Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve

Tuscany > Italy

Nature Reserve that extends for over 1000 hectares and one of the most important wetlands in Italy. More than 200 bird species have been seen here.

Added* by Beate Juhl
Most recent update 16 October 2020

Description

The Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve is a wetland that is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 200 known species of birds that pass through over the course of the year, 80 of which are breeding here. Amongst the most important, there are Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Osprey, European Honey-buzzard, Little Egret, Squacco Heron, Black-tailed Godwit, Purple Heron, Great Bittern, Greater Flamingo, European Roller and Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Details

Access

After arriving at Castiglione along the provincial road SP 158 the Collacchie, you must reach the Giorgini bridge, turn right driving until the Ximenes House. You can also reach the Daccia Botrona from the provincial road Castiglionese towards Castiglione della Pescaia until Ponti di Badia; here you must turn left, and drive along a small road until you reach the Daccia Botrona Nature Reserve. Click on the P in the map to get directioms.

The Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve is accessible on foot with a circular route of 14 km (see the map) or you can just explore the area around the visitor center.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Reedbeds

Conditions

Open landscape , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration , Spring

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

The nature reserve was created after the drainage of the old Lake Prile or Preglio, that took up this flat area. The lake was drained almost completely during the huge drainage works ordered by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany during the 18th century to defeat malaria. Today Diaccia Botrona is an important wetland, a marshy area of land with unique characteristics of international importance. As a matter of fact, many species of plants and animals can be found here. The access to the protected area is free and with a good telescope and a pair of Wellingtons you can observe different species of birds, such as hawks, herons, wild geese and ducks, but even various mammals such as foxes, badgers, hedgehogs and porcupines, or reptiles such as tortoises, tree frogs and grass snakes.

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