Žehuňský rybník

Žehuňský rybník is a large fishpond in central Bohemia, considered the biggest pond of its kind in the region and ranking among the nine largest ponds in the entire Czech Republic. It lies in the floodplain of the Cidlina river, close to the village of Žehuň, surrounded by wet meadows and reed beds that together form one of the country's most valuable wetland ecosystems.

Why is this place so important for nature?

The area around the pond is protected as a national natural monument, a status confirmed by a Ministry of Environment decree (No. 15/201 Sb.), in effect since March 2011. The site is listed in the Central Register of Nature Conservation under code 540. Žehuňský rybník is also part of a larger designated bird area, which combines the pond itself with the neighboring Kněžičky game reserve.

What birds can you see here?

This is one of the key nesting and migration sites for waterbirds and birds of prey in the Czech Republic. More than 260 bird species have been recorded in the area, of which around 145 nest here regularly. The bird area was designated primarily for two species: the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) and the Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana). Since the protection was established, ongoing monitoring has also tracked other valuable species such as the Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Little Crake (Porzana parva), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia svecica cyanecula). The presence of so many rare and protected species makes Žehuňský rybník a regular destination for birdwatchers and ornithologists from across the Czech Republic.

What should you know before visiting?

Because of its protected status and the sensitivity of the breeding habitats, visitor movement around the pond is limited to designated trails and observation points. The site appeals mainly to birdwatchers and to people who enjoy walking through the quiet, open landscape of the Cidlina floodplain — it is not a typical tourist destination built around recreational infrastructure, but rather a nature reserve of significant scientific and conservation value.

Frequently asked questions

Is Žehuňský rybník the largest pond in the Czech Republic? It is the largest pond in central Bohemia and ranks among the nine largest ponds in the whole country.

What protection status does the area have? Since March 2011 it has held the status of a national natural monument under a Ministry of Environment decree, and it also forms part of a designated bird protection area.

How many bird species can be observed there? Researchers have recorded more than 260 bird species on site, of which around 145 nest there.

Who will enjoy this place the most? Mainly birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts — the site primarily serves a conservation and scientific role rather than a typical tourism one.