The best locations for birdwatching in Maremma Toscana

Maremma Tuscany… land of wine and olive oil
5 Marzo 2017
Bees in Maremma Tuscany
18 Aprile 2016
The Maremma is one area of great interest at European level for bird watching and this is becoming, also in our country, an increasingly practiced activity.
The term ‘birdwatching’, which literally means ‘bird observation’, allow us to be outdoors and to take long walks through unspoiled and still in their natural state areas.
I am passionate myself about this activity and I recommend it to anyone who loves nature.
Gruppo di fenicotteri, Laguna di Orbetello (Foto Nello Alberti)
With a camera or binoculars you can discover the animals, moving in silence or hiding in one of the observation huts, waiting for them to approach.
Besides the beauty of nature that gives us a unique habitat in which to spend quality time outdoor, this activity is a mean to relaxation and gives a particular sense of inner well-being to those who practice it. The silence is broken only by the sound of the wind and the call of animals; you feel enveloped by a sense of peace and tranquility.
 

 

Martin Pescatore, Laguna di Orbetello (Foto Nello Alberti)
On the coast, the most important protected area is the Maremma Regional Park, or Park of Monti dell’Uccellina. The vast wetlands, where there are large contingents of waterfowl, are included for the most part within a few nature reserves.
The Orbetello Lagoon, which lies along a significant migratory route, is one of the most important wintering sites for waterbirds in the Mediterranean. Here can be seen the flamingo, the golden plover, the crane, the spatula, the white-fronted goose, the stone curlew and the glossy ibis.
Spatole in perlustrazione, Laguna di Orbetello (Foto Nello Alberti)
Diaccia Botrona (Castiglione) was once an ancient lake, Lake Prile, already known and navigated by the Etruscans. Today it is a vast swamp of about 1,300 hectares. The number of birds that spend the winter here has increased significantly in recent years and includes the wild goose, the common crane, the hen harrier, the lesser black-backed gull (Larus Fuscus) and the yellow wagtail.
Egretta Garzetta, Laguna di Orbetello (Foto Nello Alberti)
The Lake of Burano (Capalbio), which is also the wreck of an ancient lake, is connected to the sea through a channel partially artificial, which is used according to the needs of management to regulate the flow of water. The lake has an area of 140 hectares.
The reserve is home not only resident species, it is also an important stopover and wintering location for many types of birds, among which are observed: the mallard, the teal, the garganey, the wigeon, the coot, the wild goose, the great white heron and the marsh harrier.
 
Moriglione, Oasi WWF Lago di Burano (Foto Nello Alberti)
 
Away from the coast, the area between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Amiata’s mountains contains a characteristic landscape of woods, fields and pastures. These areas provide shelter to important species of raptors such as the lanner falcon, the merlin, the montagu’s harrier, the hen harrier and the red-footed falcon. Recently, it has also been reintroduced the red kite.
Albanella minore con grillo, tra Manciano e Pitigliano (Foto Nello Alberti)
 
In the area of Roccalbegna / Semproniano we find the Forest of Rocconi and the oasis affiliated Capra Matilda. There you will find spectacular canyons and explore rich forests of trees of enormous size. Here nests the rare Lanner Falcon.
The Monte Amiata’s Wildlife Park covers 120 hectares and is defined by technicians ‘Wild Park’, on the German model. It inhabits chamois, fallow deer, mouflon, roe and deer; it can be spotted also the Apennine wolf.
Gheppio femmina, Oasi WWF Lago di Burano (Foto Nello Alberti)

Near Monterotondo Marittimo’s center there is the Biancane’s Park, peculiar geothermal park, where you can observe special happenings, including the fumaroles. More than two-thirds of the territory of the park is covered by forests populated by numerous species of diurnal and nocturnal raptors, and also by deers and wild boars.

 
Fonti:
it.wikipedia.org
www.parks.it
www.maremmariservadinatura.it