Thousands of Common Cranes Lured by Scanian Wetlands

Migrating Common Crane in their spring passage

Cranes at Pulken feeding on purposely designed fields.

Bird-watching  - sustainable tourism in Scania

Southern Sweden has seven major bird-watching sites out of which two are situated in Scania: Falsterbo and Kristianstad’s Vattenriket wetlands. Falsterbo is situated on a picturesque peninsula in the southwestern corner of Scania. This peninsula, a popular tourist resort and the last strip of land before crossing the sea to northern Germany, offer a safe passage for migrating birds each spring and autumn. Out of 500 million migrating birds most choose this passage that makes Falsterbo one of Europe’s foremost bird migrating sites. Especially migration of predators gathers a lot of interest.

Wild duck taking off at Pulken.

Kristianstad’s Vattenriket wetlands is another rich bird sanctuary with a particular interest towards the common crane that arrive in thousands to rest in the shallow waters and feed on the fields. The area is also rich in predators like the sea eagle, osprey and kite. The varied landscape include woodlands, wetlands, dunes, shorelines and moors that form a nesting area for swans, geese, waders, ducks, Eurasian bittern, Ruff, Savi’s warbler, Pied avocet, European serin, Caspian tern, Black-tailed Godwits, the Southern Dunlin, Garganey, Montagu’s harrier and many more typical for this region.

Fields are crowded with a day count of 7000 birds.

The spring arrives with the common crane

The Western European population of common crane has expanded over recent years and the number of migrating birds over Scania has therefore also increased. The spring passage in the end of March and early April bring large flocks from Southern Europe to rest and feed at the fields of Pulken. The daily count can be up to 7000 birds that normally stay for 3 days or longer, depending on the weather conditions, before they continue their flight further north.

The cranes look for both safe waters and a chance to feed on newly sowed barley and wheat fields. Without taking protective measures the growing number of visiting cranes causes damages to the farmers. Therefore the farmers have, in collaboration with the authorities, started feeding the birds on designated fields whereby some 500 – 700 kg’s of harvested barley seed is spread out mechanically every day.

Cranes dancing to put up a performance.

The feeding of the birds brings them together and offers a magnificent show of dancing birds that attract both domestic and international visitors. Professional photographers show up early in the morning followed by the larger audience later in the day. Pulken provide for good parking space and a bird watching tower with an excellent view of the birds. The area is easily approached and suitable for disabled persons, too. Representatives from the Vattenriket biosphere organization and the local bird association provide for telescopes and information to the visitors. A field camera is separately sending live pictures through the Internet. For access please visit the website of Kristianstad Vattenriket. A specific buss excursion to the sight is also organized.

It can be crowded also in the air.

Kristianstad’s Vattenriket Biosphere Reserve

This biosphere reserve was formed 10 years ago as a result of collaboration with UNESCO; see my previous article on the subject “Kristianstad Converts a Risk into a Major Opportunity”.  The Naturum Visitor Centre today serve more than 150.000 visitors every year taking part in its unforgettable guided activities including eagle and crane watching, water safaris, exhibitions, hiking, bird watching or e.g. fishing offer seasonal activities all year around. The reserve offers 22 well-managed sites to visit, all with their distinct characteristics and something for the whole family to enjoy.

Kristianstad’s Vattenriket is a paradise for birdwatchers due to the varied nature of the landscape. Some 225 species of birds can be found nesting within or close to the wetlands, several of them red-listed as nationally endangered species. The stork that disappeared from Scania in 1954 has also been reinstalled during recent years. The wetlands are protected by the international Ramsar convention, by EU Natura 2000 and national legislation.

At night the cranes feel safe in shallow waters.

The past week has been busy at Pulken with cranes coming and going. A spectacular show for a first-timer. Hope you enjoyed this excursion, too. For a close look please see the website of Kristianstad Vattenriket as some birds should still be there.

Enjoy the on-going Easter holidays everyone!

:-)

Drakamöllan - A Country Hotel with Authentic Local Traditions

DRAKAMÖLLAN COUNTRY HOTEL

Roofs over Drakamöllan Country Hotel

Drakamöllan; entrance and main building.

Epochs in the history of Drakamöllan

Drakamöllan, situated in the picturesque region of Österlen in Scania, is a historic farmstead dating back to the 17^th century. It experienced its hay-days during the 18^th century when particularly forestry provided for a considerable income. Earlier, during unstable times Drakamöllan also formed a rusthåll that was obliged to provide a horseman including a horse and the necessary outfit for the king’s army.

Farming at Drakamöllan was terminated by 1948 when the new owners inaugurated a new epoch by transforming the farmstead to an upper class home.  They took an interest in preserving the cultural landscape resulting in the foundation of the local nature reserve. Drakamöllan also became a cultural meeting point for invited intellectuals including artists, musicians and poets. The unconventional interior renovations that were made gained substantial recognition amongst home furnishers and decorators.

Today, with a new owner, it has taken a role as a private culinary country hotel with an embracing hospitality that attracts, among others, opera fans.

Dining hall with the owner Ingalill Thorsell

From B&B to a country hotel and a cultural yard

Whileeed up the saying  “A Place Where Time has Always Been”. When she saw Drakamöllan she followed her mantra, choose Österlen for Provence, and decided to make a dream come true in this very place. 

The beautiful and silent countryside with a moor landscape, ravines, beech forest, nearby beaches and the richness in unique local culture and art is what she wanted. Drakamöllan itself was going to keep much of its rural farmstead image and offer traditional cooking the way Ingalill had sensed it during her young ages. She furnished the home with antiquities and her customer service was going to rely on personal hospitability characterized by an embracing courtesy and joy in a tranquil atmosphere. 

By June 1998 Drakamöllan opened a B&B service. Guests were from the start offered a home cooked countryside breakfast and Ingalill’s genuine interest in the quests have made them “join the family”. Later, with expanding business, a dining room with good acoustic properties was designed, a proper kitchen installed and new rooms each with their own personality and story to tell (just like all the customers, Ingalill says) followed suit.d up the saying  “A Place Where Time has Always Been”. When she saw Drakamöllan she followed her mantra, choose Österlen for Provence, and decided to make a dream come true in this very place.

The beautiful and silent countryside with a moor landscape, ravines, beech forest, nearby beaches and the richness in unique local culture and art is what she wanted. Drakamöllan itself was going to keep much of its rural farmstead image and offer traditional cooking the way Ingalill had sensed it during her young ages. She furnished the home with antiquities and her customer service was going to rely on personal hospitability characterized by an embracing courtesy and joy in a tranquil atmosphere.

By June 1998 Drakamöllan opened a B&B service. Guests were from the start offered a home cooked countryside breakfast and Ingalill’s genuine interest in the quests have made them “join the family”. Later, with expanding business, a dining room with good acoustic properties was designed, a proper kitchen installed and new rooms each with their own personality and story to tell (just like all the customers, Ingalill says) followed suit.

Main entrance and courtyards

With the growing demand of conference services and growing clientele the kitchen became busy and professional chefs were employed. A new culinary profile using terroir (“a sense of place”) concept and local ecological ingredients resulted in a menu with authentic seasonal crossover dishes. Ingalill continued to serve the customers with a personal touch and with more stories to tell about the dishes. All this work resulted later in two cooking books that gained national recognition and awards.

Ingalill’s passion has for long been opera and together with friends from the Copenhagen opera house they organize themed opera evenings (with arias from well-known operas and operettas) that allow for the dining guests to interact with the singers during performance. These unique occasions are in high demand and always sold out.

Drakamöllan is placed amongst rolling hills that provide for a natural green “amphitheater” so an annual opera festival, inspired by Glyndebourne opera, with a new concept titled “chamber-opera” was introduced outdoors. It all started with La Traviata to be followed by La Bohème, Carmen, Madame Butterfly, L’Elisir d’Amore and the Barber of Seville. This concept has also been successfully introduced in Denmark by “guidOpera”. Classical concerts organized from time to time also offer a stunning experience in such an environment.   

Details of inner courtyard

Drakamöllan – a hidden gem for all to enjoy

Drakamöllan offer authentic culinary traditions, unforgettable musical experiences and stylish accommodation in a magical rural setting with first class service in modernized 19^th century facilities. In addition Österlen as a region offer many attractions and local artists display and sell their unique artwork and design. Every year in March a renowned antiquities fair is organized that is worth visiting. All this has impressed national as well as international visitors, including a demanding Japanese clientele that know what they are looking for. Drakamöllan can be reached in less than two hours from Copenhagen international airport. For more information please visit www.drakamollan.com

The above article has been drafted based on the book "Drakamöllans Magi" kindly offered to us by the owner INGALILL THORSELL. The book was published for the 15th anniversary jubileum and contains among other things information about the history, nature, programmes and recipes of Drakamöllan. Hope you find this reading interesting and we hope that you will one day have the opportunity to visit Drakamöllan to experience its hospitality.

Thank you Ingalill for your very kind cooperation for the production of this article / post.

Pulken, near Åhus, will receive thousands of cranes landing for a stop-over this week-end so we will try provide some picture from that happening.

Enjoy the forthcoming week-end!

:-)