Kummelön, Naturreservat

The hardwood-covered headland is a popular destination for everyone from pre-school and school children to advanced birdwatchers. The nature reserve is managed by annual grazing with sheep or cattle.

In the south-western part of Ölmeviken is Kummelön, with its beautiful, walkable oak groves. Just over 150 years ago, it was mostly oak forest in the area, but due to recent clearing work and grazing, it is now pasture land with a sparse tree population of older and younger oaks and lindens as well as some dense deciduous groves. The nature reserve is managed through annual grazing with sheep or cattle.

Kummelön has probably been a popular destination for excursions for several hundred years. It is known, for example, that until the end of the 19th century people gathered to celebrate "Kummelösöndagen" the weekend before Midsummer. Nowadays, the area is a popular destination in spring and early summer, when the bluebells and wood anemones are in bloom. But even at other times of the year, it is well worth visiting the lush pastures of Kummelön.

Before your visit

In the area there are easy hiking trails both to the north and south from the parking lot. Adjacent to the viewing mountain in the north there is a rest cabin that is open to the public. There is also a dry toilet and a barbecue area. For those who want to make a fire, there is firewood available in the woodshed at the cabin.

If you just want to enjoy your packed lunch, there are several bench tables to sit down at in the pasture. Along the northeast there is also a simple floating dock, from which you can study aquatic plants or wildlife below the water surface.

Why the nature reserve was created

Kummelön Nature Reserve was established in 1970 because of the area's unique character and importance for public outdoor recreation. The main reason was to prevent the felling of the mighty oaks and the building of holiday homes.

Beautiful vegetation and many birds

Thanks to the rich bedrock of basic hyperite, the vegetation is rich on Kummelön. In spring, the flora is eye-catching with blue and white anemones blooming. In summer, typical heathland plants such as bluebells, buttercups and violets can be seen, but also rarer species such as bloodwort and beach veronica grow in the crevices of the rocky knoll in the north.

The old oaks and lime trees are home to a number of rare and endangered species of lichens and insects. Bird species such as jackdaws, barn owls, nuthatches, starlings and curlews nest in the hollows of the large trees.

The rocky knoll at the northern tip of the headland offers excellent views of the bird-rich reeds and water surfaces of Ölmeviken. During the summer, nesting seabirds such as coot, grebe and graylag goose can be seen. Birds of prey such as the brown harrier, osprey, white-tailed eagle and lark falcon often fly over the area in search of food. During spring and fall, many birds rest at Ölmeviken. Among these are species such as whooper swan, goldeneye, great crested cormorant and lapwing.

Both Kummelön and Ölmeviken are part of the EU's ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000.