Little Ringed Plover Returns to Nest at Italy's Macchiatonda Reserve After 14 Years

Two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers (Charadrius dubius) that cannot yet fly have been observed nesting along the saline ponds of the Macchiatonda Regional Natural Reserve in Santa Marinella, marking the species' first confirmed breeding there in fourteen years. The adult pair was first recorded by reserve staff at the end of May, and technicians documented the parents’ protective behavior with photographs and video.

The mayor of Santa Marinella and reserve president, Alessio Manuelli, highlighted the event as a rare success for local biodiversity, noting that only four to five pairs of the species normally breed along the Lazio coast each year. Established in 1983, the reserve is part of the European Natura 2000 network and protects valuable wetland, agricultural, and forest habitats that serve migratory birds.

The return is seen as evidence of effective conservation measures and will support continued investment in habitat protection and environmental education for the community.