In 1977 the salt-pans of Margherita di Savoia became a State Naturalistic Reserve and in 1979 they were declared "wetland of international importance", according to the Ramsar Convention (Iran, 1971).

These salt-pans are nowadays the biggest in Italy and here occur numerous species of birds, often in really large quantities, especially in wintertime, when big groups of birds move from the main North-European and Balkanic nidification areas to Africa and Southern Europe.

In the period which goes from September-October to February-March various kinds of ducks, coots, avocets and limicolous birds gather here by thousands, often exceeding 30.000 specimens.

In summer, on the other hand, here nidificate stilts, avocets, gulls, plovers and little terns, thus contributing to make this area extremely interesting in this period of the year as well.

For about 15 years LIPU (Italian League for the Protection of Birds) has been carrying out a constant activity of monitoring and protection of the wetlands of Capitanata, thus contributing, among other things, to focus attention on this important natural heritage.