Dávod Földvár Lake Nature Reserve
The Földvár Lake is a naturally cut-off river side-arm (now oxbow) at Dávod village on Mohács Island, which has been a stagnant water body since the 18th century. It got its name (“földvár” meaning earth fortress) from an ancient earth fortress once standing on Földvár hill east of it, whose remains are still recoverable.
Földvár Lake was used as a fish pond in the last century, but its extensive utilisation as such has not significantly altered its natural characteristics. Bordered by reed walls that widen in some places and go narrow in others, the lake and its surroundings provide a rich aquatic habitat for water wildlife.
More than 100 protected bird species nest in the area, and many species use it as a feeding, migratory and resting area. Even rarities do occur here such as the ferruginous duck, the greylag goose (the only nesting goose species in Hungary), the black stork, the raven, the white-tailed eagle and the black kite. Occasionally, saker falcons can also be observed. In the small bays with reed and cattail, almost each of the heron species occurring in Hungary breed, but also the great crested grebe, the common moorhen, and several reed-dwelling songbirds nest here e.g. the rare bluethroat and the moustached warbler. In marshy areas water rail and little crake, somewhat further lapwing and common redshank live.
The lake is also a favourable habitat for our strictly protected mammal species, the otter. Among protected plant species, water chestnut, and white water lily, the latter easily spotted by its conspicuous flower, occur here.
Declared to be protected: 19/2000. (VII.24.) KöM r.
Size of the protected area: 74.3 ha