Nature

Łężczok Nature Reserve near Racibórz

A few minutes south of Racibórz, within the Cistercian Landscape Compositions of Rudy Landscape Park, lies one of the largest nature reserves of the Silesian Voivodeship — 477.38 ha of ponds, riparian forests and oxbow lakes of the Oder. The area has been protected as a reserve since 23 January 1957, although pond farming has been practised here since the 13th century. Eight ponds — from Salm Duży to Ligotniak — owe their present shape to the Cistercians from Rudy, who built embankments and sluices on the old riverbed.

A world of birds by the water

The reserve's chief asset is its birds: more than 100 species breed here, and in total over half of all bird species recorded in Poland have been noted. Terns circle above the islets, bitterns and bearded reedlings hide in the reeds, and in spring the ferruginous ducks hold their courtship displays. Two viewing towers serve observers — one over Salm Duży pond, the other in a wilder corner by Babiczok Północny. Binoculars are worth bringing: white-tailed eagles, black storks and black-necked grebes appear here regularly.

The Sobieski Oak and traces of history

The red Polish Hussars Trail runs through the reserve. In 1683 Jan III Sobieski passed this way on his march to Vienna and is said to have planted several oaks. The most impressive of them, the Sobieski Oak, is about 400 years old, 33 m tall and 850 cm in girth. Floating fern and water caltrop — plants rare on a national scale — also grow here.

Practical information

Entry is free and there is a car park on Rybacka Street in Babice. Most of the paths are suitable for pushchairs and bicycles, and the birds are most active in spring and early in the morning.