We had a short 4 days in Lake Garda at the end of May, staying at Torri Del Benaco, which is mid way up the east side of the lake, just at the start of the mountains. We stayed at the very relaxing Hotel Benacus overlooking the lake.
Torri is an old medieval town with it's own old castle and little harbour, very relaxing.
The first bird you notice on the lake is Red Crested Pochard
There are a few pairs amongst the Mallard all along the lake, and they are quite tame, coming close into shore around the cafes. There was also a Mute Swan family that my wife insisted I included.
Italian Sparrows were around the cafes as well. Around the lake front I added Hooded Crow, Yellow Legged Gull, Starling, Swift, Swallow and House Martin.
The hills behind the hotel looked good for birds, but all the roads closest ended in private estates, so I was somewhat frustrated that I couldn't get all the way into the woods. However a lane next to the hotel led me to a small mixed wood of deciduous trees and olives. I had a look here every day at various times adding good views of Serin and Wryneck to Redstart, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker and the usual tits and finches. I did hear Wood Warbler but couldn't pin it down, it seemed to be singing from inside a house !!! I wondered if they were kept as caged birds, like the Goldfinch I could see, or if it was something imitating it ??
A trip up the cable car from Malescine took us to the top of Monte Baldo.
The first bird here was Black Redstart just on the track with the Marmots. Then Cuckoo started singing in the woods below and I picked out Redstart singing at the top of a tree. Tree Pipits were performing their parachute displays and Wheatear flitted about the rocks. I saw a pinkish bird which I first thought White Throat, but it was too big and stipey, I subsequently found that Water Pipit breed here so that's what it must have been. I couldn't find any Alpine Chough or raptors here, maybe the time of day, late morning, or the weather which was a bit drizzly.
Back down at the lakeside we got the bus to Garda and walked to Bardolino, past the small reedbed which has Great Reed Warbler singing, like Reed Warbler but slower and deeper.
I found Mandarin and Great Crested Grebe here too.
Back in Torri we walked north up the lakeside and a small park which was shaded by trees, Spotted Flycatcher was hunting butterflies here, and I watched it for a while in the shade.
Amongst the House Martins and Swallows which hawked over the water close to shore I spotted a couple of Crag Martins. Then, when we were touring the castle, a Black Kite came floating in over the lake giving good views for a short while.
38 species in 4 days was less than I'd hoped for, but a very enjoyable and relaxing few days. The Bardolino red and Limoncello were excellent.
Torri is an old medieval town with it's own old castle and little harbour, very relaxing.
The first bird you notice on the lake is Red Crested Pochard
The hills behind the hotel looked good for birds, but all the roads closest ended in private estates, so I was somewhat frustrated that I couldn't get all the way into the woods. However a lane next to the hotel led me to a small mixed wood of deciduous trees and olives. I had a look here every day at various times adding good views of Serin and Wryneck to Redstart, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker and the usual tits and finches. I did hear Wood Warbler but couldn't pin it down, it seemed to be singing from inside a house !!! I wondered if they were kept as caged birds, like the Goldfinch I could see, or if it was something imitating it ??
A trip up the cable car from Malescine took us to the top of Monte Baldo.
The first bird here was Black Redstart just on the track with the Marmots. Then Cuckoo started singing in the woods below and I picked out Redstart singing at the top of a tree. Tree Pipits were performing their parachute displays and Wheatear flitted about the rocks. I saw a pinkish bird which I first thought White Throat, but it was too big and stipey, I subsequently found that Water Pipit breed here so that's what it must have been. I couldn't find any Alpine Chough or raptors here, maybe the time of day, late morning, or the weather which was a bit drizzly.
Back down at the lakeside we got the bus to Garda and walked to Bardolino, past the small reedbed which has Great Reed Warbler singing, like Reed Warbler but slower and deeper.
Back in Torri we walked north up the lakeside and a small park which was shaded by trees, Spotted Flycatcher was hunting butterflies here, and I watched it for a while in the shade.
Amongst the House Martins and Swallows which hawked over the water close to shore I spotted a couple of Crag Martins. Then, when we were touring the castle, a Black Kite came floating in over the lake giving good views for a short while.
38 species in 4 days was less than I'd hoped for, but a very enjoyable and relaxing few days. The Bardolino red and Limoncello were excellent.
