Ghostly Vision
Well-known member
Hi all,
Recently (beginning of May) had a trip to the Tyrrhenian Islands, where there is a small list of some very tempting herpetological endemics and near-endemics.
They are blessed with birds and Orchids of course, too, as well as an endemic Damselfly.
There are five species of Cave Salamander, most of which don't just live in caves, but also in rock crevices, old buildings and pumping houses and old mineshafts - luckily for us non-cavers.
There are two species of Brook newt, one on each island, and several Lizards and Frogs.
We cleaned up on the three target birds - Corsican Nuthatch, Citril Finch and Marmora's, and Island Bluetail damsel was pretty easy too. In terms of the Orchids it can be difficult to decide what to go and look for, because a number of the specialist endemics are questionable species in the first place. So, I was choosy about those, but we also cleaned up on all of the targets.
As for the herps, we scored on all but one - Monte Albo Cave Salamander, probably the most widespread one. Despite having several locations, we found the two we visited to be inaccessible without caving equipment, and time constraints prevented us from spending more time looking.
Gene's Cave salamander proved a lucky find, as the mineshaft we had as a a site had been blocked up. Luckily we found another with a very small access hole (we had to hold each other's feet horizontally to enable us to scrape through into the other side!), and here we scored easily - avoiding the shaft roof's resident Black widows carefully!
The herping highlight for me was finding Sardinian Brook newt in a gushing, clear river among the beautiful southern Sardinian mountains, having found a couple of inexplicably dead ones, then disturbing a real live one when I nearly fell over in the stream! It was a great find on a beautiful evening in a gorgeous location.
The rest of the herps were found relatively easily, though in small numbers because of the very rushed and tight itinerary we had - and because we were delayed on the Ferry between Corsica and Sardinia, as well as wasting time not seeing the Monte Albo CS.
Altogether a fantastic trip. Great scenery, wildlife, weather, accommodation (it's not really that expensive), food and people.
Highly recommended.
Because I was given herp sites in confidence, and I was latching on to someone else's trip, I am unable to pass exact sites on, I'm afraid.
Attached some photos of the stuff we saw.
Recently (beginning of May) had a trip to the Tyrrhenian Islands, where there is a small list of some very tempting herpetological endemics and near-endemics.
They are blessed with birds and Orchids of course, too, as well as an endemic Damselfly.
There are five species of Cave Salamander, most of which don't just live in caves, but also in rock crevices, old buildings and pumping houses and old mineshafts - luckily for us non-cavers.
There are two species of Brook newt, one on each island, and several Lizards and Frogs.
We cleaned up on the three target birds - Corsican Nuthatch, Citril Finch and Marmora's, and Island Bluetail damsel was pretty easy too. In terms of the Orchids it can be difficult to decide what to go and look for, because a number of the specialist endemics are questionable species in the first place. So, I was choosy about those, but we also cleaned up on all of the targets.
As for the herps, we scored on all but one - Monte Albo Cave Salamander, probably the most widespread one. Despite having several locations, we found the two we visited to be inaccessible without caving equipment, and time constraints prevented us from spending more time looking.
Gene's Cave salamander proved a lucky find, as the mineshaft we had as a a site had been blocked up. Luckily we found another with a very small access hole (we had to hold each other's feet horizontally to enable us to scrape through into the other side!), and here we scored easily - avoiding the shaft roof's resident Black widows carefully!
The herping highlight for me was finding Sardinian Brook newt in a gushing, clear river among the beautiful southern Sardinian mountains, having found a couple of inexplicably dead ones, then disturbing a real live one when I nearly fell over in the stream! It was a great find on a beautiful evening in a gorgeous location.
The rest of the herps were found relatively easily, though in small numbers because of the very rushed and tight itinerary we had - and because we were delayed on the Ferry between Corsica and Sardinia, as well as wasting time not seeing the Monte Albo CS.
Altogether a fantastic trip. Great scenery, wildlife, weather, accommodation (it's not really that expensive), food and people.
Highly recommended.
Because I was given herp sites in confidence, and I was latching on to someone else's trip, I am unable to pass exact sites on, I'm afraid.
Attached some photos of the stuff we saw.
