On Saturday 27 June we began our activities – in collaboration with Riccardo Mattea, zoologist – in Umbria and in particular on the Martani mountains.
The first excursion focused on the nature photo trekking format, a type of format that we had already had the opportunity to experiment in Campania.
Starting from a height of about 850 meters above sea level, the route began with the crossing of an ecosystem of high scrub mixed with holm oak. The first signs of wild animals were encountered in the small clearings including a Eurasian Sparrowhawk’s (Accipiter nisus) predation scene which gave the opportunity to explain the hunting techniques of this bird of prey characteristic of the wooded areas. A hunter who instead allowed himself to be observed and photographed well was a colorful Phylaemus chrysops spider from the Salticidae family.
Along this first phase of the journey, traces of the most common ungulates in the area (Roe Deer and Wild Boar) were also found, all while accompanied by the singing of the Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus).
Going up in altitude, in the areas of ecotone, we observed in syntopia (a term that indicates when multiple species share the same range) both species of Podarcis (Italian Wall Lizard – Podarcis siculus and Common Wall Lizard – Podarcis muralis).
Continuing the journey through a more mature holm oak wood a Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra), wild orchid pollinated by Hymenoptera, that provided the opportunity to expose the ecology of this peculiar group of plants.
At 1000 m. altitude we reached the plateau (grazing area for buffaloes), dominated, from an ornithological point of view, by the presence of three fascinating species: Red-backed Shrike (Lanus collurio), Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), among the most emblematic breeding birds in the area, which we have observed struggling to find food for the offspring.
Going even further in elevation the attention was focused on medicinal herbs (Thyme, Helichrysum, etc.), on rocky succulent plants and on seasonal blooms.
It was then time to devote ourselves to the observation of the rich entomofauna which saw numerous interesting species of Insects as protagonists including Beetles such as Cetonia aurata, Lepidoptera of the genus Zygaena and imposing Hymenoptera such as Megascolia maculata flavifrons.
The stars of the moment, however, were 2 Libelloides longicornis pairing, perfect models to focus (hoping not to have excessively disturbed the moment of intimacy) on photography.
After observing a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) hunting in the characteristic hovering position, and visiting the ruins of the pagan temple of Monte Maggiore (located on the highest point of the mountain and dating back to the fifth century BC) we then moved to the beech forest to have our pic-nic.
After eating and enjoying a bit of well-deserved relax in the cool of the woods, we continued on the path finding a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and an Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) feather and listened to the songs of Coal Tit (Periparus ater) and Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) observing and photographing yet another interesting Insect the “fearsome” predatory beetle Calosoma sicophanta.
The excursion therefore ended with a visit to the Church of Sant’Erasmo (XII century) located on the southern edge of the Monti Martani in one of the most panoramic points in the province of Terni.
The next appointments for this trek are set for 12 and 18 July, in addition to other work in progress activities in the beautiful “green Umbria”.
See you on field!
