Snowchange Logo

Beka nature reserve's short description

The OTOP BirdLife Poland -managed reserve at the former mouth of the Reda River is a unique coastal site shaped by centuries of meadow and pasture farming and natural saltwater influence. Established in 1988 and expanded in 2018 to include marine waters of the Bay of Puck, it is the only reserve in the country with such protection. It features rare coastal salt meadows, Molinia meadows, and fen mires, supporting over 200 bird species, rare plants, insects, amphibians, and fish. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining open coastal meadows through mowing and grazing, as well as ongoing monitoring of birds, habitats, water conditions, and biodiversity.

1988

1999

2018

2019

2025

▼ History of the site

History of the site

The Beka nature reserve was established in 1988. Its name comes from the name of a settlement that until the 1960s functioned in the former mouth of the Reda River into the Bay of Puck. The area of today's reserve was farmed as meadows and pastures for more than 200 years. This, apart from saltwater intrusion, is one of the factors determining the value of the area. Conservation measures have been implemented since 1999 by OTOP BirdLife Poland. In 2018, the reserve area was extended to include a strip of the coastal waters of the Bay of Puck (the only reserve in Poland that includes marine waters under protection).

General view of Beka Nature Reserve Photo credit: Andrzej Popielski

▼ Connectivity▲ Short Description

Connectivity

The reserve is situated in the estuarial section of the Reda river proglacial valley. The proglacial valley is surrounded to the north and south by moraine clumps. The bottom of the valley is lined with peats, and there are permanent grasslands, currently mainly hay meadows. Two rivers flow through the reserve - the Reda and the Zagórska Struga, whose estuaries have a natural, dynamic character. At the interface between meadows and the sea there is a narrow dune dike with pioneer vegetation.

Beka nature reserve is located on the shore of Puck Bay (Baltic Sea). In the belt where land and sea meet, there is a narrow dune bank with pioneer vegetation. Photo credit: Michał Barcz

▼ Characteristics of the site▲ History of the site

Characteristics of the site

Coastal salt meadows located on the coastal plain of the Kashubian Meander, influenced by the waters of the Bay of Puck and the waters of the Reda River. It includes a stretch of coastline that has retained the natural character of coastal processes. Most of the land is owned by the Municipality of Puck. Other owners include the Puck Powiat and private individuals. Since 1999 the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds has been taking care of the reserve as a loan of land.

photo by Michał Barcz

▼ Problem, threats▲ Connectivity

Problem, threats

The most important problem is tourism pressure, both in the terrestrial and marine parts. Climate change-induced destabilisation of meteorological conditions (periods of drought, intense rains during the breeding season) and the presence of invasive alien species pose a threat.

photo by Michał Barcz

▼ Species▲ Characteristics of the site

Species

As a result of saltwater intrusion, specific coastal saltmarsh meadows have formed here, which in Poland are concentrated only in a narrow coastal strip and in only three locations in the country, including the Bay of Puck. In addition, vanishing Molinia meadows and fen mires have been found here. As a result, a number of rare plant species associated with these communities, such as orchids and rare halophytes, occur here. Birds are the most abundant animal group, including both nesting species and seasonal migrants. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here. In addition, insects, including characteristic species from northern Europe, are a numerous and valuable group. The reserve is also an important refuge for amphibians and fish, including bi-environmental fish.

Salt meadows and birds are the greatest natural heritage of the Beka nature reserve. Photo credit: Barbara Drwal

▼ Restoration action▲ Problem, threats

Restoration action

More than two thirds of the terrestrial area of the reserve is covered by conservation measures. These include mowing meadows and grazing animals. The aim of these measures is to reduce the extent of secondary reed beds and maintain the open character of the coastal meadows.

Extensive grazing by the Konik horse in the Beka nature reserve serves to keep semi-natural habitats in good condition. The Konik horse is a Polish old breed of horse that is extremely resistant to difficult field and weather conditions. Photo credit: Barbara Drwal

▼ Monitoring▲ Species

Monitoring

The following surveys and monitoring are carried out within the boundaries of the reserve: - monitoring of selected breeding bird species; - monitoring of migrating plovers; - botanical monitoring, covering all protected habitats; - water relations monitoring. In addition, insects, especially pollinators, amphibians and terrestrial predatory mammals are included in the inventory surveys. Other surveys include the occurrence of meiobenthos or antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.

photo by Jarosław Wrosz

▼ People▲ Restoration action

People

Head of the Beka nature reserve

dr Mariusz Miotke

▼ Materials about the Beka nature reserve▲ Monitoring

Materials about the Beka nature reserve

Here you will find webinars, podcasts, and videos in Polish about the work carried out by OTOP BirdLife Poland in the reserve.

Videos

OTOP's Nature Observer's Guide. Beka Nature Reserve [PL]

Bird Radio OTOP | Episode 18. Mariusz Miotke talks about what the Beka reserve means for the natural world [PL]

Bird Radio OTOP | episode 4 | Andrzej Kośmicki and Mariusz Miotke on bird monitoring and the lapwing [PL]

How to be a guest in the Beka nature reserve? [PL]

Bird Radio OTOP | episode 6 | B. Błaszkowska and M. Machnikowski about Beka's plants, M. Miotke about horses [PL]

Bird Treasures of the Beka Reserve | Webinar [PL]

Beka Nature Reserve – a halophyte-friendly land [PL]

Bird Radio OTOP episode 7 | Sabina Buczyńska and Szymon Bzoma about shelduck, common mergansers and Pucyfik! [PL]

▼ Photos from Beka nature reserve▲ People
View

Photos from Beka nature reserve

photos by Michał Barcz, Barbara Drwal, Andrzej Popielski.
◀
▶
▼ Home Page▲ Materials about the Beka nature reserve

Home Page

Beka nature reserve was established by order of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of November 17, 1988, to preserve moist salt meadows, also known as brackish marshes, and rare communities of sedge fens, as well as the rich breeding and migratory birdlife associated with these habitats. Since 1999, as OTOP BirdLife Poland, we have been managing this reserve in cooperation with the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Gdańsk. More information and the latest news can be found at reserve's home website.
▼ Partners▲ Photos from Beka nature reserve

Partners

Nature-based solutions in open wetlands restoration for biodiversity, water quality improvement and climate mitigation) // 1.10.2024 – 30.09.2025

OTOP BirdLife Poland

Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group

Snowchange Cooperative

Nordic Council of Ministers

▲ Home Page

Rewilding the boreal helps bird and other animal populations, supports the East Atlantic Flyway and combats climate change in the North through peatland restoration

Built by Nolwenture

Hosted by Bittiguru