Italy - Po Delta
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We travel to one of Europe's largest and most ornithologically neglected river deltas, the Po Delta, on the shores of the Adriatic, on a gentle tour in true Travelling Naturalist style with the odd relaxed lunch break… join us for some Italian birds and a taste of la Dolce Vita!The Po is Italy's longest river, which winds its way across the north of the country, carrying the melt waters of the Alps, rich in silt. Where it enters the Adriatic, this has created one of Europe's great deltas, a biologically rich area of natural waterways, lagoons and flood plains. Much changed over the centuries by the hand of man, especially by drainage, the delta has often been overlooked by travelling naturalists and birdwatchers in favour of the Camargue and Coto Donana to the west, and the wonders of the Danube to the east. But in recent years, with much more protection of its natural habitats, the Po Delta has come of age as a birdwatching destination, proving that Italy has more to offer the birdwatcher than its famed Italian Sparrows! The delta itself has been described as a 'dream' landscape of rows of Italian Poplar trees rising from morning mist-covered fields, but this is only a part of the whole coastal area known as the Marche, or frontier. The geography here has been likened to 'half a herring-bone', with the Apennines forming the backbone, and nine ridges running down to the Adriatic, separating a series of valleys, each with their own distinctive character. Bird highlights include Pygmy Cormorant in its westernmost European outpost, breeding Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard, all the European breeding heron species together with Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, Caspian, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns. The delta is one of the most regular sites in Europe for Lesser Crested tern, as well as having the largest European Little Tern colony. |
© Skua Travels
Po Delta
Price: £ 1,695
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Bologna*, airport taxes, full board accommodation, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader.
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Other shallow water species abound, with waders including Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt, gulls including Slender-billed Gull, with Fan tailed Warbler and Penduline Tit haunting the reedbeds, while the land holds most of the classic Mediterranean species such as Scops Owl, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole and Nightingale.
Accommodation We stay in two good quality hotels with all rooms en suite. Transport will be by minibus. The 2 hr boat trip is in a small 15-passenger vessel with some shelter. Walking: Gentle walks over easy to moderate terrain. Principal Leader: Mike Read Numbers: Max. 12 clients
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