Second urban trekking between Colletta and Confluence Park in Turin, once again with a good number of interested participants (and with excellent telephoto lenses!), guided as always by the ornithologist Riccardo Alba.
As the weeks go by, the spring atmosphere becomes more intense and already at the meeting point we are greeted by a concert of singing Passerines.
We begin our journey along the Po, where we spot the first species related to river environments such as Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus).
If last week we were able to witness the courtship rituals of the latter, now we observe the construction of the nest by some couples.
Great Crested Grebe. Photo by Enrico Peis.
At the confluence of Po and Dora rivers, we are immediately greeted by a beautiful adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) who, flying close to some Yellow-legged Gulls, makes us appreciate the differences in its plumage compared to its “local” cousins.
Lesser Black-backed Gull. Photo by Veronica Dutto.
Along the river banks, we observe Common Pochards (Aythya ferina) and Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula). The numbers of ducks are less nourished than in recent days, as the wintering individuals are starting to move north, ready for another breeding season.
Common Pochard. Photo by Veronica Dutto.
Between trees and vegetation we spot numerous species of Passerines: the Short-toed Treecreepers (Certhia brachydactyla) hunt frantically on the bark of the pines; the Common Chiffchaffes (Phylloscopus collybita), still present in large numbers, crowd the reeds; the Eurasian Nuthatches (Sitta europaea) arrange the nesting cavities.
Eurasian Nuthatch. Photo by Veronica Dutto.
Unfortunately, as in other Italian cities, alien species also abound in Turin’s urban parks. In addition to the numerous Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), we contact several Coypus (Myocastor coypus) and some individuals of Trachemys scripta, basking on trunks.
Alien species. Photo by Veronica Dutto.
Arriving at the Park of the Confluence with the Stura near the Meisino SPA, among the many water birds, we spot 5 species of gulls.
In addition to the numerous Black-headed Gulls and Yellow-legged Gulls, we observe two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a first winter Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) and 4 Common Gulls (Larus canus)!
Common Gull. Photo by Enrico Peis.
With the aid of the spotting scope – made available in turn after careful sanitization – the participants were able to appreciate the differences between the different species encountered during the morning. We conclude the day with 44 species observed, including wintering and nesting birds.
We hope to be able to offer you our excursions to discover nature in Turin soon!
Little Egret. Photo by Enrico Peis.
CHECKLIST
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
- Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
- Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
- Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
- Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
- Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
- Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus)
- Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
- Common Gull (Larus canus)
- Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)
- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
- Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
- Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
- European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
- Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
- Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
- Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
- Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
- European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
- Backcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
- Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
- Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
- Great Tit (Parus major)
- Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
- Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
- Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
- Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
- Short-tailed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
- Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
- Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
- Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
- Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
- Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
- Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
- European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
- Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus)