Za mlýnem

Za mlýnem is a small but ecologically valuable nature monument on the border of the Olomouc and Šumperk districts, close to the villages of Bílá Lhota and Mitrovice in the Olomouc region of the Czech Republic. The protected area covers 14.16 hectares on the left bank of the Morava River, north of the settlement of Nové Mlýny. It is administered by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), specifically by the Administration of the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, under which "Za mlýnem" falls.

Why visit this spot?

This is a destination for travelers drawn to quiet wetland nature rather than crowds — a place where species diversity outweighs any dramatic scenery. The terrain is flat and regularly flooded by the meandering Morava River, bounded on the landward side by the foot of a slope known as Mlýnský vrch.

What is there to see?

The landscape of the reserve is a mosaic of wet meadows, reed beds, small natural pools (tůně), and fragments of willow-poplar floodplain forest. In early spring, before the main season begins, the meadows fill with blooming snowdrops, forming a distinctive white carpet across the grass. The extensive reed beds host valuable wetland plants, among them featherfoil and other water-loving species typical of floodplain habitats along the Morava.

What animals live here?

"Za mlýnem" is best known for its rich amphibian and waterbird populations. Numerous bird species tied to wetland environments nest in the dense reed beds. On spring evenings the area fills with a loud chorus of frogs — the marsh frog (skokan skřehotavý) and the agile frog (skokan štíhlý) call alongside the distinctive voice of the European tree frog (rosnička zelená, Hyla arborea), whose population here is unusually large.

In summer, the lesser purple emperor butterfly (Apatura ilia) — a species associated with damp floodplain forests — can sometimes be seen flying over the meadows and forest edge. The European beaver (Castor fiber) also lives along the nearby river, and signs of its feeding and dam-building activity are occasionally visible along the banks.

Why this area matters ecologically

"Za mlýnem" forms part of the larger Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, which covers the Morava River valley together with its wetlands, oxbow lakes, and floodplain forests. This whole complex has been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, underlining its significance for European biodiversity — particularly for water-dependent species such as amphibians, wetland birds, and marsh plants.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is "Za mlýnem" located? The reserve lies on the border of the Olomouc and Šumperk districts, near the villages of Bílá Lhota and Mitrovice, on the left bank of the Morava River, north of Nové Mlýny.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers 14.16 hectares.

When is the best time to visit? Early spring brings blooming snowdrops across the meadows, while evenings in late spring and early summer are the best time to hear the chorus of frogs and tree frogs.

Which species are most characteristic of this reserve? The European tree frog, marsh frog, and agile frog, numerous waterbirds nesting in the reed beds, the lesser purple emperor butterfly, and the European beaver along the riverbank.

Who manages the reserve? The area is administered by AOPK ČR through the Administration of the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, of which "Za mlýnem" is a part.