The wetlands lie hidden amidst intensively farmed land. When traveling in western Sicily and suddenly finding yourself before a still expanse of water framed by reeds and dense undergrowth, everything seems almost unrealistically peaceful for a moment. Only the rhythmic calls of the Hoopoe (Upupa epops) provide a background sound. This is exactly what a… Continue reading Birdwatching in Sicily: Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi NR
Tag: Sicily
Is it correct to call Italian Sparrow a species?
It starts like a simple question on a walk through an Italian village: that small brown bird hopping between café tables, is it just another House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), or something more? Many bird enthusiasts have had this moment. The Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) looks familiar, yet slightly different. That subtle difference opens a much… Continue reading Is it correct to call Italian Sparrow a species?
Vagrant Blue-cheeked Bee-eater at Capo Murro di Porco in Sicily
I’m standing at Capo Murro di Porco, the southern edge of Sicily, where – quite close to Syrakus – the land gives way to open sea and the wind never really settles. I’ve come here for seawatching, scanning the horizon for shearwaters, but something unexpected should pull my attention furthermore. Near the parking area, a… Continue reading Vagrant Blue-cheeked Bee-eater at Capo Murro di Porco in Sicily