Happy Birdays - Birdwatching and Photography

Marina Romea, gateway to the Po Delta

For three days, the quiet hamlet of Marina Romea, in the Municipality of Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna), becomes the Italian reference point for enthusiasts of birdwatching and nature photography. Happy Birdays - Birdwatching and Photography was created to offer an immersive experience of the Po Delta Park territory, one of the most biodiverse wetlands in Europe, where hundreds of species of aquatic and migratory birds pass through and nest each year.

Excursions, Dawn and Dusk in the Delta

The heart of the event is the guided excursions at dawn and dusk, led by nature guides and ornithologists in the most evocative areas of the Delta: the Pialassa della Baiona, the Saline di Comacchio (Comacchio Salt Pans), the Pineta di Classe (Class Pine Forest), Punte Alberete, and the brackish water bodies surrounding Marina Romea. These are the best times to observe and photograph herons, flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, and owls in the low light that makes this landscape unique.

Workshops, Meetings, and Photo Exhibition

Based at the Hotel Meridiana, the program includes workshops dedicated to nature photography, video shooting, bioacoustics, and post-production, alongside meetings with experts and authors. Along Viale Italia, the open-air exhibition Vita nel bosco (Life in the Woods) showcases shots by numerous professional nature photographers and remains open until September. The event is part of the valorization process of the Po Delta Cultural District.

Major Imaging Brands

One of Happy Birdays' distinctive features is the presence of leading international imaging and optics brands – including Sony, Swarovski Optik, Eizo, and Adcom – which provide professional equipment for field testing during excursions. A rare opportunity to test high-end cameras, lenses, and binoculars directly in their natural habitat, with the guidance of expert technicians and photographers.

A Sustainable Tourism Project

Promoted by Federalberghi Ravenna (Ravenna Hotel Association) together with the Po Delta Park and local stakeholders, the event combines tourism, environmental education, and nature conservation awareness, positioning the Po Delta as a leading ecotourism destination in the Province of Ravenna and throughout Emilia-Romagna.