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Palude Brabbia is a fen peatland located in a valley of glacial
origins, between two lakes, Lake Varese (north side) and Lake
Comabbio (south side) and bordered by hills on the west and
east side. The site includes marshes, ponds, wet meadows and
wet woodlands, and is dissected by small channels.
The site was formerly part of a larger lake in the period
after the last glacial age - together with Lake Varese and
Lake Comabbio. The slow withdrawal of the waters caused the
gradual formation of the wetland. The water level of the site
is artificially influenced by the level of Lake Varese and
by the inflow of Canale Brabbia, both regulated by barrages.
Palude Brabbia is one of the best preserved examples of a
fen peatland in the Italian prealpine area. There are 459
hectares of reed beds, ponds and woodland to the south of
Lake Varese. This marshland area was a peat bog which was
intensively exploited for peat extraction from the middle
of the nineteenth century. The ponds (named 'chiari') are
the former peat diggings where, over the years, a natural
environment has been re-established. Today, Brabbia is very
varied: small copses of willow and alder alternate with reed
beds and shallow pools. A feature of Brabbia is to be a woodland
which is flooded for much of the year, and here only alders
and willows thrive, but oaks also grow on drier ground. There
is a great variety of plants, including some rare species.
The intermixing and interlinking of micro-environments has
produced a very abundant animal life, reflecting the richness
of this marshland habitat
The ornithological importance of the Palude Brabbia justifies
its designation as a Ramsar site, in 1984. At least 140 bird
species have been noted within the protected area: the rare
Ferrugious Duck is observed regularly and Snipe have bred
in recent years. These are not common in Italy and their presence
at the reserve reflects the high quality of the environment
here. Since 1993 Palude Brabbia has had its own heronry, the
most northerly in Lombardy, and here there are breeding Purple
Herons, Grey Herons and Night Herons. It is a fair sized colony
of over 100 pairs and from spring to autumn birdwatchers are
certain of observing them.
Since 1994 LIPU has the management of the site. At the Inarzo
entrance there is a Visitor Centre with a little historical
museum on the oasis' life. Guided tours are also organized
throughout the year. The reserve is open all year, on Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays and may be closed during winter months
in bad weather.
Casale Litta, Cazzago
Brabbia, Inarzo, Ternate,
Varano Borghi are the towns
surrounding the Palude Brabbia.
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