Beka Nature Reserve

On the shore of Puck Bay, between Rewa and Rzucewo, stretch the coastal salt meadows of the Beka reserve — one of the last habitats of this kind on the Polish coast. The reserve was created in 1988 to protect the "słonawy", meadows fed by seawater, at the mouth of the Reda river. Its name comes from the village of Beka, once swallowed by the sea.

Plants and birds

The salt meadows host specialised halophytes: Gerard's rush, sea milkwort, sea arrowgrass, sea plantain and saltmarsh aster. The northern part, fed by fresh water, hides orchids, the marsh dandelion and the carnivorous common butterwort. The reserve is also a bird stronghold — bittern, greylag goose, common shelduck, smew, three harrier species, crane and oystercatcher breed here. Until recently one of Poland's largest dunlin populations nested on these meadows; after cattle grazing stopped and reeds spread, it has all but disappeared.

The konik horses

On a fenced part of the meadows grazes a herd of Polish koniks — mouse-grey descendants of the wild tarpan with a black stripe along the back. For many visitors they are the highlight of the trip.

Visiting

Entry is free and the site is open around the clock — dogs are banned even on a leash and fines are enforced. Climb the free observation tower; the view is best in spring, when the waters flood the meadows. The educational trail forms a 3.5 km loop — wild, narrow and muddy in places. Leave your car by Morska street on the Osłonino side, as there is no dedicated car park.