Tour Report 27 April – 4 May 2017

Tuscany in Spring

Naturetrek Tour Report 27 April – 4 May 2017

Cytinus rubra Corydalis cava Ophrys shegodes subsp. sphegodes

Report and Images by Paul Harmes

Naturetrek Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Tuscany in Spring

Tour Participants: Paul Harmes (Leader) with eight Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Thursday 27th April

Pisa - Alberese. Seven tour members met with Paul at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 for the 8.25am British Airways flight BA604, to Pisa, Galileo Galilei Airport. Upon arrival, we quickly completed immigration formalities, collected our luggage and made our way out to the arrivals hall, where we met with Sue, who had made her own way to Pisa. We now took the shuttle bus to the car-rental area, where we collected our minibus. Leaving the airport, we took the main Pisa to Florence road, east towards Empoli, where we turned south heading for San Gimignano. As we went, we saw Common Buzzard and Common Swift and many of the verges were red with patches of Hedysarum coronarium (Italian Sainfoin). A light lunch was taken at a service area.

We spent an hour and a half exploring the medieval walled town of San Gimignano, before continuing past Siena and joining the E80 south towards Grosseto. Grey Heron and Barn Swallow were noted as we went. Passing Grosseto in torrential rain, we left the road at Alberese and soon arrived at the lovely comfortable La Fattoria Il Duchesco, our base for the next five nights, where we were met by our hosts, Cristina and Fabio.

Day 2 Friday 28th April

WWF Reserve, Riserva Naturale di Burano - Bosco Patanella After breakfast we joined the E80 main road south towards the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Reserve of Orbetello Oasi, a large, land-locked, brackish lagoon. Unfortunately, there had been an accident and the road was closed southwards from Albinia, and a diversion was in place. Paul decided to try and get to the Riserva Naturale di Burano, another similar lagoon further south. Arriving there, he went in to purchase tickets, and we were shown to an area on the south-west corner, which has seven hides along the lagoon edge. Whilst waiting for Paul to negotiate our access, we saw European Bee-eaters, Mute Swan, Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.

Having parked the bus, we then set off on a walk along the margin of the lagoon. Early sightings included good numbers of Coot, Common Shelduck, Little Egret and a pair of Roe Deer. Shoveler, Mallard, Greater Flamingo and Grey Heron were also added. For the botanists there was Urospermum dalechampii, Phillyrea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved Phillyrea), Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Bush), Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine), Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) and Cistus salvifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus), together with Cleopatra, Long-tailed Blue, Speckled Wood [subsp. aegeria] and Brimstone butterflies, and a number of Nine-spotted moths. A number of Italian Wall Lizards were rather active along the track, also. The bird list grew with the addition of singing Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Jay and, surprisingly, a Lesser Whitethroat. We returned to the reserve office to utilize their picnic tables. During lunch, we were serenaded by several Nightingales.

After our picnic, we took some time to try to locate one of the Nightingales. This, unsurprisingly, was not easy; however, a couple of the group had a fleeting glimpse. We did add several more plants, with Anchusa undulata subsp, hybrida, Glebionis segetum (Corn Marigold), Echium plantagineum (Purple Viper’s-bugloss) and Silene gallica (Small-flowered Catchfly) seen. There were also Common Swallowtail and Wall Brown butterflies.

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

It was now time to make our way to the Riserva Naturale di Bosco Patanella an area of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine) and Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine) woodland, which borders the Orbetello Oasi lagoon. Here, we set off to explore the adjacent saline grassland and saltmarsh margins. We added Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Greenshank, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Red Knot, Black-winged Stilt, Great Egret and Common Tern, to the bird list. Amongst the plants, we recorded Serapias lingua (Tongue Orchid), Triglochin maritima (Sea Arrow-grass), Ornithopus compressus (a Bird’s-foot) and Parentucellia viscosa (Yellow Bartsia).

It was now time to make our journey back to the Fattoria, to prepare for dinner.

Day 3 Saturday 29th April

Parco Regionale della Maremma. Today, before breakfast, around the Fattoria Il Duchesco we heard Eurasian Golden Oriole and Common Wood Pigeon, and saw Italian Sparrow.

Following a fine breakfast, we boarded our bus and made the short trip into Alberese, where we parked by the offices of the Parco Regionale della Maremma and Paul went to purchase our tickets. As it is not permitted to take any private vehicles into this part of the reserve, it was necessary to take the 10 o’clock park bus service to the drop-off point. From here, we planned to take track towards the coast, to continue part of the listed route A2, and set out to walk along the track through the forest. As we went, we recorded Rhamnus alaternus (Mediterranean Buckthorn), Cistus salvifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus) and Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Bush). One or two butterflies began to put in an appearance, including Speckled Wood [subsp. aegeria] and Wall Brown. Jay and Magpie were rather numerous and Common Chaffinch was heard.

We had been walking through extensive Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) and Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine) woodland, when reached a ‘canal’. Here, we found Lesser Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Red-veined Darter and Blue Chaser dragonflies, European Pond Terrapin and the Italian Hybrid Frog.

We now emerged onto the sandy beach, where the cliffs had Anthyllis barba-jovis (Jupiter’s Beard) and Jacobaea maritima (Silver Ragwort). In a damp depression, Paul found Smooth Newt under a log. We found some shade out of the breeze in which to enjoy our picnic. After eating, some of the group climbed to the Saracen tower, ‘Torre di Collelungo’. Upon their return, they reported a Fox, which had also appeared to the rest of the party, apparently in search of food. We now started to make our way back to the bus stop. As we went, we added Limonium etruscum (Etruscan Sea-lavender), Silene colorata, and Petrorhagia saxifraga (Tunic Flower), together with Cleopatra and Small Heath butterflies.

On our arrival in Alberese we adjourned to an ice cream shop, before rejoining our vehicle and taking a slow drive down the northern margin of the reserve, towards Marina di Alberese. Western Cattle Egret and Jay were seen, together with a solitary Fallow Deer.

In was now time to return to the Fattoria for dinner.

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Day 4 Sunday 30th April

Giglio Island & the Argentario Peninsula: An early morning walk produced in excess of 100 Fallow Deer and a solitary Wild Boar. Birds included fleeting views of Eurasian Golden Oriole, European Bee-eater, European Stonechat, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Hoopoe and Corn Bunting.

After breakfast, we set off for the 30-minute drive to Porto Santo Stefano, the main seaport on the Argentario promontory. As we drove, we recorded Eurasian Jay, Common Starling and Hooded Crow. Arriving in the port, we were met by our boat captain, Massimo. Paul parked the vehicle, and we made our way to the boat at the quay. Today we were taking a trip out to Isola del Giglio in the hope of seeing some sea birds. Leaving the harbour, the sea was calm as we made our way along the coast to check out a promising rock stack, which was inhabited by European Shag [subsp. desmarestii] the Mediterranean race, and Yellow-legged Gulls.

We now crossed the open water towards Giglio Island’s southern end. As we went we saw a small group of Scopoli’s Shearwater in the middle distance, before rounding the end of Giglio. The cliffs and rocky shore were inhabited by a huge number of Yellow-legged Gull, and we also spotted Common Buzzard, Barn Swallow and Peregrine Falcon. After slowly making progress northwards, we came across yet more gulls, only this time Peter spotted what we thought was a solitary Audouin’s Gull. However, it soon became apparent that there were several of these scarce birds. At this point Massimo dropped anchor in the small sheltered bay and set about preparing us a splendid lunch, with a choice of seafood or vegetable pasta and bruschetta with tomato and olive oil. A large number of mixed Gulls joined us, waiting eagerly for the remnants of our lunch. It was now time to undertake the return journey to Porto Santo Stefano, arriving back in port at around 4pm.

On our return to Porto Santo Stefano, we thanked Massimo for a splendid and memorable day, and repaired to the ice cream (‘gelato’) seller on the quay, before we rejoined our vehicle.

Leaving Porto Santo Stefano, we drove up into the hills of the Argentario Peninsula, above the port, where we parked on a track leading up over a scrubby, rocky hillside, and set off to explore. Almost immediately we found Moltoni’s (Subalpine) Warbler, although it was not showing well. It did, however, appear several times, and nearly all the group got a view. Little Blue and Wall Brown butterflies were also added. Moving on up the track we added Astragalus monspessulanus (Montpelier Milk-vetch), Cytinus rubra, Orobanche lavandulacea, Teucrium fruticans (Shrub Germander) and the endemic Polygala flavascens (Yellow Milkwort), before it was time to make our way back to Alberese in time for dinner.

Day 5 Monday 1st May

Oasi San Felice & Reserva Naturale Diaccia Botrona This morning, we took an early, leisurely stroll around the grounds of Il Duchesco. Mammals were early finds with Fallow Deer, Wild Boar and Hare, all seen. It was not too long before we added European Bee-eater, a solitary Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Hoopoe, Italian Sparrow, Western Cattle Egret, European Stonechat and Corn Bunting.

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

After breakfast, we left Alberese and made our way into outskirts of the nearby city of Grosseto where joined the coast road westwards, making our way to Oasi San Felice, an area of extensive coastal woodlands situated on the coast near Marina de Grosseto, on the northern side of the San Leopoldo Channel. (Leopold II was the last Grand Duke of Tuscany, who began land reclamation in the 19th century.)

We parked the vehicles in a rough car park, and set off to walk through Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) and Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine) woodland. We heard the occasional explosive call of Cetti’s Warbler and also Nightingale, which some group members were able to glimpse. Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit were also recorded. There were some insects emerging in the morning sun. Southern White Admiral, Wall Brown, Green-underside Blue, Common Blue, Brimstone and Pearly Heath butterflies were all seen, and Buff-tailed Bumblebee. For the botanists, Phillyrea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved Phillyrea), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Trifolium stellatum (Starry Clover), Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Bush) and Cistus x incanus (Hybrid Pink Cistus) were also seen. After working our way through the woodland, we emerged into an area of vegetated sand dunes at the back of the beach. Moving towards the water, we set up the telescopes to scan the sea, finding Yelkouan Shearwater, Sandwich Tern, Scopoli’s Shearwater and Yellow-legged Gull. In the wonderful vegetated dunes, we found Medicago minima (Bur Medick), Medicago maritima (Sea Medick), Calystegia soldanella (Sea Bindweed), Eryngium maritimum (Sea-holly), Silene otites (Spanish Catchfly), Pseudorlaya pumila, Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) and Echinophora spinosa. Returning through the woods, Long-tailed Tit, and a fleeting European Roller were added. It was now time to prepare lunch, under darkening skies.

After our picnic, we made our way towards Castiglione della Pescaia and the Riserva Naturale Diaccia Botrona, a vast expanse of pools, ditches, and dykes set in reed-beds and rough grasslands. Here we parked near to the Casa Ximenes, and made our way out to a bird hide on the edge of a lake. Cetti’s Warbler and Zitting Cisticola were heard, and Little Egret, Eurasian Hobby, Greater Flamingo and a surprising Great Spotted Cuckoo were seen. Along the trackside we found Alanthus altissimus (Tree-of-Heaven), Salpichroa origanifolia (Salpichroa), Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle), Sarcocornia fruticosa and Arundo donax (Giant Reed). From the hide, we had distant views of more Greater Flamingos. We also saw at closer quarters Grey Heron, Wood Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Barn Swallow, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Common Tern, Spotted and Common Redshank, Grey Plover, Squacco Heron, Eurasian Curlew and Great Egret.

After afternoon refreshments in Marina di Grosseto, it was time to make our way back to the Fattoria in time to pack before dinner.

Day 6 Tuesday 2nd May

Sienna & transfer to Moggione This morning we left the Fattoria at 6.30am, and made our way to the Marina di Alberese, in the Maremma National Park. Having parked, we set off along the coastal track. As we went we saw two Fallow Deer, a pair of Common Sandpipers, Northern Wheatear, Sardinian Warbler and European Turtle Dove and, out to sea, we spotted one or two Scopoli’s Shearwaters. Our objective, however, was the nest of a pair of Western Osprey positioned at an isolated spot where there is little or no disturbance. All of the group had distant scoped, but clear, views of both the birds. As we left the Regional Park, we became aware of a large number of Common Swift, hawking insects along the access road.

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

After breakfast at 7am, it was time to bid farewell to La Fattoria Il Duchesco and to Cristina and Fabio, thanking them for a fantastic stay. We joined the northbound main road up to the historic city of Siena, where our leader dropped us off near the Porto San Marco. We now took the rest of the morning to explore the city including the famous landmarks like the Piazza del Duomo, for the cathedral, and the Piazza del Campo, where the famous horse race takes place. Common Swifts were very vocal here and there were a large number in the sky.

After enjoying our lunch, we rejoined Paul at the pick-up point at 3.15pm, and were soon on the E78 road heading for Arezzo. Having passed through this town, we stopped near Subbiano for picnic shopping and refreshments. Along the way we saw Common Kestrel, Common Starling, Eurasian Jay and Common Blackbird. We now continued our journey on through Bibbiena to Poppi, where we turned up to Moggiona and the Hotel I Tre Baroni, our base for the last two nights. We were met on arrival by Marta, the hotel receptionist, who quickly got us settled into our rooms. We reconvened at 7.30pm for dinner.

Day 7 Wednesday 3rd May

Reserve Naturali Casentinesi Today, we took an early stroll around the hotel grounds, which produced views of Common Redstart, European Serin, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Northern Raven, Song Thrush and Common Cuckoo was also heard.

After breakfast, we took our vehicle north the short distance into the Parco Nationale delle Foresti Casentinesi, making our first stop by the Eremo Hermitage. Here, we began our exploration of the area by walking along the forest margins down to a small pond in the woods. Here we found Italian Crested Newt, and the pond surface had a wonderful carpet of Ranunculus trichophyllus (Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot) and around the edges, we found Cardamine bulbifera (Coralroot Bitter-cress) and Cardamine amara (Greater Bitter-cress). As we were making our way back to the bus we located Lathraea squamaria (Toothwort). Birds included Coal Tit, Great Tit and Mistle Thrush. There were also Eurasian Crag Martins, who had made their home in the monastery bell-tower. The walls of the Hermitage had Asplenium ruta-muraria (Wall Rue), Sedum dasyphyllum (Fat-leaved Stonecrop) and Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine), as well as Italian Wall Lizard.

We now made our way down to Camaldoli, where we parked by the river bridge. The birders had very good, but fleeting, views of White-throated Dipper. Coal Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Blue Tit and Great Tit were also seen, and Garden Warbler was heard. Meanwhile, for the botanists there was Orchis mascula subsp. speciosa (an Early Purple Orchid), Myosotis ramosissimus (Small Forget-me-Not), Cardamine bulbifera (Coralroot Bitter-cress), Cardamine raphanifolia (a Bitter-cress) and the seeding heads of Anemone ranunculoides (Yellow Anemone). Butterflies included Speckled Wood (subsp. aegeria) and Wall Brown.

It was now time to make our way to a picnic site south of Camaldoli, for lunch. A bank nearby had a number of emerging Saxifraga bulbifera (Bulbous Saxifrage), and Eastern Bath White and Orange Tip butterflies. We also had a sighting of the large day-flying moth, Tau Emperor.

After lunch, took a walk along the rough road to Asqua. Coal tit and Blue Tit were all the birders could locate, and Neottia ovata (Twayblade), Daphne laureola (Spurge Laurel), Helleborus bocconei and Cephalanthera longifolia (Sword- leaved Helleborine) were new records for the botanists.

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

A final brief stop was made at a higher altitude, near Prato alla Penna, overlooking the Lago di Ridracoli reservoir. Here, in the woodland, we added Cardamine enneaphyllos (Drooping Bittercress), Petasites albus (White Butterbur) and Corydalis cava (Bulbous Corydalis). We now returned to the hotel in time to pack for tomorrow’s departure, prior to dinner.

Day 8 Thursday 4th May

Moggiona via Florence to Pisa; flight to London After an early breakfast, we loaded up the vehicle in preparation for our journey back to Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport. We said our goodbyes to Valerie, Mike, Janice and Peter, who were all staying on in Italy for a few days, and to Marta and the other staff, and set off. Our route took us west from Moggiona to Poppi, the SR70 westwards through Consuma and Borselli and on to Pontassieve, where we got our first good view of the River Arno. Along the way, some of the verges had Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid) on them. We now joined the SR67and continued on to the outskirts of Florence, where we joined the A1 motorway for a short distance before taking the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno main road, which would take us back to the airport. We made a short comfort and refreshment stop on the way, before arriving at the Airport in time for our British Airways flight BA603 to Heathrow.

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* indicates a plant is endemic; [ ] = A plant is introduced or planted)

Nomenclature contained within this list follows the taxonomic amendments, based on DNA analysis, made by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanic Garden, and following The Plant List, an internationally accepted list of vascular plant families, published and maintained by these two Institutions.

Scientific name Common name Location

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Calamophytes Horsetails

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family

Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Eremo Equisetum telmateia Greater Horsetail Via Asqua

Leptosporangiate Ferns True Ferns

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens Maidenhair Spleenwort Camaldoli

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Lago di Burano

Dryopteridaceae Buckler-fern Family Polystichum aculeatum Hard Shield-fern Camaldoli

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium interjectum Intermediate Polypody Camaldoli

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family [Cupressus sempervirens] Italian Cypress Planted Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa Prickly Juniper Lago di Burano Juniperus phoeniceus Phoenicean Juniper Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Pinaceae Pine Family Abies alba European Silver Fir Eremo Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Lago di Burano Pinus nigra subsp. nigra Black Pine Camaldoli Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Pinus pinea Umbrella Pine Lago di Burano

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS

Eu-Dicots True Dicotyledons

Adoxaceae Moschatel Family Sambucus nigra Elder Roadsides

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Carpobrotus aciacifolius Sally-my-Handsome Giglio Island Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot-fig Giglio Island Lampranthus roseus Rosy Dewplant Giglio Island

Amaranthaceae Goose-foot Family Atriplex portulacoides Sea Purslane Patenella Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet Diacca Batroni Sarcocornia fruticosa Shrubby Glasswort Patenella

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Pistacia lentiscus Mastic Bush Lago di Burano

Apiaceae Carrot Family Eryngium maritimum Sea-holly Oasi San Felice Echinophora spinosa Echinophora Oasi San Felice Ferula communis Giant Fennel Roadsides Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Lago di Burano Orlaya daucoides - Argentario Peninsula Pseudorlaya pumila - Oasi San Felice Sanicula europaea Sanicle Camaldoli Tordylium apulum Hartwort Lago di Burano

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Betulaceae Birch Family Ostrya carpinifolia Hop Hornbeam Via Asqua

Boraginaceae Forget-me-not Family Anchusa undulata subsp. hybrida Undulate Anchusa Lago di Burano Cynoglossum creticum Cretan Hound’s-tongue Fattoria Il Duchesco Echium plantagineum Purple Viper’s Bugloss Lago di Burano Pulmonaria officinalis Common Lungwort Camaldoli

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Eremo Arabis glabra Smooth Rockcress Camaldoli Arabis turrita Towercress Camaldoli Barbarea vulgaris Winter-cress Camaldoli Cakile maritima Sea Rocket Oasi San Felice Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s Purse Fattoria Il Duchesco Cardamine amara Greater Bitter-cress Eremo Cardamine bulbifera Coralroot Bitter-cress Eremo Cardamine enneaphyllos Drooping Bitter-cress Above Eremo Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress Eremo Cardamine impatiens Cut-leaved Bitter-cress Camaldoli Cardamine raphanifolia a Bitter-cress Camaldoli Draba muralis Wall Whitlow-grass Camaldoli Lobularia maritima Sweet Alison Marina de Grosseto Lunaria redivida Perennial Honesty Camaldoli Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum Wild Raddish Argentario Peninsula Sinapis arvensis Charlock Diacca Batroni

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera implexa - Lago di Burano Valeriana tripteris Three-leaved Valerian Above Eremo

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Arenaria serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Sandwort Lago di Burano Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Eremo Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort Camaldoli Petrorhagia saxifraga Tunic Flower Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Polycarpon tetraphyllum Four-leaved Allseed Porto Santo Stefano Silene colorata - Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Lago di Burano Silene latifolia White Campion Lago di Burano Silene otites Spanish Catchfly Oasi San Felice Spergularia marina Lesser Sea Spurrey Porto Santo Stefano Stellaria media Chickweed San Gimignano

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Cistus x incanus - Lago di Burano Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Lago di Burano Helianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose Above Moggiona

Compositae (Asteraceae) Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Fattoria Il Duchesco Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Giglio Island Artemisia maritima Sea Wormwood Patenella Anthemis chia - Patenella Anthemis maritimus - Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Bellis perennis Daisy Fattoria Il Duchesco Bellis sylvestris Southern Daisy Camaldoli Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Lago di Burano Carduus tenuiflorus Slender Thistle Lago di Burano Cruprina cruprinastrum Cruprina Argentario Peninsula Dittrichia viscosa Stink Aster Lago di Burano Filago (Evax) pygmaea Evax Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Filago germanica (F. vulgaris) Common Cudweed Lago di Burano Glebionis segetum Corn Marigold Lago di Burano Helichrysum italicum Italian Everlasting Lago di Burano Helichrysum stoechas Curry Plant Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Inula crithmoides Sea Samphire Oasi San Felice (leaves) Jacobaea maritima (Senecio cineraria) Silver Ragwort Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Petasites albus White Butterbur Above Eremo Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Fattoria Il Duchesco Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Via Asqua Urospermum dalechampii - Lago di Burano Xanthium spinosum Spiny Cocklebur Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Calystegia soldanella Sea Bindweed Oasi San Felice Convolvulus catabricus Pink Bindweed Patanella Cuscuta epithymum Dodder

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum dasyphyllum Fat-leaved Stonecrop Eremo Sedum forsterianum Rock Stonecrop Sedum hispanicum - Eremo Sedum sediforme - Argentario Peninsula (leaves)

Cytinaceae Cytinus Family Cytinus rubra Red Cytinus Argentario Peninsula

Cucurbitaceae White Bryony Family Ecballium elaterium Squirting Cucumber Diacca Batroni

Elaeagnaceae Elaeagnus Family [Elaeagnus angustifolius] Russian Olive Oasi San Felice

Ericaceae Heath family Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Lago di Burano Erica multiflora - Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Eremo Euphorbia dendroides Tree Euphorbia Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Euphorbia dulcis Sweet Spurge Camaldoli Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Fagaceae Oak & Beech Family Fagus sylvestris Beech Eremo Quercus cerris Turkey Oak Lago di Burano Quercus ilex Holm Oak Lago di Burano Quercus pubescens Downy Oak Oasi San Felice Quercus suber Cork Oak Lago di Burano

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium chium a Stork's-bill Fattoria Il Duchesco Erodium moschatum Musk Stork's-bill Alberese Geranium lucidum Shining Crane's-bill Camaldoli Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Lago di Burano Geranium purpureum Little Robin Argentario Peninsula

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Lamium garganicum Large Red Dead-nettle Camaldoli Mentha x villosa Apple-mint Eremo Pasium majus Prasium Patanella Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Lago di Burano Salvia glutinosa Jupiter's Distaff Camaldoli (leaves) Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Argentario Peninsula Sideritis hirsutus - Argentario Peninsula Teucrium fruticans Shrubby Germander Argentario Peninsula

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Anthyllis barba-jovis Jupiter's Beard Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Astragalus monspessulanus Montpelier Milk-vetch Argentario Peninsula Bitumaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Lago di Burano

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Coronilla juncea - Argentario Peninsula Dorycnium hirsutum Dorycnium Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Hedysarum coronarium Italian Sainfoin Roadsides Hippocrepis (Coronilla) emerus Scorpion Vetch or False Senna Oasi San Felice Hippocrepis comosa Horseshoe Vetch Above Moggiona Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Below Moggiona Lathyrus ochrus - Patanella Merdicago maritima Sea Medick Oasi San Felice Medicago minima Bur Medick Oasi San Felice Medicago polymorpha Toothed Medick Patanella Ornithopus compressus a Bird's-foot Lago di Burano Trifolium campestris Hop Trefoil Lago di Burano Trifolium repens White Clover Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Trifolium resupinatum Reversed Clover Patanella Trifolium scabrum Rough Clover Patanella Trifolium squamosum Sea Clover Patanella Trifolium stellatum Starry Clover Oasi San Felice Vicia sativa subsp. sativa Cultivated Vetch Argentario Peninsula Vicia sepium Bush Vetch Camaldoli

Linaceae Flax Family Linum bienne Biennial Flax Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva cretica Cretan Mallow Argentario Peninsula Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Fattoria Il Duchesco

Moraceae Fig Family [Ficus carica] Fig Roadsides

Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Myrtus communis Myrtle Lago di Burano

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus ornus Flowering or Manna Ash Lago di Burano Phillyrea angustifolia Narrow-leaved Phillyrea Lago di Burano

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Lathraea squamaria Toothwort Eremo Orobanche crenata Bean Broomrape Orobanche lavandulacea - Argentario Peninsula Orobanche minor Common Broomrape Patanella Parentucellia viscosa Yellow Bartsia Patanella

Oxalidaceae Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Camaldoli [Oxalis articulata] Pink Oxalis Pisa Airport

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Corydalis cava Bulbous Corydalis Above Eremo Fumaria capreolata White Ramping Fumitory Patanella Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy Common

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Antirrhinum latifolium - San Gimignano Antirrhinum siculum - Porto Santo Stefano Linaria purpurea Purple Toadflax Lago di Burano Plantago afra - Plantago bellardii - Plantago coronopus Stag's-horn Plantain Patanella Plantago lagopus Hare's-foot Plantain Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Argentario Peninsula Plantago major Greater Plantain Fattoria Il Duchesco Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell Camaldoli

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Limonium etruscum* Etruscan Sea-lavender Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala flavescens* Yellow Milkwort Argentario Peninsula Polygala nicaeensis Nice Milkwort Via Asqua

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Rumex acetosa Sorrel Camaldoli Rumex bucephalophorus Horned Dock Patanella

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Patanella Cyclamen hederifolium Sowbread Camaldoli (leaves)

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone hortensis - Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Eremo Anemone ranunculoides Yellow Anemone Camaldoli (leaves) Helleborus bocconei A Hellebore Eremo Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Via Asqua Hepatica nobilis Hepatica Camaldoli (leaves) Ranunculus trichophyllus Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot Eremo

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda lutea Mignonette Oasi San Felice Reseda phyteuma Corn Mignonette Argentario Peninsula

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Paliurus spina-christi Christ's or Jerusalem Thorn Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Rosaceae Rose Family Aremonia agrimonioides Bastard Agrimony Camaldoli Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Camaldoli Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Camaldoli Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry Camaldoli Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Lago di Burano

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Argentario Peninsula

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Galium aparine Cleavers Lago di Burano Sherardia arvensis Field Madder Lago di Burano

Salicaceae Willow & Poplar Family Populus x canadensis Hybrid Black Poplar Patanella

Santalaceae Sandalwood Family Osyris alba Osyris Argentario Peninsula

Sapindaceae Maple Family Acer campestris Field Maple Near Camaldoli Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Moggiona

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga bulbifera Bulbous Saxifrage Camaldoli Saxifraga rotundifolia Round-leaved Saxifrage Camaldoli

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Salpichroa origanifolia Salpichroa Diacca Botrona

Thymelaeaceae Mezereon Family Daphne gnidium Mediterranean Daphne Lago di Burano Daphne laureola Spurge Laurel Via Asqua Daphne sericea -

Urticacae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-Wall San Gimignano Urtica dioica Common Nettle Eremo

Violaceae Violet Family Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet Eremo

Monocots Monocotyledons

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Oasi San Felice Allium subhirsutum - Argentario Peninsula Pancratium maritimum (leaves) Sea Daffodil Oasi San Felice (leaves)

Araceae Arum Family Arum italicum subsp. italicum Italian Lords and Ladies M'way Service Area

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Anthericum liliago St. Bernards Lily Asparagus acutifolius - Lago di Burano Leopoldia (Muscari) comosa Tassel Hyacinth Lago di Burano Ornithogalum umbellatum Common Star of Bethlehem Argentario Peninsula Polygonatum multiflorum Common Solomon's-seal Eremo Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom Lago di Burano

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex arenaria Sand Sedge Lago di Burano Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Camaldoli

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Schoenus nigricans Black Bog Rush Patanella

Iridaceae Iris Family Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Parco Naturalle della Maremma.

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Juncus effusus Soft Rush Eremo

Juncaginaceae Arrowgrass Family Triglochin maritima Sea Arrowgrass Patanella

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis morio subsp. morio Green-winged Orchid Near Camaldoli Cephalanthera longifolia Narrow-leaved Helleborine Via Asqua Neotinea maculata Dense-flowered Orchid Argentario Peninsula (in fruit) Neottia ovata Twayblade Via Asqua Ophrys bertolonii Bertolloni's Bee Orchid Moggiona Ophrys sphegodes subsp. sphegodes Early Spider Orchid Above Moggiona Orchis mascula Early Purple orchid Near Consuma Orchis mascula subsp. speciosa (O. ovalis) an Early Purple Orchid Camaldoli Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid Moggiona Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid Patanella

Poaceae Grass Family Aegilops ovata - Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Ammophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea (littoralis) a Marram Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Ampelodesmos mauritanicus - Argentario Peninsula Anisantha diandra Great Brome Patanella Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome Camaldoli Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass Patanella Arundo donax Giant Reed Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Avena sterilis Winter Wild Oat Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Briza maxima Great Quaking Grass Argentario Peninsula Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Fattoria Il Duchesco Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass Lago di Burano Phragmites australis Common Reed Lago di Burano Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Fattoria Il Duchesco Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor-grass Camaldoli Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue Parco Naturalle della Maremma. Vulpia fasciculata Dune Fescue Oasi San Felice

Smilacaceae Smilax Family Smilax aspera Smilax Lago di Burano

Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodel Family Asphodelus albus White Asphodel Camaldoli

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only; LO=leader only) April / May Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 1 Mute Swan Cygnus olor   2 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna  3 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata  4 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos     5 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus  H  6 Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea    7 Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan  8 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus   9 Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita  10 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  11 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis      12 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea      13 Great Egret Ardea albus   14 Little Egret Egretta garzetta       15 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii   16 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo  17 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus   18 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus  19 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo     H 20 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra  21 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus  22 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   23 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  24 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola   25 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula  26 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  27 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus  28 Red Knot Calidris canutus  29 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea  30 Sanderling Calidris alba  31 Little Stint Calidris minutus  32 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata  33 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  34 Common Redshank Tringa totanus  35 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia  36 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  37 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  38 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei  39 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus  40 Audouin's Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii  41 Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis        42 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis  43 Common Tern Sterna hirundo   44 Rock Dove [Feral] Columba livia (Feral)        45 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus         46 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur  47 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto        48 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius  49 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 50 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops H H H H H H 51 Common Swift Apus apus        52 European Roller Coracias garrulus   53 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster      54 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops    H  55 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis H H H 56 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus    57 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo  58 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus brookei  59 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio  60 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus H  61 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius        62 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica        63 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula     64 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix        65 Northern Raven Corvus corax H 66 Coal Tit Periparus ater  67 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus  68 Great Tit Parus major H  H   69 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica        70 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  71 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum      72 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti H H H 73 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus  74 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita  75 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis  H 76 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H LO  H 77 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin H 78 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca  79 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis  80 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala H  81 Goldcrest Regulus regulus  82 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H 83 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris         84 Common Blackbird Turdus merula       85 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos  H 86 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus  87 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata   88 European Robin Erithacus rubecula H  89 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos   90 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros  91 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus   92 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola  93 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe  94 White Throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus  95 House Sparrow Passer domesticus   96 Italian Sparrow Passer italiae        97 Western Yellow Wagtail Montacilla flava flava  98 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  99 White Wagtail Motacilla alba  100 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs H H H H  H

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 101 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris LO 102 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis       103 European Serin Serinus serinus H       104 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra   H

Mammals (S = Signs) 1 Western Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus  2 Roman Mole Talpa romana S 3 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes    4 Wild Boar Sus scrofa  S  S S 5 Fallow Deer Dama dama      6 European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus   7 European Hare Lepus europaeus LO  8 Crested Porcupine Hystrix cristata S 9 Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus 

Reptiles & Amphibians 1 Common or Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris  2 Italian Crested Newt Tritutus carnifex  3 European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis   4 Red-eared Terrapin Trachemys scripta  5 Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni   6 Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis sicula       7 Grass Snake Natrix natrix 

Butterflies 1 Swallowtail Papilio machaon  2 Southern Festoon Zerynthia polyxena cassandra  4 Large White Pieris brassicae  5 Small White Pieris rapae   6 Eastern Bath White Pontia edusa  7 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines   8 Berger's Clouded Yellow Colias sareptensis  9 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni   10 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra   11 Wood White Leptidea sinapis  13 Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus  14 Little Blue Cupido minimus   15 Green-underside Blue Glaucopsyche alexis  16 Brown Argus Aricia agrestis 17 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus   19 Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta   20 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta  21 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui  23 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus  24 Pearly Heath Coenonympha arcania  25 Southern' Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria aegeria     26 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera    

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4

Macros Moths 1 Tau Emperor Aglia tau  2 Wayfarer Emmiltis pygmaearia  3 Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia  4 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria  5 Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata  6 Nine-spotted Amata phegea phegea  7 Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa perplexa  8 Silver-Y Autographa gamma 

Other Taxa 1 Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope  2 Blue Chaser Libellula fulva  3 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii  4 Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum  5 Shield Bug Cydnus aterrimus  6 Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata  7 Froghopper Aphrophora alni  8 Common Back-swimmer Notonrcta glauca  9 Bee Fly Bombylius sp.  10 Robber-fly Asilidae sp  11 Sawfly sp Symphyta sp  12 Velvet Ant Mutilla c.f. europaea  13 Wood Ant Formica rufa   14 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terestris   15 Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum  16 an 'Orange' Bumblebee -   17 European Paper Wasp Polistes gallicus  18 Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea    19 a Tiger Beetle Cicindela sp.  20 Darkling Beetle Pimelia bipunctata    21 Seven-spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata  22 Green 'Fat thigh' Beetle Oedemera nobilis   23 Rosmary Beetle Chrysolina americana  

Geranium purpureum