Milicz Ponds Nature Reserve

The Milicz Ponds Nature Reserve is a faunal ornithological reserve located in the Barycz Valley, within the Barycz Valley Landscape Park, in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, on the territories of the Milicz and Żmigród municipalities. Established in 1963, the reserve covers an area of 5,298.15 hectares and comprises five pond complexes: Stawno, Radziądz, Ruda Sułowska, Jamnik, and Potasznia. This area is not only home to nearly 120 species of nesting birds and about 50 migratory species, but it has also been listed as a Ramsar site since 1995, recognizing it as a protected wetland of international importance. The flora of the reserve is exceptionally rich, dominated by reed beds with common reed and numerous species of aquatic and marsh plants, as well as unique underwater ecosystems. In 2000, the Milicz Ponds were added to the Living Lakes list, highlighting their global uniqueness. The reserve is home to around 250 species of algae, further attesting to its biodiversity. Interestingly, the Sulowski area was historically used for fish farming, which contributed to the creation of extensive pond complexes that today serve not only as a nature conservation area but also as a popular destination for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.