Pastvisko u Lednice

Pastvisko u Lednice is a national nature monument lying just north of the village of Lednice in the Břeclav district of South Moravia. Set on the right bank of the Dyje River, the protected area covers roughly 30 hectares and consists of a mosaic of wetlands, drainage channels and small ponds. It falls within the boundaries of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area and is administered by that landscape area's management authority.

Why was this site protected?

The site received legal protection in 1990, aimed at preserving a rare wetland habitat together with the wide range of species that depend on it. Protection covers both invertebrates — molluscs, spiders and insects — and vertebrates, above all birds that either nest here or stop over while foraging during migration. The network of narrow channels and shallow pools creates conditions that are difficult for predators to access, turning the site into a relatively safe refuge for many sensitive species.

What wildlife can be found here?

Among the birds recorded at Pastvisko u Lednice are greylag geese, little bitterns, ferruginous ducks and black storks — species tightly bound to wetland environments and increasingly scarce across the intensively farmed landscapes of Central Europe. The wetlands also support amphibians: Danube crested newts, agile frogs and European tree frogs all breed here, taking advantage of the dense bankside vegetation and still water.

A particular point of natural value is the presence of the medicinal leech, a protected species whose populations in South Moravia are scattered and small. Pastvisko u Lednice is considered one of the best-known sites for this species in the region, which makes it a meaningful reference point for researchers studying aquatic fauna in the area.

Can visitors enter the reserve?

Public access to Pastvisko u Lednice is prohibited, a rule set specifically to protect nesting birds and fragile habitats from disturbance. In practice, the terrain itself — extensive wetlands covered in dense vegetation — already makes unassisted movement through the area difficult without specialised equipment. An observation platform was once built to allow discreet viewing of the site's shy waterbirds, but it has since become heavily overgrown and is now practically unusable.

What should visitors to the area know?

For anyone exploring the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its castles, parks and tree-lined avenues, Pastvisko u Lednice offers an interesting contrast — a wilder, untamed side of the same Dyje river valley. Since entry is off-limits, the best way to experience the site is from a distance, using the roads and paths that run along the edges of the protected area, ideally early in the morning or in the evening when bird activity peaks.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Pastvisko u Lednice located? North of the village of Lednice in the Břeclav district, on the right bank of the Dyje River, within the Pálava Protected Landscape Area.

Since when has the site been protected? It was declared a national nature monument in 1990.

Is it possible to enter the reserve? No, access is prohibited to protect nesting birds and sensitive wetland habitats.

Which species makes this site especially notable? The medicinal leech, a protected species rarely found elsewhere in South Moravia.