Ttwitching in Italy, Birdwatching in Italy

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TWITCHER'S GUIDE

Northern Bobtail in NW Italy: the largest European population.

Introduction

Northern Bobtail is a gamebird introduced in many European countries. UK, Ireland, France, Slovenia, Spain are all countries where this Nearctic bird has been introduced as early as in the XIX century, but only in Italy (and somewhat France) a wild population became self-sustaining, stable and fully naturalised.

In NW Italy no less than 5,000-8,000 pairs are been recorded along the Sesia and Ticino river valleys (Piedmont and Lombardy).

How to get to :

The best area is Lame del Sesia NP. There are two different sites : one is Oldenico, located on the right side of the Sesia river and the second is Devesio village on the opposite river bank. Look at the map

To get to Oldenico, exit the A-4 Torino-Milan in Greggio and follow the signs to Vercelli. Stop the car in Oldenico village and park the car in the cemetery parking lot. A dirty road leads to the river embarkment. You have to look carefully in the scattered bushes between the embarkment and the river bed. Bobwhites can gather in flocks in winter time or form very shy pairs during spring. Best time to locate them is Oct-Apr, at dawn or dusk. Distinctive call sometime useful to locate the birds.

The other site, Devesio village can be reachable from A-4 in Biandrate. Minor roads leads to the small village of Devesio. Here, dirty roads leads W to the Sesia river embarkment. You have to leave the car wherever possible and explore the area on foot. Take minor trails entering the bushes and pay attention to open area with dense undergrowth and some tree-cover where Bobwhites can be hidden.

Do you need a local guide?

The Lame del Sesia NP is also good for herons (including Purple, Great White, Squacco, Cattle, Night Heron), migrating waders (Ruff, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit), and hosts the biggest Italian population of Sacred Ibis (also a cat C bird).

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