Osprey

This is a magnificent bird of prey known for its ability to grab fish with its claws while performing spectacular dives. Currently being introduced in Italy after it became extinct, a few pairs are now present in Tuscany and Sardinia.

A large raptor completely adapted to life on water and an exclusively fish-based diet. They have short, compact, and very waterproof plumage, a robust, hooked beak, and long claws with extensions on the ends suitable for holding slimy prey. The plumage of adults is brown with light streaks on the upper part and the head is creamy white with a broad black band near the yellow eyes. The lower parts are white on the body and axillary feathers, while the outermost part of the plumage is brown. They can be easily recognized in flight due to their long, narrow wings like those of a gull, which are curved in the shape of an M, with characteristic black wrists.

Inland and coastal wetlands rich in fish.

This species can mainly be seen during migration, particularly in March and April and again in September. In some years, a few individuals also stop in summer. At the observation platform along the path from the Monastery to the Central Route, you can see an iron structure on a concrete pillar which supports a silhouette of an osprey. This has been installed to entice them to stop in the Reserve.