among the golden curl moss and oxeye daisy

Rare mosses in the reserve have names such as flat feather moss, goldilocks moss, shadow moss and wavy silk moss. Lichens that indicate high natural values are beech wart lichen, orange-powdered scribble lichen, dull spotted lichen and violet-grey porcupine lichen. The most exclusive mushroom in Tursköpsskog is the spider moss, but there are also oxtongue mushrooms and sulphur mushrooms that are a little easier to find.

The forest's green carpets

A typical grove flora spreads out on the ground. In spring, carpets of wood anemones are visible. In places, wood sorrel, witch hazel and common ragwort appear. Among the more conspicuous species are green-white night-flowering violet, wood anemone and St. John's wort. The most unusual of the flowers is probably the wood veronica.

Bats live in hollow old trees

Old trees are also home to bats. Of the 19 bat species found in Sweden, six species have been found in the reserve. It is likely that the area is also very important for migrating bats.

Outdoor life and accessibility

The area lacks a path system and trees are in places over the road that runs through the area. There will be no trails or facilities other than a small parking lot in the northern part.

Funded by the European Union