The terrestrial fauna

In terms of fauna, the lagoon of the River Calic is a very rich environment, thanks above all to the presence of myriad species of birds, both migratory and non-migratory, including the common moorhen, the little grebe, the mallard, the Eurasian coot, Cetti’s warbler, the Eurasian reed warbler, the water rail, the great cormorant, the egret and the grey heron.
The amphibians that call the lagoon home include the Sardinian tree frog and the Tyrrhenian painted frog, whereas the reptile contingent includes the viperine snake and the European pond terrapin.
Alongside an enormous quantity of mussels and clams, the fish in the lagoon include certain species of grey mullet, seabass, gilthead and white bream.

Falcons and gulls flying over the sea

In the cliffs, caves and ravines, and between the rocky reefs, many species of marine birds – some of which are found almost nowhere else in the Mediterranean – like to make their nests.
This is the kingdom of the yellow-legged gull, the super-fast peregrine falcon and the European storm-petrel, which is strictly protected internationally.
On occasion, it is also possible to catch sight of Audouin’s gull, while the skies are full of numerous examples of the European shag, the wild pigeon, the common swift and the common raven.

The evocative nighttime concert of the shearwater birds

On Capo Caccia, on moonless nights, you can listen to an extraordinary natural concert – the unique song of the shearwater birds, which live in the open sea.
When just the starlight illuminates the sky, the tender, whimper-like cries of these birds echo in the night together with the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, creating a magical, enchanting atmosphere.

Where the griffon vultures soar

At Punta Cristallo, in the most inaccessible part of the Capo Caccia State Forest, in a wild, inhospitable marine landscape, there is a colony of griffon vultures, which are the largest predators in Italy.
The species is at risk of extinction and Italy’s only remaining griffon vultures are to be found in Sardinia, where there are just a few dozen pairs.
Watching their flight – so rich in dance and ritual – and their slow, majestic glide is a great privilege

In the middle of the maquis

The thick scrubland of the National Park is the ideal environment for the boar and the wolf, and it also plays host to various species of marten, Sardinian hare, marginated tortoise and European rabbit.
At night, the maquis is trampled by smaller mammals such as the Etruscan shrew, the weasel and the European hedgehog. Numerous species of breeding birds can also be found hiding amongst the National Park’s intricate branches and shrubs, including families of barbary partridges, blue rock thrushes, Dartford warblers, shrikes and buzzards.
In the Porto Conte State Forest, mouflon and deer were introduced many years ago, and it is just possible that you may come across ponies that originate from the Giara di Gesturi plateau and albino donkeys from the island of Asinara.

> The Porto Conte Regional Park