• Friuli-Venezia Giulia

• Regional Nature Reserves

• Coasts and Islands - Rivers and Lakes

The Nature Reserve

The area is equipped with buildings dedicated to didactic tours and to the observation of the environment. Moreover, it is possible to visit the whole Nature Reserve by following various pedestrian routes.
Of particular importance the Marinetta Observatory developing on three floors and dominating the area of the so-called "Ripristino" (recovery), enabling also large groups to observe the pond environment both underwater and in the broader context of the Gulf of Trieste, enjoying a panorama reaching Istria, the Karst, and the Alps. From this observation point it is easy to admire wild birds and various species alternating according to the seasons.
Thanks to recovery of the site natural features and the control of human impact, thousands of Ducks (in November often over 20 – 25,000 specimens of various species) spend the winter here, while in the other seasons the area is populated by various species of wading birds.
Moreover, the noisy Greyleg Geese have been successfully reintroduced as nesting species in the region. The particular geographical position of the site has given the opportunity to observe some very rare species or new species for Italy, like for example the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca); the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla), Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae), the Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), the Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola), the Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola), the Radde's Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi), the Pallas's Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus), and the Hume's Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus humei). Many of these species have been recognized thanks to the presence of a bird-ringing station and seizure for the study of migrations.
Moreover, with a bit of luck and especially at the sunset, it is often possible to sight some specimens of Roe Deer (for an estimated population of 60 - 100 heads in the Nature Reserve), the Fox, or the nocturnal and shy Polecat.

The River Mouth

When you reach the end of the river embankment, you can admire the imposing sandy-gravelly bank running out into the open sea like a semi-circle.
This environment, continuously changing for the constant deposit of sediments and for the waves shaping it, is scattered with slightly outcropping holms representing dormitories for thousands of birds, and can also be observed from the west, going ahead after Fossalon towards a fishermen village situated in loc. "Caneo", in the Municipality of Grado.
Besides the several seagulls (including the typical Mediterranean Gull), it is possible to observe the Cormorant, the Nordic Common Eider, the acrobatic Sandwich Tern and, if you are lucky (and have good binoculars), the wonderful and multicolored Oystercatcher, as well as many other species.

The Woodlands

Towards the east, on a short sandy stretch probably representing the remains of an ancient coastline, there is a small woodland dominated by big specimens of White Poplars. In this area it is possible to carry out interesting tours on foot or by bike, for instance following the stretch of "Rivalunga", where on the one side you can admire Panzano Bay and on the other side a big pinewood.
Further characteristic woodlands can be admired following the river towards the north, where wide areas are dominated by poplars, willows, and a few Pedunculate oaks.
Near Brancolo channel, draining most of the spring water of the area, there is a small woody stretch called "Bosc Grand", recently enlarged and recovered, representing the rests of the easternmost stretch of the ancient "Silva lupanica" (the wolves forest) that in ancient times used to cover most of the Po Plain.