Horna Sandar, Naturreservat

Ah, are you looking for the unusual moonhorn beetle? Then Horna Sandar is the place for you. Or are you looking for the great big wallpaper bee? Then Horna Gravel Pit is the place to go. In return, you get a mosaic of valuable sandy environments with flowering sand carnations and axveronica in summer. These grazed grasslands can be found just west of Åhus. There is no marked trail, but the land is easy to walk in.

Species-rich sandy meadows

The Horna sands consist mainly of open sandy heath with elements of sandy steppe and pine forest. Plants such as heath flowers, axveronica and thyme thrive on the sandy heath. The grazed parts of the reserve are one of the country's most species-rich places for dung-dwelling beetles, and the unusual moonhorn beetle thrives here. The reserve also has a large collection of fungal species, such as the fat mushroom, steppe earth star and stalked mushroom.

Birds of Sandheden

The skylark is a characteristic bird of the sandy heath. It is a threatened species that has declined sharply in recent decades, but can still be found in the area. Skylarks and skylarks also thrive on the insect-rich sandy heath. Horna Sandar was one of the last outposts in Sweden for the robust great bustard, which died out in the country in the mid-19th century.

Interesting insects

Horna grushåla, just south of Horna sandar, is an old gravel pit that today is home to a variety of bees, butterflies and beetles. Horna gravel pit is one of the country's best locations for sand-dwelling bees, and the unusual and sturdy large carpet bee thrives here. The former gravel pit also contains a number of small ponds where the rare beach toad lives.

Outdoor life

There is no marked circular trail, but the land is easy to walk in. The Skåneleden trail (SL6 Vattenriket) between Kristianstad and Åhus passes through the area. Remember to take your rubbish home.