L'Oasi del Simeto
Environment Fauna Flora Simeto Amber Suggested Itineraries and Useful Information

 

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The Nature Reserve Environment

From an environmental point of view, the "Oasi del Simeto" Nature Reserve is the remains of a vast ancient marshy ecosystem situated to the south of the city of Catania, which originally covered various areas including Agnone, Valsavoia and the Catania or Lentini Swamp. The parts that have resisted human invasion are the following:

• the Gornalunga Lake, formed by the Gornalunga River which is a tributary of the Simeto and flows even in summertime;
• the Gurnazza Lake, which is periodically formed or washed away by the sea and is only surrounded by sand dunes;
• the "Salatelle", vast saltwater marshes formed by water from small irrigation ditches and capillary veins in the coastal area;
• a small network of marshes between the old and the new mouths of the Simeto; in the past they were reclaimed but they reform in wintertime, causing serious problems for the unauthorised houses built in the area in defiance of the refusal to grant planning permission.
• the new mouth, created after the great flood in November 1951 and crossed by the Primosole Bridge.
• the old mouth, in the shape of a sickle, which is now isolated and into which the Buttaceto and Jungetto canals flow.
• the Arci canal, which flows through the nature reserve and was opened up to reclaim the Pantano d'Arci marshes; it is now flanked by industrial plants.
• the Benante canal, which flows into the sea through the Gornalunga Lake.

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La Fauna

Although sightings of a large variety of fauna around the mouth of the Simeto have been recorded by experts and birdwatching fans since the 1940s, the most authoritative reference book is the Atlas Faunae Siciliae, published in "Il Naturalista Siciliano" in 1985 and edited by Prof. Bruno Massa in collaboration with a number of other scholars. Of the 124 bird species which definitely nest in Sicily, 33 are recorded as nesting in the wealth of natural habitats provided by the nature reserve around the moth of the Simeto river.

Non-migratory Birds
In the ponds and among the marsh vegetation you can see the common waterfowl and coot (Fulica atra) and you might catch a glimpse of a dabchick, bittern, tufted duck or water-rail, the population of which is kept down by the marsh harrier, which is thought to nest in Sicily. The birds nesting in the vegetation on the banks of the river include the calandra lark and river lark, the flycatcher which builds its nest in the bushes and reeds, the reed warbler and the penduline tit which nests in the reeds near willow and tamarisk trees. Regular inhabitants of the saltwater vegetation are the plover and linnet which take refuge in the saltwort bushes. In the open areas and pastures you can find the calandra and crested lark, the whitethroat and the corn bunting.. Among the trees in the wooded areas you will find the blackcap, titmouse, tree-creeper, jay and greenfinch. The outlying or cultivated areas house the goldfinch, serin, tree sparrow, chaffinch and stonechat. Excellent colonisers are the sparrow and the magpie, to be found in the less attractive areas which are often scattered with litter. In the bushes you can find blackbirds, and swifts nest in the rural areas and buildings. The kestrel and barn owl, which feed on small rodents and reptiles, are the only birds of prey to nest in the reserve.

Migratory Birds
Besides the nesting birds, the Simeto reserve owes its ornithological renown to the numerous migratory species, especially Anatidae, that in the past attracted hunters to the area but are now protected as a natural and scientific heritage for all to enjoy. The most representative species of migratory birds that stop at the mouth of the Simeto on their way towards the South are the grey heron, white heron, purple heron, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, glossy ibis, curlew, widgeon, avocet, sheldrake, golden plover, black-bellied plover, oyster catcher, little egret, grey or common heron, night heron, spoonbill, ruff and the stilt plover which is common in moist areas all over Italy. In the spring of 1995 two wild duck nests were spotted amongst the numerous mallard nests in the vegetation on the left bank of the river mouth. At various times in the past brief sightings have been recorded of interesting species such as the (schistaceo ??) heron, booby, wild goose, sea brant, mute swan, flamingo, Ardeola ibis (??) and crane.

Birds No Longer Nesting in the Reserve

In the past the reeds offered glimpses of the purple gallinule, a beautiful member of the Rallidae family with blue feathers and a red beak and feet which hunting drove to extinction after 1960. Other losses include the pratincole, which used to nest in the area, and the Acrocephalus melanopogon (forapaglie castagnolo ??), which was previously quite common but, according to Angelo Priolo, disappeared completely after 1973 when heavily polluted water was channelled into the old river mouth, killing most of the fish.

Other Types of Fauna

Besides birds, the fauna of the reserve includes a variety of species typical of humid environments, such as Emys orbicularis, a beautiful freshwater turtle whose numbers are rapidly decreasing throughout Italy but which is still to be found in various areas in the reserve. In the surface water you can see the natrix, a large water snake which feeds on small fish. There are also numerous varieties of insects, especially rare Sicilian examples such as Aphrodisia panormitana, once only thought to be present at Mondello and Balestrate (beaches near Palermo), but which I found in July 1971 at the mouth of the Simeto. The specimen was donated to Prof. Bruno Massa of the University of Palermo and is now part of his collection. From May to June on the branches of the tamarisk you can find another, very rare local coleopter, Poliphylla ragusai. In such a diverse natural environment, full of ravines and species to devour, foxes and weasels find an ideal habitat. These animals of prey feed on the large quantities of wild rabbits which burrow down between the massive lava rocks placed along the banks of the old and new river mouths as a protection against flooding. There are also hares, especially in the plains full of leguminous plants on which they feed.

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Flora

The following features have emerged from research carried out by Prof. Giuseppe A. Ronsisvalle of the University of Catania into the vegetation at the mouth of the Simeto:

Agropyretum mediterraneum
In the past it covered a broad stretch of coast from the Catania Marsh right up to the city gates, but now it covers a much more limited area; the main plants are Agropyron junceum and the rare Matthiola sinuata, Sporobo virginicus, Diotis maritima (sea cudweed) and Euphorbia peplis. There is not much variety in the flora in this area: several species have now disappeared, with the exception of the white Pancratium maritimum, the sweet-smelling "sea daffodil" which can be found on the sandy beaches.

Salicornietum fruticosae
This is typical of areas which are frequently flooded and rich in salt, like the "Salatelle". The most common plant is Arthrocnemum fruticosum, along with other species, depending on the length of time the soil has been submerged, ranging from Suaeda vera to Suaeda maritima (sea blite), from Hordeum maritimum (sea barley) to Limonium vulgare. Areas which are almost always submerged feature the presence of Phragmites communis, or ditch reed.

Agropyreto-inuletum crithmoidis
This has replaced the previous vegetation in areas in which rainwater and floodwater drainage occurs with relative ease, above all in the "Contrada Specchio", which is crossed by sewage channels. The most frequently occurring plants are Inula crithmoides, Agropyron elongatum and, in drier areas, Arthrocnemum fruticosum, Halimione portulacoides, Limonium vulgare and Hordeum maritimum.

Aggruppamento a Juncus acutus
This kind of vegetation is to be found in areas in which the soil remains submerged for long periods of time, for instance above the Gornalunga lake and around the mouths of dirches behind the sand dunes, where we can find Juncus acutus, Juncus maritimus and, more rarely, Inula crithmoides and Limonium vulgare. In hollows which contain water even in the summer months and along the banks of canals and dirches the most common plants are Phragmites communis and, more rarely, Cyperus kallii.

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Simeto Amber

Walking along the seashore close to the mouth of the Simeto river. especially after a storm, it is still possible to pick up pieces of amber, a fossil resin that was known as early as pre-historic times. For centuries considered to be exclusive to the Simeto river, this amber ("electron" in Greek") was originally called "Simetite". Simeto amber is still widely used in jewellery and is ranked among the most precious types to be found all over the world. In Catania, where the largest collection of Simeto amber is kept by a well-known local family of jewellers, amber powder was used by lute-makers to polish particularly fine stringed instruments. They used the chips discarded by craftsmen who only worked by hand, due to the great delicacy of the fossil resin. The ancient methods used to collect the amber, which are still followed today, are of particular interest. The first and perhaps most occasional one was to find pieces of amber while fishing for clams; the second was the work of true professional amber seekers. The clam fishers use large rakes which dredge up the amber along with the clams. The professionals wait for the combined action of river floods and sea-storms. They follow the waves retreating from the shore and search through the deposit they leave, hoping the sun will reveal the glint of a piece of precious amber. This strange behaviour recalls the way in which the limicoline shorebirds typical of the area search for small shellfish.

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Suggested Itineraries and Useful Information

To avoid damaging the delicate ecological balance of the A zones (protected areas) we suggest two itineraries which will offer a number of interesting sights.

Itinerary 1
Travelling southwards from Catania along the S.s. 114 road, enter the Reserve by the main entrance a few yeards before the Primosole Bridge. Proceed for about 500 meters and park. The visit starts by climbing up the left bank of the new river mouth and following the path that runs along the top of it as far as the beach. Avoid treading on the sandy area. Choose a sheltered spot so as not to disturb the animals and enjoy the view.

Itinerary 2
Go back to your car the way you came and return to the S.s. 114 road; cross the Primosole Bridge and take the road that penetrates into the B zone as far as the Forestry Commission guard-post. Park and then proceed on foot towards the wood. After visiting the pinewood, follow the coast southwards, remaining in the B zone, as far as the Gornalunga lake, where you can observe all the varieties of flora and fauna.Go back the way you came and follow the S.s. 144 to Catania or Siracusa.

What to Take with You
For a really "intelligent" fruitful visit, take a pair of binoculars, a camera and/or videocamera, a notebook and a pencil, a guide to Italian birdlife, a handbook to help you recognise the various species of Mediterranean flora, boots and a change of socks, mosquito repellent and clothing in colours which will mix in well with the background.

How to Behave
Bearing in mind the delicate nature of the environment you are going through, and to respect the peace that all the creatures of the reserve are entitled to, do not shout, turn on the radio, tread on areas covered with vegetation (i.e. walking exclusively along the marked paths), wear bright colours, pick any flowers or plants, take pets with you or leave litter lying around.

When Not to Go
Visitors who love natural environments and respect the lives of the creatures who live there should not visit the area during the period when the numerous nesting species reproduce, i.e. from the end of February to June.

How to Organise Guided Tours
School and other groups should first apply to the Reserve Authorities, i.e. the Provincia Regionale di Catania (Tel.: 095/382112-382144, 7° Dipartimento - Ecologia e Assetto del Territorio), or ask the following for information:
- Distaccamento forestale di Catania (Catania Forestry Dept.): Tel.: 095/431260
- Fondo siciliano per la Natura (Sicilian Nature Foundation): Tel.:             095/382421 - 0336/726808
- Legambiente (Evironmental Protection Organisation): Tel.: 095/444830
- Lipu (League for the Protection of Birdlife): Tel.: 095/534935
- WWF: Tel.: 095/382380 - 383314

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Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l'Incremento Turistico di Catania
http://www.apt-catania.com
E-mail : apt@apt-catania.com