This interesting booklet (in Italian) is available from Pro Monza (Palazzo Comunale, or you could  phone 039.366.817 or e-mail: info@parcomonza.org - price €10,00

This lovely booklet was presented by ARCA(Associazione per la ricerca e la conoscenza dell'ambiente) with the patronage of the Comune di Monza during an evening organised to commemorate Bruno di Tommaso. Maria Grazia, his wife,  aptly described it as a“pocket-size manual, a “crib.

This booklet is the pocket-size version of the volume published in 1995. It also has, interesting extras: to the  census taken in 92-93 a critical review has been added based on later investigations updated to 2002.

It is an easy book to read, to look-up. The first part is features a concise description of the Parco di Monza from  hydro geological and vegetational  points of view, an excellent framework of the habitat for the ornithological investigations.

The booklet then deals with birdlife in the Parco di Monza. A description of the method used to conduct the census is provided (systematically between 92 and 93 Winter included plus the following Spring and more sporadically in the successive years) plus a summary of the final results.  

A description of each species monitored is also provided – this sections makes up the grater part of the 96 pages of the booklet. Each Data sheet provides the Italian name and the scientific name  as well as the local name, the taxonomic identification, biometric data and indications related to distribution and habitat. Each sheet has a coloured photograph of the bird (chosen from those shot by Edoardo Viganò), a distribution area map of the Paleartic Region and a graph showing the concentration of the species during an entire year in the Parco di Monza.  

For some species there are also anecdotes and intersting information related to behaviour noticed within the Park. Thus we discovers how the Italian sparros wages a biological war by feeding on larvae of the Metcalfa pruinosa; this is an invasive insect from North America. We also read about a couple of titlarks that have found refuge in a vase holder near the Mulini Asciutti and take very little notice of the farmhouse cats; we also read about a pair of  thrushes which form a fixed couple even during the mating season.

There is also useful information related to biocenosis in the Parco di Monza during he last ten years. Amongst other things we have to mention the probably disappearance of the Nightingale from our Park probably to human factors (possibly related to the presence of dogs and activities linked with the re-qualification of the Park.  There has also been a drastic fall in the presence of pheasants for the same reasons.  We do, however have a new visitor, the heron, and a nest of Kingfishers.

The pride of our Park is the consolidated presence of woodpeckers and, among the night fowl, the tawny owl.

This booklet is an excellent guide both for the bird lover, the birdwatcher and for the beginner.  It is easy to understand, easy to follow and a pleasure to read or simply leaf through.
Alberto Confalonieri

settorenatura@parcomonza.org