Not a full trip report for what was a non-birding holiday, but just to mention that if anybody is planning a family holiday south of Naples it is well worth negotiating time off to visit the Lesser Kestrels at Matera in Basilicata. 500+ pairs in a magnificent setting. About 2 hours drive from Salerno, but well worth it last week. Might be pretty hot in July or August!
Also a Black Stork elsewhere. Happy to provide further details off-line if of interest.
[QUOTE=white-back]Not a full trip report for what was a non-birding holiday, but just to mention that if anybody is planning a family holiday south of Naples it is well worth negotiating time off to visit the Lesser Kestrels at Matera in Basilicata. 500+ pairs in a magnificent setting. About 2 hours drive from Salerno, but well worth it last week. [/QUOTE]
Lesser Kestrel is increasing in the S Italy and more than 11.000 birds were recorded at the end of the breeding season in 2001; see:
http://www.terredelmediterraneo.org/grillaio.htm
Moreover the Lesser Kestrel is colonizing NE Italy too, and it is now breeding also in the Po Delta: this is only one of the 375 bird species recorded so far there...
Cheers