Milicz Ponds – Poland

Background Milicz Ponds

In the 12th century, monks began to excavate carp ponds - the Milicz Ponds were created. Waters were funnelled from the Barycz, a river that flows into the Odor after passing through a wide plain north-west of Wroclaw. The more than 100 Milicz Ponds represent the world''s largest concatenation of ponds as the area spreads over 70 sq. km. The Barycz plain has a surface of 5,535 sq. km - ten times larger than Lake Constance.

Many of these Milicz Ponds can hardly be distinguished from natural ones. A view obviously shared by the animals, as many species live there: 13 amphibian species, 250 bird species of which 170 are local nesters, and 44 different mammals. Another treasure are 80 male Bitterns.

In autumn up to 16,000 bean geese pluck grass and weeds from the meadows. During the night, they retire to large ponds to outwit the fox. Additionally, the Barycz plains are important for meadow nesters like the White Stork, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and Quail.

Project measures Milicz Ponds

This paradise is threatened by the conversion of meadows to farmland and by intensive use after Poland''s EU membership in May 2004. Therefore GNF and other nature organisations provide money for the purchase of these land areas. Up to now, our partner organisation Pro Natura has bought 180 hectares of land to secure extensive use of the meadows.