Askoviken - Improvement of habitats for wetland birds in Askö-Tidö, Sweden

The project aimed to create the necessary conditions to ensure the long-term survival of valuable habitats and species present in Askö-Tidö’s 379 hectares along the northern shore of Lake Mälaren, the Asköviken area in Sweden. Actions focused on the restoration and long-term management of habitats. The project achieved complex compensation payments for hunting rights and habitat restoration actions led to a reduction of reed beds over 31 hectares of wet meadows. Shallow water areas within the reed beds have been increased by the project and two new channels were created. An older passage for small boats was also restored and a total of six hectares of channels and lagoons were created. The border zone between the reed bed and open water was effectively doubled. Furthermore, a shallow water area was established between the wet meadows and the reed bed. A programme of public access works resulted in a new bird watching hide and 850 m of new footpaths that are suitable of disabled visitors. Mowing and grazing was also possible on 35 important hectares of wet meadows at Asköviken. This land was restored to facilitate environmentally-beneficial farming practices. Local farmers played a significant role in the project’s conservation activities, which also included enhancing and managing public access using sensitive approaches that corresponded with the area’s status as a Natura 2000 site, SPA, pSCI and Ramsar site.