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Bearded Reedling
Montagu’s Harrier
I TA LY
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Bologna and
transfer to Palma
Day 2 Palma
Days 3-7 Comacchio
Day 8 Depart Bologna
Party Size
Maximum of 12 clients.
Accommodation
Comfortable accommodation in twin/double
and single rooms, with private facilities.
Transport
By minibuses driven by the local leaders.
Includes
All flights, meals, accommodation, transport,
entry fees, services of the leaders, VAT,
airport taxes and tips.
Gradings
Good
130
make the two hour drive to the Po Delta. We
spend the next five nights near Comacchio, in
the centre of one of the best areas for birds.
Among the highlights here will be a visit (one of
at least two that we will make) to a famous
observation tower from where we are sure to get
stunning views directly on the nests of many
breeding species, including Pygmy Cormorant,
Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, all the European
breeding herons, Penduline Tit, and possibly
White-winged Tern and many others.
One day we can visit the Comacchio Valley, a
huge lagoon particularly rich in waders but in
general a great area especially during this spring
migration time for many species. We can explore
the area with leisurely walks. After a tasty lunch
in a local ‘agriturismo’ we can visit another area
with extensive marshlands and more reed beds.
Birds should include Greater Flamingo, a variety
of waders including Pied Avocet, Black-winged
Stilt and Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern and
Bearded Reedling. Overhead we should look for
Eurasian Hobbies as they catch soaring
dragonflies on the wing.
Another area we can visit is a very large complex
of wetlands, where from a famous and
strategically positioned observation tower, we
can have very close views of many interesting
species, and where it will be pleasant and
rewarding to spend a few hours. In the afternoon
we reach one of the last large flooded plain
forests in Italy and we explore this fascinating
wood with more leisurely walks. Birds present
here include Little Bittern, Red-crested Pochard,
Ferruginous Duck, Garganey and a variety of
other ducks, herons and terns, Montagu’s
Harrier, Little Crake, European Bee-eater and
Golden Oriole. Woodland birds we can look for
include Eurasian Wryneck, Short-toed
Treecreeper, Melodious Warbler, Eurasian Tree
Sparrow and Common Nightingale.
On one day we will take a very pleasant and
rewarding boat trip in a bird rich area, reaching
the sea and having great chances to add more
species to our list. Boat rides are always an
enjoyable part of any tour, as they are relaxing
and often allow a close approach to the birds. It
is also an excellent way to explore the area,
reaching many parts that cannot be seen from
tracks and paths. We shall keep an eye out for
the many species of dragonfly that inhabit the
marshes and waterways.
On our final full day we can search for birds in
some saltpans, in the seaside pine woods and
along the extensive sand beaches.
Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern, Kentish
Plover, Slender-billed Gull, Eurasian Scops Owl,
Italian Sparrow and Fan-tailed Warbler are some
of the species we will see. In the afternoon there
will be another highlight of the tour: an exclusive
boat excursion to the Valli di Campotto Natural
Reserve usually closed to public. Here we will
have the opportunity to see Pygmy Cormorant,
Whiskered and Black Terns, and different
species of breeding herons, such as Blackcrowned
Night Heron and Squacco Heron.
Day 8
After some final birding in one of the many
productive areas in the delta we head towards
Bologna Airport where we catch our return flight
to London.
Warm
Low
Normal
Relaxed
Good
Moderate
Scheduled
Boat Cruise
To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445
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