Kosteliska bird reservation

Kosteliska Bird Park is a private nature reserve in the floodplain of the Kyjovka River, north of the Jarohněvický fishpond, straddling the cadastral boundary between the towns of Dubňany and Hovorany in the Hodonín District of South Moravia. The whole reserve takes its name from a small patch of land in its northeastern corner, historically marked on maps as Kosteliska — the name was later extended to the entire protected area.

What is Kosteliska Bird Park?

Unlike a state-run nature reserve, this is a project run by a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting meadow and wetland birds. The area combines shallow water bodies, reed beds, wet meadows and small patches of woodland into a single mosaic of habitats. Because the reserve lies in a river floodplain — the Kyjovka is also known locally as the Stupava — water levels shift with the seasons, which favors species adapted to damp, open landscapes rather than dense forest.

What birds live here?

Around 200 bird species have been recorded within the reserve so far. This diversity comes directly from the mix of habitats on offer: open water, reed stands and wet grassland attract both breeding pairs and migratory birds that stop here to rest and feed. For birdwatchers, the park ranks among the most rewarding sites in southern Moravia.

How is the land managed?

Caretakers of the reserve rely on grazing as an active conservation tool rather than leaving the land untouched. Goats, sheep, Hungarian grey steppe cattle and horses are kept on the meadows, where their grazing and trampling keep the vegetation open and prevent reed beds and scrub from taking over. This extensive grazing regime mimics the natural disturbance that once shaped river valley landscapes before agricultural drainage and intensification changed the region.

What can visitors expect?

The park has been developed for visitors while keeping disturbance to nesting and resting birds to a minimum. In August 2023, as part of a joint Czech-Slovak project, a new observation tower was completed, adding to the reserve's viewing infrastructure. Visitors can currently use two observation points — one closer to the Kyjovka River and another nearer the Jarohněvický fishpond — both designed to let people watch and photograph birds from a distance without disturbing them, which matters most during the breeding season.

Who should visit?

Kosteliska Bird Park is aimed primarily at birdwatchers and nature photographers, but it also suits anyone looking for a quiet outdoor experience away from conventional tourist attractions. The flat terrain and well-placed viewing towers make the reserve accessible without requiring any special physical preparation, though a pair of binoculars will make a real difference in appreciating the birdlife on show.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park located? In the floodplain of the Kyjovka River, north of the Jarohněvický fishpond, within the cadastral areas of Dubňany and partly Hovorany, in the Hodonín District.

How many bird species live here? Around 200 species have been recorded to date.

Are there observation points? Yes, two towers — one near the Kyjovka River and one closer to the Jarohněvický fishpond — including one completed in August 2023.

Why are animals grazed here? Goats, sheep, steppe cattle and horses help keep the meadows open, which protects the habitat that meadow birds depend on.