Fauna

The Marshes play a fundamental role in the migratory route between the Tyrhennian coast and hinterland; over 190 species of birds can be seen during the year, at least 70 of which nest here. Of particular naturalistic importance are the herons, which in the breeding season form the most important heronry (a nesting colony) in central-southern Italy. It is important both for the number of nesting pairs (up to 800) and the contemporary presence of 4 different species: the Night Heron, Little Egret, Squacco Heron and Cattle Egret. In 1999 the extremely rare Glossy Ibis nested in the Marshes for the first time.
Mammals include the Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus), the smallest European rodent, which finds it official southern limit in the Fucecchio Marshes. The microfauna is just as rich and important, although perhaps less studied. A recent research carried out by Prof. Arnaldo Bordoni revealed over 1,000 species of Coleoptera: many of these, of Euro-Siberian origin, assume the status of microthermic relicts, similar to the above mentioned floral entities.