Have you ever seen a pond that’s a relic of the past? It’s called Moczydło 2, a little piece of nature that’s hanging on in the midst of modern Warsaw. This pond, also known as the Rzekotkowy Staw, lies in the Ursynów district, nestled amongst the streets and near the Kabacki Forest. It’s a small, glacial lake, a remnant of the last Ice Age.
Moczydło 2 is part of a trio of ponds known as the Stawy na Moczydle, and it’s connected to the system of drainage canals in the area. It gets its water from surface runoff, groundwater, and a drainage network. The water flows from Moczydło 2 to Moczydło 1, which is part of the Grabowiec Canal’s drainage basin. The small pond is a testament to the area’s natural history. It’s a tiny oasis, a tranquil escape in a bustling metropolis.
Before the pond was renovated in 2008, several frog species resided here, including the protected European tree frog. Sadly, despite the work on the pond, the renovation had negative effects on the ecosystem. The Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Warsaw deemed the project harmful to the natural environment due to the destruction of the frog habitat.
Today, the pond is a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and nature preservation. It is a part of the Warsaw Protected Landscape Area, which spans much of the city. There are ongoing restoration efforts to bring back the natural biodiversity that was lost with the renovation. Conservationists hope that the pond will once again become a haven for native amphibians.