Heart-warming news comes from the beaches of Marina di Ravenna: the two plover chicks, born last April 28, have passed the delicate growth period and are now ready to take their first flight.
For the brother (Charadrius alexandrinus) it’s never a given to get this far. It is a species in retreat along the entire Italian coast, crushed between the tourist pressure, the free dogs, the mechanical vehicles that level the sand at dawn. Every successful nest is a small exception to the rule.
The busiest beach is not the worst place
The nursery was located in the middle of a seaside concession, in Marina di Ravenna, in one of the busiest stretches of coast in Romagna. Not exactly the place you would choose to bring children into the world. Yet it went well, and not by luck.
The Network of Associations “Save the plover of the Ravenna and Cervia coast” patrolled the area every day, building a small free zone around the nest while umbrellas, sunbeds and children with buckets walked around. The volunteers explained, convinced, supported. And the response was surprising.
Beach managers, bathers, passing tourists and an unexpected crowd of photographers, many very young, have chosen to adapt instead of ignoring. The dogs remained on a leash. Distances were respected. What could have been a constant source of disturbance has turned into something more like a collective vigil.
Who was behind it, specifically
Stories like this always have a backstory made up of phone calls, permits, coordination and physical work that doesn’t end up in the newspapers. The Sottomarino 54 and Marabou Beach Club 50 establishments have reorganized their spaces without complaining. Hera Servizi Ambientali has adapted mechanical cleaning so as not to disturb the nesting area. The companies that level the dune and clean the beach have changed their routes. The Cooperativa Spiagge Ravenna and Colas Vigilanza guaranteed eyes on site even at night.
The Municipality of Ravenna and the Carabinieri Forestry Group maintained institutional contacts and carried out inspections. AFNI documented everything with a photographic quality that helped tell the story even outside the circle of experts.
Chicks have a number now
Before flying, the two young plovers were ringed by AsOER, the Ornithologists’ Association of Emilia-Romagna. It’s not a sentimental detail: it’s research. Those codes will be used to understand where they go, if they return, how long they live. Any data on this species is precious because data is still scarce and the demographic trend does not leave much room for optimism.
The season isn’t over
The associations involved, from Legambiente to LIPU, from LAV to WWF Ravenna, passing through Animal Liberation, GEV Faenza, Italia Nostra, OIPA and Quattro Zampe nel Cuore, remind us that other nests could still be active on the beaches of the Ravenna and Cervia coast. The request is simple: dogs on a leash, be careful where you walk, report any nests to volunteers.
A final event of the season is planned. But the meaning of this story does not end with the celebrations. Marina di Ravenna has shown that one of Italy’s most compromised habitats can still work, if people decide to make it work.
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