Na Novém rybníce

Na Novém rybníce is a small protected nature area on the southern edge of Nové Strašecí, right beside the road to Rakovník and close to a bend in the local railway line. The reserve covers the Novostrašecký pond together with the adjoining waterlogged meadows and alder groves lying in the valley of the Klíčava stream. It was declared a natural monument in 1990, with the protection aimed at preserving a marshy meadow ecosystem alongside a botanically valuable pond.

What is there to see?

The pond itself is the centerpiece of the site. Its surface supports lesser duckweed, while reed beds and branched bur-reed line the shore. This particular combination of aquatic and shoreline vegetation gives the pond a distinctly different character from the typical fish-farming ponds common in the region — it looks and functions more like a naturally overgrown wetland than a managed fishery. Surrounding the water are damp, in places peaty, meadows, which are actually the main reason the site was placed under protection.

Why are the meadows so valuable?

The wet meadows around the pond host several plant species considered rare at a regional level. Visitors familiar with botany may spot Davall's sedge, round-leaved sundew, bogbean, and occasionally the green-winged orchid. The presence of sundew — a carnivorous plant that only survives in nutrient-poor, acidic, and consistently damp conditions — is a particularly telling sign of just how specific and ecologically valuable the microhabitat here is. The peaty patches and the presence of bogbean also point to a slow, ongoing process of natural succession typical of inland wetlands left largely undisturbed.

Why does this place matter ecologically?

The combination of pond, reed beds, and wet meadows forms a mosaic of habitats that has become increasingly scarce in the heavily farmed landscape of central Bohemia. For waterfowl, wetland insects, and other species dependent on marshy conditions, small enclaves like this one function as refuges, allowing populations to persist where the surrounding intensively cultivated fields could not support them. The nearby alder floodplain forest adds another layer of habitat diversity, forming a transitional zone between open water and woodland.

How to get there?

The reserve sits directly along the road connecting Nové Strašecí and Rakovník, making it an easy stop for a short walk or a break during a longer trip through the area. Its proximity to the railway line also means it can be worked into a walking route starting from the nearby train station. Because the site holds protected status, visitors should stick to marked paths to avoid damaging the sensitive meadow vegetation.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Na Novém rybníce pond? No — the area is protected as a natural monument specifically to preserve its habitats, so recreational use of the pond, including swimming, runs against the purpose of the protection.

When was the area given protected status? It was declared a natural monument in 1990.

What rare plants grow here? The wet meadows support species such as Davall's sedge, round-leaved sundew, bogbean, and occasionally the green-winged orchid.

Is it a good spot for a short walk? Yes — its location right by the Nové Strašecí–Rakovník road and the nearby railway line make it an easily accessible stop for a brief nature walk.