Isternäset, Naturreservat

Isternäsets nature reserve is a 100-hectare grazed meadow that stretches between Kristianstad and Araslövssjön. The reserve borders the Näsby Fields Nature Reserve and forms a large contiguous area with wetland environments that together offer good hiking opportunities. The meadows on Isternäset regularly flood and provide resting and nesting places for many waders and ducks.

Rich bird life

Isternäset is a flat area along Helgeå, just west of Kristianstad. Most of the reserve is open pasture, a small part south of the river is ungrazed. The area is best known for its rich bird life. Among the birds that nest here are curlew, lapwing, redshank, snipe, shoveler, oystercatcher, yellow eagle and the endangered red-breasted merganser.

In autumn and spring, many geese, ducks and waders rest. Several breeding species of birds of prey use the meadows as hunting grounds, e.g. the barn owl, kestrel, brown harrier and buzzard. In the fall and winter, white-tailed eagles, gyrfalcons and marsh harriers regularly hunt here.

South of the river there are species favoring overgrowth, such as the marsh tit, rosefinch and grasshopper warbler. In the brickworks ponds here, a remnant of old-time clay mining, kingfishers and hen harriers are regularly seen. This part of the reserve is also heavily used as a hunting ground for northern, water and southern bats.

Flooded meadows

Large parts of Isternäset are flooded every year, which affects the vegetation. Higher parts are largely old arable land with fresh meadow vegetation. In lower areas, this is replaced by tufted meadows, and in lower areas there are low and high sedge meadows.

Of the rarer plants that occur, mention can be made of goldenrod, and water sedge, incidentally already noted during Linnaeus' visit in 1749.

Outdoor life

Isternäset borders Näsby fält Link to another website. in the north and Årummet Link to another website. in the east. The reserve is part of Kristianstads Vattenrike, the elongated wetland area along Helgeå that stretches between Torsebro and the sea. The Linnérundan hiking trail passes through the various parts of the reserve and leads to Härlövs borg and Lillö borg ruin to the west of the reserve. The trail starts from Naturum Vattenriket, in the center of Kristianstad and is a total of 6 km long. Skåneleden SL6 also runs through the reserve. From the nature center to Lillö it is about 3 km. A bridge over Härslövsängaleden connects the two reserves Isternäset and Årummet. In the northern part of the reserve there is an accessible bird tower. Remember that it is forbidden to enter the meadows between March 15 and July 15. All so that the birds can take care of their young.

Remember to take your rubbish home.

In English

Welcome to Isternäset Nature Reserve

Isternäset Nature Reserve is part of a large, contiguous area of wetland between Kristianstad and Lake Araslövssjön. The area is flooded every winter and is an important resting and breeding site for many wetland birds. The Linnérundan trail goes through the different parts of the reserve and also leads to Lillö castle ruins to the west of the reserve.

Rich bird life all year

Most of the reserve consists of grazed riparian meadows along the river Helge å. To the south are overgrown areas of reedbeds and willow thickets. Isternäset is best known for its rich birdlife. Waders such as curlew, lapwing, redshank and the rare black-tailed godwit breed here, together with shoveler, garganey and yellow wagtail. In autumn and spring, large numbers of geese, ducks and waders visit the reserve.

Birds of prey such as white-tailed eagle, red kite, marsh harrier and kestrel use the meadows as a hunting ground during the breeding season. In colder months, you may spot roughlegged buzzard and the rare hen harrier searching for prey over the ground. South of the river, penduline tit thrives in the overgrown shrubbery.

Bats are also attracted to Isternäset. The ponds Tegelbruksdammarna, relics of the brick-making era, are their hunting ground. In summer evenings, species such as northern bat, Daubenton's bat and serotine bat catch insects above the water.

Flooded meadows

The highest parts of Isternäset were in the past used for cultivation, and other areas have been grazed over long periods. The wetland vegetation is adapted to seasonal flooding. Some rare plants found here include fen ragwort and a species that Carl Linnaeus discovered on his visit in 1749 - fine-leaved water dropwort.

Regulations

Within Isternäset Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• put up information boards, placards, posters, signs or similar, or make inscriptions. The reserve manager may make exceptions in connection with quiz competitions or similar,
• camp, park caravans, camper vans or similar,
• in a disturbing manner use radios, sound systems or similar,
• drive mopeds,
• light fires other than in portable grills or camping stoves,
• at any time of the year bring unleashed dogs,
• carry out scientific or other investigations that can disturb the natural environment. The reserve manager, however, may authorize such investigations,
• enter areas marked on the map below from March 15 to July 15,
• fish from boats within the marked part of the river Helge å from 15 March to 15 July.