Meadow and bog

At the west end of Ørnsø lies a 40-hectare meadow and bog area, where open meadows alternate with dense willow thickets and red alder trees. The area is a beautiful example of nature's own development and contains an exciting mix of moist meadows, shrubs and swamps.

From operation to overgrouth

Until around 1980, the meadows were used for grazing and haymaking. Ditching was maintained to drain the area, and the nutritious meadows provided fodder for livestock. When farming ceased, the water level rose and the meadows slowly began to overgrow. At first tall perennials and grasses grew, later willow and red alder took over. The natural overgrowth has changed the area – some of the old meadow plants have disappeared, but at the same time the area has made room for new plant species and a rich wildlife.

A dynamic river delta

Where Funder Å flows into Ørnsø, the river has formed a small delta over time. Here the watercourse divides into several smaller branches, and sand and soil are deposited where the flow stops. The delta is constantly changing: New sandbanks arise, streams change course, and the area is constantly developing – a living example of the dynamics and changeability of nature.