Krvavý a Kačležský rybník

Krvavý a Kačležský rybník is a protected natural area in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, located in the Jindřichův Hradec district between the villages of Hospříz, Kačlehy, Člunek and Kunějov. At its core are two large adjoining fishponds — Kačležský rybník, covering roughly 176 hectares, and Krvavý rybník, spanning about 127 hectares. Together with the surrounding wetlands and peat meadows, the whole protected area reaches nearly 383.5 hectares.

Why was this area protected?

The site gained protected status in 1994 and functioned as a nature reserve for almost two decades afterward. The main reason for protecting it is the well-preserved reed beds fringing both ponds, together with the adjacent marshy ground. This mosaic of open water, reed stands and peat meadows gives the area significant ecological value, providing habitat for numerous protected and endangered plant and animal species.

A haven for birds on the migration route

The ponds carry particular importance for birdlife. Their broad water surfaces combined with dense reed cover create favorable feeding and resting conditions for waterfowl, especially various duck species. In autumn, during the migration season, the two ponds become a major gathering point for migrating birds, making the site one of the more notable spots for bird observation in the South Bohemian region.

The history behind the ponds

Kačležský rybník ranks among the older fish-farming ponds in this part of Bohemia, dating back to the mid-16th century — a period when South Bohemia saw intensive development of pond-based fish farming and extensive networks of water reservoirs were being built across the region. Krvavý rybník was created as part of the same water-management system, forming together with its neighbor a compact complex that has survived to this day with its landscape largely unchanged.

What can visitors expect?

Visitors here find themselves immersed in untamed wetland scenery — broad pond surfaces framed by belts of reeds, marshy meadows, and the quiet typical of areas with limited human interference. The site is especially rewarding for birdwatchers and for anyone seeking a taste of the South Bohemian pond landscape, similar in spirit to the better-known Třeboň basin area, though on a smaller and more intimate scale.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Krvavý a Kačležský rybník located? The area lies in the Jindřichův Hradec district of the South Bohemian Region, between the villages of Hospříz, Kačlehy, Člunek and Kunějov.

How large is the protected area? The total area covers about 383.5 hectares, with the two ponds — Kačležský (roughly 176 ha) and Krvavý (roughly 127 ha) — accounting for most of it.

Why is autumn a good time to visit? Autumn brings mass waterfowl migration, when the ponds serve as an important resting and feeding site for ducks and other water birds passing through the region.

When were the ponds established? Kačležský rybník dates back to the mid-16th century, making it one of the older elements in the local network of fish-farming reservoirs.