Måkläppen, Falsterbo, Sweden

Måkläppen is a island located in the very south of Sweden and has a large population of seals.

Måkläppen is a nature reserve within the historic Skanör with Falsterbo city area in Vellinge municipality in Skåne . It consists of a strip of land that just out from Falsterbonäset . It was established as a nature reserve in 1971, but as early as 1902 the area was protected (by a lease).

Måkläppen covers an area of ​​785 hectares , of which 30 hectares are on land and 755 hectares of water. 

The land area consists of low-lying and often changing sand reefs. It has on several occasions formed a separate island, at other times a long narrow peninsula. Måkläppen constantly changes its appearance as sand is built on and removed by sea currents, wind, storm waves and high tides.

These processes exert abrasion – beach erosion – which removes the sand previously transported there. 

From the beginning, Måkläppen was a reef, but in 1966 the Coast Guard was able to establish through observations that it was no longer “constantly flooded by the sea” and it was then officially an island. Since the 1990s, it has (usually) had a narrow land connection through a sandbar.

The area has been created by sandbags being built on top of a moraine core .

During the Middle Ages, it is believed that there were some temporary settlements on the then island. Måkläppen’s nature conservation association is Sweden’s oldest and was formed in 1899. The current nature reserve was formed in 1971, and the reserve includes both land and adjacent water areas. In 1984 and 1990, the regulations were changed, after the (peninsula) moved its boundaries to outside the existing reserve boundary. 

In total, the reserve corresponds to 755 hectares , of which about 30 hectares are on land. 

The area is part of the EU’s ecological network of protected areas – Natura 2000 .Many species of seabirds nest on Måkläppen, and are an important area for harbor and gray seals. Among the nesting birds are the eider , the tern and the silver tern .

However, the number of nesting birds varies depending on whether Måkläppen has a land connection or not as such means that foxes and minks can easily get out to the area.

Måkläppen has been protected since 1902, this by the Måkläppsföreningen leasing the island, mainly to protect the rich bird life and to prevent the local population from looting bird eggs. There is a total ban on access from the first of February to the end of October. In addition, there are two permanent protection zones to further protect the seals.

These zones are located partly on the southern tip and partly on the eastern side.

The gray seal gives birth to its young in March , while the harbor seal gives birth in June.

The peninsula is also important as a resting place for many birds, due to its southwestern location on the Baltic Sea, with the European continent on the other side of the water. You can encounter remnants of wooden vessels, sometimes several hundred years old, when walking along the sand reefs. 

In addition, the peninsula is a sought-after venue for amber explorers .

It is only allowed to visit Måkläppen from 1 November to 31 January.

Other times, ie 1 February to 31 October, there is a total ban on access to Måkläppen.

Here is a video from our visit to Måkläppen:

Here is where you can find more information about Måkläppen: http://maklappsforeningen.se/

Visit our interesting post about Falsterbo Beach: https://travelsandfood.com/falsterbo-beach-sweden/

Have you ever visited Måkläppen?

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