The itinerary is divided into three stops.
The first starts from Stazione di Pesca Foce and follows the banks of the river, which can be explored on foot or by bike, leading towards Valle Zavelea or in the direction of Comacchio Saltworks, passing through picturesque landscapes teeming with life. The second section is dedicated to Salina di Comacchio, an area of great environmental value, where you can admire water landscapes and silent spaces shaped by the wind and salt. The itinerary ends at Penisola di Boscoforte, a narrow strip of land about six kilometers long that extends into the southern lagoons, offering an immersive experience in unspoiled nature.
Birdwatching in the oases
An itinerary to discover the birdlife of the Po Delta
Starting from
Comacchio
Duration
3 days
Transport methods
A three-day itinerary dedicated to birdwatching lovers
Birdlife is the soul of the Delta, its most authentic voice, capable of thrilling and intriguing those who approach it with an attentive and respectful gaze. Rivers, freshwater and brackish lagoons, wooded floodplains, dunes, beaches, and pine forests make the Po Delta an extraordinary example of biodiversity: a large natural laboratory in which water has been the absolute protagonist for centuries. It is in this unique environment that almost 350 species of birds find refuge along their migratory routes. This three-day itinerary, dedicated to birdwatchers and nature lovers, invites you to explore the different faces of the Delta on foot or by bicycle, following the slow rhythms of a landscape that changes with every glance. Three stops each day trace the evolution of this territory: from the brackish lagoons of Comacchio to the freshwater lagoons and on to the wooded and Delta environments where the river meets the sea. A slow and evocative journey for those who want to observe, listen, and let themselves be guided by the beating wings of the Po Delta.
Day 1 - Comacchio Lagoons
In the heart of the Po Delta Park, Valli di Comacchio are one of the most important wetlands in Europe, a true paradise for birdwatchers.
Step 1
Valli di Comacchio
The jewel in the crown of the Valli di Comacchio is the pink flamingo, now a permanent resident and nesting bird. Along the embankments that lead from Stazione Foce to Valle Zavelea and the salt pans, species such as spoonbills, black-winged stilts, avocets, Kentish plovers, little terns, and common terns can be observed in spring. In winter, black-tailed godwits, common redshank, common goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, and the rare marsh harrier arrive.
Day 2 - The freshwater lagoons
A day dedicated to the last remaining freshwater lagoons in the Province of Ferrara
The itinerary is divided into three stops and crosses the freshwater lagoons of the Po Delta, rare and precious environments in the Po Valley. The first section starts from the Oasis of Valle Santa and Campotto, the second winds through the Anse Vallive di Porto and Bacino di Bando, while the third ends at Vallette di Ostellato, where water and vegetation merge in perfect natural balance. A route to be enjoyed on foot or by bicycle, following the slow rhythm of the fresh waters and the tranquility of the Delta's landscapes.
Step 1
Oasi Valle Santa and Oasi Val Campotto
The area is home to one of the largest colonies of cormorants in Italy and numerous nesting species such as the whiskered tern, squacco heron, and great reed warbler. Among the migratory birds, the osprey stands out. In Valle Santa, depending on the season, you can see terns, herons, and bitterns; while greylag geese, cranes, and small aquatic passerines can be seen in the countryside and reed beds.
Day 3 - From the Woods to the Lagoon: birdwatching between Mesola, Goro and Canneviè
From the Woods to the Lagoon is a birdwatching itinerary that crosses some of the most evocative environments of the Po Delta.
The itinerary is divided into three stops and leads to the discovery of some of the most fascinating environments of the Po Delta, where land, water, and sky merge into a single landscape. From Sacca di Goro the route continues through Bosco della Mesola, an ancient coastal forest, to Oasi di Canneviè
Step 1
Sacca di Goro
Also known as the “island of sandpipers”, the area is home to thousands of wintering waders such as the eurasian curlew, turnstone, and dunlin. Among the most characteristic species are the purple heron, common tern, avocet, black-winged stilt, greylag goose, white stork, and marsh harrier, which inhabit the waters and wet meadows throughout the year.
