Øksneholm

Aerial photo of Øksneholm, from the south.

Øksneholm is the northernmost island in the fjord. It is grassy and used for grazing.

Cattle grazing on Øksneholm.

Bird life is somewhat affected by its relatively marine situation, which has led several species from the Kattegat to immigrate into the fjord via Øksneholm. They include the great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull and eider.

Lesser black-backed gulls settled on Øksneholm a few years ago.

Grazing has encouraged the presence of good populations of waders such as avocet, redshank and lapwing. Apart from the typical freshwater species, all the fjord´s breeding birds are to be found on Øksneholm. Until 1981 there was even a small colony of sandwich tern, but that has now disappeared.

In autumn a great many geese, ducks, coots and waders roost on and around the island. Since the banning of hunting on Øksneholm and in the waters around it, the number of birds roosting here has increased significantly.

The vegetation is typical of salt meadows and rough grazing land. Outside the stock fence is a narrow strip with beach vegetation consisting of wormwood etc.. The fence forms a clear boundary between the beach vegetation and the grazed area.