76

8. Klagshamn

Kalkbrottet (Limestone quarry) and Lertagsdammen (pond)

Klagshamn is a spit of land extending 1.5 km straight out into the Öresund strait, and was formed as a result of limestone quarrying at the end of the 1890’s. It is surrounded by coastal meadows to the north and south. The site offers excellent birdwatching all year round, mainly of migratory and resting birds.

BIRDSBreeding birds: Little Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Marsh Harrier, Water Rail and Bearded Reedling.

Wintering birds: Various ducks, grebes, larks and pipits.

Migratory birds: Waterbirds (mainly Eiders) as well as resting waders and passerines.

Occasional birds: Red-crested Pochard, Steller’s Eider, Ruddy Duck, White-billed Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Great Bittern, Gyr Falcon, Richard’s Pipit, Subalpine Warbler, Pallas’s Leaf Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit and Little Bunting.

APPROACHFrom the motorway E6 between Malmö and Trelleborg, turn off at Västra Klagstorp and follow the signs for Klagshamn for about 4 km. Take the second exit towards the harbour at the minor roundabout. The limestone quarry can be seen on the right hand side. Continue for another 500 m and you will see the riding stables on the left. From here it is another 1 km to the point, where you can park either at the south-eastern part of the harbour or by the swimming area to the north. There are further small parking areas at the south-west corner of the Limestone Quarry and also by the riding stables. (6162925, 1317130).

OBSERVATION TIPSThe limestone quarry near Klagshamn offers mainly the Tufted Duck and Greater Scaup in winter, and Red-necked Grebes breed at the pond.

A diverse woodland area interspersed with patches of marsh extends between the quarry and the factory. In recent years the Firecrest has been seen regularly here, mainly amongst the birch trees and Long-tailed Tits often appear here in winter.

Klagshamn

Klagshamn

Lertags-dammen

PP

P

P

500 m

Lilla kalk- brottet

Olas hörna

P P

Tygelsjö ängar

Västra Klagstorps strandängar

77

Migratory EidersThe Öresund strait is the water that separates southern Sweden from Denmark and provides the connection between the Kattegatt and the Baltic Sea. Klagshamn is one of the best places to watch the migration of Eider in spring, although the passage can also be seen from several other places along the Öresund coast and Skåne’s southern shores. Surprisingly enough, the passage in March–April is in a southerly direction. This is because the maritime Eider tends to avoid land and thus, flies all around the southern coasts in order to reach the breeding sites in the large Baltic archipelagos. At Falsterbo, the many thousands of birds turn to fly in an easterly direction as far as the south-eastern corner, Sandhammaren, where they turn again and go in a north/north-easterly direction. Eider and Velvet Scoter occasionally fly across land at Skåne and may end up resting in lakes such as Vombsjön and Finjasjön. In July, August and September the Eiders can be seen flying back to spend the winter in Danish waters.

Since the year 2000 the Eiders have to negotiate the bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen, either above or below it. There is a clear view of the bridge from Klagshamn. The bridge becomes a tunnel closer to the Danish coast, at the man-made island Pepparholm. The island was constructed at the same time as the bridge, at the end of the 1990’s. The colonisation of vegetation and wildlife has been studied ever since. When crossing the bridge by either train or car, you will pass the 4 km long Pepparholm island. You will also see the large Saltholm island to the north of the bridge, 16 square kilometres in size and consisting of mainly coastal meadows. It is an important site for large numbers of breeding and resting birds and is sometimes described as an oasis in an otherwise intensively exploited and financially expansive area. Both islands are part of a Danish bird sanctuary of international importance.

Arne Ohlsson

Eiders on spring migration. Photo: John Larsen.

Klagshamn

78

Walk in a southerly direction from the riding stables towards Tygelsjö ängar (meadows) to find resting waders and ducks. From the birdtower you get a particularly good view of the bay furthest to the north. The open water just to the east of the tower tends to be a good spot for Water Rails and Spotted Crakes in late summer/autumn. A bit further on you will find the Lertagsdammen pond, shaped like an arch. Bearded Reedlings and Water Rails can be found amongst the reeds and Penduline Tits have been spotted on occasions.

Further west there is a small hillock, surrounded by meadowland which slowly is overgrown with hawthorn thickets. Richard’s Pipit has been spotted here in autumn on several occasions. The point has a prominent pine grove, offering

an attractive resting site for passerines. Subalpine Warblers and Firecrests have also been seen here. North of the harbour, the scrub provides a good resting site for warblers. For example, the Yellow-browed Warbler, Hume’s leaf Warbler and Pallas’s Leaf Warbler have all been found in this area.

The view across the Öresund strait is excellent from the furthest end of the point, thus making it a good place in March–April to follow the waterbird migration of mainly Eiders.

There is a bunker situated on the northern side of the point, just east of the swimming area, with a good view of the ducks and waders resting beyond the coastal meadows.

Bo Petersson & Stefan Cherrug

Male Bearded Reedling. Photo: John Larsen.

Klagshamn

79

9. Yddingen

The Yddingen lake is situated close to built up areas and thus easily accessed. In spite of the relatively small diversity of species found here, a visit to the lake and its surroundings can nevertheless be fruitful, particularly during the breeding season. Bökeberg, a wide area of woodland, extends to the east of the lake and road 108, attracting large flocks of Brambling during winters with a good supply of beechmast.

BIRDSBreeding birds: The lake accommodates species such as the Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Western Marsh Harrier,

Black Tern, European Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Black Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit and Hawfinch can be found in the woods by the shore. Red-backed Shrike and large numbers of thrushes are found on the pastureland to the south. Eurasian Penduline Tits breed regularly around the village of Sjödiken just south of the lake. Other birds that breed here include the European Honey Buzzard, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Hobby and Tawny Owl.

Wintering birds: Mallard, Smew, Goosander, White-tailed Eagle and Great Grey Shrike.

Occasional birds: Black Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Red-rumped Swallow.

Male Penduline Tit. Photo: John Larsen.

Yddingen

80

APPROACH The lake is most easily reached from road 108 between Lund and Svedala. There is a parking area next to the road, on the north side of the lake, and a small hillock from where you can get a good view of the area. To reach the southern parts, turn west towards Skabersjö and park on the minor gravel road 50 m after the turn-off for Sjödiken. Walk northwards by following the marked path past the buildings and continue along the lake’s eastern side.

Another option is to continue towards Skabersjö for just over a kilometre, park and then walk to the little swimming area at the lake. (6161345,1339290).

OBSERVATION TIPSThe area is at its best during the breeding season. The reed areas to the south and west are the most interesting, as well as the pastureland to the south with many mature oak and beech trees. Remember that the lake’s surroundings, mainly the western parts, are a popular recreational area with many footpaths through the beech woods, as well as a golf course.

Matts Lindbladh

Yddingen

Yddingen

500 m

P

PPP

P

Svedala