Background The project area of the Lago Salso nature reserve covers a total of 1.016 ha, which includes 446 ha supporting organic agriculture and 540 ha of valleys. Some 20% of the reserve falls within the boundaries of the Gargano National Park. The reserve is included in a Site of Community Interest (SCI) – the Wetlands of Capitanata - and a Special Protection Area (SPA) – the Mires in the Gulf of Manfredonia. These are two of the most important natural areas in the whole of the Mediterranean basin for water birds. They provide important resting sites during migration, as well as wintering and feeding areas for birds, including the four priority bird species: pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus); great bittern (Botaurus stellaris); ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca); and slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris). Furthermore, the first three of these species also nest in these sites, with one pair of pygmy cormorants nesting there since 2006. However, these habitats are threatened, mainly by wetland reclamation, lack of buffer zones, silting of wetlands and changes to water levels. Objectives The purpose of the LIFE project is to achieve the conservation and increase numbers of the following bird species in the project area of the Lake Salso nature reserve: pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus); great bittern (Botaurus stellaris); ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca); and slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris). It seeks to achieve environmental restoration of natural habitats providing key resting, breeding and feeding grounds for the targeted species. It plans to develop scientific knowledge for better management of the sites. It also intends to raise public awareness of the natural value of the sites to reduce threats from human activity. It will develop actions in accordance with the priorities set by the International Action Plans for the target species and, in the case of the ferruginous duck and slender-billed curlew, the Italian Action Plans. More specifically, some 90 ha of the Mediterranean salt meadows habitat (1410) will be recovered from agricultural land, approximately 10 ha of open areas and channels will be restored inside the wetland and five islets (each 50 m2) will be installed for birds to rest on inside the wetland.