Birding Rome: late August among nesting and migratory birds

A birdwatching morning between “Centro Habitat Mediterraneo” LIPU and Castel di Guido reserve.

At the end of August we had the pleasure of leading two Ornithology enthusiasts coming from the United States for a birdwatching half day trip departing from Rome.

Given the period and their desire to try to spot a good number of species, we chose the “Centro Habitat Mediterraneo” LIPU reserve as the first stop of our tour, in Ostia, a few kilometers from the center of Rome.

Open to the public since 2001, with its coastal lagoon and observation points it is undoubtedly one of the best places for birdwatching and wildlife photography in the Lazio region. In fact, the reserve hosts an extraordinary diversity of birds every year, including resident, migratory and wintering species.

Our day trip starts very early, so that we can enjoy the sunrise already stationed in one of the three hides in this coastal wetland.

Due to the very high temperatures recorded in the previous weeks, we find the water level rather low: an ideal situation for the many species of waders that flock here in search of food!

Among these we are able to observe some Common Greenshanks (Tringa nebularia), Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) and Common Redshank (Tringa totanus).

But the real stars of the pond are the many individuals of Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), a species that nests in the area, which can be admired just a few steps from the hide.

After observing other species of aquatic birds such as Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), we decide to look at the other observation points. On the path, two Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) patrol the surrounding vegetation in search of prey.

Reached the second point, we are greeted by a whirlwind of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and Common House Martins (Delichon urbicum), engaged in reckless acrobatics to catch the numerous insects on the water.

After a while, a large group of European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) fills the reserve with colors, giving our guests great emotion, this being one of their target species!

After investigating a drier side of the lagoon, we spot a Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythopus) and several Little Ringed Plovers (Charadrius dubius).

It is now time to move to the second stage of the tour, the Castel di Guido reserve: another area of fundamental naturalistic importance within the municipality of Rome.

As soon as we arrive we are greeted by a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) carrying its prey, probably a Western Green Lizard. Along the edges of the woods that flank the fields we also observe a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) and several Kestrels.

Here too we contact a large number of European Bee-eaters. Before returning to the city, we decide to take a short stop near a pond there.

In addition to the many Green Frogs (Pelophylax sp.), We observe some Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) and Common Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita), bringing our daily checklist to 34 total species.

CHECKLIST

1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
2. Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
3. Great Cormorant (Phalacracorax carbo)
4. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
5. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
6. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
7. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
8. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
9. Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
10. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
11. Water Rail (Rallus acquaticus)
12. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
13. European Coot (Fulica atra)
14. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
15. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
16. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
17. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
18. Common Redshank (Tringa nebularia)
19. Common Greenshank (Tringa totanus)
20. Striped Redshank (Tringa erythopus)
21. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
22. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
23. Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
24. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)
25. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
26. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
27. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
28. Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
29. White Wagtail(Motacilla alba)
30. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
31. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
32. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
33. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
34. Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)