Dolnośląskie·Poland
Photo: Flyrecord · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Milicz Ponds in the Barycz Valley were dug by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages and now form the largest carp-pond complex in Europe, a wetland mosaic that draws herons, white-tailed eagles, grebes and huge autumn gatherings of cranes and geese. It is the best birding in western Poland.
In season: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · Peak: Apr, Oct
Easy walking and cycling on dykes between the ponds, with observation towers over the main complexes at Ruda Sułowska. Spring brings breeding birds and song; autumn brings the crane roosts and drained ponds full of feeding waders.
Europe's largest carp ponds, 280 bird species
Observation towers over the main pond complex
Crane roosts in autumn, thousands at dusk
Base in Milicz and pick up a map of the pond trails. Climb the Ruda Sułowska towers at dawn, and in October head for the Niezgoda reserve at dusk for the cranes.
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