Paul Collins
Well-known member
I have undertaken trips every summer and autumn since 2017 to the Abruzzo-Lazio-Molise region of central Italy, combing the mountains and valleys to photograph and observe fascinating behaviours of its special endemic mammals - the Marsican Bear (<50), Apennine Chamois, and Apennine Wolf (<300) - as well as its special birds, microfauna and rich natural and cultural landscapes.
Most wildlife tours can almost guarantee a brief or distant sighting of two if not all three of these key species, but that’s not enough for me! Since my first trip in 2017, teaming up with a couple of local Italian biologists, we have observed at least 15 different bears, and almost guaranteed sightings of wolf packs hunting deer and boar.
This October's trip to the Abruzzo, Italy's lesser known wilderness, gave us a thrilling variety of wildlife encounters and photo opportunities among rich autumn landscapes.
The full tour report PDF is attached - I have removed precise location names to not reveal current whereabouts of wolf cubs.
Over 6 days, highlights included:
Paul
Most wildlife tours can almost guarantee a brief or distant sighting of two if not all three of these key species, but that’s not enough for me! Since my first trip in 2017, teaming up with a couple of local Italian biologists, we have observed at least 15 different bears, and almost guaranteed sightings of wolf packs hunting deer and boar.
This October's trip to the Abruzzo, Italy's lesser known wilderness, gave us a thrilling variety of wildlife encounters and photo opportunities among rich autumn landscapes.
The full tour report PDF is attached - I have removed precise location names to not reveal current whereabouts of wolf cubs.
Over 6 days, highlights included:
- Apennines Wolf cubs and packs - from the sight of 2 wolves with orange ears on our first morning as they hunted among cattle, to 7 cubs playing for several hours on our last morning, we were treated to numerous encounters of this shy endemic canid (<300 in Italy). We located these thanks to years of combined local knowledge of the individuals and packs, thermal imaging equipment, and local connections.
- 12 mammal species - including a rare Hazel Dormouse in the beech forests which posed beautifully for our cameras; 1 Wild Cat in the early hours; 2 Calabrian Black Squirrel; 1 'Black' Red Squirrel'; Wild Boar; a few rutting Red Deer; Roe Deer; Pine Marten...
- Birds - although not our target, as birdwatching at this time of year can be challenging, we had a few encounters with endemic Lilford's White-Backed Woodpecker, and notables were Bonelli's Warbler, Dipper, Rock Partridge.
- Magnificent beech forests - at this time of year, the beech / sycamore / oak forests are ablaze with autumn colour. Also the scent of white truffles followed us on many walks!
- Other Fauna - the last remaining population of White-Clawed Crayfish, plus interesting amphibians and insects.
- Excellent local food and company!
Paul
