Macchiatonda Regional Nature Reserve

The Macchiatonda Nature Reserve is located between the sea at Santa Marinella and the  Tolfa mountains, halfway between the splendide Castle of Santa Severa and Natural Oasis of Torre Flavia. The reserve extends for well 250 hectares of di boggy fields, freshwater and brackish ponds, sand dunes and a thick forest of elm and laurel trees after which the reserve  takes its name.

The reserve is divided in two areas respectively named area A and area B. Inside area A it is possible to find the habitat of greatest value: the small forest of elms and laurels after which the reserve takes its name ("Macchia tonda" in Italian means round forest) while area B is used for organic agricolture.

Inside the Macchiatonda Reserve it is really possibile to get in touch with an authentic natural ecosystem. The Lazio coastline, actually, was in the past characterised by boggy areas and brackish water basins, almost completely inexistent now. In the reserve it is possible to enjoy a charming wild beach and to experience an old landscape.

Many species of birds find here their ideal habitat and, because of that, the Macchiatonda Reserve is also often visited by birdwatching lovers. Here it is possibie to see, next to herons and little egret, a lot of kinds of ducks, flamingoes, cranes and greylag gooses. The swampy areas host, in addition, marsh harriers and other birds of prey.

Many species choose the reserve to spend the winter or to rest during spring and autumn, it is not difficult to attend to the wonderful show offered by the migration paths, like the bevys of mallards that fly in flocks.

Easy paths guide the itinerary inside the park, signed by arrows and provided with educational boards. Close to the artificial lakes there are also sighting towers from where it is possible to watch the birds and identifiy the different species, with help of the descriptive boards specifically displayed.

The Park's Visitors Center is located in the gorund floor of the building La Scogliera of the Castle of Santa Severa close to which is located the head office of the Reserve. It is made of different sections in which are displayed the fauna and flora finds of the reserve's different areas. The center hosts as well a permanent photografic exhibition on the land of the Macchiatonda Reserve and the Tolfa Mountains.

A PARK FOR EVERYBODY

The Macchiatonda Natural Reserve, apart from being concerned with a number of environmental promotion and education activities has facilities available to host disabled people. The blind can have access to a level path in which there are 10 stations equipped with boards written in braille explaining the characteristics of the reserve and they describe accurately the olfactory or tactile sensations, while for wheelchair users there is a sheltered space from which it is possible to watch the birds in the ponds. All the paths inside the parck, in addition, are subject to special maintenance to avoid inconveniences as much as possible.

All pictures by Aurelio Candido, Flickr  (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)