Alviano natural reserve - Italy

Alviano natural reserve

The area is an important station of food supply for rare birds as cranes, wild geese or fish hawks. To enjoy the sight of these birds you must be lucky; you should happen to be here the days they have decided, during their migration, to stop at the Oasis of Alviano which now has been made expressly for them.
Part of the Oasis has been made for people as well, to allow them to enjoy these spectacular events. The entrance to the protected area is at Madonna del Porto, in the Commune of Guardea, along the Alviano Scalo-Baschi road. From here two nature trails start, totalling four kilometres. They are fitted up with hides for birdwatching, turrets, gangways and even an open air class-room, right in the middle of the marsh.
On one of these trails you can stay for the whole day. Hidden inside the hides, you can enjoy unforgettable experiences, as if in the very middle of a splendid documentary. A few people may think impossible all this can happen a few kilometres far from Rome.
If you're a good photographer, with a telephoto lens not that powerful, you can take extraordinary pictures.
The WWF staff, in charge of the area, are always at your disposal to make your fruition the most enjoyable. Providing you woudn't be of any disturb. For this reason they are ready to accompany the less expert to make them pick up events or particulars which might be missed.
The birds of the marsh are there all year long, but the best periods are those of the maximum availability of food.
In autumn and winter it's possible to watch large flocks of coots and wild ducks because these birds feed on the plants that have multiplied during the summer.
During the months of October and November it's not difficult to see stretches of water swarming with birds. In the whole area up to 7,000 of them can be counted.

Alviano natural reserve: map