LAME DEL SESIA NATURE PARK

Established in 1978, the Park covers about 900 hectares, along an almost 8 km stretch of river on the border between the provinces of Vercelli and Novara. The territory is fluvial and is characterised by the “lame” (blades), stretches of water that have arisen from branches of the Sesia, and by gerbidi, clearings developed on gravel deposits. The terrain is continually shaped by the flooding of the Sesia river. Its banks are lined by woods, now the last remnants of the vanished lowland forests. This natural oasis stands in stark contrast to the surrounding landscape characterised by the predominance of monoculture rice production.

The park can be explored all year round on foot and by bicycle, either on self-guided equipped trails or with dedicated educational activities. The Ornithological Museum at the park headquarters in Albano Vercellese can also be visited on request.

The park is home to one of the largest garzaie (heron nest areas) in Italy, located on the southern border of Parco delle Lame and surrounded by the river. It is the ideal place for birdwatchers who can use the sighting hut on the bank of the Sesia river to observe the life and habits of the birds that inhabit this area. Little egrets, grey herons, cormorants and cattle egrets nest in the Isolone di Oldenico Special Nature Reserve. At appropriate periods, birdwatching can be practised in the Park’s equipped observation huts.

However, this is not the only great “city of herons”. The Villarboit Garzaia has been a Special Nature Reserve of the Piedmont Region since 1990. The protected area consists of a poplar and rice paddy cultivation area, and of a coppice forest with locust trees, field elms and black alders. Another nesting place for ardeids is in Carisio, on the right bank of the Elvo stream, with the Special Nature Reserve of the Carisio Garzaia. Night herons, egrets and grey herons have “found a home” in a heavily anthropised lowland area. Public access is not permitted in these protected areas, except for study purposes. However, the bird species can be conveniently observed from the perimeter of the reserve.