Data Zone
Country/territory: Italy
Subnational region(s): Sicilia
IBA Justification: A1, A4iii, B2, C1, C2, C4, C6 (2002)
Area: 5,107 hectares (51.07 km2)
BirdLife Partner(s): Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli
| Conservation status of the Important Bird Area (IBA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | very unfavourable | very high | low |
Site description (2000 baseline)
A complex of wetlands along the south-east coast of Sicily, around the town of Catania, and including the following sites: Biviere di Lentini, a freshwater reservoir; Foce del Simeto, a river-mouth; Traversa di Ponte Barca, a stretch of the Simeto river. There are large reedbeds at Biviere di Lentini. The main land-uses are water-resource management at Biviere di Lentini (for domestic water-supply), and nature conservation at Foce del Simeto. The surrounding areas are largely agricultural.
Key biodiversity
A very important site for waterbirds while breeding (especially Aythya nyroca and herons), migrating (e.g. Plegadis falcinellus, Platalea leucorodia) and wintering. The site holds more than 20,000 waterbirds on a regular basis, with Larus ridibundus especially common in winter.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Simeto mouth and middle course and Biviere di Lentini (Italy). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/simeto-mouth-and-middle-course-and-biviere-di-lentini-iba-italy on 17/01/2025.