In the Jeleniogórskie Voivodeship, plans are under way to establish four new nature reserves. One of them will be the picturesque valley of the Kwisa River, along the stretch from Ławszowa to Świętoszów (formerly the headquarters of a Soviet garrison, today an area designated for the needs of the Polish Armed Forces).
The river valley is distinguished by its exceptional natural value. It is home to many species of rarely encountered birds: the goosander, common goldeneye, common sandpiper, white-throated dipper and grey wagtail. Alongside the birdlife, the fish fauna is also a true treasure, including the fish species inhabiting the Kwisa: trout, grayling, barbel, European bullhead and brook lamprey. It is worth recalling on this occasion that in the old days the river’s clean waters also contained no shortage of freshwater pearl mussels—mussels that produce natural pearls. Near Bolesławiec, beyond the village of Dobra, in spring one can find the protected shrub Daphne mezereum, with an intoxicating scent and beautiful heather-coloured flowers. So far, mushroom pickers—of whom there is no shortage here—have not managed to destroy these rare and beautiful specimens of flora. Perhaps this is because they bloom in early spring, when few people walk through the forest...