Data Zone
Country/territory: Italy
IBA criteria met: C6 (2002)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,137 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
Two freshwater lakes, 15 km east of the village of Montepulciano. The lakes are surrounded by extensive reedbeds, cultivated land and small broadleaved woodlands, and there are also some small artificial ponds called Vasche di Dolciano. Lake water-levels fluctuate greatly during the year.
Key biodiversity
An important area for breeding Ixobrychus minutus, wintering Phalacrocorax carbo, and for a mixed heronry at Lago di Chiusi. Herons and cormorants roost at Vasche di Dolciano. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (1-2 pairs breed, max. 4 in winter).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lakes Montepulciano and Chiusi (Italy). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lakes-montepulciano-and-chiusi-iba-italy on 23/11/2024.