The Skovholme

Skovholmene, in Borrevejle Vig, from the south.

The Skovholme are five small reedy islands in Borrevejle Vig, the southernmost and least salty part of the fjord. Their names are Nørreholm, Steenknolden, Steenholmen, Den trekantede Holm, Langholmen and Myren. Myren is merely a tiny unvegetated reef which is submerged at high water.

The vegetation on these islands is dominated by reeds.

Both the plant and bird life on these islands are different from on the other islands in the fjord. The reed growth is the most striking difference, but there are also some unusual species that are not to be found elsewhere on the fjord - for example: dyer’s woad, angelica and brookweed.

Tufted ducks hatching out on Skovholmene.

Coot chicks on Skovholmene.

Breeding birds include freshwater species such as great crested grebe and red-necked grebe. Greylag geese, tufted duck and coot, but common- and Arctic tern and gulls breed here as well. Even the great black-backed gull, previously found only in more marine environments like Kattegat, has recently begun to breed in the least salty part of the fjord.

Borrevejle Sports Centre, which has now become a free school, is on the mainland close by, and its guests have a fine view of the islands. Although there is a wide range of activities here, including swimming and canoeing, there is minimal disruption of bird life. Speed boats, on the other hand, can sometimes be a problem – for swimmers too.

Skovhomene, from Borrevejle sports centre.

Borrevejle Vig has been designated a ”hunting- and disturbance-free area”. Since the discontinuation of hunting, the number of birds roosting here in the autumn has increased dramatically – especially Tufted Duck and Wigeon.