Yesterday we met again in Turin with the urban trekking in the company of the young ornithologist Riccardo Alba. Departure as usual from the Fountain of the 12 months to explore the Valentino Park, where we immediately contact the first common species such as the Wood Pigeon and the Hooded Crow and the last Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) which, feeding above the Medieval Castle, are preparing to the long migration to the African wintering sites.
Once on the river Po, we observe some typical species of the river environment, including Little Grebe, Eurasian Coot and Black-headed Gull. It is here that, suddenly, we spot a bird of prey flying southwards: it is a male of Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)! This species nests in Eastern Europe and represents a rare migratory bird in Piedmont. Amazed and excited by the mega observation, we continue our tour.
On the tall foliage of the Sycamores we observe numerous Passerines: Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Short-toed Treecreeper. These are admired for a long time, giving the participants the opportunity to identify the peculiar characteristics useful for the identification of the different species.
Unfortunately, the observation of the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), an alien species now naturalized in the region, is inevitable in the park. We also witness the passage of some Anax ephippiger, a dragonfly that in this period literally invades Turin and its surroundings.
Continuing, among some Hooded Crows we find a Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hibrid. These two species, in fact, present the limit between distribution ranges in Piedmont.
We finish the walk by crossing the Rocky Garden again, where a Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) shows off with its flaming crest, while a Chalcolestes viridis rests in the shade of the trees.
We greet the participants with a checklist of 24 bird species, including a real rarity, and with yet another confirmation of the importance of urban parks on birdlife and biodiversity.
Interested in birdwatching? Take a look at our private day trips departing from Turin!
CHECKLIST
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
- Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)
- Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
- Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
- Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
- Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)
- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
- Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
- Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
- European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
- Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)
- Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
- Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)
- Great Tit (Parus major)
- European Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
- Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
- Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
- Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
- Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)