Summer is almost here, and our beaches are ready to receive a new wave of shocking-pink plastic flamingos. In the meantime, the flamingo-rage has moved into our homes, where we can easily find them on lamps, wallpapers and long-legged statues.
After all, what’s not to love about these fluor-coloured, slender and sort-of snobbish looking birds?
Here’s the good news: you can easily see them in the flesh in 3 different points along the coast of Emilia Romagna, all year-long!
No need therefore to catch a plane to Aruba to admire their pink feathers; flamingos have been passing through the wetlands of the River Po Delta, from Comacchio to Cervia along the Adriatic coast, for years and, in the last decades, have found in the reserve’s salt flats a perfect place to nest.
The best seasons for a bit of birdwatching are of course spring and summer, when the nesting occurs. But, if you’re reading this post during autumn or winter don’t worry: here, as in other Italian locations, several groups of flamingos have established their homes and stay throughout the colder months of the year.
Prepare your field glasses, get your camera and be ready for a tour of the Valleys of Comacchio, Pialassa Baiona and Salina di Cervia!
#1 Salina di Comacchio and Valle Campo
Toghether with Salina di Cervia and Pialassa Baiona, of which we’ll talk later-on, the valleys of Salina di Comacchio are part of the Po Delta National Park, an extended area comprising a long part of the Adriatic coast, from Ferrara to Cervia.
Pink flamingos find in this characteristic habitat, made of valleys, pinewoods and wetlands, the biodiversity need for sustenance. But flamingos have not been here forever; during the hard drought of the seventies, they flew from Camargue, in the South of France, establishing themselves in the lagoons of Comacchio. Now this area hosts the biggest colony of flamingos in Italy.
Where to go to see them? To Salina di Comacchio (which offers a big parking area) and the nearby Valle Campo, about 30 km away from Ravenna. In both these areas entrance is allowed only if accompanied by a guide. In order to enjoy your experience don’t forget your field glasses and telephoto lenses: they could be quite near your observation point!
#2 Pialassa Baiona in Marina Romea
Pialassa Baiona, a lagoon that receives saltwater, is near the seaside resort of Marina Romea. We’re about 20 kilometres south from Salina di Comacchio, where large flocks of flamings stop throughout the year.
This part of Ravenna is perfect for a bike ride! If you’ve never been here before or you don’t feel like bringing your own bicycle from home, Walk ‘n Ride Travel organizes a full-day tour of visiting the so-called Pialassa Piomboni and Pialassa Baiona.
In the latter, you will go by boat in search of flamingos and other characteristic birds, surrounded by the peacefulness of the lagoon and its fishing lodges.
#3 Salt pans of Cervia
In Cervia we can find the biggest salt pans of the Adriatic region. Even today, over 50 basins are used to produce a so-called sweet salt; it may seem an oxymoron but tasting it, one soon realizes its flavour is less bitter compared to other common kitchen salts.
The salt pans are a beautiful sight, especially during sunset. Wandering among open water expanses, you’ll be mesmerized by pink basins, their colour due to the presence of tiny shellfish (Artemia Salina) in the salty waters; the Artemia Salina are part of the flamingo’s diet, and the reason behind their pink-coloured feathers.
It being a protected area, you won’t be allowed to roam freely among the paths of the salt pans, unless you’re in the company of an official guide. If, however, you cannot participate in a group guided tour, don’t worry! Along the road that crosses the salt pan, going towards Villa Inferno, you can carefully stop the car and admire the fascinating flight of the flamingos.