Josefov Meadows

Josefovské louky is a private bird park set in the floodplain of the Metuje River, right next to the Josefov fortress near Jaroměř, in the Náchod district of eastern Bohemia. It stands out as one of the few nature conservation projects in the Czech Republic run not by the state but by a non-governmental organisation — the Czech Society for Ornithology (ČSO), through its local Josefov branch.

How did these meadows come about?

The site has been developing since 2006. Before that, the wet meadows in the Metuje floodplain had lost much of their ecological value — water levels had dropped, taking away the conditions wetland birds need for nesting. The ČSO set out to reverse that decline by recreating a network of artificial pools and shallow wetlands, giving birds a reason to return to land they had long abandoned.

What is there to see?

Josefovské louky is a haven for bird watchers. Its wetlands, meadows and riverside vegetation support a range of rare wetland bird species, which visitors can observe both from footpaths and from a dedicated observation tower. The park sits within a wider, tourist-friendly area built around the historic Josefov fortress.

One of the park's more distinctive features is its use of large grazing animals to keep the meadows open — without them, shrubs would quickly take over and the land would lose its value for birds. Since 2018, wild horses brought from a grazing reserve on the former Milovice military training ground have lived here. Since October 2020 they have been joined by aurochs, whose trampling further helps shape the terrain to suit the birds' needs.

Is the park open to visitors?

Although Josefovské louky is technically a private reserve rather than a classic state-protected area, the site is open to visitors year-round. It is an unusual combination: land conserved primarily for the sake of its birds, yet freely accessible to people who want to see that nature up close.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Josefovské louky located? In the floodplain of the Metuje River, near Josefov, a part of the town of Jaroměř, in the Náchod district of eastern Bohemia.

Who manages the site? The Czech Society for Ornithology (ČSO), through its Josefov branch — it is a private initiative rather than a state nature reserve.

What animals besides birds can be found here? Since 2018 the meadows have been grazed by wild horses originally from Milovice, and since 2020 also by aurochs, both helping to keep the land open.

Is entry free? Yes, despite its private reserve status the park is accessible to visitors throughout the year.

What is the main draw for tourists? Watching wetland birds from the observation tower and walking among the meadows and artificial pools recreated in the Metuje floodplain.