Josefov Meadows Bird Reserve

The Josefov Meadows Bird Reserve (Czech: Ptačí park Josefovské louky) is a nature reserve located next to Josefov Fortress near Jaroměř in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. Established in 2008, this privately owned yet publicly accessible area is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of wet meadow ecosystems. The reserve is administered and developed by the Czech Society for Ornithology, with the primary objective of creating a thriving habitat for birds, as well as other fauna and flora that are characteristic of wetlands.

Restoration and Management

The Czech Society for Ornithology initiated the restoration of the wet meadows by acquiring land adjacent to the river Metuje. Their efforts focus on recreating the original appearance and ecological function of a floodplain. Through public donations and sponsorships, the Society has managed to purchase and repair a century-old irrigation system. This system is crucial for maintaining a higher groundwater level and is operated twice yearly to simulate natural spring and autumn flooding, which is vital for the wetland's health.

The management of the area considers both the needs of wild animals and the experience of visitors. Consequently, maintained paths, a bird feeder, and observatory towers have been established. The Society is actively involved in creating ponds and managing aggressively growing plants. Grass cutting is timed to occur only after nesting birds have had sufficient time to hatch their young, ensuring minimal disturbance to breeding populations.

Biodiversity and Wildlife

The restoration efforts have led to a noticeable increase in biodiversity, with many species, including rare and endemic ones, returning to the area. A census conducted in 2017 recorded high numbers of 25 species of dragonflies, including endangered and rare varieties, as well as 217 species of beetles and hundreds of amphibians. Over the first ten years of the reserve's existence, 166 bird species have been observed, with more than ten species establishing nests, including the northern lapwing, common snipe, water rail, spotted crake, and little crake. The presence of Eurasian beavers has also contributed to the return of species like the short-eared owl, common crane, northern shoveler, and garganey, which have been observed attempting to nest.

Among the amphibians, frogs and newts have returned, and new species such as the European green toad and European fire-bellied toad have appeared. The 25 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) documented are indicative of the improving quality of the protected ecosystem. Rare species like the southern emerald damselfly and yellow-winged darter, which depend on wet meadow environments, are notable findings. The number of beetle species is estimated to be twice the counted number, including the great silver water beetle, with five listed as endangered and six as specially protected.

Conservation Grazing

In January 2018, the reserve introduced five young Exmoor stallions on loan from Česká krajina o.p.s. from Milovice Nature Reserve. These stallions play a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of the wet meadows through grazing. Their activity creates a varied environment with diverse vegetation cover, which is ideal for birds, providing them with hiding places in taller grasses and access to food in grazed areas. Furthermore, as the wild horses are not chemically dewormed, their manure attracts numerous insect species, offering an additional food source for local birds.