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Geloi Wetland

Sicilia  >  Italy

Geloi is the third migration route of Sicily. It’s a fundamental stop-over site for migratory birds, who find shelter, rest and food.

Added* by Manuel Andrea Zafarana
Most recent update 20 May 2020

Description

The Plain of Gela forms a sort of bottleneck along the Gela and Maroglio rivers and through this bottleneck passes a bird migration route. This route is internationally well-known and represents the third way of migration through Sicily, in which an average of 60,000 birds, belonging to 127 species (Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Ruff), pass in spring.

The Plain is one of the most important agricultural areas in Sicily; named after the city of Gela (an ancient Greek settlement), it was known as the ‘Granary of Rome’ for the abundance of its wheat crops. Today in Geloi, surrounded by farming activities ranging from wheat to artichokes and other vegetables, a small but important colony of Collared Pratincole struggles to survive white the few remaining natural wetland and marshes become a fundamental wintering site for water birds, such asEuropean Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing.

Geloi is also a perfect breeding site for Lesser Kestrel, European Roller e Stone-curlew, White Stork: in this area there are the most numerous populations of Italy.

Details

Access

It is possible to reach Geloi by taking the provincial roads SP35 and SP82 but be careful as they can be in disrepair, especially in winter!

Once you arrive at the "Casa Geloi" Visitor Centre, you can park your car and walk along the paths.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Plain , Steppe , Agriculture , Grassland

Conditions

Wet , Open landscape , Hilly

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Winter , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring , Winter

Route

Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

For more information about Geloi and the project please visit our website: www.geloi.eu.

Follow us on Instagram so you'll never miss an update: @geloi_wetland or https://www.instagram.com/geloi_wetland/

See Geloi biodiversity here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geloi-biodiversity-list

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Collared Pratincole
1. Collared Pratincole
(Glareola pratincola)
European Roller
2. European Roller
(Coracias garrulus)
Lesser Kestrel
3. Lesser Kestrel
(Falco naumanni)
Stone-curlew
4. Stone-curlew
(Burhinus oedicnemus)
White Stork
5. White Stork
(Ciconia ciconia)

Other birds you can see here

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