Golden peak | Countryside the region

Sitemap > Index > Countryside the region

Countryside the region

Countryside around the region of Zlatý vrch

Welcome to the region of the Voluntary Association of Villages Zlatý vrch (member villages Dobev, Drahonice, Heřmaň, Kestřany, Putim, Ražice, Skály and their neighbourhoods).
The region spreads in the southern part of Písek region and it partly stretches to the region of Strakonice around the highest point in the neighbourhood of Zlatá hora with the altitude of 461 metres above the sea level. The countryside is mildly rolling with flat basins as well as higher hills.
And a look at the countryside or in a map will reveal that you find yourselves in a region of water – running as well as dead water. It is in this region where the Blanice River joins the Otava River and you will find a stream or a pond, however small they may be, at almost any place where you set your foot.
Water affects the formation of countryside as well as plant and animal communities. Wide grassy wolds along the rivers, marshes around their blind branches, meadows, groves and mainly ponds.

Let us take Bird Preserve NATURA 2000 of the Řežabinec pond as an example. The pond is one of the most important ornithological habitats in Bohemia. Protected bird species, such as the little bittern, find their nesting places on a regular basis here and the most numerous rookery in South Bohemia (5,000 pairs) of the sea mew is found here too.
Hundreds of waterfowl of many species stop here on their spring and autumn flights. A preserve was established here as early as 1949 and, in 2004, the Bird Territory was found as part of the European system of protected areas called NATURA 2000.
As part of a bird-ringing event called “Acrocephalus”, whose 31st year took place in summer 2008, the 25,000th bird was caught – it was the sedge warbler – and one of the most beautiful birds that can be spotted here, the bluethroat, lost its lead by one place only.
Eleven species of amphibians live in the area of Řežabinecké Pools. There are 20 species in the Czech Republic. Caudate amphibians in the wolds include two newt species. The remaining nine species are frogs – the green frog, the grass frog etc. Whereas amphibians can be found predominantly in the wold areas, reptiles – lizards and the ring snake – live on the entire area of the preserve.
Vast growths of near-shore reeds host numerous species of beetles and also some representatives of dipterous insects. A nature trail, with seven stops, leads along almost the whole embankment of the pond, and there is also the natural monument of Ražický Pond that is located to the right of am access road leading from the regional city of Písek.
Abundance of colourful butterflies can be seen in the surrounding meadows during the spring, summer and autumn. The photograph shows just one lucent example – the swallowtail.
Skalský Pond – one of the ponds that are built on streams in numerous cascades in the east part of the village association – boasts of a magnificent embankment and various species of herbs grow in the surroundings. Three species of protected plants grow just below the main embankment: the very rare tufted loose-strife and two endangered species – a specific kind of the orchid and the water violet. A much endangered bird species – the golden oriole - nests here and a frog species – the fire-bellied toad – has found its haven here. Another much endangered species – marsh harrier – nests in the sedge marsh near the south-west corner of the pond. It is one of the total of twelve bird species living in this area.
Klokočínské Meadows, which are another protected area included in the system of NATURA 2000 and spearing across about 30 hectares, are located nearby.
The surface of Podkostlení Pond in Putim, where one can find peace for the mind, the eye as well as the stomach thanks to autumn pond fishing, hosts swans, coots, grebes, ducks and perhaps a painter with his canvases trying to depict the pond in its full beauty. The place is said to offer the best view of the village of Putim.
And speaking about delights, another opportunity to watch wildlife in the countryside of the region can be found at Stašov Pond near Dobev. The pond adds summer swimming to pleasant activities in the region.
The countryside is defined by the flows and confluence of two rivers and it is interwoven with streams and streamlets. Beautiful vast water surfaces of ponds in which the surrounding countryside reflects on sunny days are rich with flora and fauna. The most important ponds include Dobevský, Novokestřanský, Velký Potočný, Podvesný Skalský, Tvrzský, Humňanský and many others. Their embankments invite for a walk.
The countryside is suitably completed by coniferous as well as mixed forests with spruces, oaks, beeches, lindens and, at some points, firs. If the weather allows, the forests and pond embankments become a paradise for mushroom pickers.
Individual human settlements are connected by, apart from main roads, extremely weaving field roads along which tree and bush alleys return. They are so typical for the local countryside and they are formed with maples, lindens, oaks and other species where birds and small animals, including many insect species, can be seen.
These are not all the riches that can be found here with a little bit of luck. The earth literally hides gold that was mined here and the precious metal can still be found in the form of little grains in the rivers. The Otava River – even though meadows full of grasses can be found along it, its name does not have anything in common the second hay crop. It is most likely of Celtic origin and the name may have been “Atava” that means “the rich river”. Its sandy deposits also contain tiny grains of rubies and sapphires. Treasures can be found in the Blanice River whose low part runs through an entirely open countryside towards its confluence with the Otava. The Blanice joins the Otava from the right near Putim in the altitude of 362 metres above the sea level. Apart from the above-mentioned gold, the rare pearl oyster can be found in the river