U Tučkovy hájenky

U Tučkovy hájenky is a small but ecologically significant nature monument located within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area, in the Pardubice Region, Chrudim District of the Czech Republic. Its name refers to a nearby forester's lodge (hájenka) once associated with a person or family named Tuček.

Where exactly is this protected area located?

The nature monument is not a single continuous site but consists of two separate, unconnected parcels of land. One lies northwest, above the village of Svratouch, while the other is situated south of the village of Krouna. Despite their modest size, both parcels protect a similar habitat type: waterlogged spring meadows with peat-forming characteristics. Together, the two parts cover just 3.2465 hectares, a figure that reflects how tightly the protection boundaries were drawn around the most valuable pockets of land.

Why were these meadows given protected status?

The main reason for establishing the reserve is the presence of wet spring meadows and patches of raised bog vegetation, habitats that have become increasingly rare across the Czech agricultural landscape. These groundwater-fed wetlands are the source area for streams that feed the Krounka River. Wet meadows of this kind create a distinctive microclimate capable of supporting plant species that cannot survive on ordinary hay meadows.

What plant species grow here?

The vegetation of the spring meadows is dominated by species typical of boggy and permanently moist ground. Among the notable plants recorded here are bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), a species characteristic of peat bogs and waterlogged margins, and early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis), an orchid that favors damp, nutrient-rich meadows. The continued presence of these species indicates that the wetland habitat remains in relatively good condition, with limited nutrient enrichment of the soil.

Since when has the area been protected, and who manages it?

The site was declared a protected nature monument in 1990, shortly after the political changes in Czechoslovakia, a period when many small nature reserves across the country were formally established or expanded. Since 2015, direct care of the locality has been carried out by the Krajina association, which conducts management work aimed at keeping the meadows open. This mainly involves mowing to prevent trees and shrubs from naturally encroaching on the wet ground, which would otherwise gradually dry out and shade the sensitive vegetation.

What should visitors know before coming here?

This is not a large-scale tourist attraction in the conventional sense; rather, it is a site of scientific and ecological value, of particular interest to botanists and anyone curious about wetland conservation. Because the habitat is fragile, visitors are encouraged to stay on marked paths and avoid stepping onto the boggy sections of the meadows, in order to protect the delicate plant communities that depend on undisturbed conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name "U Tučkovy hájenky" mean? It refers to a nearby forester's lodge (hájenka) linked to a person or family named Tuček, close to which one of the two protected meadows is located.

Does the reserve consist of one area or several? The site is made up of two separate, non-adjoining parcels: one near Svratouch and another near Krouna.

Which river originates in this area? The wet spring meadows are the source area for streams feeding the Krounka River.

How large is the protected area? The two parts of the reserve together cover approximately 3.25 hectares.

Who is responsible for managing the site? Since 2015, the Krajina association has been responsible for the conservation management of the reserve.