how to get there
S.P. 141 (ex S.S. 159 delle Saline) km 8
Manfredonia (FG)
By car
From the North: If you come from the North, leave the A14 Highway at Foggia tollbooth, and follow
the directions for Manfredonia. Follow the 89 S.S.
and turn right towards Riviera Sud, Zapponeta
and Margherita di Savoia. The Salso Lake Oasis is
located on the right-hand side, Km 8.
From the South: Coming from Margherita di
Savoia, follow the 141 S.P. towards Manfredonia.
The Salso Lake Oasis is located on the right-hand
side, Km 7.2.
By train
Get off at Foggia station and continue by bus
(Ferrovie del Gargano) or by train to Manfredonia.
Once you are in Manfredonia take the bus toward
Zapponeta-Margherita di Savoia (the bus stop is
in front of the entrance of the Oasis).
in the surroundings
If you are looking for nature
you should visit the wetland
of Margherita di Savoia Salt
pans. For cultural tourism
Manfredonia and Monte
Sant’Angelo are historical
centers of considerable interest. Near the oasis
it is recommended to visit the churches of San
Leonardo and Santa Maria di Siponto and the
Siponto archaeological park.
WWF OASIS
for biodiversity
The Lake Salso Oasis is a coastal wetland in the Gulf of
Manfredonia, within the Gargano National Park, in the
province of Foggia.
It is located within a system of wetlands among the
most important in Italy, designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCi Capitanata wetlands) and as
Special Protection Area (Spa Marshes in the Gulf of
Manfredonia)
the environment of the oasis
Salso Lake Oasis
TÀ
DI M
ANFRE
DO
A
NI
In the oasis over 300 species of birds (of which at least 60
nesting) have been observed. Ducks, of all shapes and colors, are present with hundreds of specimens including the
rare Red-crested pochard and the Ferruginous duck.
Among the small marsh birds, which are easier to hear than
to observe, those most worthy of mention are the Reed warblers, the Great Reed warblers, the Penduline Tits and the
winsome Bearded Reedling, rare elsewhere, which has the
greatest Italian population here. It is also easy to see several
species of birds of prey, such as the Lanner and the Peregrine falcons, the Marsh harrier, the Osprey and several species
of harriers. In spring it is amazing the arrival of Red-footed
Falcons and of Lesser kestrels. All of the species of European
herons can also be observed here, as well as, from March to
August, White storks, nesting here with the most important
nucleus of central-southern Italy. There are also numerous
amphibians (Green frog, Tree frog, Green Toad) and reptiles,
including several species of snakes and the
rare European Pond Tortoise.
Mammals are represented by an important
number of species, above all the chiropterans (commonly called bats) which
account for around 10 species, as well
as hedgehogs, foxes, badgers
and the European hare.
The Oasis is open all year round for tours and
walks both self guided or with the support of a
nature guide. Inside the reserve there is also
a visitor centre and Indoor learning areas for
schools.
For information: tel. 0884 571 009
lagosalso@wwf.it
CI
T
fauna
where we are
PRINTED ON ECOLOGICAL SAPPI MAGNO PAPER CERTIFIED SGS-COC-003171 / SGS-CW-003171
Thanks to its freshwater, the
marsh is almost completely
colonised by a reed bed
mainly composed of the common reed, at which edges and
between the spaces of open water also Common Cat-tail
grows. In June-August, when it flowers, it’s possible
to observe the very rare Bladderwort, a small carnivorous
plant which feeds on invertebrates.
Thanks to recent projects funded by the Puglia Regional
Authority and the European Community the agricultural
part of the oasis has been converted into wet meadows. In
such habitat, partly slightly brackish, plants typical of more
brackish environments, such as Salicornia, can be found.
visit the oasis
WRITTEN BY: CSN ONLUS - PHOTO: M. CALDARELLA / M. MARRESE
flora
www.oasilagosalso.it
The Salso Lake Oasis covers 1040 hectares of which
500 is pasture land and
541 is wetland. The latter
is composed of embanked
basins created during the
reclamation of the Land
Reform of the Tableland.
The reclamation which began at the end of 1800 and
above all from the 1930s
onwards carried out by the
Capitanata Reclamation
Consortium brought about
structural changes to all of
the Capitanata wetlands.
Before the regimentation
and reclamation works
the territory was crossed
with the final tracts of the
Candelaro, Cervaro and
Carapelle torrents which
led to the marshes to then
contribute to the formation of coastal lakes.
Although the reclamation
implemented over time
have changed significantly the natural look,
the area has retained its
natural features of great
value. In fact, for many
years the wetland was
used as Hunting Reserve.
The remaining agricultural area was farmed
and for a while, growing
rice was also attempted
(hence the name of the
company “Daunia Risi”).
It was, moreover, one of
the first hunting Reserves
to draw up an agreement
with WWF for the conservation of the Wild Goose.
Today the oasis alternate
reed beds, ponds and
pastures that welcome,
both in winter than in
summer, many species of
birds.
W W F
O A S I S
F O R
B I O D I V E R S I T Y
RULES OF CONDUCT
legend
Visitors are asked to respect habitats and wildlife by not
causing undue noise. It is especially important to remain
quiet in the bird viewing hides.
To avoid compromising the natural heritage of the Reserve
and to also allow others to appreciate it, visitors are asked
to observe the following rules of conduct:
- It is strictly forbidden to leave the marked trails
- Follow the directions of information boards
- Keep your voice low
- Do not disturb wildlife
- Do not collect plants, flowers and mushrooms
- Do not bring dogs off leash
- Leave paths and pic-nic areas clean
- Do not light fires
- Turn off cell phone ringtones
- Do not use balloons and similar games
In the Oasis the rules of the Gargano National Park for the
protection of the natural environment apply too. The area
is subject to the supervision of the agents of the State Forestry Authority.
For a more enjoyable visit it is recommended to prefer a
practical clothing, possibly not vivid colors and comfortable shoes, and bring along a water bottle, along with binocular and/or a camera.
7
Entrance
Gargano
National Park
Visitor Centre
Plant nursery botanical garden
8
Lago Salso
MARSH
Observation
point
7
Terrace with
panoramic view
4
Imbarcadero
HERONRY
5
Nature paths
1
2
3
4
5
Valle di Mezzo
MARSH
2
4
km 2 / 30 min.
km 1,3 / 20 min.
4
km 4 / 60 min.
Valle Alta
8 2 hours visit only
1
PASTURES
5
5
All paths can be travelled on foot,
by bicycle and on horseback
Percorso in barca
1
1
km 3 / 45 min.
6 km 2 / 30 min.
7 km 6,6 / 1 h 40 min.
6
3
MARSH
km 3,7 / 55 min.
2
WET MEADOWS
WET MEADOWS
1
3
3
PASTURES
on booking
The Salso Lake Oasis is a WWF affiliate Oasis.
It is management by a public-private
company composed of the City of
Manfredonia, the Gargano National Park
Management body and the NGO Centro Studi
Naturalistici, called the “Salso Lake Oasis”.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL
SAFETY REGULATIONS
Since the Oasis is a natural protected area and a site of the
Natura 2000 network, the conservation of biodiversity comes first and this implies it is not always possible to guarantee a completely safe visit. Adverse weather conditions,
floods, falling trees or branches, roaming animals and the
lack of artificial lighting are natural risk factors, and therefore all the paths, bicycle paths and pedestrian areas, within the area of the Oasis cannot be subject to standards of
safety and maintenance of public roads foreseen in current
legislation. Visitors are asked to pay close attention to all
paths, in particular, it is prohibited to get close to channels
and to open water because they are unprotected. Children
under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
1515 (STATE FORESTRY AUTHORITY), REPORTING THE NUMBER OF THE PATH WHERE YOU ARE