The Shoal Between Birkholm and Strynø

West of Strynø is a large unnamed shoal with a series of islets all part of Strynø. The area is not navigated, as it now serves as a wild life preserve. Previously, the navigation of the area was limited to barges sailing out to the islets to harvest hay and, later on in the year, to release cattle or sheep to graze in the summer. The cattle had to be sailed out – if you have them swim out to the islets, they might swim off again of their own accord.

The islets of Bredholm, Grensholm, Græsholm and Buddiken constitute one cadastral plot, and since 1887, an association has maintained the grazing of the islets. Most of the farms on Strynø own a share of Bredholm. The Bredholm association still exists and is now subsidised, and the islet is pastured for the sake of the environment – and particularly for the breeding birds.

Many migrating birds visit the Archipelagos wild life preserve on their way from Scandinavia, including the barnacle goose and the brentgoose. In the winter, huge flocks of tufted ducks and coots gather here. The common tern, black-headed gull, common gull, gadwall and greylag goose all breed here. The grass on the islets is important to the geese that migrate to and from the Russian tundra.

Contrary to the islets, Strynø Kalv (Strynø Calf) was cultivated. There were three small farms in the middle of the island, and originally, the island was farmed according to the three-field system. The low island is surrounded by dykes and outside of these are tidal meadows. The last islanders left for good in 1969, and since then, the buildings have been used for holidaying and the fields for pasturing sheep. The narrow strait between Strynø Kalv and Møllebroen on Strynø is navigated by boats and barges – one of Strynø Kalv’s old barges has been preserved and is currently being used by the Smakkecenter (The Smack Centre) for school trips around the Archipelago and for seal safaris. Another vessel belonging to the Smakkecenter that is of great importance to the pasturing of the islets in the Archipelago is the newly built steel barge called “Yrsa” which has the capacity to release or collect large herds of sheep or heifers from all around the Archipelago.