Zbynické rybníky

Zbynické rybníky is a nature reserve lying just north of the village of Hrádek, in the Klatovy District, within the western part of the Buděticko Nature Park in the Czech Republic. The protected area covers roughly 39 hectares and comprises a valley holding two ponds, Velká Strana and Malá Strana, together with the surrounding wetlands.

When was the reserve established and why is it protected?

The reserve was declared on 20 December 1992. Its main purpose is to protect a nesting and stopover site for waterfowl. The mosaic of shallow ponds, reedbeds, sedge stands and wet meadows creates conditions that are increasingly rare in the more densely populated and intensively farmed parts of the region. The area is managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic.

What birds can be seen here?

Zbynické rybníky is known above all for the richness of its waterbird life. Species recorded in the reserve include water rails, grebes, teals, wild ducks, geese, swans and herons. The dominant predator in this ecosystem is the marsh harrier, which hunts over the water surface and among the reeds for small birds and amphibians. In recent years, white-tailed eagles have also been observed within the reserve — the presence of such a large raptor is a good indicator of the ecosystem's health and of the abundance of fish and waterfowl as a food source.

What does the landscape around the ponds look like?

The two ponds, Velká Strana and Malá Strana, are fringed by belts of marsh and reed vegetation that gradually give way to wet meadows and stands of trees. This layering of habitats means the reserve functions not only as a breeding ground but also as a safe stopover during spring and autumn migration, when the number of species and individual birds using the ponds rises noticeably.

Where exactly is the reserve located?

Zbynické rybníky lies in the western part of the Buděticko Nature Park, within the Klatovy District of the Plzeň Region. The nearest landmark is the village of Hrádek, to the north of which the protected area extends. The region sits on the border of the Šumava mountains and the Pomezí Šumavy foothills, a landscape of gentle hills, forests and the numerous fish ponds typical of southwestern Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

Is the reserve open to visitors? Zbynické rybníky is a legally protected natural area where the priority is the undisturbed breeding of waterfowl, especially during the nesting season. Visits should be limited to marked trails and observation from a distance, avoiding the wetlands and pond edges outside designated viewpoints.

How large is the reserve? The protected area covers 38.93 hectares.

Since when has this area been protected? The Zbynické rybníky nature reserve has been protected since it was declared on 20 December 1992.

What are the most characteristic species here? The marsh harrier, as the dominant bird of prey, and the white-tailed eagle, observed in recent years, stand out among the reserve's raptors, alongside numerous waterbirds such as water rails, grebes and herons.

In which region is the reserve located? Zbynické rybníky lies in the Klatovy District, in the western part of the Buděticko Nature Park, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.