Milickie Ponds Nature Reserve

Milickie Ponds Nature Reserve is a faunal, ornithological reserve in the Barycz Valley, in the Milicz and Żmigród municipalities, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It forms part of the Barycz Valley Landscape Park and covers 5,298.15 hectares. It was created on 8 July 1963.

Five pond complexes

The reserve consists of five pond complexes: Stawno, Radziądz, Ruda Sułowska, Jamnik and Potasznia. Reed-bed habitats with common reed dominate here, and yellow water-lily, white water-lily and reed canary grass grow in the water. Around 250 species of algae have been recorded in the waters.

Water and marsh birds

Around 120 bird species nest in the reserve, with a further 50 or so appearing during migration. Among the breeding and observed species are the common crane, black stork, white-tailed eagle, purple heron, osprey, and the black and red kite.

International protection

In 1995 Stawy Milickie was entered on the list of areas protected under the Ramsar Convention, and in 2000 it was included in the Living Lakes programme, which brings together lakes and wetlands of major natural importance worldwide.

Practical information

• The reserve lies near the village of Radziądz, in Trzebnica County.
• Nearby, in Żmigród, stands a castle.
• Close by, in the same pond complex, lies the Olszyny Niezgodzkie Nature Reserve.
• A view over one of the ponds is offered by the viewpoint over Staw Krzysztof.
• It is worth checking opening hours and visiting rules before a visit.