Pískovna Erika, Sand pit conservation area in Lomnice, Czech Republic.

Pískovna Erika is an abandoned sand pit about 1.5 km west of Lomnice in the Sokolov district. Its walls expose a roughly 40-metre-thick profile of the Starosedelské souvrství formation, with kaolinitic clays, sands, sandstones, gravels and conglomerates. Small water pools have formed on the pit floor.

The area first received protected status in 2004 and was designated a national natural monument by the Ministry of Environment in 2018. These designations reflected growing recognition of its ecological value.

The sand pit attracts nature enthusiasts who come to watch dragonflies and sand martins that use the excavation as their home. The steep walls provide perfect nesting spots for these birds, drawing visitors interested in observing wildlife in its natural setting.

Wear sturdy shoes when exploring the site, as paths around the pit can be uneven and walls are steep. The best time to observe dragonflies and nesting birds is during warmer months when wildlife is most active.

The reserve's protection targets the great crested newt, but the sand pit also hosts 26 confirmed dragonfly species, including the critically endangered Sympecma paedisca and Leucorrhinia pectoralis. Since 2009, bog clubmoss and round-leaved sundew have spread around the pools, with sundew cover exceeding 80% in places.