The Fratino bird

Protect rare species

Dunes represent the ideal habitat for many types of flora and fauna. If you walk with care, you may be lucky and spot the endangered Fratino bird (Charadrius alexandrinus) bouncing in the dunes.

The Fratino is a small wader bird with a body size of about 16-18 cm, moving on long slender legs, a great runner on the sand. It is a rare species that nests along the beaches of Cavallino Treporti by digging simple holes in the sand and laying its eggs.

At Camping Ca’Savio we preserved an intact dune area to protect an important environmental piece of the Cavallino Treporti coast. Here we are safeguarding local biodiversity, just like that of the Fratino. It nests directly on the beach, out of the dunes and vegetation, near the seashore, where the sand is dry. Continuously passing people can scare the adults of this species who move away and may give up hatching the eggs in the nest.

During the breeding period, Camping Ca’Savio ensures that the nesting environment of the dunes is protected, so if you pass a closed piece of the beach and dunes – you know why.

Sadly, in about 20 years, the population of Fratino has reduced by 50%. The main cause is the excessive pressure and impact of seaside tourism. For this reason, the Fratino has become a symbol of the conservation of the natural areas on our beaches, becoming an indicator of the FEE, an international body that awards the Blue Flag, to certify the good environmental quality of the coasts since 2016.

For the Fratino, as for many other animal species and vertebrates, the dunes represent an important place of nesting, living or passing through. Each species has its own role and function which, when connected, form the ecosystem. This is why it is important to pay special attention to this part of the beach, always reminding us to experience the beach, respecting it and respecting the animals and plants that live there.

Here you can find more information on the Fratino bird.