Urban birding in Italy: Villa Pamphilj a hotspot in Rome

Last sunday we had an urban birding trip in Rome in one of the many hotspots that this Italian city holds.

It is a very popular place for citizens, where they spend their free time, go jogging and admire the gardens and historic buildings. Thanks to its multiple environments, including tree-lined areas, meadows and ponds, the Villa hosts a lot of birds throughout the year which find an ideal habitat here: a true oasis of biodiversity!

We begin our birding morning walking along the first avenue, accompanied by the noisy calls of the Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri), we enjoy the differences between some song birds: European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros), European Robins (Erithacus rubecula) and Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

We therefore approach the edge with the wooded area to listen and observe further species. Some birds linked to tree-lined environments do not take long to appear, such as Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius), Great Tit (Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus).

Moving towards the lake, where we will spend a good part of the morning observing the many water birds present here, we begin to scan the riparian vegetation in search of possible surprises. Perched on some bushes we see a beautiful Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), which shortly after disappears from our field of vision like a colorful arrow.

While some Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) graze along the banks, the center of the lake is crowded with many ducks, many present here for ornamental purposes.

In addition to some Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), we see two colorful animals: the Wood Duck and the White-cheeked Pintail. Although they are not wild species, these species from the American continent attract our attention.

Thanls to some basking Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), we take the opportunity to briefly describe some of the most common alien species in Italy and their impact on our freshwater ecosystems.

Continuing the exploration of the lake shores, we are able to observe further species of water birds: some of these are sedentary and present all year round, while others only spend the winter months in our cities.

Among these we spot a majestic Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), a Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), many Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and some Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) drying their plumage in the sun.

As we approach a portion of pine trees we observe a pair of Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) and a Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus), a finch that winters in urban parks and gardens. While these and other Passerines can be admired, other species appear to be more elusive but thanks to their characteristic vocalizations we note their presence: among these a European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major).

We conclude the day by making a final leap to the lake, where a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) lands on a branch a few meters from our heads,

CHECKLIST

1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
2. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
3. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
4. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
5. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
6. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
7. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
8. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
9. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
10. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
11. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)
12. Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
13. Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
14. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
15. European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
16. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
17. White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
18. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
19. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
20. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
21. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
22. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
23. Great Tit (Parus major)
24. European Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
25. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
26. Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
27. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
28. Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
29. Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
30. Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)
31. Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
32. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
33. European Serin (Serinus serinus)
34. European Siskin (Spinus spinus)