Nowiny: Nature Trails and Local History

Nowiny is the endpoint of the “Stańków” nature trail and the setting for a local history that stretches from the 19th century to the present day. The nature trails and historical sites offer different starting points for planning your trip: the Stańków trail passes through forests and by historic forestry buildings, while the focus at Bagno Serebryskie is on peat bog, birdwatching, and butterflies.

The “Stańków” Nature Trail

The “Stańków” nature trail begins at the Stańków Reservoir and runs through the forests of the Chełm Forest District to Nowiny. It lies in the southeastern part of Chełmski Landscape Park. Along the way, the route passes historic foresters’ houses, huts, and a former seed extraction facility. In this way, the route description combines forest and buildings from the history of forestry before the trail ends in Nowiny.

There is also a shorter version of the trail, approximately 2 km long. This distance makes it easier to choose a route that fits your preferred length. The information about the starting point, destination, and historic buildings along the way describes other aspects of the route; these should be distinguished from the length of the shorter version.

If you are equally interested in nature and history, the Stańków trail offers both in its route description: a course through the forests of the Forest District and historic foresters’ houses, huts, and the former seed extraction facility. By contrast, the Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve is the main destination for viewing birds and butterflies. You can choose based on whether you are more interested in a route with historic sites or observing habitats.

Birdwatching at Bagno Serebryskie

Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve is a 376.62-hectare peat bog reserve. Two observation towers have been built along the nature trail there. Limestone rocks mark stopping points suitable for observing birds in the reserve. The towers and marked stops are practical landmarks for anyone particularly interested in birdlife during a visit to nature.

Bagno Serebryskie is considered an important habitat for about 150 bird species and around 300 butterfly species. The birds found there include the globally endangered Aquatic Warbler and the likewise globally endangered Corncrake. The area is also important for rare butterfly species: it is considered a unique habitat in Poland. The approximate species counts convey the diversity of the reserve; the two bird species named also illustrate why wildlife observation is a particular focus here.

History of Nowiny

The local history can be placed in context through various dates. In 1827, Nowiny was a folwark within the Uher estates. In the 19th century, the village developed into a German colony. These details describe different aspects of its historical development: first its affiliation with the Uher estates, and later its development as a colony.

Another chapter began in 1935. That year, the Dominican Stanisław Szalast founded a home in Nowiny for single and sick men. It was under the patronage of Saint Paschal; today, it is a Dom Pomocy Społecznej (social welfare home). The historical founding, its purpose at the time, and its current function should be clearly distinguished. Together with traces of forestry history along the Stańków trail, they complement the nature theme with specific sites from the village’s history.

For the broader travel overview: Stańków.