Ornithological observation, known as birdwatching, is a popular hobby especially in Western culture.

Through this pastime, ornithologists, enthusiasts or even just the curious try their hand at observing, listening and recognizing various species of birds. It is a passion that can be conducted wherever there is little man-made habitat in coastal areas, countryside, lakes and forests. All that is needed is binoculars or spotting scopes, a field guide for species recognition, a notebook if necessary, and a camera.

Birdwatching to get in touch with nature

Practicing birdwatching means being able to harmonize with nature. One needs to equip oneself with a lot of patience to be able to completely detach from the hustle and bustle of daily life and regain those natural rhythms and connection that binds us to the world around us. It is possible to go birdwatching in the oasis, where there are wooden stations built exclusively for bird watching, with which you remain hidden from the shy eyes of the birds and it is easier to take photographs and be able to see the species that characterize the biodiversity of the place.

The better equipped equip themselves with a mobile shed and possibly camouflage suits, while those who choose more rustic solutions use their cars to lie in wait as comfortably as possible.

 It is also important to choose well the times when you are most likely to encounter theavifauna. The best time of day to organize such an excursion is definitely in the morning or late afternoon hours, but the season must also be taken into account. The mid-seasons such as spring or autumn, are the best times for birdwatching, because in the mating or migration period, respectively, the birds are most active. In winter, on the other hand, we can observe specimens that migrate to our territories to overcome the frost, called wintering species, such as anatids, birds that inhabit aquatic environments. In this case, it is best to make arrangements during the hottest hours of the day.

Of course, weather also has a great influence on bird life. On a nice sunny day or right after rain, you will be much more likely to encounter birds than on a windy day or during a thunderstorm.

Birdwatching in Campania

Campania, with its wide hilly terrain connecting the southern Apennines to the soft coastal profile lapped by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, is one of the best regions for practicing or enjoying birdwatching.

Vesuvius National Park

Vesuvius National Park, in addition to being one of the world's most fearsome volcanoes, is also an important route in the migration of various bird species. In fact, research, monitoring and conservation of migratory avifauna are conducted here, including such species as the marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus, the cockerel, Coracias garrulus, the lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni, and the European bee-eater, Merops apiaster.

The park also provides shelter for a substantial number of breeding and wintering species included, along with their habitats, in the Habitats Directive, where particular species are listed for protection that we encounter on the slopes of Vesuvius where precisely these animals choose to take shelter.

The goal of the directive is to protect the species and ecologically restore the natural areas where they nest. Given the extent of the park and the variety of zones and microclimates from which it is made up, not only birds that inhabit rocky environments, such as the common rock thrush, are found here, but also forest species whose natural environments must be defended from the pressures of urbanization such as: the peregrine falcon , Falco peregrinus, the European woodpecker, Dendrocopos minor, the nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, the honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus, and the imperial raven, Corvus corax.

Lake Avernus

Moving to a less forested environment, perhaps flanked by a large lake mirror, one can opt for the enchanting Lake Avernus. This ancient caldera has given rise to one of the most beautiful lakes in the area of Pozzuoli. Numerous species of resident anatidae such as coots proliferate and live around here, Fulica Linnaeus, mallards, Anas platyrhynchos, the Mediterranean herring gull, Larus michaellis, the common gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus, and migrators such as grebes, Podiceps cristatus, and the dip, Tachybaptus ruficollis.

In addition to these that are most present, there are also rarer hosts such as gavine, Larus canus, the coral gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus And the Corsican gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii, both included in the Habitats Directive. More secretive species can also be encountered, such as the Little Loon Phylloscopus collybita, the jay, Garrulus glandarius, and raptors such as the kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, and the buzzard, Buteo buteo.

Following the path around the lake, you can take advantage of several stations where you can practice birdwatching in comfort. The only rule is to remain silent and with your eyes wide open.

The Astroni Crater

In the Puteolian area, another highlight is theAstroni crater oasis. The reserve is home to about 130 different species of birds, from birds of prey to aquatic species to woodland-dwelling specimens.

In the wooded area the calls of songbirds can be heard. Many species such as robins hide among the tall trees and green bushes, Erithacus rubecula, the Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, the blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla, the blackbird, Turdus merula, the wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, the finch, Fringilla coelebs, the titmouse, Cyanistes caeruleus, the common firecracker, Regulus ignicapillus, the titmouse, Parus major, the coal chintz, Periparus ater And the red woodpecker, Dendrocopos major.

In the area around the lake, where the sighting station is also located, it is possible to spot the various common species of ducks that inhabit our bodies of water, as well as the ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca, among the rarest duck species that has been reintroduced to the reserve since 1998.

As you follow the scenic trail overlooking the majestic lava wall, which provides truly breathtaking views, you can spot various species of birds of prey both diurnal and nocturnal. Prominent among the former are the peregrine falcon, which routinely nests on the ridge, the kestrel , buzzard and sparrow hawk, Accipiter nisus. In the night hours, however, it is possible to observe barn owls, Tyto alba, the owl, Athene noctua, and the owl, Strix aluco.

Lake Falciano

Another protected natural area is the beautiful Lake of Falciano del Massico, in the province of Caserta. The reserve covers about 90 hectares of wet lake environment. The rich ecosystem is home to both resident and migratory birds, also representing an important shelter site for wintering species.

The aforementioned buzzard, kestrel, barn owl and even the brown kite can be found here, Milvus migrans, the owl, Otus scops, and the green woodpecker, Picus viridis.

Other specimens of the avifauna of this area, are also several species of shrikes, of the genus Lanius, the stiff neck, Jynx torquilla, the goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, the cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, and the hoopoe, Hoopoe epops, as well as song species such as goldfinch, goldfinch and greenfinch.

Matese Regional Park

Protected area of the Caserta province is the Matese Regional Park. It encompasses both a high-altitude area and a lake environment given by the presence of Lake Matese, with an exceptional faunal heritage that counts on the presence of species typical of the southern Apennines. Lurking among the park's rich vegetation, one can observe rare species such as the mute, Prunella corallis, the alpine grappling hook, Certhia familiaris, the rhodoxon, Monticola saxatilis, the coral chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, the alpine finch and a good number of raptors such as the short-toed eagle owl, Circaetus gallicus, the red kite, Milvus milvus, the goshawk and the mysterious golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos.

Around the lake and rocky gorges, however, anatids such as teal can be observed, Anas crecca, whistles, Mareca penelope, having it ashy, Lanius minor, having it redheaded, Lanius senator, lodolaio, Falco subbuteo, and the tabby blackberry, Anytya nyroca, as well as excellent guests as well as protected species, such as the wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria, and the piping plover, Charadrius morinellus.

The Variconi Oasis

At the mouth of the river Volturno extends a large area of ponds where many bird species have found their marsh habitat. A large sighting hut overlooks the main pond, and here, thanks to the large surrounding area, many migratory species of both brackish and fresh water, some of which are included in the Habitats Directive, stop here. It is possible to encounter the lesser godwit, Limosa lapponica And the cormorant, Falacrocorace carbo, but also the marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus, and the tufted warbler, Ardeola ralloides. Populations of egrets, Egret egret, piggies, Rallus aquaticus, terns, Hydroprogne castra, and knight of Italy, Himantopus himantopus, increase year by year while the presence of species such as the ferruginous duck and osprey, Pandion haliaetus make this area an oasis of excellence. The coast also allows sightings of purely marine species including the saffron gull, Larus fuscus.

The Oasis of Campolattaro

In the Benevento area lies a lake around which a protected oasis has been established: theOasis of Campolattaro. It is a floodplain located at the mouth of the river Tammaro, where an artificial lake has been built. The protected area is home to a large population of herons, most notably the grey heron, Ardea cinerea, as well as other waterfowl species such as grebes, Podiceps cristatus, the cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, the mallard, Anas platyrhynchos. There is no shortage of birds of prey such as kestrels, buzzards, peregrine falcons, kites, and nocturnal predators such as owls, barn owls, tawny owls, owls Asio otus and the owl Otus scops.

The River Alento Oasis in Salerno

In Cilento, stands a nature oasis created in a reservoir of the river Alento. A naturalistic area of inestimable beauty in which there are multiple paths that develop between lake environments and Mediterranean scrub. Seagulls, grey herons often roost on the water basin, Ardea cinerea, cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo), egrets, and knights of Italy. While among the vegetation of the maquis that characterizes the rest of the oasis, it is not difficult to encounter birds of prey such as kites, kestrels, buzzards and many other bird species. The oasis is equipped with picnic areas and viewing stations. 

The Oasis of Persano

Along the river Sele there is another unmissable nature reserve for birdwatchers: theoasis of Persano. The nature trail consists of meadow and boardwalk paths, reed beds and groves on which numerous bird observation huts are arranged. Species that can be encountered in this reserve include: the great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus, the cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, the egret, the purple heron, Ardea purpurea, the nitticore, Nycticorax nycticorax, the moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, the piglet, Rallus aquaticus, the tufted warbler, Ardeola ralloides And birds of prey such as kestrels, black kites, Milvus migrans And the peregrine falcon.

What are you waiting for? Visit these wonderful places too by practicing birdwatching.