Hercules

Welcome to Hercules Nature Reserve

Welcome to enjoy the views over open fields, reedbeds and ponds from the birdobservation tower. Here is also an open-airmuseum describing the history and naturalvalues of the area.

Water feeds the meadows

The shores and banks of Lake Hammarsjön and the river Helge å are characterised by winter flooding. Over a year, the water level in the lake can vary between 1 and 1.5 meters. Floodwater brings nutrients which fertilise the ground. Riparian meadows have therefore been used for hay-making for many centuries. Hay-making is still carried out on parts of the meadows Viby äng and Rinkaby holme. Other areas, such as the eastern parts of Viby äng and around the Hercules ponds, have become pastures.

Flowering cultivated land

Hay-meadows and pastures are home to specially adapted plants. On the riparian meadows within the reserve you find fen violet, ragged-robin, yellow-rattle and Potentilla heptaphylla L. When hay-making and grazing ceases, reeds and willow take over. One of Hammarsjön’s largest reedbeds is spreading towards the lake. The ponds in the eastern part of the reserve are relics from the brick-making era from 1899 to 1968.

Rich birdlife

The great variety of nature types within the reserve provide habitats for a diversity of birds. The open areas are home to waders such as curlew and redshank. Coot and great crested grebe nest in the ponds. Listen out for a deep hooting sound, like blowing over a bottle; that is the voice of the bittern, hiding in the large reedbeds.

Regulations

Within Hercules Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig, remove, cover over, drill, chisel, paint or in any other way damage stone blocks, stonewalls, trees living or dead, bushes or stumps,
• pick or dig up plants, mosses or lichens,
• remove dead wood, break twigs, fell or in any other way damage bushes or trees,
• introduce alien plants or animals into the area,
• without the permission from the County Administrative Board, catch or collect insects or other animals, or in any other way disturb the animal life,
• allow dogs to run off the leash or allow other domestic animals to run free,
• make fires, with the exception of spirit stoves, liquefied petroleum-gas/bottle-gas stoves or grills,
• propel bicycles, motor vehicles or motor-driven vehicles on other than the specially provided roads and trails,
  
• ride or drive a horse other than on the roads and trails provided for motor vehicles,
• pitch tents or set up caravans, camping vehicles orsimilar,
• park, other than in the specially designated parking places,
• fish in the Hercules ponds,
• set up notice-boards, placards, posters, notices, trail markers, inscriptions or similar devices,
• without the permission from the County Adminis-trative Board, arrange competions, training or camping activities,
• in a disturbing manner, use a radio, sound systems, musical instrument or similar,
• lay up boats or other conveyances,
• use boats or other floatable vehicles in the Hercules ponds without the permission of the nature conservation authority.