Aves
Fauna

Birds of the Northern Adriatic Region
[See bibliography for copyright notes]

The area covered by the account covers a square of approximately 200km by 200 km, centred on Trieste and stretching from the Valli di Commachio in the south to the Austrian border in the north to western Slovenia and north-western Croatia and the northern Dalmatian islands of Krk and Cres.

This is approximately the size of Belgium, but 30% or so is sea. In view of place names and in the absence of an illustrative map, it should be read in conjunction with a road-atlas! Habitats, geology and climate are very varied within short distances and it is possible to see species as varied as Fan-tailed Warbler (Cisticola juncidis) and Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) at sites only twenty kilometres apart. The guide is based on personal observations, information from local ornithologists, both Slovene and Italian and published accounts, particularly those of the Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica (Bologna), the annual bulletin ("Fauna") of the Osservatori Faunistici for the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the bi-monthly magazine "Acrocephalus" of the Birdwatching and Bird Study Association of Slovenia. Anyone requiring further information on a species or the above publications or can correct any errors in the text please feel free me to mail me.

Species

The bird species on this page have been divided into four groups as follows:

1. Divers (Order Gaviiformes) to Birds of Prey (Order Accipitriformes)

2. Gamebirds (Order Galliformes) to Woodpeckers (Order Piciformes)

3. Order Passeriformes - Larks (Alaudidae) to Warblers (Sylvidae)

4. Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) to Buntings (Emberizidae) (plus a list of recent rarities)

*Divers (Gaviiformes) to Birds of prey (Accipitrifomes)*
Red-throated Diver	*Gavia stellata*	A fairly scarce winter visitor to the northern Adriatic which probably also summers regularly in very small numbers. Individuals in full summer plumage are easy to see off the Croatian coast until early April.
Black-throated Diver	*Gavia arctica*	A similar status to the previous species, but much commoner and stays in good numbers until late April. Rare inland. Flocks of 80 or more have been recorded in the Gulf of Trieste.
Great Northern Diver	*Gavia immer*	Formerly irregular and very rare but since 1990 large numbers of birds (flocks of up to thirty) have been recorded off Piran on the Slovene coast. Remains rare on the Italian coast. Recorded in the Gulf of Trieste in summer 1999.
Little Grebe	*Tachybaptus ruficollis*	A common breeder on all freshwater and brackish waters, the numbers are greatly increased in winter when some can be seen in calm coastal waters.
Great Crested Grebe	*Podiceps cristatus*	A fairly local breeder on the larger bodies of fresh water covered by the guide, many more can be seen in winter in the lagoons and on the sea. Widespread in Valli di Comacchio.
Red-necked Grebe	*Podiceps grisegena*	Very common on the western seaboard on Spring and Autumn passage when many individual are in summer plumage.Rarer in winter, usually on the sea rather than the coastal lagoons. Breeds regularly at Cerknisko Jezero in Slovenia.
Black-necked Grebe	*Podiceps nigricollis*	Abundant winter visitor and, locally, non-breeding birds remain throughout the summer both on the sea and on the coastal lagoons. More than 3,000 are present every winter in the Lagoon of Marano.
Cory's Shearwater	*Calonectris diomedea*	Very rarely seen from land but regular in the upper Adriatic and may breed on smaller rocky islets in northern Dalmatia.
Mediterranean Shearwater	*Puffinus yelkouan*	Regular in summer out to sea in the northern Adriatic but seen in groups of up to 60 just offshore at the very head of the Adriatic in the month of June. May breed on some of the smaller islets off the northern Dalmatian coast.
Storm Petrel	*Hydrobates pelagicus*	Very rarely seen from land but regular in the upper Adriatic and may breed on smaller rocky islets in northern Dalmatia.
Gannet	*Sula bassana*	An irregular wanderer to the northern Adriatic in small numbers, especially during the summer months.
Cormorant Cormorano (It.) [detail page]	*Phalacrocorax carbo*	A very local breeder but a common winter visitor that has increased greatly in recent years. Immatures and non-breeding birds are present at many coastal sites all year.
Shag	*Phalacrocorax aristotelis*	Common breeder on the rocky sections of coastline of Slovenia and Croatia, a few individuals, mostly immatures, stray into Italian waters around Trieste. Since the summer of 1998 very large numbers of mostly immatures have moved up to spend the autumn in the Gulf of Trieste. The local birds are of the subspecies desmaresti, the juveniles of which have striking pale cream underparts.
Pygmy Cormorant	*Phalacrocorax pygmaeus*	Until the second half of the 1990's bred occasionally in the large heronry at Punta Alberete in the Valli di Commachio where, after a run of mild winters, it seems to have established itself well. Otherwise an occasional winter visitor, but when it does arrive, sometimes in good numbers (e.g mid- to late 1980's and 1991/92.)
Bittern	*Botaurus stellaris*	A very local breeder in western Slovenia and Valli di Comacchio, the species is much more widespread in winter when it is generally distributed but scarce throughout the coastal marshes.
Little Bittern	*Ixobrychus minutus*	Locally common, this species inhabits even quite small and otherwise unpromising bodies of freshwater and overgrown drainage ditches. It is rarely seen at salty and brackish marshes even where they are very extensive. Arrives in late May.Has shown a sharp decline during the 1990's.
Night Heron	*Nycticorax nycticorax*	A well-distributed but localised summer visitor, the species is easiest to see in June and July when feeding well grown young. It is the only widespread breeding heron in Western Slovenia. In recent years small numbers have started to winter in the south-west of the area.
Squacco Heron	*Ardeola ralloides*	A local breeding species in the south west coastal marshes that wanders widely in Spring and Autumn and is often seen away from its usual haunts.
Little Egret Garzetta (It.) [detail page]	*Egretta garzetta garzetta*	By far the commonest heron in north-eastern Italy, but the breeding colonies tend to be large and rather few and far between. In recent years the number of wintering birds has greatly increased.
Great White Egret Airone bianco maggiore (It.) [detail page]	*Egretta alba*	A regular winter visitor to the area in small numbers that has recently begun to breed in small numbers in the south-west of the are. The birds, probably from Neuiseedel in Austria and Balaton in Hungary mostly turn up in October. Increasing numbers are summering in the Italian wetlands. Breeding was suspected in 1990 and 1991 and confirmed in 1992.
Grey Heron Airone Cenerino (It.) [detail page]	*Ardea cinerea*	A scarce breeder in the Po Valley and western Slovenia, but large numbers of non-breeding birds summer throughout the wetland areas.
Purple Heron	*Ardea purpurea*	A locally common summer visitor to the coastal wetlands, the first birds appear in early April. Sharp declines noted during the 1990's at some colonies.
Black Stork	*Ciconia nigra*	A very local breeder in western Slovenia, but seen more widely on passage, especially in autumn.
White Stork	*Ciconia ciconia*	A local breeder in western Slovenia, bred in Friuli in 1989, and the subject of a reintroduction project, otherwise an infrequent passage migrant. Birds, presumably from reintroduction programmes in Europe, are occasionally seen even in mid winter.
Glossy Ibis	*Plegadis falcinellus*	A regular passage migrant, most commonly in Spring, but in small numbers. Breeds occasionally in the heronry at Punta Alberete in the Valli di Commachio.
Spoonbill Spatola (It.) [detail page]	*Platalea leucorodia*	A regular passage migrant in small numbers. Bred in Italy for the first time in centuries in 1989 near Ferrara. Numbers increased rapidly in the following years, but this may have been due to low water levels in the Danubian colonies, only time will tell.
Mute Swan	*Cygnus olor*	A regular breeder in Slovenia and reintroduced in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Numbers are greatly increased in winter with the arrival of birds from Czechoslovakia and Poland.
Bean Goose	*Anser fabalis*	A regular winter visitor and passage migrant but numbers are only large when the central European wintering grounds are snow-covered.
White-fronted Goose	*Anser albifrons*	A regular winter visitor and passage migrant but numbers are only large when the central European wintering grounds are snow-covered.
Greylag Goose	*Anser anser*	Reintroduced to the wetlands of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Otherwise a regular Spring and Autumn migrant as the substantial East European population moves to and from its north African wintering grounds. Many of the Polish birds carry coloured neck-rings.
Shelduck Volpoca (It.) [detail page]	*Tadorna tadorna*	A local breeder in the Italian wetlands, more widespread in winter, but numbers are still tiny compared with the Atlantic coast where there is a good tidal range.
Wigeon	*Anas penelope*	An abundant winter visitor, with at least 10,000 visiting the Italian wetlands each winter. Not easily seen in large numbers, however, as the birds spend the day on the sea, flying in to the extensive Eel grass (Zostera ssp.) beds after dark to escape the hunters. A few, perhaps paired to injured birds, remain in summer.
Gadwall	*Anas strepera*	A common winter visitor to several areas. In common with the rest of western Europe its populations have increased greatly in recent years.A few, perhaps paired to injured birds, remain in summer.
Teal	*Anas crecca*	An abundant winter visitor and local breeder in the area covered by the guide. A few, perhaps paired to injured birds, remain in summer.
Mallard Germano reale (It.) [detail page]	*Anas platyrhynchos*	An abundant winter visitor and common breeder in the area covered by the guide.
Pintail Codone (It.) [detail page]	*Anas acuta*	A fairly common winter visitor to the area but more common on passage. The last birds are seen in early May.
Garganey Marzaiola (It.) [detail page]	*Anas querquedula*	An abundant spring migrant with flocks of 2-3000 being regular at some sites in March. A local breeder in small numbers, and autumn passage is barely discernable.. Numbers on passage have declined somewhat in recent years.
Shoveler Mestolone (It.) [detail page]	*Anas clypeata*	A common passage migrant and winter visitor but extremely local in summer, only a few pairs breeding.
Red crested Pochard	*Netta rufina*	A regular winter visitor in small numbers to the Italian wetlands.
Pochard	*Aythya ferina*	A very common winter visitor to the lagoons. A few stay in summer and may breed.
Ferruginous Duck	*Aythya nyroca*	A regular but scarce winter visitor to freshwater wetlands throughout, also breeds in small numbers at one site, Punta Alberete in the Valli di Commachio
Tufted Duck Moretta (It.) [detail page]	*Aythya fuligula*	Lack of substantial bodies of fresh water mean that this duck is rather local in winter in north-eastern Italy. Much more widespread in Slovenia and Croatia. A pair bred in Slovenia in 1994 and another pair summered near Trieste in 1995 but heavy rains probably destroyed any nesting attempt.
Scaup	*Aythya marila*	A varying number of this northern duck visit the lagoons each winter, but its occurence is regular, usually between January and March.
Eider	*Somateria mollissima*	More than 100 individuals of this species are now present all year on the mussel beds at the mouth of the river Timavo at the extreme northern end of the Adriatic. Display is regularly observed but there are no breeding records and the lack of day-length in midsummer at 45°N inhibits reproduction.
Long tailed Duck	*Clangula hyemalis*	A varying number of this northern duck visit the lagoons each winter, and its occurence is fairly regular, usually between January and March.
Common Scoter	*Melanitta nigra*	A varying number of this and the following species are present all year far out to sea but their occurence is most regular between January and March. Usually less common than the following species.
Velvet Scoter	*Melanitta fusca*	A varying number of this and the previous species are present all year far out to sea but their occurence is most regular between January and March. Usually more common than the previous species.
Goldeneye	*Bucephala clangula*	Several thousand are present each winter in the lagoons where it is a very common winter visitor. Also present at some freshwater lakes in Slovenia in winter. Has declined in recent winters.
Smew	*Mergus albellus*	Small numbers of this beautiful duck are present every winter on salt and brackish water, provided the position is fairly sheltered.
Red breasted Merganser	*Mergus serrator*	A very common and widespread winter visitor along the northern Italian coast. Small numbers of non-breeders are present in mid summer at the mouth of the River Isonzo.
Goosander	*Mergus merganser*	Formerly a very rare vagrant in the area but following the colonisation of eastern Slovenia (outside the area) a pair summered in suitable habitat along the River Isonzo but are not thought to have bred.
Honey Buzzard	*Pernis apivorus*	A widespread and locally fairly common summer visitor to old woodland of all types. Spring passage, often heavy, continues into early June, probably involving non-breeding immatures.
Black Kite	*Milvus migrans*	A local breeder in the Pre alps and Italian plain. In Autumn, aggregations of up to thirty have been seen at rubbish dumps. Only recently has the species shown signs of colonising Slovenia.
Red Kite	*Milvus milvus*	A regular visitor in small numbers. Shows no real pattern.
White tailed Eagle	*Haliaeetus albicilla*	One, perhaps two pairs breed within the area at sites not listed in the guide, although they often visit Cerknisko Jezero. Otherwise now an annual visitor in small numbers to the coast in winter.
Griffon Vulture	*Gyps fulvus*	About 150 individuals are usually present on the northern Adriatic islands of Cres, Krk and Pivak. From early summer many juveniles and perhaps failed breeders undertake migrations to the High Alps of Tarvisio and Triglav and on towards the High Tauern in Austria. The flight takes them across Istria from where they follow the lines of limestone hills to the Alps. A reintroduction attempt is being made in the Pre-alps at Forgaria, in Friuli and a pair of birds bred successfully for the first time in 1996.
Short-toed Eagle	*Circaetus gallicus*	Perhaps twenty pairs nest in the Pre alps, Karst, Istria and on the Dalmatian Islands. otherwise a regular passage migrant, usually in May and September. Best looked for on south-facing grassy slopes on limestone where it favours the *European Whip-snake (Coluber viridiflavus), less often in extensive wet meadows in spring when the principal prey is various species of Grass Snakes (Natrix ssp.)*
Marsh Harrier Falco di palude (It.) [detail page]	*Circus aeruginosus*	As many as half of all the pairs in Italy breed in the area covered by the guide, as many as twenty pairs nest between Monfalcone and Marano, almost all on nature reserves. Abundant on passage in the first week of April when the substantial East European population moves through. Not a regular breeder in Slovenia in spite of plenty of apparently suitable habitat.
Hen Harrier	*Circus cyaneus*	A common winter visitor to the wetlands and substantial areas of grassland throughout the area. Several substatial communal roosts exist and in the basis of counts at these, the coastal zone from Monfalcone to Lignano is estimated to support 100 birds or so in January.
Montagu's Harrier	*Circus pygargus*	A local summer visitor to peatlands in the plain and southern wetlands. Rarely has an opportunity to breed in the more extensive coastal wetlands where it is driven off by Marsh Harriers. Not thought to breed in Slovenia although summering birds are seen.
Goshawk	*Accipiter gentilis*	A widespread resident of the extensive forests in the north and east of the area covered by the guide. Has recently colonised the Italian Karst in the province of Gorizia after long being present in the same habitats in the province of Trieste. Numbers are continuing to rise. Occasionally found in the plain in winter.
Sparrowhawk	*Accipter nisus*	A widespread and common breeder in the north and east, and now returning to the plains woods after bans on the use of persistent pesticides. More widespread in winter.
Buzzard	*Buteo buteo*	The commonest large raptor in the area. The species has begun to breed in the plain in recent years, probably as a result of declining persecution and use of less persistent pesticides.
Rough legged Buzzard	*Buteo lagopus*	A rare visitor, usually during cold winters.
Golden Eagle	*Aquila chrysaetos*	At least thirty and probably nearer fifty pairs of this superb raptor breed in the area covered by the guide, and the population appears to be increasing, especially where the Marmot has been introduced. Often breeds very near villages in Slovenia.
Osprey Falco pescatore (It.) [detail page]	*Pandion haliaetus*	A regular passage migrant in Spring and Autumn, peak passage in Spring is in the last week of March and the first week of April. Some birds (mostly immatures) are increasingly being observed in summer.
Lesser Kestrel	*Falco naumanni*	Formerly a local summer visitor to peatlands in Slovenia, declining rapidly to extinction by 1995. Its continued presence in the area was rendered impossible by drainage and the ploughing up of permanent pasture for maize cultivation.
Kestrel	*Falco tinnunculus*	A fairly common resident of farmland throughout the area where not persecuted. Also present in mountainous areas to 1500 metres or more.
Red-footed Falcon	*Falco vespertinus*	The spring migration of this species takes it through the area in large numbers in some years, with a peak in the first two weeks of May. A few immatures are seen in mid-summer Rarely seen in autumn when the species moves south east from its central European breeding haunts.
Merlin	*Falco columbarius*	An uncommon winter visitor to the wetlands from October to May.
Hobby	*Falco subbuteo*	Widespread on passage but much more local as a breeding species, it is commonest in Slovenia and the pre-alpine valleys.
Peregrine	*Falco peregrinus*	A local breeding species in the Alps, Pre-alps and one or two places elsewhere. Much suitable

*Gamebirds (( ((Galliformes) to Woodpeckers (Piciformes)*
Ptarmigan	*Lagopus mutus*	A relict of the last glaciation, the species is still quite common on the larger mountains above 1700 metres in the Alps.
Black Grouse	*Tetrao tetrix*	Much the most widespread tetraonid in the Alps from 700 to 1600 metres, numbers appear to be relatively stable or in slow decline.
Capercaillie	*Tetrao urogallus*	Great declines have been noted in this species in the last forty years in the eastern Alps following declines further west many years previously. Spring shooting of singing males for trophies, poor weather in midsummer and acid rain have all been suggested as possible causes, but it now seems likely that commercial forestry techniques (with too much forest in single-aged stands) is the mostly likely reason.
Hazel Grouse	*Bonasa bonasia*	Stable or slightly decreasing, this species appears to have benefitted from modern forestry operations when clearing and replanting create the thick undergrowth it needs. Commonest between 500 and 1000 metres in the the Alps and other mountains in the area.
Pheasant	*Phasianus colchicus*	An common resident whose numbers are enormously augmented by the release of birds for hunting.
Rock Partridge	*Alectoris graeca*	Formerly a common resident of the Pre alps and Karst, declines in grazing have meant much of the area becoming unsuitable for the species. Still locally common in some areas, particularly in Istria and the Dalmatian Islands.
Partridge	*Perdix perdix*	Abundant in the reclaimed area of Mezzano near Commachio, but almost hunted to extinction elsewhere in Italy. Remains locally frequent in parts of Slovenia where hunting pressure is lower.
Quail	*Coturnix coturnix*	A widespread summer visitor in small numbers to hay fields, often locally common on Spring passage. The populations of this species have declined enormously in the last twenty years, probably as a result of herbicides, mechanised grass cutting and more arable farming.
Water Rail	*Rallus aquaticus*	A common breeder and very common winter visitor to wetlands throughout.
Spotted Crake	*Porzana porzana*	Regular in both passage periods at wetlands throughout, but as a breeder probably only regular in the Po Valley and at Cerknisko Jezero in Slovenia.
Little Crake	*Porzana parva*	A regular migrant in very small numbers but breeding regularly only at Cernisko Jezero in Slovenia.
Corncrake	*Crex crex*	Still common in summer in parts of the the Alps and in Slovenia, especially where agriculture is primitive and where depopulation has left many hay-fields uncut. Now a vitally important zone for the species in international terms with hundreds of singing males each Spring in concentrated and viable populations. c.200 males in the part of Italy covered by the guide were located in 1995. About 90 males are heard in good years at Cerknisko Jezero.
Moorhen Gallinella d'acqua (It.) [detail page]	*Gallinula chloropus*	Common resident and winter visitor.
Coot Folaga (It.) [detail page]	*Fulica atra*	A common breeder on freshwater and abundant winter visitor to the wetlands.
Crane	*Grus grus*	A regular passage migrant in both periods. One or two pairs have summered in Italy in recent years raising hopes of recolonisation of a species which perhaps last bred as recently as the early 1940s.
Oystercatcher	*Haematopus ostralegus*	A very local breeding species in the Italian wetlands but considered a vagrant on the Slovene coast.
Black winged Stilt Cavaliere d'Italia (It.) [detail page]	*Himantopus himantopus*	A common summer visitor to the southern wetlands which has extended its range northwards in recent years. Has recently started nesting both in Slovenia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Avocet	*Recurvirostra avocetta*	A common summer visitor to to the southern wetlands, especially salinas, rather rare and local on passage elsewhere.
Stone Curlew	*Burhinus oedicnemus*	A rare summer visitor to the extensive gravel beds of the River Tagliamento and areas of Magredi in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Pratincole	*Glareola pratincola*	Breeds in some years at Valli di Comacchio in small numbers although water levels and excessive vegetation sometimes prevent this. Rare and local on passage elsewhere.
Little Ringed Plover	*Charadrius dubius*	A common summer visitor to the extensive gravels of the Tagliamento and other rivers.
Ringed Plover	*Charadrius hiaticula*	A regular winter visitor and passage migrant in small numbers.
Kentish Plover	*Charadrius alexandrinus*	A locally common summer visitor to salt and brackish water margins in the wetlands. A few birds winter.
Golden Plover	*Pluvialis apricaria*	A regular winter visitor in small numbers to its traditional sites.
Grey Plover	*Pluvialis squatarola*	A common winter visitor to the lagoons, a few birds staying throughout the summer.
Lapwing Pavoncella (It.) [detail page]	*Vanellus vanellus*	A common and increasing breeding species in the lowlands, whose numbers are greatly augmented in winter.
Sanderling	*Calidris alba*	A regular passage migrant in small number in both passage periods. A few winter.
Little Stint	*Calidris minuta*	A regular passage migrant in small number in both passage periods. A few winter. 1996 was an exceptional year for the species on autumn passage, a lemming year in the Arctic having distracted many predators which would usually focus on this and other waders.
Temminck's Stint	*Calidris temminckii*	A regular passage migrant in very small numbers in both passage periods. Ususally at freshwater margins.
Curlew Sandpiper	*Calidris ferruginea*	A regular passage migrant in small numbers in both passage periods.
Dunlin Piovanello pancianera (It.) [detail page]	*Calidris alpina*	A common passage migrant and very common winter visitor. The winter populations are, however, concentrated in the lagoons. Small numbers also occur in summer.
Turnstone	*Arenaria interpres*	A rare passage migrant, usually in Spring.
Ruff	*Philomachus pugnax*	A regular passage migrant in large numbers in both passage periods but especially common in Spring. A few non-breeders summer.
Jack Snipe	*Lymnocryptes minimus*	A very local winter visitor and passage migrant.
Snipe	*Gallinago gallinago*	A very local breeder in Slovenia, otherwise common on passage in the wetlands and fairly common in winter.
Great Snipe	*Gallinago media*	A very rare passage migrant, usually in Spring. Much commoner in Italy iutside the area covered by the guide at certain sites in the Appenines.
Woodcock	*Scolopax rusticola*	A local breeder in north western Slovenia and occasionally in Friuli, otherwise a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
Black-tailed Godwit	*Limosa limosa*	A regular passage migrant in good numbers in both passage periods, frequent in summer in the Valli di Comacchio where a small number may breed.
Bar-tailed Godwit	*Limosa lapponica*	A rare passage migrant to the coastal wetlands.
Whimbrel	*Numenius phaeopus*	A regular Spring migrant, sometimes in large numbers, especially at the mouth of the River Isonzo.
Curlew	*Numenius arquata*	A very local breeder in Slovenia, otherwise a very common winter visitor to the coastal wetlands.
Spotted Redshank	*Tringa erythropus*	A regular passage migrant in good numbers in both passage periods.
Redshank	*Tringa totanus*	A local breeder and rather scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to the area.
Greenshank	*Tringa nebularia*	A regular passage migrant in good numbers in both passage periods.
Marsh Sandpiper	*Tringa stagnatilis*	A regular passage migrant in small numbers in both passage periods on the Italian coast but much rarer as a visitor to Slovenia.
Green Sandpiper	*Tringa ochropus*	A regular passage migrant in reasonable numbers in both passage periods.
Wood Sandpiper	*Tringa glareola*	A regular passage migrant in good numbers in both passage periods. Perhaps the commonest passage wader in April and August.
Common Sandpiper	*Actitis hypoleucos*	Breeds commonly on streams and rivers in the region, otherwise a regular passage migrant in large numbers in both passage periods.
Mediterranean Gull	*Larus melanocephalus*	Breeds in the south west of the area covered by the guide, common in Spring and Autumn on passage, but rather scarce in mid-winter.
Little Gull	*Larus minutus*	There is a heavy passage of this species in Spring and Autumn, with small numbers of immature birds present in summer. Few are present in winter.
Black-headed Gull	*Larus ridibundus*	Common all year. many breed in the wetlands in the south west of the area, but the colonies become smaller and more scattered as one moves north.
Slender-billed Gull	*Larus genei*	Started breeding in the early 1980s at a disused salt works in the Po Valley. The population has slowly increased but birds are very rarely seen away from the breeding area.
Common Gull	*Larus canus*	Although reported as rare in the Mediterranean basin in winter, the species is regular and common at the mouth of the River Isonzo with three figure flocks quite usual. Immature birds are sometimes present in summer.
Lesser Black-backed Gull	*Larus fuscus*	A rather rare passage migrant in Spring and Autumn. Birds occasionally summer at the large colonies of Yellow-legged Gull. Most of the birds seen are assigned to the Scandinavian subspecies *Larus f. fuscus*.
Yellow-legged Gull Gabbiano reale (It.) [detail page]	*Larus cachinnans*	A very common resident on coasts.
Great Black-backed Gull	*Larus marinus*	A very rare winter visitor, but an individual frequented the mouth of the River Timavo each winter during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Kittiwake	*Rissa tridactyla*	Small parties sometimes spend the summer at the fish market in the port of Trieste. Otherwise a rare visitor to the Adriatic.
Gull-billed Tern	*Gelochelidon nilotica*	A small colony has developed in recent years in the Po Valley and birds are occasionally seen elsewhere in midsummer. Like many other Laridae in the Valli di Commachio, breeding success has been low in recent years due to heavy summer storms.
Caspian Tern	*Sterna caspia*	A regular passage migrant that occasionally summers in the south west of the area covered by the guide.
Sandwich Tern Beccapesci (It.) [detail page]	*Sterna sandvichensis*	Rare breeder in south-west of the area, otherwise a regular winter visitor to and passage migrant.
Common Tern	*Sterna hirundo*	Birds breed all along the coasts, but are only really common in the southern wetlands.
Little Tern	*Sterna albifrons*	A fairly frequent summer visitor throughout along the coasts and occasionally on the gravel beds of some of the major rivers. Abundant in Valli di Commachio.
Whiskered Tern	*Chlidonias hybridus*	The least common of the marsh terns on passage, but regular in May nonetheless. A small colony breeds just inside the area covered by the guide, near Ferrara. A few small and rather erratic colonies elsewhere. Has been badly affected in recent years by the rapid growth in Coypu (*Nutria nutria*) numbers at various sites in the Po valley.
Black Tern	*Chlidonias niger*	Abundant on passage in April and May. Non-breeders remain throughout June. Much less obvious in Autumn when the bulk of the west European population moves west into the low countries before moving south.
White winged Black Tern	*Chlidonias leucopterus*	This species is rare in April but much commoner in May, with a peak passage two or three weeks later than Black Tern (in keeping with its more central European distribution, with colder winters and later Springs). Like all the marsh terns, much rarer on autumn passage. Perhaps they overfly high, feeding on aerial insects not available in Spring.
Rock Dove	*Columba livea*	Populations of this species breed on cliffs, both inland and maritime, throughout, but are mixed with birds of feral origin.
Stock Dove	*Columba oenas*	A very local breeder in Slovenia, otherwise a local winter visitor, small flocks occupying traditional sites each winter.
Wood Pigeon	*Columba palumbus*	A rather scattered breeder, often common in small areas but completely absent from much suitable habitat. Flocks can be seen moving east to west in October and back again in March. Numbers in autumn 1996 were very high with hundreds passing on some days in mid-October.
Collared Dove	*Streptopelia decaocto*	A very common resident.
Turtle Dove	*Streptopelia turtur*	A fairly common summer visitor to the non-mountainous area covered by the guide but has declined almost everywhere. Still very common in Valli di Comacchio.
Cuckoo	*Cuculus canorus*	A common summer visitor to many habitats.
Barn Owl	*Tyto alba*	An increasingly rare resident in the Italian plain, but virtually absent from western Slovenia where the winters are very cold. Dark-breasted birds of the race guttata are rare winter visitors.
Scop's Owl	*Otus scops*	A summer visitor, now rare in the plain and becoming scarce or absent in mountainous areas. It is still common in the Italian Karst and abundant on the Dalmatian coasts of Croatia. Birds are almost silent from early June until the end of July. Both 1995 and 1996 was a good year for the species with the first records for some years in the Pre-alps and many birds in the Italian Karst. The first birds arrive around 10th April. A very large arrival on the night of 11th/12th April 1995 was the day before the bird arrived in Cornwall (UK)!
Eagle Owl	*Bubo bubo*	Rather local in the Alps which are generally too cold and wet for this species. It is common, however in Istria, Dalmatia and the Pre-alps where ten pairs were located north of Udine in the summer of 1995. The main food of the three pairs which nested in the Province of Trieste in 1996 is *Balkan Hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor)* supplemented by the occasional cat! 5 young were reared.
Little Owl	*Athene noctua*	A common resident of farmland wherever the winters are not too severe.
Pygmy Owl	*Glaucidium passerinum*	A scarce breeder in the Italian and Slovenian Alps, more widespread in winter.
Tawny Owl	*Strix aluco*	The commonest owl of the hills and woodland of the Karst and Alpine valleys, occasionally in towns.
Ural Owl	*Strix uralensis*	Replaces the Tawny Owl in the cool moist montane forests of Slovenia. Its apparent absence from similar habitats in the Alps is something of a mystery. Found nesting just inside Italy on the border with Slovenia (1-2 pairs) in 1994 and 1995.
Long-eared Owl	*Asio otus*	The common owl of the plains, nesting in old crow nests in the plains woods, shelter belts and poplar plantations, provided Tawny Owls are rare or absent, due to lack of nest-sites. Big roosts (40 birds or more) form at traditional sites in autumn.
Short-eared Owl	*Asio flammeus*	A regular but scarce winter visitor to coastal wetlands whose habits bring it into contact with hunters all too frequently. Very rare in Slovenia.
Tengmalm's Owl	*Aegolius funereus*	Locally common and apparently spreading in the Alps, assisted by nestbox projects. Rather more local in Slovenia where the Ural owl is present. Linked closely to the presence of black woodpeckers on which it depends for nest sites.
Nightjar	*Caprimulgus europaeus*	Very common in the Karst and Pre-alps but frequent even in little woodlands and patches of scrub elsewhere. Also uses the extensive gravel beds of the major rivers.
Swift	*Apus apus*	An abundant summer visitor throughout.
Pallid Swift	*Apus pallidus*	There are a few colonies of this species in Istria and on the Dalmatian islands, usually nesting in sea-caves.
Alpine Swift	*Apus melba*	Found in variable numbers wherever suitable cliffs are available in the Alps, Pre-alps and rocky eastern coast but most numerous along the latter. Arrives a good five weeks before A.apus (mid-March as against the second half of April) and some birds are still around in mid-October.
Kingfisher	*Alcedo atthis*	A frequent resident and common winter visitor when birds from central Europe arrive to winter in coastal waters.
Bee-eater Gruccione (It.) Pčerarica (Hrv.)	*Merops apiaster*	A very local summer visitor throughout. The colonies are usually small compared with southern Europe, and some are occupied rather irregularly. Recently colonized Slovenia.
Roller	*Coracias garrulus*	A regular passage migrant, but much rarer than previously as the populations in Eastern Europe are undergoing a catastrophic decline. Used to breed in similar areas to the Lesser Kestrel and eat much the same food (Mole-crickets - (Gryllotalpa ssp.) so perhaps the reasons for the declines are linked.
Hoopoe	*Upupa epops*	Although rarer in many places than previously, it remains a common summer visitor to the Italian Karst and elsewhere. Usually found in areas of highly thermophilic vegetation.
Wryneck	*(Jynx torquilla)*	A much-declined summer visitor and passage migrant, but still common in Slovenia and the Pre-alps .
Grey-headed Woodpecker	*Picus canus*	Common in the montane forests and even lowlands of Slovenia, where it replaces the following species, but, inexplicably, very rare in the Alps. In 1995 a pair bred at the Lake of Doberdo in the Italian Karst only 4 kilometres from the sea and 100m a.s.l. By 1996 there were further signs of a spread with birds holding territory elsewhere in the province of Gorizia. The species was previously unrecorded in the area.
Green Woodpecker Picchio verde	*Picus viridis*	A fairly common resident at lower altitudes with mild winters.
Black Woodpecker	*Dryocopus martius*	A fairly common resident of the Alps and montane forests of Slovenia, but has not shown the enormous expansion that the species has exhibited in western Europe this century. Has now colonised the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia as the forest in the Karst and along rivers continues to develop.
Three-toed Woodpecker	*Picoides tridactylus*	A rare resident of the Italian Alps. Recent surveys have shown it to be widespread, albeit at low densities in Slovenia, contrary to previous statements.
White-backed Woodpecker	*Dendrocopus leucotus*	Small colonies of the Balkan race *lilfordi* have recently been located in small pockets of virgin forest in Slovenia. Birds of the nominate race leucotus are occasionally seen in northern Slovenia.
Great Spotted Woodpecker	*Dendrocopus major*	A common resident of woodland throughout.
Middle spotted Woodpecker	*Dendrocopus medius*	A local resident of ancient Oak / Hornbeam woodlands in western Slovenia, much commoner further east.
Lesser spotted Woodpecker	*Dendrocopus minor*	A local resident in the Pre-alps and in Slovenia. Rare breeder in the Karst.

Order Passeriformes Larks (Alaudidae) to Warblers (Sylvidae)
Calandra Lark	*Melanocorypha calandra*	A rare and much declined resident of Istria and the Dalmatian coast which like Rock Partridge has been adversely affected by a decline in grazing.
Short toed Lark	*Calandrella brachydactyla*	A scarce summer visitor to the extensive gravel beds of the major rivers which flow from the Italian Alps. Also locally present at one or two extensive areas of wasteland associated with major construction projects and on set-aside land. A large number of pairs were found in the mid-1990s on otherwise very unpromising intensive agricultural land on the high stony plain to the east of Udine.
Crested Lark	*Galerida cristata*	Common across the plain in summer, especially on stony soils, but rare or absent during the winter months.
Woodlark	*Lullula arborea*	Common resident of the Pre-alps, Karst and gravel riverbeds, wherever there is extensive open ground with scattered trees.
Skylark	*Alauda arvensis*	Common throughout in suitable habitats. More arrive in autumn as the Eastern European winter sets in.
Sand Martin	*Riparia riparia*	A locally common summer visitor but lack of breeding sites mean it is absent from many areas.
Swallow	*Hirundo rustica*	Common summer visitor.
Red rumped Swallow	*Hirundo daurica*	This species, which is spreading north across Europe, albeit slowly, bred in the Province of Trieste in 1988 and 1989, but not, it would appear, since then.
Crag Martin	*Ptynoprogne rupestris*	A common summer visitor to the Italian Alps, but does not seem to occupy suitable sites elsewhere in the way Alpine Swift does. Very rare in Slovenia.
House Martin	*Delichon urbica*	A very common summer visitor.
Tawny Pipit	*Anthus campestris*	Like Rock Partridge and Calandra Lark, the species has declined with lack of grazing, but remains a frequent summer visitor to the parts of the Magredi. Although now quite rare in the Karst it remains common on some of the Dalmatian islands.
Tree Pipit	*Anthus trivialis*	A very common summer visitor to land above 600 metres in Italy, very common at lower altitudes in the cooler, wetter areas of Slovenia.
Meadow Pipit	*Anthus pratensis*	A common winter visitor, and often abundant on passage. Does not breed in Italy (contrary to earlier statements).
Water Pipit	*Anthus spinoletta*	A common summer visitor to Alpine meadows, mostly above 1600m, abundant in the winter in the plain.
Red-throated Pipit	*Anthus cervinus*	Must pass through regularly, but rarely identified amongst the very heavy passage of Meadow Pipit that occurs at the same time.
Yellow Wagtail	*Motacilla flava*	Within Italy the local race, which is a fairly common summer visitor to the wetlands is the Ashy-headed *cinereocapilla* but over much of Slovenia this is replaced by the nominate flava. An increasing number of Black headed *feldegg* have been noted in recent years. The nominate *flava* is often abundant on passage in Spring.
Grey Wagtail	*Motacilla cinerea*	A common resident of fast-flowing streams and rivers throughout.
White Wagtail	*Motacilla alba*	A common, in places abundant resident, present as a summer visitor only in the uplands.
Waxwing	*Bombycilla garrulus*	A rare visitor during irruption years, most frequently in Slovenia.
Dipper	*Cinclus cinclus*	A common resident of streams and rivers throughout the uplands. Rare and irregular in the plain in winter.
Wren	*Troglodytes troglodytes*	Common only in the uplands, rather rare and local elsewhere in cool damp woodlands, except in winter when it is much more widespread.
Dunnock	*Prunella modularis*	Common only in the uplands, rather rare and local elsewhere, except in winter when it is much more widespread.
Alpine Accentor	*Prunella collaris*	Common above 1600 metres in the Alps. More widespread in winter when it can be seen on hills and mountain throughout, even at sea-level.
Robin	*Erithacus rubecula*	Common only in the uplands and in cool moist valleys in the Karst, rather rare and local elsewhere, except in winter when it is much more widespread.
Nightingale	*Luscinia megarhychos*	A very common summer visitor throughout the lowlands.
Thrush Nightingale	*Luscinia luscinia*	A regular autumn passage migrant in small numbers to the coastal wetlands whose presence has only been revealed by mist-netting. Occasionally heard in Spring in Slovenia.
Bluethroat	*Luscinia svecica*	A regular autumn passage migrant in small numbers to the coastal wetlands whose presence has only been revealed by mist netting.
Black Redstart	*Phoenicurus ochruros*	A very common summer visitor to upland towns and villages, more local at lower altitudes, except in winter when it is fairly common throughout. Occasionally breeds in hot thermophilic sites such as the stretch of coast between Duino and Sistiana in the province of Trieste.
Redstart	*Phoenicurus phoenicurus*	A common summer visitor to upland villages and in the high plain near Udine, often nesting in or near human habitation it seems very scarce in more natural habitats.
Whinchat	*Saxicola rubetra*	A fairly common summer visitor to the uplands, but incredibly abundant on the peatlands of Slovenia. Abundant on passage on certain days in August and September.
Stonechat	*Saxicola torquata*	A common resident and partial migrant of the lowlands.
Wheatear	*Oenanthe oenanthe*	A common summer visitor to the uplands and regular on passage throughout.
Black-eared Wheatear	*Oenanthe hispanica*	A local summer visitor to the coasts of Dalmatia and, in the late 1980's and early 1990's along the the rocky coastline of the Province of Trieste. At the northern limit of its distribution.
Rock Thrush	*Monticola saxatilitis*	A local summer visitor to the uplands and open rocky Karst, occupying similar habitats to Wheatear, but rockier and more precipitous and often at much lower altitudes.
Blue Rock Thrush	*Monticola solitarius*	Present as a common resident in Istria and Dalmatia, but the ten or twenty pairs which breed in the province of Trieste along the coast, leave the area in October and reappear in March.
Ring Ouzel	*Turdus torquatus*	A common summer visitor to the Alps in grazing lands with scattered trees, usually above 1000 metres. Not often seen on passage.
Blackbird	*Turdus merula*	A very common resident and winter visitor throughout.
Fieldfare	*Turdus pilaris*	A local breeder in the Alps, commoner in Slovenia where it occurs at low altitudes. Otherwise a winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers.
Song Thrush	*Turdus philemelos*	Only a common breeder in the Alps and in Slovenia. Otherwise a local breeder, winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers.
Redwing	*Turdus iliacus*	A winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers. A favourite target for Italian hunters.
Mistle Thrush	*Turdus viscivorus*	A common breeder in the uplands and throughout Slovenia whose numbers are rising in the Italian Karst where it seems to favour recently burnt areas. Otherwise a winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers.
Cetti's Warbler Usignolo di fiume (It.) [detail page]	*Cettia cetti*	A very common resident of the wetlands and river valleys near the coast where the winters are not to cold.
Fan-tailed Warbler	*Cisticola juncidis*	Currently, (1996), a very common resident of the wetlands which is periodically wiped out in cold winters (lastly in 1991) but which rapidly regains its previous numbers.
Grasshopper Warbler	*Locustella naevia*	A local breeder in the peatlands of Slovenia, but otherwise a regular passage migrant.
River Warbler	*Locustella fluviatilis*	A very local summer visitor to Poplar plantations in the river valleys of Slovenia, but forms local aggregations at high density.
Savi's Warbler	*Locustella luscinioides*	A locally common summer visitor to extensive reedbeds in the area.
Moustached Warbler	*Acrocephalus melanopogon*	A fairly common resident of wetlands in the southwest of the area covered by the guide, which occasionally breeds elsewhere. In winter more widespread on the coast when birds breeding in central Europe arrive.
Sedge Warbler	*Acrocephalus schoenobaenus*	A local summer visitor to parts of Slovenia, and common or abundant on passage throughout the coastal wetlands. Ringing suggests that the autumn passage birds are of Fenno- scandinavian origin.
Reed Warbler	*Acrocephalus scirpaceus*	A locally common summer visitor and passage migrant in pure reedbeds. If a few bushes are available it seems to be replaced by the following species.
Marsh Warbler	*Acrocephalus palustris*	Locally a very common summer visitor, especially in the plain and in the bogs around Ljubljana. Makes freer use of smaller reed beds than the preceding species, especially if a few bushes are present.
Great Reed Warbler Cannareccione (It.) [detail page]	*Acrocephalus arundinaceus*	A very common summer visitor to reed beds, both wet and dry. Young birds are often seen well into October.
Olivaceous Warbler	*Hippolais pallida*	A rare breeder in the south-east of the area where it is usually the only bird nesting in stands of the introduced *Giant Reed (Arundo donax)* which grows on sandy soils and is planted as a soil stabiliser. A bird was caught and ringed near Udine in June 1995.
Icterine Warbler	*Hippolais icterina*	A regular Spring and Autumn passage migrant that breeds as close as north eastern Slovenia, just outside the area covered by the guide.
Melodious Warbler	*Hippolais polyglotta*	A common breeder in scrub and light woodland, especially in the Karst, but is on the limit of its north eastern distribution here and does not occur in most of Slovenia.
Subalpine Warbler	*Sylvia cantillans*	Similar to the following species but even commoner on the Dalmatian islands. The first birds arrive in early April. Occupies rather taller vegetation than the low maquis inhabited by Sardinian Warbler.
Sardinian Warbler	*Sylvia melanocephala*	A very common resident of the island and eastern Adriatic and some sites in the south-west of the area. It approaches the limit of its range at the northrnmost tip of the Adriatic where it is much more local.
Orphean Warbler	*Sylvia hortensis*	A scarce summer visitor to the southeast of the area, inhabiting light thermophilic woodland and scrub. A single bird was found in song on Monte Stena in the province of Trieste in June 1996 but it wandered widely and is not thought to have bred.
Barred Warbler	*Sylvia nisoria*	A local summer vistor to scrubland in the east of the area covered in the guide. Still nests in small numbers in the the south west. in the region Veneto.
Lesser Whitethroat	*Sylvia curruca*	A bird of woodland and scrub in the hills and mountains at this latitude, only seen in the plains on passage. Usually fairly local. Its presence at 1700 metres or more in coniferous woodland will come as a surprise to northern European birders.
Whitethroat	*Sylvia communis*	A widespread but only locally common summer visitor to scrub and neglected cultivation. Does not often seem to reach the abundance associated with the species in northern Europe.
Garden Warbler	*Sylvia borin*	Replaces the Blackcap in deciduous woodland in the mountains where it is common from May to September. On some days in early September it outnumbers all other migrants put together at coastal ringing sites.
Blackcap	*Sylvia atricapilla*	An abundant summer visitor to parks, gardens and woodland of all types, usually in the lowlands. A few winter.
Bonelli's Warbler	*Phylloscopus bonelli*	Locally common breeder in warm, sunny mixed woodlands in the Italian Alps but rarely below 600m. Very local in Slovenia.
Wood Warbler	*Phylloscopus sibilatrix*	A locally frequent summer visitor to mixed montane forests throughout the northern and eastern part of the area covered by the guide.
Chiffchaff	*Phylloscopus collybita*	Much the commonest Phylloscopus warbler of the region, found in a wide variety of woodland types. Small numbers winter.
Willow Warbler	*Phylloscopus trochilus*	A frequent passage migrant in Spring and Autumn. Has been recorded summering in the very north of the area.
Goldcrest	*Regulus regulus*	An extremely common species of coniferous woodland, usually above 800 metres. Much more widespread in winter when small flocks can be seen almost anywhere.
Firecrest	*Regulus ignicapillus*	A frequent species in mixed woodland above 800 metres throughout the area. Much more widespread in winter and on passage. As in Britain, seems to form local 'colonies' with many pairs in a small area and large tracts of apparently suitable habitat unoccupied.

*Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) to Buntings (Emberizidae)*
Spotted Flycatcher	*Muscicapa striata*	A common summer visitor to much of the area, particularly in hilly areas.
Red breasted Flycatcher	*Ficedula parva*	An extremely local species in montane forest in western Slovenia.
Collared Flycatcher	*Ficedula albicollis*	An extremely local breeder in the in ancient woodlands in the east of the area
Pied Flycatcher	*Ficedula hypoleuca*	A regular passage migrant.
Bearded Tit	*Panurus biamarcus*	Common, sometimes abundant resident of the vast reedbeds in the Italian coastal marshes.
Long tailed Tit	*Aegithalos caudatus*	A very common resident away from the plain where it is rather scarce. Both the ordinary and white headed subspecies occur in the Karst and mixed pairs are common.
Marsh Tit	*Parus palustris*	More widespread than the Willow Tit, found at lower altitudes in old broadleaved woodland.
Sombre Tit	*Parus lugubris*	A very local resident in the south east of the area covered by the guide. The species has recently been found nesting in woodland near Divaca in Slovenia only 10 kilometres from [?]
Willow Tit	*Parus montanus*	A common resident of coniferous and especially mixed woodlands in the mountains at altitude.
Crested Tit	*Parus cristatus*	Rather local in coniferous woodland at low altitude but becoming progressively commoner at higher levels.
Coal Tit	*Parus ater*	An increasingly common resident of coniferous woodland as one moves from sea-level (where the species is local), upwards. The birds near sea-level seem unable to sustain their numbers and the species was almost extinct in the Italian Karst by summer 1996 when a large-scale invasion reinforced the local population.
Blue Tit	*Parus caerulus*	A common resident in mixed broadleaf woodland, but usually much less common than the following species.
Great Tit	*Parus major*	A very common resident in woodlands at low or moderate altitudes.
Wallcreeper	*Tichodroma muraria*	A local resident in the north and east of the area where it usually occurs above 1600m. More widespread in winter when it can be found on rock faces almost anywhere. Some of these, even down to sea level, are used annually. Seen annually in winter in small numbers in towns at the foot of the Alps.
Nuthatch	*Sitta europaea*	A common resident of woodland throughout, except in the plain where the species is extremely local. A small-scale invasion occurred in autumn 1996 and at the time of writing the species is common in towns and villages near the coast in the province of Trieste where the species was previously absent.
Rock Nuthatch	*Sitta neumayer*	An extremely local resident of rocky gorges in the extreme south-east of the area. Becomes progressively commoner as one proceeds down the west coast of Croatia.
Treecreeper	*Certhia familiaris*	A common resident of montane forests.
Short toed Treecreeper	*Certhia brachydactyla*	A rather local species inhabiting both broadleaf and coniferous woodlands at low altitude throughout. Seems to favour thermophilic sites in the Italian Karst.
Penduline Tit	*Remiz pendulinus*	A fairly widespread resident of wetlands with scattered trees, the numbers of this species increase enormously during the autumn, with a heavy passage in October, involving birds from every country in north-eastern and central Europe. For reasons which are unknown the species has declined as breeder in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and may be extinct in the province of Gorizia.
Golden Oriole	*Oriolus oriolus*	A very common summer visitor to woodlands, especially plantations of White Poplar used in paper-making that are a common sight in the plains and river valleys.
Red-backed Shrike	*Lanius collurio*	A very common species in Slovenia, the Alps and Pre-alps occupying almost all bushy grassland. Much more local in the Italian Karst and in the plain. There is a heavy autumn passage through many coastal sites.
Lesser Grey Shrike Averla (It.)	*Lanius minor*	A local breeding species in the Magredi, Karst and other thermophilic sites.
Great Grey Shrike	*Lanius excubitor*	A regular winter visitor to many areas in small or very small numbers. Birds that arrive will often remain in the same area throughout the winter and do not seem to wander far. Autumn 1996 was a good year with many birds seen in October.
Woodchat Shrike	*Lanius senator*	A very local breeder in the east of the area which may have become extinct in the last couple of years. Rarely seen on migration elsewhere but wandering unpaired birds are sometimes seen in June. One breeding pair was found at a site in Friuli in both 1994 and 1995.
Jay	*Garrulus glandarius*	A very common resident whose numbers were much augmented by an invasion in autumn 1996.
Magpie	*Pica pica*	A a very common resident in areas of intensive agriculture although rarer in heavily wooded areas and in the hills.
Nutcracker	*Nucifraga caryocatactes*	A frequent species in the mountains down to 400 metres a.s.l, but not reaching the densities found in the central and western Alps where its favorite food, the seeds of the *Arolla Pine (Pinus cembra)* is available. The extent to which birds of the Siberian race reach us during irruptions is difficult to ascertain.
Alpine Chough	*Pyrrhocorax graculus*	A common resident in the Alps where it can often be seen in towns and villages and especially around ski resorts.
Jackdaw	*Corvus monedula*	A common resident in hilly areas and in the high plain around Udine.
Rook	*Corvus frugilegus*	A very local breeder in the north-east (perhpas now extinct) but much more widespread in winter when large flocks of birds can be seen throughout.
Hooded Crow / Carrion Crow Cornacchia grigia (It.) [detail page]	**Corvus corone ssp.**	The former breeds throughout, the latter in the north. Mixed pairs are common in the areas where the two subspecies occur. Pure Carrion Crows (*Corvus corone corone*) are occasionally seen in lowland areas during the winter
Raven	*Corvus corax*	A increasingly common resident in mountainous and hilly areas. Especially common in sheep rearing areas of the south east and in the pre-Alps. The population estimate for Slovenia is now 1000 - 1500 pairs with most of the increase occurring since the 1970's.
Starling	*Sturnus vulgaris*	A very common resident whose numbers increase greatly in winter.
Rose coloured Starling	*Sturnus roseus*	An irregular visitor, but occasionally in some numbers to the south east of the area during irruptions.
Rock Sparrow	*Petronia petronia*	A rare resident in the south east of the area in dry, bare stony areas. Extinct in NE Italy since early this century.
House Sparrow / Italian Sparrow	*Passer domesticus*	The area covered by the guide is of interest with reference to this species. The limit for House Sparrow is the river Isonzo between the Isonzo and north western Slovenia and Croatia both this subspecies and the Italian Sparrow can be found, the latter becoming rarer as one proceeds east. Intermediate males from mixed pairs are common.
Tree Sparrow	*Passer montanus*	A very common resident of towns and villages and agricultural areas at low altitude throughout.
Snow Finch	*Montifringilla nivalis*	A local resident above 1900 metres in the Alps. Sometimes descends to lower altitudes during periods of extremely heavy snow.
Chaffinch	*Fringilla coelebs*	A very common resident away from the plain and abundant winter visitor throughout. Numbers seem to have increased in Friuli since birdcatching was prohibited in the early 1990's.
Brambling	*Fringilla montifringilla*	A very local breeding species in montane forests in Slovenia (perhaps not every year), far from its main breeding range.Much commoner in winter and on passage where small flocks can occur anywhere.
Serin	*Serinus serinus*	An often abundant summer visitor to towns and villages in the plain, but rarer in the hills and alpine valleys. A few probably winter, but the first individuals appear in mid-March.
Citril Finch	*Serinus citrinella*	Recently discovered nesting in the Slovenian Alps, much further east than previously noted. A very rare resident.
Greenfinch	*Carduelis chloris*	Common in many habitats at low altitudes.
Goldfinch	*Carduelis carduelis*	Common everywhere away from heavy woodland below 1000 metres.
Siskin	*Carduelis spinus*	A fairly common breeder in montane forests in the north and east of the region. Small flocks can also be found in winter in Alder woodland in the plains. Enormous numbers pass through the area in October in favourable years.
Linnet	*Carduelis cannabina*	A widespread breeder away from the plain where is is common only in winter. Nowhere very common anywhere as a nesting species.
Redpoll	*Carduelis flammea*	A very local breeder in forests near the treeline in Italy and Slovenia and a rare winter visitor to lowland areas
Scarlet Rosefinch	*Carpodacus erythrinus*	A very local breeding speies in the peatlands of Slovenia. The recently discovered populations tie in well with the species' westward spread this century. Some singing males have been found in the Italian Karst in recent years (four records in the 1990s - three of them at one site the Lake of Doberdo' in the province of Gorizia.
Crossbill	*Loxia curvirostra*	A common resident of coniferous forests in the north and east of the area at high altitudes, most frequently between 1600m and 1900m. Irruptions, on a varying scale bring birds in large numbers into lower areas where they sometimes remain to breed.
Bullfinch	*Pyrrhula pyrrhula*	A very common resident of the cool mountain forests of Italy and Slovenia. Only in winter does it descend much below 600m. In autumn 1996 many birds appeared in the Italian plain and Karst where it was previously a scarce winter visitor.
Hawfinch	*Coccothraustes coccothraustes*	A local breeder in woodlands in the north and east of the region. Northern Italy is the major wintering ground for the large central European population which forms sizeable flocks in winter, often around towns and villages. After sizeable arrivals (as in autumn 1993/94) the local breeding population in the Italian Karst is far higher and flocks of 50 or 60 birds are now regular in the villages in winter where the birds feed on the seeds of the *Nettle-tree (Celtis australis)*. In late winter, when natural sources of food are exhausted it comes to bird tables where it feeds on sunflower seeds
Snow Bunting	*Plectrophenax nivalis*	A regular winter visitor in small numbers to the coasts and gravelly river beds of Friuli-Venezia Giulia since the cold winters of the early 1980's although numbers have now declined. Four birds were recorded at Lisert in the province of Gorizia in November 1996, the first record in the province for several years
Yellowhammer	*Emberiza citrinella*	More tolerant of cool moist situations than Cirl Bunting, the species is very common in many parts of Slovenia. Also nests in small numbers in the Italian Karst and peat bogs in the plain. As a winter visitor it can be found in small flocks in the plain, where captures by birdcatchers in the past indicate that it is occasionally joined by *Pine Buntings (Emberiza leucocephala)*.
Cirl Bunting	*Emberiza cirlus*	Although it occupies similar sites to the Rock Bunting it is usually rather rarer and more thermophilic than the following species, except in the south east of the area where it is a common resident of the garrigue, usually near small areas of cultivation.
Rock Bunting	*Emberiza cia*	Resident. The commonest bunting in the Pre-alps and Italian Karst, it prefers warm south and west facing slopes with scattered trees and bushes. Often very tame.
Ortolan Bunting	*Emberiza hortulana*	A very widespread breeder, but now becoming very uncommon, the species has become much rarer in northern Italy this century, probably because of changing agricultural practices and a dramatic decline in grazing pressure. The few remaining pairs in the Italian Karst are threatened by advancing scrub and the abandonment of small-scale agriculture.
Reed Bunting Migliarino di palude (It.) [detail page]	*Emberiza schoeniclus*	A widespread enough breeder in Slovenia, this species is rather more local in Italy. In winter the population is greatly augmented by migrants from as far away as Estonia. Close inspection of the bills of the winter visitors, which vary enormously in thickness reveal birds from many different parts of northern and central Europe. Contrary to Bergman's rule, the Italian resident birds are larger, with heavier bills than the thin-billed winter visitors from central and northern Europe.
Black-headed Bunting	*Emberiza melanocephala*	A fairly common breeder along the coasts of Croatia and on the islands of Dalamtia covered in the guide. Prefers less barren, more productive areas compared to Cirl Bunting.
Corn Bunting	*Milaria calandra*	Formerly a common breeder throughout the lowlands and more open areas of Karst, the species has suffered enormous declines in recent years, especially in the plain, presumably because of changes in agriculture and a reduction in open grazing in the Karst which is now largely covered in scrub. Most birds birds leave the northern areas in winter, reappearing in late March although a large winter flock has recently been located in Friuli.

The following species, not a complete list by any means, have also been recorded in recent years in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (just the provinces of Pordenone, Udine, Gorizia and Trieste) but are less than regular, sometimes one record. Other species have been observed in the area covered by the guide but outside my region. My records for these areas are very incomplete and I have not posted them.

Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola)
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla)
Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
Bewick's Swan (Cygnus colombianus)
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) ‡
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) §
Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus)
Canada Goose (Branta canadenis) §
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) ‡ §
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)
Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) §
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)*
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) ‡
European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)
Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) ‡
Great Skua (Stercorarius skua)§
Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) §
Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) ‡
Knot (Calidris canutus)
Lammergeir (Gypaetus barbatus) †

Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus) §
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) ‡
Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax)
Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola)
Pallas's Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus)
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) ‡
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)*
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
Radde's Warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzi) ‡
Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)
Rock Pipit, Scandinavian (Anthus petrosus littoralis) §
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)*
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
Shore Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus) ‡
Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)
Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)
Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis)
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus ssp. humei)§

* Denotes escape
† Denotes bird from reintroduction programme in Austria
‡ Recorded during 1995
§ Recorded during 1996

Biblioghaphy:

Major Body of text: Spin - Birds, Northern Adriatic Region, Index and Intro. © Paul Tout (1995) All rights reserved for those materials. (Note: we converted the substantive materials on this site to table formats, added some Italian names, all the photographs and hyperlinks.)
Italian names and sound files: Specola livE - Florence (Italy), Guida all'identificazione dell specie di Uccelli / a Field Guide
Photographs: PALUD, Ornithological Reserve in Rovinj, home of over 200 bird species from InfoNews Istra, Summer 2001, Turistiška zajednica Istarska županije / Istria County Tourist Association, (courtesy of Franko Pavicevac)

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Birds of the Northern Adriatic Region [See bibliography for copyright notes]

Birds of the Northern Adriatic Region
[See bibliography for copyright notes]