The Rugareto forest
A large area of forest is an important feature of the landscape in a considerable part of the valley formed by the river Olona.
The Rugareto forest is an interesting area in the southern part of the valley formed by the river Olona, up to where it adjoins the Pinewood Park area of Appiano Gentile and Tradate. The forest area covers about 1,400 hectares, and it is sited in the municipalities of Cislago, Marnate and Gorla Maggiore. The habitat consists mainly of forests dominated by false acacia, even though there are sections in which the native species typical of the Lombard plains survive, with trees such as scots pine, oak, hornbeam, birch and chestnut.
Many birds and animals can be seen in these forests, such as squirrels, the green woodpecker, and, though shyer and more difficult to sight, a number of nocturnal birds of prey such as the tawny owl in the woods, and the little owl and the long-eared owl in areas bordering on agricultural land.
The Rugareto forest is an interesting area in the southern part of the valley formed by the river Olona, up to where it adjoins the Pinewood Park area of Appiano Gentile and Tradate. The forest area covers about 1,400 hectares, and it is sited in the municipalities of Cislago, Marnate and Gorla Maggiore. The habitat consists mainly of forests dominated by false acacia, even though there are sections in which the native species typical of the Lombard plains survive, with trees such as scots pine, oak, hornbeam, birch and chestnut.
Many birds and animals can be seen in these forests, such as squirrels, the green woodpecker, and, though shyer and more difficult to sight, a number of nocturnal birds of prey such as the tawny owl in the woods, and the little owl and the long-eared owl in areas bordering on agricultural land.
