Dalköpingeåns naturreservat, Naturreservat

Dalköpingeån is a municipal nature reserve and is located as a green oasis between the industrial areas in the eastern parts of Trelleborg. The river meanders through the reserve's grasslands and woodlands before flowing into the Baltic Sea. Nine of the country's 19 bat species are found in the area and the river's fine spawning grounds are appreciated by sea trout. Its location close to urban areas makes it easy to get here. There are unmarked paths in the area.

Meandering river with trout

The Dalköpingeån river flows through a distinctly agricultural area on its way to the sandy beaches and sea of Trelleborg. In the nature reserve, the naturally winding, meandering river channel remains. Here the river is shaded in places by old trees and swamp forests. At the same time, the varied bottom with gravel, stones and boulders offers good spawning and nursery waters for sea trout.

Giant tomb from the Stone Age

Along the Dalköpingeån river there are over 5000-year-old graves from people who lived here during the Stone Age. Karlingedösen is one of these and is located in the northern part of the reserve. West of Karlingedösen and just outside the reserve is a more elongated, rectangular burial mound called Jättegraven. The Giant's Grave is about 6000 years old and the largest in Sweden. In total, there are just over 100 burial mounds left in the country.

Musk buck and weaver bee that like sand

Along the old embankment on the former railroad track towards Gislöv, it is dry, sandy and sunny. Insects such as the muskox, lesser bluebottle and the sand bee live here. Sensitive species that depend on specific plants for their survival. The muskox larvae develop in the old willow trees along the track, while the lesser celandine has goat's beard as a host plant. The wading duck bee, on the other hand, is dependent on wading plants such as field bindweed and meadow bindweed. 30 different insect species were found before the reserve was established, 23 of these were diurnal butterflies. Some common butterflies in the area are the meadow grass butterfly and the thistle butterfly. Along the river you have the chance to see dragonflies such as the blue-green mosaic dragonfly and the blue-banded damselfly.

Southern pipistrelle and other bats

The diverse nature along the Dalköpingeån river is appreciated by our winged insect hunters - the bats. In grasslands, forest edges and water environments there are plenty of flying birds, while forest groves and older hollow trees offer protection and rest. All of Sweden's 19 bat species are protected. Of these, 10 are found in the reserve. A surprisingly high number considering the heavily exploited environment nearby. The southern pipistrelle is one of the rarest. It lives permanently in the area, as do the northern bat, the lesser pipistrelle and the common pipistrelle, and is thought to have colonies in nearby buildings.

Outdoor recreation

Dalköpingeåns nature reserve is located on the eastern outskirts of Trelleborg. Its location close to the city makes it easy to get here. Public transport is close by, a cycle path passes by and parking for cars is available in several places. There are trails in the reserve. Some of them are flooded at high tide. The paths in the southern part go through pastures with high steppes.