Isola Bisentina, the gem of Lake Bolsena, is renowned for its mild climate and the extraordinary variety and uniqueness of the tree and animal species it hosts. Uninhabited for some time, it preserves traces of human activity that have managed to maintain its environmental characteristics, making it a unique ecosystem for the growth of ancient plants and the development of a rich birdlife. Francesco Barberini, an aspiring ornithologist and young Alfiere della Repubblica, visited the island periodically over the course of a year to detect and census the wide variety of birds present.
From this monitoring, he was able to observe how this place, an important stop along migratory routes, is rich in species with different habits and behaviors, from the small goldcrest to the imposing cormorants. The account of this adventure is a guide enriched by the illustrations of Marco Preziosi, a renowned naturalistic illustrator, depicting the twelve main bird species that populate the island.
Francesco Barberini, a sixteen-year-old aspiring ornithologist, has already received many national and international awards for his work in scientific dissemination. In 2018, he received the honor of Alfiere della Repubblica from President Sergio Mattarella for his scientific and educational merits. With Salani Editore, he has already published two books, “What Happened to the Dinosaurs?” and “The Dinosaurs Flying Among Us.” He collaborates with newspapers and magazines, appears on radio and television programs, and gives lectures in schools, museums, and parks.
Marco Preziosi is an illustrator and naturalist artist who has created scientific and educational illustrations for numerous publications and for the most important entities active in communication, conservation, and land management. He has exhibited in various exhibitions in Italy and abroad and teaches naturalistic drawing courses.
