Mechelińskie Łąki Nature Reserve

Between Rewa and Mechelinki, right on the Bay of Puck, stretches a belt of wet meadows, reed beds and low dunes. This is the Mechelińskie Łąki reserve – more than 113 hectares protected since 2000 as a refuge for water and marsh birds. In summer sea holly flowers here, and in spring you can hear cranes and bitterns, even though Gdynia is only a dozen or so kilometres away.

What is protected

The reserve lies within the Coastal Landscape Park in the municipality of Kosakowo and covers 113.47 ha, with a buffer zone of almost 100 ha. It protects breeding sites of rare birds, reed and meadow communities, and halophytic habitats – areas with plants that tolerate salt. In the wetter part, birds such as crane, bittern, bearded reedling, spotted crake and marsh harrier nest. The reserve is also a stronghold for amphibians – most of Poland's species have been recorded here, including the rare natterjack toad.

The most valuable plants are sea holly – a blue-grey, spiny dune plant – and patches of glasswort.

A reserve under pressure

Terns, oystercatchers and plovers used to nest on the dunes and beaches, and even the dunlin, one of the last in Poland. Today there are no more nests on the beach. The decline was caused by the end of cattle grazing, unauthorised earthworks and above all uncontrolled visitor traffic trampling the plants. Walking between Rewa and Mechelinki is permitted along the beach only.

Tripto tip

The easiest approach is from the southern part of Rewa: walk along the shore towards Mechelinki, with the reserve on your landward side. One way is about 1.5–2 km. Do not leave the beach for the meadows or dunes, and keep dogs on a lead. Spring, when the birds are most active, and July–August, when the sea holly flowers, are the most rewarding times. Bring binoculars. In winter and after rain the beach can be narrow and wet. Combine the walk with a visit to the Rewa Spit.