Birdwatching nel regno dei fenicotteri rosa

Fenicotteri rosa nello Stagno di Cagliari

Birdwatching in the kingdom of the pink flamingos

Discovering delicate and spectacular ecosystems in the south-east of Sardinia, to observe using binoculars and a camera, in order to capture the life, colours and characteristics within them

natural oases just a stone’s throw from the sea

From Sarrabus to the Cagliari hinterland, through the extreme south-east of the Island and the Golfo degli Angeli, there are four invaluable examples of environmental heritage, rich in biodiversity and protected at various levels (Sites of Community Importance (SCI), Special Conservation Areas (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA), included in the Natura 2000 network), offering unique splendour: the pink flamingo taking flight with a fiery sunset in the background, the courtship ‘dance’ of the black-winged stilt and the glassworts, rushes and marram grasses swaying in the wind, moments not to be missed at the special observation points or while walking along the paths in the parks.

Itinerary: 127 kilometres

Road journey time: 2 hours and 15 minutes for the various journeys

Wetlands of Sarrabus

Close to the coasts of Villaputzu and Muravera, right behind splendid beaches of golden sand and a turquoise sea, there is a system made up of about ten ponds. The main ones are those of Feraxi and Colostrai, which are connected to each other and are the habitat of herons, ducks and black-winged stilts, as well as pink flamingos and rare avocets. There are multiple panoramic viewpoints, which can be reached via paths on foot, by bike or on horseback.

The pools of Sarrabus

An extensive and magnificent bird and wildlife oasis in the territories of Muravera and Villaputzu, the main towns in the south-eastern part of...

Pond of Notteri

After travelling about 40 kilometres in a southerly direction, you will enter the marine protected area of Capo Carbonara. The ‘Caribbean’ beach of Porto Giunco acts as a divide between the sea and the Notteri pond, the habitual home of the little egret, the Audouin's gull, the little tern and, of course, flamingos. There is a picture-postcard landscape: dunes dotted across the beach, paths surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and the Porto Giunco tower that watches over everything from the top of a promontory.

Pond of Notteri

A unique natural spectacle, an ecosystem between land and sea that enhances the marine area of Capo Carbonara, at the southeasternmost tip of...

Park of Molentargius - Saline

Among the main nesting sites of the pink flamingos, the complex of ponds in the Molentargius-Saline park is a captivating ecosystem in a balance between freshwater and salt water. It is no coincidence that its attractions include the old salt processing plants. You can choose between various options for a visit: on foot or by bike along the free routes, or guided tours, also by electric bus. The plant life includes rare species, while among the birds, you may spot the ‘shy’ western swamphen.

The Park of Molentargius - Saline

In the deep south of the island, a short distance from Cagliari, you can enjoy a unique experience combining history and science along the pathways...

Pond of Cagliari - Santa Gilla lagoon

The salt pan theme continues: just outside the capital, to the west, the view is dominated by the Cagliari lagoon, which is really a complex made up of the Santa Gilla lagoon, the Capoterra pond and the Conti Vecchi salt pans, one of the sites enhanced by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) - the Italian National Trust. Already ‘inhabited’ during the Phoenician era, these banks contributed to the development of today’s capital city. There are almost 200 species of birds to observe, 70 of which are nonmigratory, among which the pink flamingos.