Tuscany in Spring

Naturetrek Tour Report 25 April – 2 May 2019

Daphne sericea Ophrys sphegodes Chrysosplenium alternifolium

Lobster Moth

Report and Images by Paul Harmes

Naturetrek Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Tuscany in Spring

Tour Participants: Paul Harmes (leader) with four Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Thursday 25th April

Pisa – San Gimignano - Alberese. Three tour members met with Paul at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 for the 8.25am British Airways flight BA0602, 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 Gil, who had made his own way to Pisa. We now took the shuttle bus to the car rental area, where we collected our minibus.

Joining the main Pisa to Florence motorway east towards Empoli, we then turned south, heading for San Gimignano. As we went, we saw Black Kite, Barn Swallow and Grey Heron, and many of the verges were red with patches of Hedysarum coronarium (Italian Sainfoin). We also spotted a small group of four Fallow Deer. 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. Jackdaws and Starlings were noted as we went. Passing Grosseto, 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 host, Fabio.

Day 2 Friday 26th April

Isoldo di Giannutri After breakfast, at 7am, we set off for the 30-minute drive to Porto Santo Stefano, the main seaport on the Argentario promontory. As we drove, we recorded Common Kestrel, Common Starling and Hooded Crow. Arriving in the port, we were met by the Nostromo representative, Dharma. Paul parked the vehicle, and we made our way to the boat at the quay. Today we were taking a trip out to Isola di Giannutri, in the company of some divers, in the hope of seeing some sea birds. Leaving the harbour, the sea was quite calm as we made our way along the coast to the south. As we went it came on to rain, but we still managed three separate sightings of Scopoli’s Shearwater, plus Common Swift and Common House Martin. As we passed the southern end of the Argentario Peninsula, our captain continued on towards the Island of Giannutri, where he dropped anchor and our travelling companions prepared for their first dive. Meanwhile, we scanned the island. Most of the birdlife was represented by Yellow-legged Gulls, but we also recorded Euphorbia dendroides (Tree Euphorbia), Teucrium fruticans (Shrub Germander) and Juniperus phoeniceus (Phoenician Juniper). A solitary Painted Lady also put in a brief appearance.

When the divers had completed a second dive, we had a pasta lunch, prepared by the skipper, before weighing anchor and slowly exploring the island’s coastline, adding Western Marsh Harrier. A short stop by a sea stack produced Great Cormorant and, in contrast, European Shag, the Mediterranean subspecies desmarestii. Just before arriving back in port, we had a great show from both Scopoli’s and Yelkouan Shearwaters.

On our return to Porto Santo Stefano, we thanked Dharma for a splendid and memorable day, and set off on the return journey to the Fattoria.

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Day 3 Saturday 27th April

WWF Riserva Naturale di Orbetello Oasi - Bosco Patanella A pre-breakfast walk produced no less than five European Hares, together with Corn Bunting, 20 or so European Bee-eaters, Hoopoe, Common Starling, Hooded Crow and the distinctive song of Nightingale.

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, just south of Albinia. Arriving here, Paul 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. It did not take too long co complete formalities and we were soon off on the way.

We walked along the margin of the lagoon, and early sightings included Common Shelduck, Little Egret and a solitary Osprey. A number of Nightingales were singing, and Grey Heron was also added. For the botanists there was Urospermum dalechampii, Phillyrea latifolia (Broad-leaved Phillyrea), Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Bush), Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine) and Cistus salvifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus), together with Wall Brown, Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood (subsp. aegeria) and Brimstone butterflies. Italian Wall Lizards were rather active along the track, also. The bird list grew with the addition of Great Egret, Mallard, four Black-winged Stilts and four Eurasian Spoonbills. A single spike of Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid0 and several of Anacamptis papilionacea (Pink Butterfly Orchid) were added before we began to make our way back to the vehicle. Coal Tit and Sardinian Warbler were heard as we went, and Southern Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue and Glanville Fritillary butterflies were noted. We returned to the reserve office to utilize their picnic tables. During lunch, we were entertained by several Nightingales and a flock of Bee-eaters.

After our picnic, we made 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 Greater Flamingo, in some numbers, Common Greenshank, Garganey, Black-winged Stilt, Great Egret and Common Tern, Black-winged Tern, Shelduck and Black-tailed Godwit 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 4 Sunday 28th April

Oasi San Felice & Reserva Naturale Diaccia Botrona After breakfast, we left Alberese and made our way into outskirts of the nearby city of Grosseto where we 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 song of Nightingale but, as usual, we were unable to see them. Barn Swallow, Common Swift, Chaffinch and Great Tit were also recorded. There were some insects

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

emerging in the morning sun, and Wall Brown, Brimstone and Small Heath butterflies were all seen. For the botanists, Phillyrea latifolia (Broad-leaved Phillyrea), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Trifolium stellatum (Starry Clover), Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic Bush) and Cistus creticus (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. Very little in the way of birdlife was moving, so we spent time in the wonderful vegetated dunes, we found Medicago minima (Bur Medick), Medicago maritima (Sea Medick), Eryngium maritimum (Sea-holly), Silene otites (Spanish Catchfly), Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) and Echinophora spinosa. Returning through the woods, on the east side, we added Anacamptis morio subsp. picta (Mediterranean Green-winged Orchid) and Cyclamen repandum (Spring Sowbread). 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 towards the bird hide on the edge of a lake. Cetti’s Warbler was heard and Zitting Cisticola was seen. At this point we discovered that access was restricted by an unstable bridge, so Paul decided to try another access point he knew to the east of the town. This proved a good move, and we were able to walk in on tracks and paths. As were went, Common Tern, Coot, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, Common Kestrel and Hooded Crow were seen. Along the trackside we found Ailanthus altissimus (Tree-of- Heaven), Salpichroa origanifolia (Salpichroa), Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle), Sarcocornia fruticosa and Allium roseum (Rosy Garlic). From another hide, we had distant views of Black-tailed Godwit, Pied Avocet, Grey Heron and Great Egret.

It was time to make our way back to the Fattoria in time for dinner.

Day 5 Monday 29th April

Parco Regionale della Maremma. 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 9am park bus service to the drop-off point. From here, we planned to take the track towards the coast, to continue on 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). As it was overcast, no butterflies put in an appearance, but we did hear Golden Oriole, Green Woodpecker and Turtle Dove. We had been walking through extensive Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) and Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine) woodland, when reached a ‘canal’. Here, we found the Italian Hybrid Frog, singing away from the water.

It now began to rain as we 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 Limonium etruscum (an endemic Sea Lavender), before we made the short climb to the Saracen tower, ‘Torre di Collelungo’. We descended the north side, back down to the path which had led to the beach, and ate our picnic when the rain had stopped. We now started to make our way back to the bus stop, re-tracing our steps of the morning. Along the way we added Wood Pigeon, Jay and a pair of European Pond Terrapins.

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

On our arrival in Alberese we adjourned to an ice-cream shop, before rejoining our vehicle and taking a slow drive back to the Fattoria, to pack before dinner, as we were moving on tomorrow morning.

Day 6 Tuesday 30th April

Siena & transfer to Moggione After breakfast at 7.30am, 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. As we went, we recorded Barn Swallow, Grey Heron, Common Starling, Western Jackdaw and Common Swift. 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 rather frequent here and there was a large number in the sky.

After enjoying our lunch, we rejoined Paul at the pick-up point at 12.30pm and were soon on the E78 road heading for Arezzo. Having passed through this town, we stopped near Subbiano for picnic shopping and a comfort break. Along the way we saw Hooded Crow, Common Starling, Barn Swallow 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. As we made our way east towards the hotel, we made a couple of roadside stops to examine verges. We found Ornithogalum umbellatum (Common Star-of-Bethlehem), Stellaria holostea (Greater Stitchwort), Lupinus albus (White Lupin), Orchis purpurea (Lady Orchid) and Vicia sativa subsp. sativa (Fodder Vetch). Very few birds were active, but we did hear Green Woodpecker, Nightingale and Blackbird, and we saw Chaffinch and Yellowhammer.

When we arrived at the hotel, we were met on arrival by Matteo and Marta, the hotel staff, who quickly got us settled into our rooms. We reconvened at 6.45pm for a checklist and dinner.

Day 7 Wednesday 1st May

Parco Nationale della Foresti Casentinesi Today, we took an early stroll around the hotel grounds, which produced views of Black Redstart, male and female, European Serin, Magpie and Raven. Common Cuckoo was also heard.

After breakfast, we took our vehicle north the short distance into the Parco Nationale delle Foresti Casentinesi, driving past the Eremo Hermitage, and on up to a higher altitude, near Prato alla Penna, overlooking the Lago di Ridracoli reservoir. Here, in the woodland, we found Cardamine enneaphyllos (Drooping Bitter-cress), Petasites albus (White Butterbur), Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone), Cardamine heptaphylla (Seven-leaflet Bitter-cress) and Corydalis cava (Bulbous Corydalis). Several Song Thrushes could be heard in the surrounding trees.

Upon our return to the Eremo Hermitage, we parked and took a comfort and coffee break, before beginning our exploration of the area by walking along the forest margins down to a small pond in the woods. Here we found a 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). Along the way we located Lathraea

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

squamaria (Toothwort). Birds included Coal Tit, Great Tit and Song 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).

It was now time to make our way to a picnic site south of Camaldoli, for lunch. As we set up the meal, it was obvious that the cloud was building, and we were fortunate to complete eating before the rain and hail began in earnest.

After eating, we made our way down to Camaldoli, where we parked by the river bridge. We began our walk with a search for White-throated Dipper. Unfortunately, we did not manage to locate one, but we did record Eurasian Blackcap, Wren and Great Tit. Meanwhile, for the botanists there was Orchis mascula subsp. speciosa (an Early Purple Orchid), Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-me-Not), Cardamine bulbifera (Coralroot Bitter-cress), Cardamine raphanifolia (a Bitter-cress) and Anemone ranunculoides (Yellow Anemone). Butterflies included Small White and Orange Tip. Before completing our day, we did manage fleeting glimpses of both Grey Wagtail and White- throated Dipper. As we began our homeward journey, Paul spotted a stand of 20 spikes of Orchis pallens (Pale Orchid), a plant new to the trip.

We now returned to the hotel in time to pack for tomorrow’s departure, prior to dinner.

Day 8 Thursday 2nd 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 the hotel 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 Diaccia Botrona

Leptosporangiate Ferns True Ferns

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall Rue Eremo Hermitage Asplenium trichomanes subsp. pachyrachis Maidenhair Spleenwort Above Eremo

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Orbetello Oasi

Dryopteridaceae Buckler-fern Family Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Camoldoli Polystichum aculeatum Hard Shield-fern Camoldoli

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium interjectum Intermediate Polypody Camoldoli

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa Prickly Juniper Oasi San Felice Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus Prickly Juniper Parco Regionale della Maremma Juniperus phoeniceus Phoenicean Juniper Isola di Giannutri

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Orbetello Oasi Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine Oasi San Felice Pinus pinea Umbrella Pine Parco Regionale della Maremma [Pseudotsuga menziesii] Douglas Fir Planted

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS

Pre-Dicots Primitive Angiosperms

Arisolochiaceae Birthwort Family Aristolochia rotunda Smearwort Parco Regionale della Maremma

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Eu-Dicots True Dicotyledons

Adoxaceae Moschatel Family Adoxa moschatellina Moschatel Camoldoli Sambucus nigra Elder Roadsides

Amaranthaceae Goose-foot Family Atriplex portulacoides Sea Purslane Bosco Patenella Sarcocornia fruticosa Shrubby Glasswort Bosco Patenella Suaeda maritima Sea-blite Bosco Patenella

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Pistacia lentiscus Mastic Bush Bosco Patenella

Apiaceae Carrot Family Aegipodium prodagraria Ground Elder Eremo area Eryngium maritimum Sea-holly Oasi San Felice Echinophora spinosa Echinophora Oasi San Felice Ferula communis Giant Fennel Orbetello Oasi Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Bosco Patenella Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Camoldoli (leaves) Sanicula europaea Sanicle Eremo Area (leaves) Torilis nodosa Knotted Bur-parsley Diaccia Botrona Tordylium apulum Hartwort Oasi San Felice

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy Oasi San Felice

Betulaceae Birch Family Corylus avellana Hazel Camoldoli

Boraginaceae Forget-me-not Family Anchusa undulata subsp. hybrida Undulate Anchusa Orbetello Oasi Borago officinalis Borage Bosco Patenella Cynoglossum creticum Cretan Hound’s-tongue Oasi San Felice Echium plantagineum Purple Viper’s Bugloss Orbetello Oasi Myosotis arvense Field Forget-me-Not E of Poppi Myosotis ramosissima Early Forget-me-Not Eremo Area Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-Not Camoldoli Pulmonaria officinalis Common Lungwort Camoldoli

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Camoldoli Arabis caucasicus Garden Rockcress Above Eremo Arabis glabra Smooth Rockcress E of Poppi Arabis turrita Towercress Parco Regionale della Maremma Barbarea vulgaris Winter-cress Camoldoli Bunias erucago Warty Cabbage Orbetello Oasi Calpina irregularis White Ball Mustard E of Poppi Cakile maritima Sea Rocket Parco Regionale della Maremma Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s Purse Il Duchesco Cardamine amara Greater Bitter-cress Eremo Area Cardamine bulbifera Coralroot Bitter-cress Eremo Area

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Cardamine enneaphyllos Drooping Bitter-cress Above Eremo Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress Eremo Area Cardamine heptophylla Seven-leaflet Bitter-cress Above Eremo Cardamine impatiens Cut-leaved Bitter-cress Eremo Area Cardamine raphanifolia a Bitter-cress Camoldoli Draba muralis Wall Whitlow-grass Camoldoli Lunaria annua Honesty Camoldoli Lunaria redivida Perennial Honesty Camoldoli Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. raphanistrum Wild Raddish Orbetello Oasi Sisymbrium officionale Hedge Mustard Eremo Area

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Centranthus calcitrapa Annual Valerian Parco Regionale della Maremma Lonicera implexa - Oasi San Felice Viburnum tinus Laurastinus Parco Regionale della Maremma

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Arenaria serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Sandwort Orbetello Oasi Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Eremo Hermitage Cerastium ligusticum - Orbetello Oasi Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-Summer E of Poppi Petrorhagia dubia (P. velutina) a Pink Orbetello Oasi Silene colorata - Oasi San Felice Silene dioica Red Campion Camoldoli Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Orbetello Oasi Silene italica Italian Catchfly Oasi San Felice Silene latifolia White Campion Orbetello Oasi Silene otites Spanish Catchfly Oasi San Felice Spergularia marina Lesser Sea Spurrey Bosco di Patenella Spergularia media Sea Spurrey Bosco di Patenella Sellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort E of Poppi Stellaria media Chickweed Orbetello Oasi Stellaria neglecta Greater Chickweed Camoldoli

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Cistus x incanus Hybrid Pink Cistus Oasi San Felice Cistus monspeliensis Narrow-leaved Cistus Parco Regionale della Maremma Tuberaria guttata Spotted Rock-rose Parco Regionale della Maremma

Compositae (Asteraceae) Daisy Family Anthemis maritimus - Orbetello Oasi Bellis annuus Annual Daisy Bosco di Patenella Bellis perennis Daisy Moggiona Bellis sylvestris Southern Daisy Parco Regionale della Maremma Calendula suffruticosa a Marigold Orbetello Oasi Carduus pycnocephalus Plymouth Thistle Parco Regionale della Maremma Carduus tenuiflorus Slender Thistle Orbetello Oasi Centaurea cyanus Cornflower Orbetello Oasi Dittrichia viscosa Stink Aster Parco Regionale della Maremma Filago (Evax) pygmaea Evax Parco Regionale della Maremma Filago pyramidata Broad-leaved Cudweed Parco Regionale della Maremma Glebionis coronaria Crown Daisy Diaccia Botrona Glebionis segetum Corn Marigold Orbetello Oasi

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Jacobaea maritima (Senecio cineraria) Silver Ragwort Isola di Giannutri Mycelis muralis Wall Lettuce Camoldoli Petasites albus White Butterbur Above Eremo Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Il Duchesco Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Il Duchesco Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Il Duchesco Tragopogon sinuatus Purple Goat's-beard Oasi San Felice Tussilago farfara Colt’s-foot Eremo Area Urospermum dalechampii - Orbetello Oasi Xanthium spinosum Spiny Cocklebur Parco Regionale della Maremma

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sanguinea Dogwood E of Poppi

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Crassula tillaea Mossy Stonecrop Orbetello Oasi Sedum dasyphyllum Fat-leaved Stonecrop Eremo Hermitage Sedum hispanicum - Camoldoli Sedum telephium Orpine Camoldoli

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

Ericaceae Heath family Erica multiflora - Bosco di Patenella

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Camoldoli Euphorbia dendroides Tree Euphorbia Isola di Giannutri Euphorbia dulcis Sweet Spurge Camoldoli Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Orbetello Oasi Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Oasi San Felice

Fagaceae Oak & Beech Family Fagus sylvestris Beech Eremo Area Quercus ilex Holm Oak Parco Regionale della Maremma Quercus pubescens Downy Oak Orbetello Oasi Quercus suber Cork Oak Orbetello Oasi

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort Parco Regionale della Maremma

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium botrys - Orbetello Oasi Erodium cicutarium Common Stork’s-bill Oasi San Felice Erodium moschatum Musk Stork's-bill Orbetello Oasi Geranium columbinum Long-stalked Crane’s-bill Orbetello Oasi Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill Orbetello Oasi Geranium lucidum Shining Crane's-bill Camoldoli Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Il Duchesco Geranium purpureum Little Robin Oasi San Felice Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Camoldoli

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga chamaepitys Groundpine Oasi San Felice Lamium garganicum Large Red Dead-nettle Camoldoli Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle E of Poppi Mentha arvensis Corn Mint Il Duchesco Mentha spicata Garden Mint E of Poppi Prasium majus Prasium Parco Regionale della Maremma Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Oasi San Felice Salvia glutinosa Jupiter's Distaff Camoldoli Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Oasi San Felice Teucrium fruticans Shrubby Germander Isola di Giannutri Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme E of Poppi

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Anthyllis barba-jovis Jupiter's Beard Parco Regionale della Maremma [Cercis siliquastrum] Judus Tree Roadsides Coronilla scorpioides Annual Scorpion Vetch Parco Regionale della Maremma Dorycnium hirsutum Dorycnium Oasi San Felice Glycyrrhiza glabra Liquorice Parco Regionale della Maremma Hedysarum coronarium Italian Sainfoin Roadsides Hippocrepis (Coronilla) emerus Scorpion Vetch or False Senna Oasi San Felice Laburnum anagyroides Laburnum Moggiona Lathyrus annuus - Bosco Patenella Lathyrus cicera - Oasi San Felice Lathyrus clymenum - Orbetello Oasi Lathyrus ochrus - Bosco Patenella Lathyrus vernus Spring Pea Above Eremo Lotus edulis Edible Lotus Parco Regionale della Maremma Lupinus albus White Lupin E of Poppi Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Diaccia Botrona Merdicago maritima Sea Medick Oasi San Felice Medicago minima Bur Medick Oasi San Felice Medicago polymorpha Toothed Medick Orbetello Oasi Onobrychis arenaria a Sainfoin E of Poppi Ornithopus compressus a Bird's-foot Bosco Patenella [Robinia pseudoacacia] False-acacia Roadsides Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Bosco Patenella Trifolium campestris Hop Trefoil Bosco Patenella Trifolium incarnatum subsp. incarnatum Crimson Clover Bosco Patenella Trifolium repens White Clover Orbetello Oasi Trifolium resupinatum Reversed Clover Bosco Patenella Trifolium squamosum Sea Clover Bosco Patenella Trifolium stellatum Starry Clover Oasi San Felice Vicia hybrida a Vetch Diaccia Botrona Vicia sativa subsp. sativa Cultivated Vetch E of Poppi Vicia villosa Fodder Vetch Orbetello Oasi

Linaceae Flax Family Linum bienne Biennial Flax Oasi San Felice

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva arborea Tree Mallow Roadsides Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Alberese

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Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Moraceae Fig Family [Ficus carica] Fig Parco Regionale della Maremma

Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Myrtus communis Myrtle Bosco Patenella

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Eremo Phillyrea (varieabilis) latifolia Broad-leaved Pillyrea Bosco Patenella

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Lathraea squamaria Toothwort Eremo Area Orobanche minor Common Broomrape Orbetello Oasi Parentucellia viscosa Yellow Bartsia Bosco Patenella

Oxalidaceae Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Eremo Area [Oxalis articulata] Pink Oxalis Oasi San Felice

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine Eremo Area Corydalis cava Bulbous Corydalis Above Eremo Fumaria officinalis agg. Common Fumitory Orbetello Oasi Papaver rhoeas Corn Poppy Orbetello Oasi

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Antirrhinum latifolium - Parco Regionale della Maremma Antirrhinum siculum - Porto Santo Stefano Plantago afra - Parco Regionale della Maremma Plantago coronopus Stag's-horn Plantain Orbetello Oasi Plantago lagopus Hare's-foot Plantain Orbetello Oasi Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Orbetello Oasi Plantago major Greater Plantain E of Poppi Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Orbetello Oasi Veronica beccabunga Brooklime Eremo Area Veronica persica Common Field Speedwell Bosco Patenella

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

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Rumex bucephalophorus Horned Dock Orbetello Oasi Rumex pulcher Fiddle Dock Orbetello Oasi

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Orbetello Oasi Cyclamen hederifolium Sowbread Eremo Area Cyclamen repandum Spring Sowbread Oasi San Felice Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel Orbetello Oasi Primula vulgaris Primrose

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone ranunculoides Yellow Anemone Camoldoli

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Helleborus bocconei A Hellebore Above Eremo Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Moggiona Hepatica nobilis Hepatica Camoldoli Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Bosco Patenella Ranunculus chius - Il Duchesco Ranunculus muricatus Large-leaved Buttercup E of Poppi Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Diaccia Botrona Ranunculus trichophyllus Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot Eremo Area

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda lutea Mignonette Parco Regionale della Maremma

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Paliurus spina-christi Christ's or Jerusalem Thorn Parco Regionale della Maremma Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn Orbetello Oasi

Rosaceae Rose Family Aremonia agrimonioides Bastard Agrimony Camoldoli Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Orbetello Oasi Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Camoldoli Geum urbanum Wood Avens or Herb Bennet Camoldoli Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil Orbetello Oasi Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry Camoldoli Prunus avium Wild Cherry Eremo Area Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Oasi San Felice Sanguisorba minor agg. Salad Burnet Parco Regionale della Maremma

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Asperula taurina subsp. taurina - Camoldoli Cruciata laevipes Crosswort E of Poppi Galium aparine Cleavers Oasi San Felice Sherardia arvensis Field Madder Orbetello Oasi Valantia hispida Valantia Orbetello Oasi

Salicaceae Willow & Poplar Family Populus tremula Aspen E of Poppi

Santalaceae Sandalwood Family Osyris alba Osyris Orbetello Oasi

Sapindaceae Maple Family Acer campestris Field Maple Il Duchesco Acer monspessulanum Montpelier Maple Orbetello Oasi Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Eremo Area

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga rotundifolia Round-leaved Saxifrage Above Eremo Saxifraga tridactylites Rue-leaved Saxifrage Eremo Area

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Verbascum sinuatum Wavyleaf Mullein Orbetello Oasi (leaves)

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Hyoscyamus albus White Henbane Diaccia Botrona Salpichroa origanifolia Salpichroa or Cocks Eggs Diaccia Botrona

Thymelaeaceae Mezereon Family Daphne gnidium Mediterranean Daphne Bosco Patenella (leaves) Daphne laureola Spurge Laurel Above Eremo Daphne sericea - Oasi San Felice

Ulmaceae Elm Family Ulmus canescens Mediterranean Elm Orbetello Oasi

Urticacae Nettle Family Parietaria officinalis Eastern Pelitory Parco Regionale della Maremma Urtica dioica Common Nettle Eremo Area Urtica urens Annual Nettle Parco Regionale della Maremma

Violaceae Violet Family Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet Camoldoli

Monocots Monocotyledons

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Diaccia Botrona Allium subhirsutum - Parco Regionale della Maremma Allium triquetrum Three-cornered Leek Orbetello Oasi Pancratium maritimum (leaves) Sea Daffodil Oasi San Felice (leaves)

Araceae Arum Family Arum italicum subsp. italicum Italian Lords-and-Ladies Orbetello Oasi

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Asparagus acutifolius - Oasi San Felice Leopoldia (Muscari) comosa Tassel Hyacinth Orbetello Oasi Ornithogalum umbellatum Common Star-of-Bethlehem E of Poppi Polygonatum multiflorum Common Solomon's-seal Camoldoli

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge E of Poppi Carex nigra Common Sedge Orbetello Oasi Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Camoldoli Schoenus nigricans Black Bog Rush Orbetello Oasi

Iridaceae Iris Family Gladiolus italicus Field Gladiolus Bosco Patenella Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag W of Grosseto

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Orbetello Oasi Luzula pilosa Hairy Woodrush Eremo Area Scirpoides holoschoenus Round-headed Clubrush Bosco Patenella

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Juncaginaceae Arrowgrass Family Triglochin maritima Sea Arrowgrass Bosco Patenella

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis morio subsp. morio Green-winged Orchid Orbetello Oasi Mediterranean Green-winged Anacamptis morio subsp. picta Oasi San Felice Orchid Anacamptis papilionacea Pink Butterfly Orchid Orbetello Oasi Ophrys sphegodes subsp. sphegodes Early Spider Orchid Oasi San Felice Orchis mascula subsp. speciosa (O ovalis) an Early Purple Orchid Camoldoli Orchis pallens Pale Orchid Camoldoli Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid E of Poppi Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid Bosco Patenella

Poaceae Grass Family Aegilops ovata - Oasi San Felice Ammophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea a Marram Oasi San Felice (littoralis) Ampelodesmos mauritanicus - Oasi San Felice Anisantha diandra Great Brome Orbetello Oasi Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass Orbetello Oasi Arundo donax Giant Reed Roadside ditches Avena barbata Bristle Oat Orbetello Oasi Avena sterilis Winter Wild Oat Orbetello Oasi Brachypodium sylvaticum False Brome Oasi San Felice Briza maxima Great Quaking Grass Orbetello Oasi Briza minor Small Quaking Grass Bosco Patenella Catapodium rigidum Fern-grass Oasi San Felice Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Orbetello Oasi Imperata cylindrica - Diaccia Botrona Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass Bosco Patenella Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass Bosco Patenella Phragmites australis Common Reed Roadside ditches Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Il Duchesco Poa bulbosa Bulbous Meadow-grass E of Poppi

Smilacaceae Smilax Family Smilax aspera Smilax Orbetello Oasi FUNGI Aleuria aurantia Orange Peel Fungus Above Eremo

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; H = heard only; L = leader only)

April / May Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 1 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus H H H 2 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna ✓ 3 Garganey Spatula querquedula ✓ 4 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ✓ ✓ 5 Common Swift Apus apus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H 7 Rock Dove [Feral] Columba livia (Feral) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 8 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 9 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur H H

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 10 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 11 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ✓ 12 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus ✓ 13 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ✓ ✓ 14 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa ✓ ✓ 16 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia ✓ ✓ 17 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus ✓ 20 Yellow-Legged Gull Larus michahellis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 27 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis ✓ 36 Common Tern Sterna hirundo ✓ ✓ 38 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus ✓ ✓ 41 Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea diomedea ✓ 42 Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan ✓ 43 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii ✓ ✓ 44 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ✓ ✓ ✓ 45 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia ✓ 46 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ✓ 47 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 48 Great Egret Ardea albus ✓ ✓ 49 Little Egret Egretta garzetta ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 50 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus ✓ 51 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus ✓ 52 Black Kite Milvus migrans ✓ 53 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo ✓ 54 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops H H H H H 55 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops H ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ H H 56 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster H ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 57 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis H H H H 58 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 59 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus H H H 60 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 61 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 62 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 63 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 64 Northern Raven Corvus corax ✓ 65 Coal Tit Periparus ater H ✓ 66 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus H 67 Great Tit Parus major ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 Crested Lark Galerida cristata ✓ 92 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris ✓ 94 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 95 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti H H 96 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis H 74 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H H H H H H H 75 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala H 76 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H 77 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ H H H ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos H 80 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata L

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 81 European Robin Erithacus rubecula H 82 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H H H H 83 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros ✓ ✓ 84 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus ✓ 85 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ 86 Italian Sparrow Passer italiae ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 87 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea ✓ 88 White Wagtail Motacilla alba ✓ 89 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ H H ✓ H 90 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 91 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris H 92 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 93 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis H ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 European Serin Serinus serinus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 95 Corn Bunting Emberzia calandra H ✓ 96 Yellowhammer Emberzia citrinella ✓

Mammals (signs of)

1 Wild Boar Sus scrofa S S S 2 Fallow Deer Dama dama ✓ ✓ 3 European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus ✓ ✓ 4 European Hare Lepus europaeus ✓ ✓ 5 Crested Porcupine Hystrix cristata S

Amphibians & Reptiles

1 European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis ✓ 2 Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis sicula ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 Grass Snake Natrix natrix L

Butterflies

1 Swallowtail Papilio machaon ✓ ✓ 3 Large White Pieris brassicae ✓ 4 Small White Pieris rapae ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 5 Eastern Bath White Pontia edusa ✓ 6 Eastern Dappled White Euchloe ausonia ✓ 7 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines ✓ ✓ 8 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni ✓ ✓ ✓ 9 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra ✓ 11 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi ✓ 12 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas ✓ 13 Little Blue Cupido minimus ✓ ✓ 14 Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus ✓ 15 Brown Argus Aricia agrestis ✓ ✓ 16 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus ✓ 17 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui ✓ 18 Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia ✓ 20 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus ✓ ✓ ✓ 21 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria aegeria ✓ ✓ ✓ 22 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria tircis 23 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Tuscany in Spring Tour Report

April / May Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 25 Southern Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvoides ✓

Micro Moths

1 Rush Veneer Nomophila noctuella ✓

Macro Moths

1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum ✓ 2 Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi ✓ ✓ ✓

Other Invertebrates

1 Common Bluetail Ischnura elegans ✓ 2 Roesel's Bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii ✓ 3 European Termite Kalotermes flavicollis ✓ 4 Common Pond Skater Gerris lacustris ✓ 5 Wood Ant Formica rufa ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Honey Bee Apis mellifera ✓ ✓ 7 White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum ✓ 8 Rhinoceros Beetle Copris lunaris L 9 Darkling Beetle Pimelia bipunctata* ✓ ✓ ✓ 10 a Chafer Oxythyrea funesta ✓ ✓ ✓ 11 Yellow-haired Barbary Bug Tropinota squalida ✓ 12 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis ✓

Terrestrial Gastropda

1 Garden Snail Cornu aspersum ✓ ✓ ✓

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