Stora Bökön: Moorland, Pastureland and Birdlife

Stora Bökön lies about eight kilometres north of Lönsboda, on the border with Kronoberg County. A large moorland area is located near Stora Bökön. Östre myr is the southern part of Såntamyren in Kronoberg County; Bökönasjön lies in the central part of Östre myr. The lake and the moor are geographically connected, but remain distinct points of reference for the landscape and birdlife topics.

Moorland and Pastureland

Östre myr is a raised bog with a large area that is partly open and partly sparsely wooded. Extensive marginal mires lie along its eastern edge, mainly characterised by bottle sedge. Stora Bökön and the surrounding mires include relatively undisturbed moorland areas. Bökönasjön is a lowered lake. Thus, the raised bog areas and marginal zones are distinct landscape forms from the named lake.

Gödas myr and Västre myr together form a mire complex of open and wooded mire areas, marginal mires and depressions in the terrain. While Östre myr is specifically classified as a raised bog, this complex includes several types of mire. This distinction is useful when describing the landscape: the nature theme here is not limited to just one type of mire.

Stora Bökön and the surrounding mires also include pastureland that has been grazed continuously for a long time. Scattered oaks and birches grow in the open pasture, with juniper and hazel in the shrub layer. There is also species-rich grass heath and wet meadow vegetation. The description therefore links open pastures and diverse vegetation with the mire areas.

Historical Traces of Land Use

Old pollarded ash trees indicate that the area was formerly used as a wooded meadow. This evidence adds another historical form of land use to the long continuity of grazing. Wooded meadow and pasture represent distinct traces of the cultural landscape's land-use history.

Birdlife and Seasonal Observations

Bökönasjön has a rich birdlife, including whooper swans and cranes. Western capercaillies, black grouse and cranes breed on Östre myr every year. At the lake, the focus is on bird diversity represented by two named species; three breeding bird species are listed for the mire. Bird populations can vary seasonally and change over time.

In spring, the route to Lomudden is described as the best way to hear the black grouse's mating call at Bökönasjön. This is more specific than the general description of the birdlife: it relates to a particular season, a particular species and hearing its mating call. So if you are interested in this nature theme, spring is an important consideration when planning your trip.

Skeppshultasjön Fishing Area

The Skeppshultasjön fisheries management area includes several lakes, among them Bökönasjön, as well as the stretch of the Helge å from Möckeln to Bökönasjön. If fishing is part of your travel plans, check the boundaries and applicable rules of the area before your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Killeberg.