The Oasis of Bolgheri, created by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in 1959, was the first private wildlife oasis in Italy. This protected area covers about 80 hectares of swamp, surrounded by 440 hectares of flooded forest, wet meadows, pastures and cultivated land. With the foundation of WWF Italy in 1966, the Oasis of Bolgheri, along with the Oasis of Lake Burano, became the first Italian WWF oasis.
The Oasis retains the original appearance of the Maremma coast, with freshwater ponds and a coastal forest that separates the ponds from the beach. During the winter, it is possible to observe different species of birds such as the Mallard, the Teal, the Wigeon and the Warbler. The wild goose, symbol of the Oasis, makes this swamp one of the most important wintering places for the species in Tuscany. In addition, the Oasis is home to many Snipes, Herons and the Marsh Harrier.
Since 2008, a couple of white storks, absent in Maremma for 200 years, have returned to the Oasis. Among the present mammals can be found the Roe deer, the Fallow deer, the Wild Boar, the Porcupine and the Fox. The Oasis of the Bolgheri Marshes offers a refuge to many species and numerous places to explore.
For more information, visit WWF Oasi Padule di Bolgheri.