Circeo wetlands nature and wildlife.

After few hundred yards of walking along canal paths the Circeo wetlands reveal their inner natural beauty next to the lagoons’ banks, animated by large and small birds alike. A short birding session will impress for the variety and within minutes may show even rare or uncommon bird species all hunting, resting, mating, singing, or looking for food. Then, a silent approach along the smooth and dark surface of lagoons, to see them crowded with dozens of different species of ducks and cormorants that dive in to catch the fishes with their fast beaks.

Many northern birds stop in these lagoons to spend the winter while some others only to take a rest during journey migration. Here, in fact, over 50% of the species present in Europe have been detected in this area alone. For this reason, the entire area was inserted into the International Convention of Ramsar for the protection of precious humid areas arould the world. On the some banks of the lakes and of the canals, amid the swampy canes, reeds, and willows, we take a glimpse of the outline of the water buffaloes grazing peacefully and undisturbed, a familiar presences in the Pontine landscapes.

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park

The low depth of the lakes’ waters encourages the growth of algae and water plants, but the real splendor of the lakes are the water birds: over 250 different species populate the humid Zones. The Circeo wetlands are a paradise for the passionate of bird-watching, who are many and arrive with their binoculars and cameras for the great number of spectacular birds migrating or nesting here. In the Circeo wetlands wildlife can be observed:

like before Mussolini turned the hosepipe to drain the larger wetlands. The wetlands offer suggestive scenarios, evocative of a past wilderness that must have been wild and untouched for centuries before the land reclamation works under Mussolini fascist era. A pause on the bridge that crosses the Paolaa's Lake will allow travelers to enjoy the evocative view the Circeo promontory. Mammals:

* European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
* Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
* Badger (Meles meles)
* crested porcupines (Hystrix cristata)
* European Brown hare (lepus europeus)
* Western Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
* Common Vole (Microtus arvalis)
* Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius)
* Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park