Birding Rome: a day trip at Lake Vico

On Monday 27 September, together with the naturalist Francesco Simonetta, we accompanied Valerio, a wildlife photography enthusiast, on an excursion departing from Rome: destination Lake Vico.

Surrounded by the Cimini Mountains, in the province of Viterbo, this volcanic lake is recognized as SCI (Site of Community Importance) and SPA (Special Protection Area), thanks to its rich biodiversity.

We arrive before dawn at one of the three hides present there, so as to say here without being warned by the animals. With the arrival of the first lights, we manage to observe the first water birds, including a Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), many Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) and several species of duck.

Unfortunately, before the light conditions are good for photographing them, a Red Fox scares the birds. Shortly after we witness the passage of a small group of Wild Boars a few meters from the hide.

After a while we move towards the banks in search of other species, but unfortunately we are surprised by a sudden storm that forces us to take a long stop.

After the downpour, we head to the third hide and on the way we photograph a rather confident Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) on the shores of the lake.

Arriving at the point we await the target species of the day: the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), which, however, after a long wait we are still unable to see.

Meanwhile, Valerio take some photos to a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) which after several attempts manages to capture a small rodent.

After the packed lunch, we also photograph a Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and another family of Wild Boars that came to eat under an oak tree near the shed.

After a long wait, suddenly a group of Coots run away: the Western Marsh Harrier has arrived! We see it circling in the distance in search of prey and very quickly approaches the hide.

Thus we conclude our day trip, despite the somewhat uncertain weather we return home with a series of beautiful shots of the local fauna and above all the long-awaited Marsh Harrier.

 CHECKLIST

1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
2. Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)
3. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
4. Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
5. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
6. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
7. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
8. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
9. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
10. Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
11. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
12. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
13. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
14. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
15. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
16. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
17. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
18. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
19. Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
20. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
21. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
22. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
23. Cetti’s Warbler (Cettia cetti)
24. Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)