Alcara Li Fusi

    Floresta

The destination of the tour itinerary is Lake Pisciotto which is a natural storage capacity of small size but of great naturalistic interest. It is located in Tortorici at 1250 metres above the sea-level. The area surrounding the lake has been exploited by the Park Board to increase its value and to recover it with the intention of preserving the wet areas and the various species of the sedentary and peregrin (migratory) birds which live there. The landscape which characterizes the surrounding area of the lake is represented by wide grazing areas typical of the Nebrodi area, which allow to enjoy, especially in spring, of the intense green of the grassy meadows rich of coloured flowers. In summer months, when the flowreing is finished, the same landscape shows the wide glades with stone grounds and strips of dry meadows, sunny cliffs with a typical xerophilous vegetation, small hills covered with characteristic bushy and shrubby essences where there are also residual Turkey oak woods. We cannot ignore the winter visit of the place when plants and animals live in the silence of the nature.

At these high levels winters are very cold and the snow covers and mantles the land, the trees and the bushes, sometimes for many months. It is easy to see the Lake Pisciotto with its surface frozen and appreciate this particular side of the place. There are many plants in the area, some of which representsuch as the “covetta”, the “Rye-grass”, the “cock’s foo”, the “blue-grass”. Among the leguminous there are: the grass-pea and various trifolium species. Among the composites the thistle in Valdemone (endemic), the chicory, the small smooth keel, the common daisy and many others

The most important faunal aspect, linked to the small sheet of water, is surely the ornithological one with different kinds of birds, migratory and peregrin birds which patronize the place. Among the species, those of the greatest interest are: the “Germano Reale”, the “Heron”, the “Snipe”, the “Bald Coot”, birds which find a place where to have a rest during their flyaway. It is also possible to meet small mammals among which there are: the country mouse, the fieldmouse, the fox, the rabbit, the weasel, the wild cat. Moreover, there are several amphibiouses, reptiles and insects. From Lake Pisciotto you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and going towards the North, for at least 100 metres, you reach a panoramic place. From here you can see the magnificent Tortoriciana valley and some Nebrodi summits among the most significant.

THE WAY

Lake Pisciotto can be reached easily turning into an a asphalted road, which from Portella Mirta (s.p: 116 between Piano Campo and Floresta) goes towards Portella Castagnera 81430 metres above the sea-level) and then towards Contrada Buzzarita-Badessa. After driving along a small wood of Turkey oak and poplar trees, on the right, and past a block of rural buildings, which houses the shepherds in the summer months, on the left, you cross a small bridge and turn right, then you reach the lake walking about 500 metres. Characteristic is the sculpture which marks the beginning of the way: a duck situated on a sandstone near the fork.