Måkläppen, Naturreservat

Måkläppen is a small island world off the southern tip of the Falsterbo peninsula. The former long sandy reef has been broken up by storms and the sea into a number of smaller reefs with sea in between. Måkläppen may have a bedrock of moraine, but its appearance is constantly changing. The sandy reefs are home to both harbor and gray seals. Visits to the reserve are only permitted in winter and dogs are not allowed. The visitor ban applies between February 1 - October 31 and covers both sandbanks and surrounding waters. Tides prevail and water levels between the reefs can change suddenly.

Seagull lip is open for visits November-January

Visits to Måkläppen are only permitted during November - January. There are also two permanent protection zones within the reserve. It is important never to bring a dog and to keep your distance from the seals as they are easily frightened. For those interested in seals, there are alternatives to Måkläppen:

Protected since 1902

Måkläppen was protected as early as 1902 when the Måkläppsföreningen leased the island, mainly to protect the rich bird life and to prevent the local population from plundering bird eggs.

From island to peninsula to island world again

As long as Måkläppen was a permanent island, with no contact with the mainland, it was an important nesting site for shorebirds such as gulls, terns and eiders. In the winter of 1989-1990, Måkläppen merged with the mainland and since then four-legged predators such as foxes and mink have been able to move out here. This has led to a sharp decline in nesting numbers. In the fall of 2023, Storm Babet caused waves and currents to break through the long reef in several places, creating an island world.

Island of the seals

Today, Måkläppen is mainly known for its seals. For nine months of the year, harbor seals and gray seals rule the sand bars. Here they can rest undisturbed and give birth to their young. Gray seal pups are born in March, while harbor seals are born around midsummer. Måkläppen is also an important resting place for migrating birds. Lots of geese, ducks and waders stop at Måkläppen on their way to warmer latitudes.

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Outdoor life - between November and January

Out on Måkläppen, you can get a great, albeit sometimes windy, experience of seals and a rich bird life. You may also come across the remains of old wrecks that have run aground in the uncertain waters around the Falsterbo peninsula. To protect the wildlife, it is only permitted to visit Måkläppen 1 November - 31 January. The seals are easily frightened so do not go close and respect the visiting hours and the two zones with permanent visitor bans! **Remember that dogs are not allowed in the reserve!

Just south of the viewing tower "Sjömärket", storm Babet created a strait with a water depth of about 1.5 meters. During November-January, at normal water levels, you can walk to the strait. From here you may be lucky enough to see the seals that sometimes swim in through the strait to lie on the other side of the water. Stay here, if you cross to the other side the seals may get stressed and leave. **Sudden high tides can also pose a danger to visitors. Changing water levels mean that a shallow water passage on the way out is deep and dangerous on the way back!

The largest group of gray seals tend to be in a pod in the far south, in one of the two permanent no-entry zones (Protection Zone A Link to another website.). These seals are best seen through binoculars from the platform at Sjömärket. Another group of mainly harbor seals tend to be in the second zone (protection zone B) Link to another website. on the eastern side of the sandbar, these are best seen from the platform or if you follow the beach strip southeast of Sjömärket. Stop and watch the seals from the border of the protection zone, approximately at the height of the fence set up to protect nesting terns from mink and fox. Go back the same way so as not to violate the regulations.

Måkläppen is one of nine nature reserves around the Falsterbo peninsula. The Skåneleden trail (SL5 Öresund, stages 20 and 21) takes you around the entire Falsterbo peninsula. Remember that the reserves have different regulations, so check what is allowed where you are.

In English

Welcome to Måkläppen Nature Reserve

Like a drop on the southern tip of the Falsterbo Peninsula lies Måkläppen. The long sandbar which today almost forms a circle is built on a moraine core. But it is the sand that determines its shape. Wind and water constantly change the appearance.

As early as 1902, the Måkläppen Association leased the area to be able to preserve the rich birdlife and prevent local people from plundering nests.

While Måkläppen was still an island without mainland connection, it was a major nesting site for coastal birds such as gulls, terns and eiders. Today, when four-legged predators can get here, the number of breeding birds has declined.

Måkläppen is an important resting place all year round for harbor seal and grey seal. Here they moult and give birth to their pups. Måkläppen is also a major site for migrating, overwintering and breeding birds.

In winter, we humans have the chance to enjoy the peninsula's environment. From November 1 to January 31 it is possible to walk out on the sandbar. An amazing experience with the wind as a constant companion!

Please note that from 2021, there are two new protection zones where seals normally rest. Within these, access is prohibited all year round.

**Remember that dogs are never allowed on Måkläppen.

Regulations

Within Måkläppen Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• travel or remain, at any time of the year, within the areas marked A and B , see map ( appendix 1 ). However, with permission from the County Administrative Board, it is permitted to enter the areas during the period 1 September to 31 October for scientifc investigations,
• travel or remain, during the period 1 February to 31 October, within the area marked C , see map ( appendix 1 ). However, with permission from the County Administrative Board, it is permitted to enter the area during the period 1 September to 31 October,
• drill, paint, dig, remove earth, dredge, fush sediments, carry out quarrying or other excavation of materials, dump, fll in, blast, or in any other way damage the ground, stones, natural objects or the sea bottom,
• anchor,
• deliberately disturb wildlife, e.g. by walking or traveling close to seals or pursuing individuals or groups,
• organize training, competitions or similar events other than walking in a group,
• cycle or ride,
• camp or erect equipment for overnight stay,
• light fres other than in camping stoves,
• bring dogs or other pets,
• start or land with manned or unmanned aircraft, or fly kites,
• operate remote controlled craft on land, or on or in the sea, e.g. underwater drones,
• hunt,
• place or put up boards, placards, signs, posters, or similar.

Please note that the regulations for the Falsterbo Peninsula aquatic area - Falsterbohalvöns havsområde nature reserve - also apply to the aquatic area in Måkläppen Nature Reserve.

Within Falsterbohalvöns havsområde Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• wind or kitesurf throughout the whole year within areas on the map marked with red or green stripes, and during the period 1 March - 1 July within the area indicated by red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 5 knots within the areas on the map marked with red stripes or red dots,
• operate watercraft at speeds exceeding 10 knots within the areas on the map marked with blue squares or green stripes,
• operate or launch water scooter, jet ski or similar watercraft in areas outside general navigable waterways. The rules do not forbid launching of water scooter or jet ski in Skanör harbor for the shortest route towards general navigable waterway no. 205 Drogden-Blenheim SJÖFS 1988:5, or launching in the Falsterbo channel for continued journey on general navigable waterway no. 206, SJÖFS 1988:5.