Svartskylle, Naturreservat

Svartskylle nature reserve is a hidden gem on the border with Fyledalen. Here, golden and golden eagles patrol over pastures filled with water mirrors. On warm spring evenings, the tree frogs can be heard playing in the bushes around the ponds. The bell frog's more unassuming play can also be heard during the day.

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Sweden's best frog locations

Svartskylle Nature Reserve is located in Sweden's best area for frogs. The pastures are filled with small waters where frogs and newts flock during spring and early summer to find a partner and reproduce. There are both common frog species and the more exclusive species such as the bell frog, great crested newt and leaf frog.

The bell frog became extinct in Sweden in 1960 but was reintroduced in the 1980s. The bell frogs in Svartskylle were planted out in the 1990s, and now you can hear their music, which resembles the faint echoes of church bells far away in the distance. Bring your picnic basket and listen to the concert of spring birds and frogs on a warm spring day. As dusk falls, the tree frogs get going. Their intense, harsh call fills the air as several males start to challenge each other and the chorus can be heard for miles.

In recent years, the number of cyprinids has increased in Lake Hassle, which is unfavorable to the bell frog and leaf frog. Some fishing of carp takes place to curb its negative impact on amphibians.

High marsh and rich marsh

In the western part of the reserve there is a slightly arched dome with white mosses, a so-called raised bog. Here, you can find the insectivorous plant round willow and in the fall the cranberries ripen. Around the bog, calcareous water seeps out, creating conditions for a rich marsh. Turnips and orchids bloom among the tussocks in early summer.

Lake with bird tower

At the entrance to the reserve is Hassle lake. Here there is a bird tower where you can both observe the birds in the lake and listen to the chorus of frogs in the spring. The lake is home to the gray-headed grebe, and sometimes you can also spot its relative, the little grebe. These small, chubby birds spend almost all their time in the water and can be seen swimming in and out of the vegetation around the edge of the lake.

Outdoor life

At the parking lot in the northwest, in addition to the bird tower, there is a picnic area with tables and benches and a prepared fireplace where barbecues are allowed. Remember to bring your own charcoal and to take your rubbish home. The view is nice over Hassle lake and the frog song is heard well during the spring. If you follow the small dirt road you will come to another frog pond without having to go in among the grazing animals, a trip of about 1 km back and forth. If you go further in among the grazing animals, rich marshland awaits with eye-catching mayweed and orchids.

**Please note that dogs should be kept separate from grazing animals.

In English

Welcome to Svartskylle Nature Reserve

Svartskylle Nature Reserve is a hidden gem on the edge of the valley Fyledalen. Kites and Golden Eagles patrol the skies over the pastures filled with small mirror-like ponds. On warm spring evenings, European tree frogs can be heard croaking in the bushes around the ponds. The European Fire-Bellied Toad's more modest call can even be heard in the daytime.

The Best Sites for Amphibians in Sweden

Svartskylle Nature Reserve lies in Sweden's best area for amphibians. The pastures are full of ponds which amphibians flock to in spring and early summer in order to find a mate and reproduce. There are both common species and those that are more exclusive such as European Fire-Bellied Toad, northern crested newt and European tree frog.

The European Fire-Bellied Toad was re-introduced in the 1990s and their call - which sounds like a church bell far in the distance - can now be heard. Take along a picnic basket and listen to the chorus of birds and amphibians on a warm spring day. When dusk falls, the tree frogs get going. Their intensive, harsh call fills the air when several males set about challenging one another, and this choir can be heard from several kilometers away.

Raised Bog and Rich Carr

In the western part of the reserve there is a shallow-domed cupola of sphagnum mosses, what is called a raised bog. This is where you can find common sundew, an insect-eating plant, and in autumn you can look for cranberries. Lime-rich water seeps from around the edges of the bog, providing the conditions for a rich carr. Bird's-eye primrose and orchids flower among the tussocks in early summer.

Lake with Bird Tower

There is a lake, Hassle Sjö, at the entrance to the reserve. This is where you will find a bird tower that you can use both for watching birds out on the lake and for listening to the amphibian chorus. Red-necked Grebe live in the lake and its relative the Little Grebe can also sometimes be seen. These small, chubby birds spend almost all of their time in the water and can be seen swimming in and out of the vegetation along the edge of the lake.

Regulations

The regulations which apply in the reserves are set out on the notices displayed at the entrances and in swedish on this web page.