Geloi Wetland, Nature reserve in Gela, Italy.
Geloi Wetland is a nature reserve near the coast of Gela that stretches across clay soils with brackish marshes and typical Mediterranean plant life. The landscape provides habitat for many bird species and supports a functioning ecosystem shaped by saltwater and freshwater mixing.
The reserve was established in 2017 through a partnership between the German organization Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt and the local environmental center CEA ODV based in Niscemi. This collaboration brought together international expertise and local knowledge to protect the area.
The Via Francigena Fabaria pilgrimage route crosses through the wetland area, connecting Agrigento to Gela along a 300-kilometer natural path.
Visitors can join guided walks, excursions, and bike tours to watch white storks and other bird species in their natural setting. The reserve is best visited during migration seasons when bird activity is at its peak and sightings are most frequent.
Annually between February and April, over 45,000 migrating birds pass through this location on their journey north from North Africa. These massive movement patterns make this one of the most important crossing points in the eastern Mediterranean region.
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