Tour Report 29 April - 6 May 2012

Sardinia

Naturetrek Tour Report 29 April - 6 May 2012

Beach at Pula Crown Daisy

Swallowtail caterpillar View of Dorgali from hotel

Report and images compiled by John and Jenny Willsher

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Sardinia

Tour Leaders: John and Jenny Willsher

Participants: Annette Warrick Helen Hebden Richard Hebden Mary Buck Di Evans Gareth Jones Avriel Reader Bruce Campbell John Wickham Margaret Wickham Joan Lancaster Colin Hall Elaine Gillingham Brenda Harold Dawn Pitts Glenda Bougourd

Summary

An interesting and varied week was spent on this lovely island, exploring diverse habitats and experiencing the warm hospitality of the Sardinian people. The island had lush greenery and abundant flora, with the endemic Crocus minimus and some alpine flora on the heights of Bruncu Spina, endemic orchids in the lovely wooded valleys of the Forest of Margani, and the colourful roadside flora of Crown Daisies, Galactites, Mallow-leaved Bindweed and the statuesque umbellifers of Giant Fennel, Thapsia garganica and Magydaris pastinacea. The varied habitats of saltpans, rocky and sandy coastlines, mountain, scrub, farmland and Holm/Cork oak woodland provided a good variety of birds. We also explored Nurhagic and Roman sites getting a feel of life in ancient times. As always the enthusiasm of the group added enormously to the trip and we had a great week of good company, birds and flowers! Good humour was also needed as the weather rather limited our exploration in the mountains!

Day 1 Sunday 29th April

Arrive at Cagliari, drive across the island to our hotel in Dorgali Our flight arrived on time and despite a hitch with the hired vehicles we were soon loaded up and on our way heading north from the airport (with grateful thanks to Colin). Once away from the environs of Cagliari we could appreciate the lush greenness of this part of the island. Initially there were extensive road works going on but the roadsides were bright with yellow Crown Daisies (Glebionis coronarium), Giant Fennel (Ferula communis), deep red Italian Sainfoin (Hedysarum coronarium), the pale yellow dandelion Urospermum dalechampii and Purple Vipers Bugloss (Echium plantagineum) and in places planted with False Acacia and Mimosa.

Sardinia Tour Report

Further north we saw handsome spikes of Verbascum cretica with its bright green foliage. We made good time to Oristano before heading northeast to Dorgali. Birds en route so far had included many Common Swifts just north of Cagliari and a few Buzzards and Common Kestrels. As we got further the scenery changed and we drove through hillsides covered with dense maquis scrub – this is a typical Mediterranean habitat composed of evergreen shrubs such as Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), Tree Heath (Erica arborea), Wild Olive, Evergreen Oak (Quercus ilex), Myrtle (Myrtus communis) and Lentisk (Pistacio lentiscus). We had a short leg stretch once off the main highway with some botanising to the sound of Bee-eaters and a Woodlark, arriving at our hotel in good time. Our first Hawfinch was seen in the cork oaks beside the hotel.

Day 2 Monday 30th April

Visit to Nuraghic site of Serra Orrios. Afternoon walk on cliff path above Cala Gonone Our first bird on a pre-breakfast walk down the lane beside the hotel was a singing Blackcap, followed by Blackbirds and a repetitive call down the valley which was a Barbary Partridge. This remained out of sight despite much searching. Jays were active amongst the cork oaks and later at breakfast a Wood Warbler was outside the window.

A Hawfinch in a cork oak above the hotel car-park sat very obligingly before we set off for the Nuraghic site at Serra Orrios, just north of Dorgali. This well preserved village site illustrated how a typical community operated here in approximately 1,000BC. Anna, the local guide gave us a brief history of the site and it proved to be fascinating on many levels. The ruins were surrounded by lush vegetation which was spiked with Common Asphodel (A. aestivus) and the bright green Round-leaved Alexanders (Smyrnium rotundifolium). We found Bellardia trixago, Yellow Bartsia, the diminutive pink, Petrorhagia velutina, Star Hawkbit, a few spikes of Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papillionacea), Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari commosum) with its tassel of bright blue sterile flowers and some of the many vetches with their fascinating seeds. On the walls of the ruins we found Polypodium cambricum, Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris) and Friars Cowl (Arisarum vulgare). Sardinian Warblers were busy in the scrub, a Woodlark sang and distant Bee-eaters were heard. Later some of us were lucky to see three Golden Orioles fly out of a tree and away.

After coffee in the well-placed café, we headed for Grotto Ispinioli where the gravelly garrigue is good for a variety of plants including orchids. There were many large groups of the intriguing Mirror Ophrys (O. speculum), one spike of Ophrys morisii and a lovely clump of Illyrian Sea Lily (Pancratium illycrum). Overhead was Common Buzzard and a croaking Raven.

We then made our way down to sea and the picturesque beach at Calla Osalla. This was a good opportunity to explore the diverse and fascinating flora in the sand at the back of the beach. Typical plants included Rock Samphire, Sea Holly, the tiny umbellifer Pseudorlaya pumila, Sea Stock, various spurges including Euphorbia characias, E. cupanii, E. helioscopa and E. paralias, Yellow Horned Poppy and its tiny relative Hypercoum procumbens with its asymmetrical yellow flowers. Also large clumps of leaves of the autumn flowering Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) and Sea Squill (Urginia maritima), and a mass of the debris from the sea grass Posidonia, which forms matted balls of fibre which resemble kiwi fruit!

2 © Naturetrek May 12

Sardinia Tour Report

After our picnic (and a swim for some!) we moved on taking the narrow mountain road to Cala Ganone. Parking above the town we headed for a walk northwards on a track overlooking the sea enjoying views along the coast. Some Barn Swallows were also heading northwards and Sardinian Warblers rattled in the scrub beside the path. Out to sea a few distant Scopoli’s Shearwaters were skimming low over the water. In places along the track were more Tassle Hyacinth, a few spikes of Branched Broomrape, (Orobanche ramosa), Small Bugloss (Echium parviflorum) and Tree Euphorbia, Mastic Tree and Juniper. On the rocky track side we also found the pungent endemic shrub Stachys glutinosa.

We then stopped in Cala Gonone for hot drinks or one of the many flavours of ice creams on offer at the gelateria before another walk above Cala Ganone, south to the dramatically sited Nurhagi Mannu.

Day 3 Tuesday 1st May

Drive to Bruncu Spina through the mountain villages of Orgosolo and Fonni, with walk and picnic in the Gennargentu Park After breakfast we headed inland, to one of the highest points on the sprawling Gennargentu National Park, which has some of the wildest and most mountainous landscapes in Sardinia. We bypassed Oliena, famous for its wine and on through Orgosolo, old bandit capital of Sardinia, where disputes between the roving sheep farmers and the more settled crop farmers made for much sheep rustling and bloody vendettas, and we had a glimpse of its famous murals. Later in a grove of Holm Oaks we admired two handsome free range pigs rooting under the trees We stopped for a bank of the purple Orchis longicornu, Pink Butterfly and Provence Orchids (O. provincialis), which is dotted with Meadow Saxifrage (S granulata), but it is cold and wet and not good for photography. So we stop in Fonni for coffee and facilities and can see more wall murals.

Then we headed for Bruncu Spina, the second highest peak in the park. Unfortunately the low cloud was thick and it was cold. However we did see a Grey Wagtail and a Skylark sang from somewhere up the mountain through the fog. At the roadsides were a few of the endemic Crocus minimus, Rock Cinquefoil (Potentilla rupestris ssp corsica) and spiky plants of the endemic Astragalus gennargenteus – yet to flower. It really was not good walking conditions so we drove back down the mountain, stopping in a small oak wood to look for the endemic Peony (Paeonia mascula ssp russii). There were some wonderful plants of this beautiful flower alongside some bright green clumps of Euphorbia hyberna, the tiny yellow Gagea fistulosa and the bright white Ornithogallum collinum. Also Viola corsica, V. riviana and V. canina.

We had a slightly damp picnic on very convenient tables and benches. As we ate a pair of Hawfinches settled in the tree above. The weather was now clearing and sunshine slowly moved across the landscape towards us. So we enjoyed the sunshine with a post picnic wander, listening to singing Blackcaps, Wrens and Woodlarks before retracing our steps. The roadsides were rich in orchids with many drifts of Dactylorhiza insularis, Orchis provincialis and Orchis longicornu. We stopped to photograph good patches of Ophrys incubacea with its chocolate brown lip, and some pigs and piglets grazing on common land underneath huge Downy Oaks. The pigs were a bit shy but the dung beetles proved very entertaining! We stopped in Orgosolo for a closer look at the murals. The tradition of these murals only started in the 1960’s, in the south, but has spread around the island. Here many of them have political, satirical or social themes with dramatic effect.

Sardinia Tour Report

Day 4 Wednesday 2nd May

Transfer to our base in Pula, travelling via the Sinis Peninsular Today we transferred to our base in Pula. We headed south west towards Oristano but north of the town we headed to the coast of the Sinis Peninsular. Our first stop was at Stagno Sale Porcus just before the seaside town of Pitzu Idu. Wading birds included many Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, and a large group of Curlew Sandpipers. A Tawny Pipit sang from the wires above and around the cereal fields over which a Marsh Harrier quartered, many Corn Buntings sang from their bushes. We then moved on to the next lagoon where a simple bar afforded us the necessary facilities but also a view of Slender-billed Gulls, Shelducks, and more Flamingos and access to a lovely beach. The profusion of wildflowers behind the cafe in the warm sunshine held many insects including several very large impressive wasps Scolia flavifrons

Heading south and after stopping to admire several Bee-eaters on the wires we moved on to find a picnic spot at the back of a quiet beach. The narrow road down to the beach was bordered with dramatic stands of the handsome thistles Silybum marianum and Notabasis syriaca, and the fields were colourful with Crown Daisies. On the salty lagoon behind the beach three Kentish Plovers were feeding. In the cereal fields inland Skylarks sang and a Marsh Harrier hunted.

Then we made our way back to the main highway at Oristano. The roadsides were a stunning display of red and yellow – poppies of various shades of red, with pink and purple Opium Poppies too, alongside drifts of Crown Daisies. We made a short stop at the Cagliari airport to pick up our second minibus and then made good time to our hotel south of Pula. The hotel is surrounded by exotic palm trees and other shrubs including the fragrant blooms of Acacia dealbata and colourful drapes of Bougainvillea. Some had a swim before we met for log and then a lovely meal.

Day 5 Thursday 3rd May

Visit to WWF Reserve at Monte Arcosu. Walk and birdwatch at Santa Guilla Lagoons An early morning walk around the hotel and through the garden to the beach was accompanied by the songs of several Nightingales, a purring Turtle Dove and a Hoopoe calling. On the rocks near the shore a small group of migrant Northern Wheatears rested and perched in the scrub, a smart male Whinchat. Another migrant a Common Sandpiper was also resting at the water’s edge amongst the piles of washed up Posidonia grass.

After enjoying a good breakfast, eaten in the sunshine on the terrace, we headed for Monte Arcosu, firstly negotiating our way through the small town of Capoterra. We were met by our guide, Giovanni and he gave us a brief history of the park which was set up to preserve the endemic Sardinian Deer (Servus elaphus corsicanus), but also serves to protect Wildcat, Boar, Marten and Golden Eagle. Giovanni points out the Tree of Shame – a skeleton tree festooned with hundreds of wire traps that have been found in the park. The park is part of the biggest area of forest and maquis scrub in Europe and the WWF is planning to purchase more land in the area.

We drive deep into the park, stopping at various places for Giovanni to point out some of the endemic plants –, including the dainty pink squill Brimeura fastigiata and Cymbalaria sardoa. We also see Saxifraga corsica, Ophrys neglecta (tenthredinifera) and O. bombiliflora. plus Cleopatra, Speckled Wood and Southern White Admiral butterflies.

4 © Naturetrek May 12

Sardinia Tour Report

We then walked through the habitat around the education centre where some had a glimpse of a wild Sardinian Deer, and Giovanni answered our questions. We gathered round a huge Cork Oak (Q suber) and he explained how the cork was harvested and that Sardinian Cork was a particularly good quality, providing 80-90% of Italy’s cork, being worked by 2000 workers. Returning to the education centre we had the luxury of a proper table for our picnic.

We then made our way out of the park, and onto the Santa Gilla Lagoons. In a rushy meadow we find wonderful clumps of Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera), Bumblebee Orchid and Ophrys neglecta, flushes of Serapias lingua and S. parviflora. Also Jersey and Pink Butterfly Orchids., Wild Gladioli and Barbary Nut. Unfortunately the main lagoon had dried up so not the optimum for birds but a Spectacled Warbler was heard and several Whinchats were on the fences and tracks. Amongst some cattle several Cattle Egrets were feeding and of course many Flamingos were on the more distant lagoons.

Day 6 Friday 4th May

Head inland to Domusnovas and the Forest of Margani exploring various habitats along the way An early morning walk down to the shore north of the hotel brought us to an interesting area where a drainage channel’s exit to the sea was dammed by Posidonia grass. Little Ringed Plovers were displaying, here were more Whinchats and Northern Wheatears. Just as we were heading back for breakfast a calling Wood Sandpiper flew over.

Another day of lovely weather and after breakfast we headed north then west towards our destination of the Cixerri Valley. Before turning west however we made a stop at Stagno di Cagliari near Capoterra. Slender-billed Gulls looked smart in the morning light as did three displaying Flamingos. Little and Common Terns plus Black- headed Gulls were also added to our list. A quick stop at another lagoon a little further on produced four Spoonbills. Our next stop was an unassuming road junction, where we found handsome clumps of Serapias cordigera, with its dark red lip, a mass of Serapias lingua, with its pale pink lip and Serapias parviflora. Sometimes we have arrived too late and found it had been shorn to the bare ground by the roadcutters. But this obviously is a regular event and the plants return vigorously! We crossed the lush green Cixerri Valley.

The main focus of today was the Valle D’Oridda in the Forest of Margani. We were told about this lovely valley, north of the town of Domusnovas, by Giovanni. Domusnovas is his home town and he recommended a walk in this valley as it is especially rich in orchids. He has found a hybrid Ophrys species which he has named after his wife! We walked up this lovely wooded valley, where Cyclamen repandum dotted the undergrowth. The track sides were dotted with Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophorum), Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). Then we found Ophrys neglecta and Ophrys aprilia (both subspecies of O. tenthredinifera) - but the most impressive orchid was Ophrys chestermanii, in many multi-flowered spikes, with its rich brown lip – another Sardinian endemic. Some of us managed to see two singing Firecrests. We had a good walk up to our picnic site where we added Epipactis helleborine to our orchid list. Walking back down the valley we found Orchis ichnusae, an orchid endemic to Sardinia and in the shady woodland there were groups of Violet Limodore (L arbortivum), a saprophytic orchid. On our return to Pula the roadsides were studded with the statuesque hoary umbellifer Magydaris pastinacea amongst the splashes of deep yellow Crown Daisy.

Sardinia Tour Report

Day 7 Saturday 5th May

Through Cagliari to the Molentargius Marshes. Picnic near the hotel and then explore down the coast. Today we explored a new venue. We drove through Cagliari, along the elegant seafront of colourful buildings and yacht filled harbour to look at the Molentargius Marshes. The website had been encouraging and inviting - reporting the largest number of nesting flamingos amongst many other birds but it proved to be a frustrating morning as the reserve was firmly shut with obviously new bird hides showing well. We did get tantalising views of many nesting birds including Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little and Cattle Egret nesting in the Tamarisk at the edge of the lagoon and large rafts of Flamingo. There were numerous Slender-billed Gulls and a single Gull- billed Tern.

Amongst the trackside flora was Silene cretica, a very pretty introduced and happily naturalised catchfly, some typical saltmarsh plants of Sea Purslane, Glasswort and Shrubby Seablite. Also the handsome grass Alberdine (Lygeum spartum), Squirting Cucumber (not ripe enough to play with!), Branched Broomrape, the small pink antirrhinum, Weasel’s Snout, Barbary Nut and clumps of Hollow-stemmed Asphodel. A Purple Heron flew over then having decided there were no better views to be had of the reserve, we returned via Cagliari to Pula. We took our picnic to the little beach near the hotel and some opted to spend the rest of the day exploring around the hotel or swim in the sea.

The rest of the group headed south of Pula to look at some of the lovely coves and beaches. We took a short walk in the sand dunes at Capo Spartivento, and found Pseudorlaya pumila, Sand Spurrey, Sea Spurge, Sea Plantain, Bermuda Grass and the chunky sedge, Cyperus capitata growing in the sand.

Day 8 Sunday 6th May

Return to Cagliari for return flights to UK We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the terrace before taking our leave and returning to Cagliari and our return flight to the UK.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

6 © Naturetrek May 12

Sardinia Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* = a species is endemic) Scientific Name Common Name Location

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Selaginellaceae Clubmoss Family Margani Selaginella denticulata Mediterranean Clubmoss

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum ramossisimum Boston or Branched Horsetail Margani

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium onopteris Acute-leaved Spleenwort Monte Arcosu, Margani Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort " " Ceterach officinarum Rusty-back Fern " "

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium cambricum Southern Polypody Bruncu Spina, Margani

Osmunda regalis Royal Fern Monte Arcosu

PINOPSIDA (Gymnosperms) CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Juniperus communis Common Juniper Monte Arcosu Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper " Juniperus phoenicea Phoenicean Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus halepensis Alepppo Pine Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine Sinis Pinus pinea Stone Pine "

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (Angiosperms) FLOWERING PLANTS

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Pistacia lentiscus Mastic Tree Widespread machis shrub Pistacia terebinthus Turpentine Tree Margani

Aizoaceae Mesembryanthemum Family Carpobrutus acinaciformis Red Hottentot Fig

Apiaceae Carrot Family Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire Cala Ganone Daucus carota Wild Carrot Widespread Eryngium maritimum Sea Holly Cala Osalla Ferula communis Giant Fennel Common on roadsides Foeniculum vulgare Common Fennel Sinis

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Magydaris pastinacea Maggie' Roadsides Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa Tubular Water-dropwort Pseudorlaya pumila Pseudorlaya Cala Osalla Scandix australis Southern Shepherd's-needle Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherd's-needle Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders Smyrnium rotundifolium Round-leaved Alexanders Near Dorgali Thapsia garganica Thapsia Roadsides Torilis nodosa Knotted Bur-parsley Serra Orrios

Apocynaceae Periwinkle Family Nerium oleander Oleander Roadsides

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly

Asteraceae Daisy Family Artemisia arborescens Shrubby Wormwood Bellis perennis Common Daisy Bellis sylvestris Southern Daisy Bellium bellidioides - Monte Arcosu Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Carduus tenuiflorus Slender Thistle Centaurea filiformis - Serra Orrios Cotula aurea Buttonweed Santa Gilla Evax pygmaea Evax Cala Osalla Galactites tomentosa Galactites Common on roadsides Glebionis coronarium Crown Daisy Prolific Notobasis syriaca Syrian Thistle Sinis Phagnalon rupestre Phagnalon Ptilostemum casabonae Rhagadiolus stellatus Star Hawkbit Serra Orrios Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Prolific on the Sinis Taraxacum sp. Dandelion Urospermum dalechampii Roadsides

Balanophoraceae Balanophora Family Cynomorium coccineum Cynomorium Sinis, Santa Guilla

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Margani Corylus avellana Hazel "

Boraginaceae Borage Family Borago officinalis Borage Cerinthe major Honeywort Cynoglossum creticum Blue Hound's-tongue Echium italicum Pale Bugloss Not in flower Echium parviflorum Small-flowered Bugloss Cala Ganone Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss Widespread on roadsides

8 © Naturetrek May 12

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Arabis verna Spring Rockcress Monte Arcosu Biscutella didyma - Bunias erucago Seeds only(bristly) Cakile maritima Sea Kale Cala Orsalla Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Eruca sativa Eruca Lobularia maritima Sweet Alison Matthiola incana Hoary Stock Matthiola sinuata Sea Stock Cala Orsalla Matthiola tricuspidata Three-horned Stock Raphanus raphinastrum Wild Radish Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard

Cactaceae Cactus Family Opuntia ficus-indica Prickly Pear Planted

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula erinus Annual Bellflower Tiny flowers

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera estrusca Etruscan Honeysuckle Monte Arcosu Lonicera implexa a Honeysuckle Sambucus nigra Elder

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Petrorhagia prolifera a pink Serra Orrios Petrorhagia velutina Kohlrauschia " Silene colorata - Silene cretica Cretan Catchfly Cagliari Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Silene latifolia White Campion Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Spergularia rubra Sand Spurrey Cala Osalla Stellaria media Chickweed

Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot Family Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache Sinis, Cagliari Atriplex portulacoides Sea Purslane " Saliciornea europea Glasswort/ Sea Samphire " Salicornea perennis Perrenial Glasswort " Suaeda vera Shrubby Seablite "

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Cistus crispus a pink Cistus Cistus eriocephalus a pink Cistus Montre Arcosu Cistus monspeliensis Narrow-leaved Cistus Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Helianthemum nummulariam Common Rockrose Tuberaria guttata Spotted Rockrose

Clusiaceae St. John's-wort Family Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John's-wort Pula

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Widespread, prolific on Sinis Convulvulus arvensis Bindweed Convolvulus cantabrica Pink Bindweed Cuscuta campestris Field Dodder Cuscuta palaestrina Lesser Dodder Cal Osalla

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Sedum caeruleum Blue Stonecrop Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop Margani Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort

Cucurbitaceae Cucumber Family Bryonia acuta A white bryony Ecballium elaterium Squirting Cucumber Not squirting!

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Dipsacus ferox Teasel Family Seedheads only Knautia integrifolia a scabious

Ericaceae Heather Family Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Common maquis shrub Erica arborea Tree Heather "

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia characias subsp. characias Large Mediterranean Spurge Monte Arcosu Euphorbia pithyusa ssp. cupani* - Cala Osalla Euphorbia dendroides Tree Spurge Widespread Euphorbia exigua Dwarf Spurge Cala Osalla Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Euphorbia hyberna Bruncu Spina Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Cala Osalla, Sinis Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge Sinis Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury

Fabaceae Pea Family Acacia dealbata - Hotel at Pula, fragrant Acacia longifolia - " Anagris foetida Bean Trefoil Anthyllis tetraphylla Bladder Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria Mediterranean Kidney Vetch Astragalus gennargenteus* - Bruncu Spina, not in flower Bisserula pelecinus Bisserula Bitumaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Calycotome spinosa Spiny Broom Ceratonia siliqua Carob or Locust Tree Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree Planted Coronilla scorpiodes Annual Scorpion Vetch Small yellow flowers Dorycnium hirsuta Dorycnium Cala Orsalla Dorycnium pentaphyllum " Genista corsica Pula Hedysarum coronarium Italian Sainfoin Roadsides, deep red

10 © Naturetrek May 12

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Hippocrepis unisiliquosa - Hymenocarpus circinatus Disc Trefoil Lathyrus aphaca Yellow vetchling Lathyrus clymenum - Lathyrus setifolius - Lotus creticus Mediterranean Bird's-foot Trefoil Lupinus angustifolius Narrow-leaved Lupin Medicago arabica Spotted Medick Medicago marina Sea Medick Cala Osalla Medicago polymorpha Toothed Medick Melilotus indicus Small Melilot Ononis natrix Large Yellow Restharrow Cala Osalla Ornithopus compressus Compressed Bird's-foot Trefoil Pisum sativum Wild Pea Dorgali Robinia pseudoacacia False Acacia Planted widely Scorpiurus muricatus Scorpiurus Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Roadsides Trifolium angustifolium Narrow-leaved Clover Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium resupinatum Reversed Clover Trifolium stellatum Starry Clover Trifolium tomentosum Woolly Clover Vicia benghalensis Pink Fodder Vetch Vicia lutea Yellow Vetch

Fagaceae Beech Family Castenea sativa Sweet Chestnut Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak Quercus ilex Holm Oak Quercus pubescens Downy Oak Quercus suber Cork Oak

Fumariaceae Fumitory Family Fumaria capreolata White Ramping Fumitory Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort Centauria pulchelum Lesser Centaury Sinis

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium ciconium - Long seeds Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Geranium lucidum Shining Crane's-bill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium purpureum Little Robin Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Crane's-bill

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Glechoma sardoa Sardinian Ground-ivy Bruncu Spina

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Lamium amplexicaule Henbit Deadnettle Lavandula stoechas Mediterranean Lavender Prasium majus Prasium Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Sideritis romana Common Sideritis Tiny creeping plant Stachys glutinosa* Foetid Betony Margani, Monte Arcosu

Linaceae Flax Family Linum bienne Pale Flax Linum strictum Upright Yellow Flax

Malvaceae Mallow Family Lavatera arborea Tree Mallow Lavatera cretica Small Tree Mallow Lavatera olbia a Tree Mallow Malva cretica Cretan Mallow Malva parviflora Least Mallow Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Moraceae Fig Family Ficus carica Fig

Myoporaceae Myoporum Family Myoporum laetum Ngaio Planted, Pula, Cagliari

Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Myrtus communis Myrtle Monte Arcosu, used as a garnish!

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus ornus Manna Ash Olea europaea Olive Planted widely Phyllyrea latifolia Monte Arcosu,

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Orobanche amethystea - ?Cala Ganona Orabanche minor Common Broomrape Margani Orobanche ramosa Branched Broomrape

Oxalidaceae Sorrel Family Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup Pernicious weed!

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Glaucium flavum Yellow Horned Poppy Cala Osalla Hypecoum procumbens - " Papaver argemone - Papaver dubium Long-headed Poppy Papaver rhoeas Red Poppy Common on roadsides Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy "

Paeoniaceae Peony Family Paeonia mascula subsp. russii* a Peony Bruncu Spina

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago afra Branched Plantain Plantago bellardia - Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago maritima Sea Plantain

Polygonaceae Dock Family Polygonum maritimum Sea Knotweed Cala Osalla Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis subsp. foemina Blue Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis subsp. arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Cyclamen repandum Spring Sowbread

Rafflesiaceae Rafflesia Family Cytinus hypocistis Cytinus Monte Arcosu

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone hortensis Blue Anenome Clematis cirrhosa Virgin's Bower Dorgali Nigella damascena Love-in-a-mist Ranunculus ficaria subsp. ficaria Lesser Celandine Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort Serra Orrios Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Crowfoot "

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Santa Gilla Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda alba White Mignonette Reseda lutea Wlid Mignonette

Rosaceae Rose Family Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Eriobotrya japonica Japanese Loquat Planted Potentilla rupestris Rock Cinquefoil Bruncu Spina Prunus dulcis Almond Pyrus amygdaliformis Almond-leaved Pear Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose Rubus ulmifolius Blackberry Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Rubia peregrina Wild Madder Sherardia arvensis Field Madder

Rutaceae Rue Family Ruta chalepensis Fringed Rue

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga corsica Corsican Saxifrage Monte Arcosu, Margani Saxifraga gfranulata Meadow Saxifrage Gennargentu

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Bellardia trixago Bellardia Serra Orrios Cymbalaria sardoa* Sardinian Ivy-leaved Toadflax Monte Arcosu, Margani Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Monte Arcosu Linaria pelisseriana Jersey Toadflax Linaria arvensis - Nora Misopates orontium Weasel's Snout Parentucellia latifolia Southern Bartsia Parentucellia viscosa Yellow Bartsia Scrophularia peregrina Nettle-leaved Figwort Verbascum creticum roadsides Verbascum sinuatum Wavy-leaved Mullein Leaves only Veronica cymbalaria Cymbalaria-leaved Speedwell Veronica persica Common Field Speedwell

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Datura stramonium Thorn Apple Planted

Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family Tamarix africana Pale Tamarisk Cala Osalla, Cagliari Tamarix gallica Tamarisk

Thymelaceae Daphne Family Thymelaea hirsuta -

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria officinalis Pellitory Urtica dioica Common Nettle Urtica pilulifera Roman Nettle Dorgali

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus calcitrapa Red Valerian Valerianella discoidea Corn Salad

Violaceae Violet Family Viola canina agg Heath Dog Violet Bruncu Spina Viola corsica Corsican Violet Bruncu Spina Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet "

LILIIDAE (Monocotyledons)

Agavaceae Century Plant Family Agave americana Century Plant Planted

Araceae Arum Family Arisarum vulgare Friar's Cowl Monte Arcosu, Pula Arum italicum Large Cuckoo Pint

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Arecaceae Palm Family Chamaerops humilis Dwarf Fan Palm Planted Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm "

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Cyperus capitatus Calla osalla

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus minimus* a Crocus Bruncu Spina Gladiolus italicus Field Gladiolus Moraea (Iris) sisyrhynchium Barbary Nut Romulea requiennii - Bruncu Spina

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Juncus anceps

Liliaceae Lily Family Allium neapolitanum Naples garlic Prolific in places Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Common Allium triquetrum Three-cornered Leek Asphodelus aestivus Common Asphodel Asphodelus fistulosus Hollow-leaved Asphodel Cagliari Brimeura fastigiata* - Monte Arcosu Gagea fistulosa a Yellow Star of Bethlehem Bruncu Spina Leucojum aestivum subsp. pulchellum a Summer Snowflake Muscari comosum Tassel Hyacinth Widespread Ornithogalum collinum a Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum narbonense " Sinis, Pula Pancratium illyricum Illyrian Sea-lily Grotto di Ispinigoli Pancratium maritimum Sea Daffodil (leaves only) Cala Osalla Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's Broom Smilax aspera Urginea maritima Sea Squill (leaves only) Cala Osalla

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Dactylorhiza insularis - Bruncu Spina Epipactis helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine Margani, in bud Limodorum abortivum Violet Bird's-nest Orchid Margani, in bud Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid Santa Gilla Ophrys aprilia* - Margani Ophrys bombyliflora Bumble Bee Orchid Santa Gilla Ophrys chestermanii* - Margani Ophrys incubacea - Bruncu Spina Ophrys morisii - " Ophrys neglecta - Monte Arcosu Ophrys speculum Mirror Orchid Grotto di Ispinigoli Ophrys tenthredinifera Sawfly Orchid Monte Arcosu Orchis anthropophora Man Orchid Margani Orchis ichnusae - " Orchis intacta Dense-flowered Orchid " Orchis laxiflora Loose Flowered Orchid Santa Gilla Orchis longicornu Long-spurred Orchid Bruncu Spina

Sardinia Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Location

Orchis papilionacea Pink Butterfly Orchid Serra Orrios, Gennargentu Orchis provincialis Provence Orchid Bruncu Spina Serapias cordigera - Cixerri Valley Serapias lingua Common Tongue Orchid " , Santa Gilla Serapias parviflora Small Flowered Serapias " , "

Poaceae Grass Family Aegilops geniculata - Arundo donax Giant Reed Avena barbata Bearded Oat Grass Briza maxima Large Quaking Grass Briza minor Annual Quaking-grass Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass Cynosurus echinatus Rough Dog's-tail Festuca arundinacea Tall Fescue Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass Lamarckia aurea Lamarck's Golden Grass Lygeum spartum Albardine Cagliari Parapholis incurva Curved Sea Hardgrass Phragmites australis Common Reed

Posidoniaceae Posidonia family Posidonia oceanica Posidonia Cala Osalla

Typhaceae Bulrush Family Typha latifolia Reed Mace

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = heard only) April/May Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna    2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos        3 Gadwall Anas strepera       1 4 Common Pochard Aythya ferina  5 Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara H 6 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  7 Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea diomedea  8 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1 1 9 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 1  10 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax  11 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 1 12 1  12 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides   13 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1   14 Great Egret Ardea alba 1 15 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1 16 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 4 17 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus      18 Black Kite Milvus migrans 1 19 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 3 3 20 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo        21 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus        22 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 

Sardinia Tour Report

April/May Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 23 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 2 24 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  25 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus     26 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 3 27 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 3 1 28 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 100+ 29 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 30 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 1 1 31 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 2  32 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei     33 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis         34 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus    2     35 Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii  36 Little Tern Sternula albifrons 1 2 37 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1 38 Common Tern Sterna hirundo   39 Feral Pigeon / Rock Dove Columba livia     40 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus    41 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto      42 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur      H 43 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H H H H H H 44 Little Owl Athene noctua 1 45 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops H 46 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus H 47 Common Swift Apus apus         48 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba  49 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 H 50 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster     1   51 Great-spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major H 52 Common Skylark Alauda arvensis H H 53 Woodlark Lullula arborea    54 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  55 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         56 Common House Martin Delichon urbica        57 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 2 58 Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flava 1 59 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 3 60 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 H H 61 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H H 1   62 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 4  63 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 3   64 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata       65 Common Blackbird Turdus merula        66 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla  H H H H 67 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 68 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala        69 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata H 70 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis H  H H 71 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti H H 72 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 1 73 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix 1

Sardinia Tour Report

April/May Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 74 Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 3 75 Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H H 1 H 76 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 2   77 Great Tit Parus major   H  78 Coal Tit Periparus ater H H  79 European Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus   80 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 1 1 2 81 Magpie Pica pica 1 82 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius    2 83 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula  1    84 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax  85 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix         86 Common Raven Corvus corax    87 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor        88 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 3  89 Italian Sparrow Passer italiae    90 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis       91 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs   H   H 92 Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina 2 93 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis       94 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris     95 European Serin Serinus serinus   1 96 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1  2  97 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 2+ 98 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra       

Mammals 1 European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 1 2 Pine Martin Martes martes latinorum 1 3 Sardinian Red Deer Cervus elaphus corsicanus 1

Butterflies (L = Larva) 1 Corsican Swallowtail Papilio hospiton  1  2 Swallowtail Papilio machaon 1 1 +L 3 Large White Pieris brassicae  4 Small White Pieris rapae  5 Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines  6 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea 1   7 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra italica  8 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeus 1 1   9 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus  10 Brown Argus Aricia agestis  11 Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta 4  12 Peacock Butterfly Inachis io 13 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta 1  14 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui    15 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria   16 Wall Brown Lasiommata megera    17 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1    18 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina   

Sardinia Tour Report

April/May Common name Scientific name 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6

Moths 1 Small Lappet sp caterpillar 1

Other Invertebrates 1 Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria 1  2 a Wasp Scolia flavifrons  3 Assassin Bug Rhinocorus iracundus  4 Dung Beetle scarabaeus laticollis   5 Spider Micrommata virescens  6 Soldier Beetle Trichodes alvearius  7 Ruddy Darter Symetrum sanguinem  8 Red Starfish Echinaster sepositus 

Ophrys chestermanii Ophrys neglecta (tenthredenifera)