On the occasion of EuroBirdwatch 2020, a network of European events organized by BirdLife Europe and coordinated in Italy by Lipu, we have proposed another urban trekking and birdwatching day trip in the Valentino Park in Turin.
After two days of incessant rain, the sky opens up over the city and a wonderful warm sun allows us to start the trek with the hope of observing a good number of species.
At the Fountain of 12 Months we are surprised by the aerial pursuit of two Grey Wagtails (Motacilla cinerea), a species linked to wetlands environments that has found an optimal habitat along the Po river.
We continue along the circular route observing typical Passerines of urban parks such as the three species of tit (Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Coal Tit), together with the Short-toed Treecreeper and the, unfortunately inevitable, Grey Squirrels.
On the river Po, with great difficulty we contact three Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) and some Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). In fact, the river has very rough water due to the rains of the previous days and with the release of good weather, the immediate arrival of the rowers was not lacking. Despite this drawback, we can also observe other species such as Black-headed Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and a Cormorant flying along the Po river.
It is impossible not to notice the arrival of the first European Robins (Erithacus rubecula) of the season, which in October are preparing to migrate south from the northern breeding areas, as well as perform altitudinal migrations, to arrive in our cities to spend the winter.
Walking along the botanical garden, one of the participants manages to see among the branches of the tall trees, a bird intent on feeding indiscreetly. After a difficult search against the sun, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) finally appears before our eyes, soon joined by Blue Tit and Eurasian Nuthatch, all intent on looking for insects on the branches and bark of the plane trees.
Thus we conclude our walk with 21 species and return to the parking lot where we exchange the latest information and sum up the day.
In fact, on this particular day the individuals for each single species were also counted: the data will then be sent to the organizers of the EuroBirdwatch 2020 event, held simultaneously throughout Europe thanks to the many birdwatchers involved.
CHECKLIST
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 15
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 1
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 2
- Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) 3
- Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) 6
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) circa 100
- Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) 5
- Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica) circa 100
- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) 5
- Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1
- Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) 2
- European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 8
- Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) 5
- Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) 2
- Great Tit (Parus major) 10
- Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) 12
- Coal Tit (Periparus ater) 3
- Long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) 20
- Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) 5
- Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) 8
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) 40