The Marsh

Following the decrease in water level of the lake due to the construction of the outflowing stream, a marsh formed in the northernmost area of the basin (called "zona delle pantanacce"). The marsh is surrounded by vast grazing lands, partly swampy, where a once flourishing zootechinc industry has notably diminished after the extensive cultivation of hazel trees. In this area, the strip of reed-bed that spans along the entire perimeter of the lake, with the exception of some stretches, covers a remarkable surface, while on the immediately rearward bank we find one of the largest rush-beds of the region. The naturalistic importance of this area of the lake, which shelters an extremely rich fauna, accounts for its conversion to Riserva integrale.

As a matter of fact, the marsh represents an ideal site for the resting, wintering and nidification of a wide variety of birds. The free parts of shallow water between the reed-bed and the bank, as well as the surrounding swampy lands, represent the domain of various species of ducks and provide shelter to the mallard during its nidification; recently, even the gadwall started to nidify in this area. The thick reed-bed constitutes a perfect site for the nidification of the great crested grebe (symbol of the Natural Reserve). With a bit of luck, it is possible to admire its typical "dance" that precedes the mating, with its figures and twirls that finish with the offer of a "bridal gift", usually a wisp of algae. A typical reed-bed dweller is the great reed warbler that, during the mating season, sings a harsh and long song to mark its territory in the midst of the reed; among the herons we find the little bittern and the squacco heron. Two extremely common species are the coot and the common moorhen.

With regard to the birds of prey, in this area of the lake there is a species that is peculiar to the marsh and extremely rare in Italy: the marsh harrier, which frequents the Reserve in wintertime and preys on the waterfowl with its silent volplane. The bed of rushes and the swampy lands provide shelter to a large number of wading birds as the common snipe, the turnstone, the black-tailed godwit, the common redshank, the greenshank and the Northern lapwing.