Baroch

Baroch is a nature reserve lying to the south and southwest of the village of Hrobice, in the Pardubice District of eastern Czechia. The protected area was declared in 1998 and covers nearly 94 hectares in total, with a further 62-hectare buffer zone around its core.

What is the Baroch reserve, exactly?

The reserve is essentially what remains of the once-vast Velká Čeperka pond, completed in 1496 as the largest in a chain of fishponds fed by the Opatovický canal. Over the centuries the pond gradually silted up, giving rise to the habitat mosaic seen today: dense reed beds, waterlogged meadows, patches of woodland and areas of open water. This combination of habitats is what makes Baroch one of the region's most valuable birdwatching sites.

Why was the area protected?

The reserve was established primarily to protect the silted pond together with its surrounding reed beds, woodland stands and meadow communities. The site functions as a refuge for wetland birds and holds significant botanical value, since its boggy meadow flora is increasingly rare in the heavily farmed Pardubice Elbe lowland (Polabí) around it.

What wildlife can be found here?

A total of 146 bird species have been recorded in and around the reserve. Among them are several rare and conservation-significant species, including the great bittern, little bittern, corncrake and white stork, with the white-tailed eagle also observed here in the past. The reed beds provide shelter for numerous dragonfly species, while the wet meadows support protected amphibians such as the smooth newt and the European tree frog. A free-roaming herd of wild horses also lives on the surrounding land, helping to keep the meadows open through natural grazing.

Who manages the reserve?

The protected area is administered by the Regional Authority of the Pardubice Region (Krajský úřad Pardubického kraje), which oversees the conservation regime, including management work aimed at preserving the open meadows and reed beds that are essential for breeding and migrating birds.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Baroch nature reserve located? It lies to the south and southwest of the village of Hrobice, in the Pardubice District, within the Pardubice Region of eastern Czechia.

When was the area protected? It was declared a nature reserve in 1998.

What is the history behind this site? The reserve occupies the remnants of the Velká Čeperka pond, built in 1496 as part of a pond system fed by the Opatovický canal; over time the pond silted up and turned into today's wetland.

Which birds are the most notable to look out for? The most conservation-significant species are the great bittern, little bittern and corncrake, all closely tied to the reed beds and wet meadows.

Does the reserve host wildlife other than birds? Yes, it is home to protected amphibians such as newts and tree frogs, numerous dragonfly species, and a free-roaming herd of wild horses nearby.