Trascrizione
This long diorama tells the story of the animals that inhabit the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve - Lake Mezzola, the northernmost part of Lake Como.
Along their course, the Adda and Mera rivers accumulate a significant amount of debris that deposits here, creating one of the most important and captivating wetland areas in the Alpine region. This is why the reserve is included in the European Union's Natura 2000 network, designated as a Site of Community Importance and a Special Protection Area.
In truth, what we see today is the result of centuries of interaction between human activities and natural history. The reserve is divided into three essential parts: the marshiest area, with characteristic hydrophilic plants, those that love water, such as reeds, bulrushes, some alder and robinia groves; then the cultivated fields, mostly mown meadows, pastures, and cornfields; and finally, Lake Mezzola.
Especially the first part, the water area, is an important stopover for birds during migration across the Alpine range. Here, the animals are active even in the middle of the day, and their calls and cries make the environment particularly lively.
In the diorama, you can see a pair of Mallards, which are very common birds. The male and female have similar shapes, but her plumage is camouflaged, while his is visible and colourful - with an iridescent green head and neck, and blue-violet wings edged with white.
You can also spot the Marsh Harrier, one of the birds that migrates during the coldest months. It arrives in spring in the lower Valtellina and Valchiavenna to nest, coming from sub-Saharan Africa.
You will also notice the Mute Swan, introduced to Lake Mezzola in the late 1950s-60s from Northern Europe. Their nest, a bulky mass mostly made of bulrush, is placed on the marshy ground or floats anchored to vegetation and is cared for by both parents, which form pairs that stay together for life.