Data Zone
Country/territory: Italy
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 22,595 ha
Site description (baseline)
A complex of wetlands along the west-central coast of Sardinia, surrounding the town of Oristano, and divided into the following main subsites: Mistras, Cabras, Mar'e Pauli, Santa Giusta, S'Ena Arrubia, Pauli Maiori, Pauli Menta, San Giovanni, Marceddì, Corru s'Ittiri, Putzu Idu, Is Benas, Sa Salina Manna and Sale Porcus. These areas include freshwater and brackish lagoons, ponds, large reedbeds (especially at Santa Giusta) and saltpans, as well as sand-dunes, rocky coasts (between Cuccuru Mannu and Su Tingiosu and at Capo Mannu), and adjacent agricultural land. The main activities are fisheries and aquaculture.
Key biodiversity
A very important site for wintering waterbirds (up to 50,000 or more), especially wildfowl and Phoenicopterus ruber, as well as for migrating Aythya nyroca and for several breeding waterbirds. The total number of waterbirds in January 1993 was 35,775, with 58,367 in January 1994. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (1-3 pairs breed, max. 13 birds in winter), Tetrax tetrax (resident), Larus audouinii (non-breeding visitor).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Oristano wetlands. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/2820 on 03/06/2023.
