Just outside Manzolino, the long portico
of the old Formagliaro mill marks the parking place where cars
or bicycles can be left; from here, it is just a few metres along
the S. Giovanni canal to the observation point for the nearby
bird sanctuary. The viewing point consists of a hide on tubular
metal legs, offering a good vantage place for watching the wildfowl
through a slit in the wooden screen. At this reserve, consisting
of three rectangular man-made lakes with two islands, there is
perhaps more to be heard than to be seen, with bird song and calls
revealing abundant life amongst the reeds and bulrushes. Visitors
can walk around the reserve and on to Rastellino, RedĄ and
Nonantola, across fertile farmland dotted with farmhouses. Leaving
Nonantola for the farmlands of the Partecipanza Agraria agricultural
foundation, the Torbido canal soon leads to the well equipped
hide overlooking the Partecipanza ponds. The Lipu (Italian Society
for the Protection of Birds), which built the hide, has observed
145 different species of birds on these wetlands, where bulrushes
make it hard to distinguish water from dry ground.
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