Rezerwat Nietoperek

Nietoperek - a faunal nature reserve in Lubuskie Province, in the municipalities of Międzyrzecz and Lubrza. It is located between the villages Nietoperek, Wysoka, Kęszyca and Boryszyn. In its present form it was created in 2002 by joining Nietoperek and Nietoperek II reserves.

The area of the reserve is 50.77 ha, of which 5.77 ha are under strict protection and 45.00 ha are under active protection.

The purpose of protection is to preserve the wintering and breeding grounds of a multi-species colony of bats for scientific and didactic reasons.

The reserve comprises a fragment of the remains of the underground fortifications of the former Międzyrzecze Fortified Region, which includes a labyrinth of underground corridors of reinforced concrete construction, located 35-50 m below the surface. Every winter more than 30 thousand individuals belonging to 12 species hibernate here. It is the largest bat wintering site in Central Europe, and the largest Polish wintering site for big, little, and Bechstein bats. The temperature in the corridors is stable and is about 9° C all year round. The fortifications are most important as a winter shelter, but bats use them throughout the year.

The reserve is a fragment of the Natura 2000 habitat area - Nietoperek PLH080003 with the surface of 7377,4 ha.

The area of the reserve is partly owned by the State Treasury and partly communally owned by the Międzyrzecz and Lubrza Communes.