All The Lake of Bolsena: The fauna

Acquapendente
Arlena di Castro
Bagnoregio
Bassano in Tev.
Bomarzo
Canino
Castiglione in Tev.
Civitella D'Agliano
Cellere
Celleno
Farnese
Graffignano
Ischia di Castro
Latera
Lubriano
Montalto di Castro
Onano
Piansano
Proceno
Tarquinia
Tessennano
Tuscania
Vitorchiano

VITERBO

Barbarano
Bassano Romano
Blera
Calcata
Canepina
Carbognano
Capranica
Caprarola
Castel S. Elia
Civita Castellana
Corchiano
Faleria
Gallese
Monteromano
Monterosi
Nepi
Oriolo
Orte
Ronciglione
Soriano nel Cimino
Sutri
Vallerano
Vasanello
Vejano
Vetralla
Villa San Giovanni

The fauna

During spring and summer at the Lake of Bolsena different species of acquatic birds nest and generally use the cane fields to hide the nests and the young. In the cane fields nests the Tarabusino, a small heron, the Cannareccione and the Cannaiola , two small sparrows that construct their nests suspended between the canes, the Svasso maggiore (great crested glebe) which constructs floating nests, berthed in some way to the vegetation and the reeds. During the first days following hatching the Svasso carries the young on their back. On the two islands there are colonies of Gull, rather unusual for an internal lake such as ours. Approximately 100 pairs nest during the months of April and May, making a visit particularly suggestive. The nesting of the Nitticora (night heron) is not verified, but in August it is easy to observe in the surroundings of the islands, both the adult and young of this small and rowdy heron. The tawny Owl nests in the oak forests of the Vulsini Mountains but often feeds on fish surveyed close to the water surface and caught with its claws. The conservation or the aquatic birds is closely linked to careful management of the riparian and aquatic habitat and it is important not to disturb the birds during nesting. During the winter many different species of aquatic birds arrive at the lake from central and northern Europe. From November to February it is possible to observe substantial groups of aquatic birds including turks, coots, harriers, glebes and herons to feed sufficiently well to ensure the spring migration towards the reproductive areas. In fact already during the winter months they are forming couples which will then nest in northern countries. The morphology of the seabed makes the lake particularly suitable for the species who plunge for food rather than those who feed on the surface. A presence particularly significant is that of the black throated diver, nourished by the small fish caught in the depths of the lake. Also the cormorant hibernates in the lake with a population of around 400. During December and January a census of water fowl is carried out by specialised personnel and between 1993 and 1998 there was an average of 3,000 birds. In January 2002 because of the exceptional wave of cold throughout Europe there was a sharp increase in attendance and around 11,000 aquatic birds were counted. In addition to the birds and fish are many other vertebrates. Between the amphibians and reptiles it is necessary to recall the common toad, the green frog, the crested newt, the spotted newt and the water snake. Among the main factors that are, or may constitute a threat to the conservation of the nature of the lake are: the reduction of the reedbeds; the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture; the introduction of exotic species. The reeds are systematically cut to make the beaches more accessible, without considering that they are very important for birds and fish to lay their eggs. Herbicides and pesticides pass through the groundwater pit or reach the lake with the rain, they are accumulated in the tissues of plants eaten by fish and ultimately may reach man. Some exotic species introduced to the lake have proved harmful because they are voracious and prolific, including catfish and perch. As to avoid the introduction of reptiles such as the Californian turtle, birds like Canadian geese and mammals like the beaver: these species enter into competition with the locals altering characteristic habits of the latter. Between the harmful barriers we remember the hydrologic works on the river Marta, which prevent the return of the eels. It is important to ensure the river always has a quantity of water suitable for the life of the fish, the so called vital minimum outflow (VMO). This must be interpreted as compulsory minimum and not as a pretext for reducing the scope of the outfall permanently and withdraw the surplus of the VMO. In addition to the VMO for the fish life of the lake, it is indispensable to its hydrologic change!

Actually present in the Lake of Bolsena are the following fish:

Eel, Crucian carp, Carp, Chub, Coregone, Lattarino, Pike, Royal bass, Large mouth bass, Pumpkinseed, Catfish, Rudd, Tench

Also present are some minor fish of little sporting interest such as:

Grey mullet, Shrimp, River shrimp, Gambusia, Goby crab, Roach

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