Birding Piedmont And Langhe

Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) is one of Europe’s most important naturalistic hotspots, ranking among the Italian regions with the highest biological diversity. The region spans alpine ecosystems, large lakes, rolling hills, and the vast Po river basin. Almost 400 species have been recorded here, 210 of which breed. The best hotspots can be easily reached from Turin and Milan.
The hills of the Langhe and Monferrato, internationally renowned for wines such as Barolo and recognized since 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are equally remarkable for wildlife. Generations of farmers have shaped a mosaic of vineyards, cereal fields, and hedgerows that sustains a rich farmland bird community. European Roller, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Quail, Red-backed Shrike, and Ortolan Bunting all breed here, and the area has proved a recurrent site for Black-headed Bunting in late spring.
The vast irrigated rice paddies of the Vercelli plain are one of the most spectacular birding spectacles in northern Italy. Flooded in late April and May, they attract extraordinary numbers of waders, herons, and waterbirds — Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Squacco and Night Heron, and Glossy Ibis are all regular. The ricefields also hold two species that breed nowhere else in Italy: Black-tailed Godwit and Black tern.
To the north, Lago Maggiore and the Nature Reserve of Fondotoce offer outstanding wetland birding. Wintering flocks of Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, and Ferruginous Duck gather on the open water, while the reedbeds hold breeding Little Bittern, Reed Warbler, and Kingfisher. The quieter Lago d’Orta nearby is excellent for diving birds in winter, and during migration, anything can turn up.

“Our experience in Piemonte was excellent, although it was not a prime season to see birds, we did get about 50 species. Marco made frequent stops and lunch was fantastic. He communicated logistics well and is very knowledgeable about birds and ecology. A very good trip!” – Happy Customer from TripAdvisor