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Laghetto degli Alfieri: The Hidden Oasis Where 113 Bird Species Pass Through
To the north of Lake Fondi, hidden among meadows and eucalyptus trees, lies a stretch of water known to few people. Laghetto degli Alfieri is one of the most biodiverse wetlands in Italy. Eighteen hectares in total, five of which occupied by the lake itself: a miniature ecosystem that mirrors the habitats of the larger lake nearby. We are in the Monti Ausoni and Lago di Fondi Regional Nature Park, in the province of Latina.
From Hunting Reserve to Birdwatching Paradise
Until a few decades ago it was a private estate used for hunting. Today it is a protected area managed by the Park Authority, and can be visited by appointment. Between 2007 and 2010 a bird-ringing station operated here: over seven monitoring campaigns, more than 32,000 birds of 113 different species were recorded. Its position along migratory routes, between the Ausoni Mountains and the coastal wetlands, makes the lake a key stopover for black-winged stilts, purple herons, cranes, storks, and ospreys. In winter, cormorants, coots, and mallards arrive here.
The Restoration Project
In 2024 the Park Authority signed an agreement with LIPU — the Italian Bird Protection League — for environmental amelioration measures: expansion of the reed beds, recovery of existing structures, and new pathways for sustainable visitor use.
