Airone cenerino

Allocco

Garzetta

Not all the visitors to the Parco di Monza know that it is home to an amazing variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles and mamals the presence of which enhance the natural value of the area.

Researchers from the University of Pavia and Natural History Museum of Milano conducted exacting surveys the results of which have recently been published and …the surprises abound:

The Park is home to a significant population of Tawny Owls who have chosen this territory to found one of the most flourishing comunities in Italy.

The widespread presence of nocturnal birds of this type at the head of the food chain means that an abundant variety of potential preys is available: rodents, small birds, frogs.  Also noteworthy is the number, and species, of woodpeckers: the Green Woodpecker, the Great Spotted Woodpecker , the Wryneck and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.   This last species is particularly important because it is rather uncommon and limited to Lombardy.   

It is often easy to see the Water Hen along the Lanmbro river and irrrigation ditches.  An increased number of Grey Herons, Nycticorax, Egrets have been  sighted and frequent encounters may be made with the Mallard.

Along with the amphibians and reptiles the agile frog, newt, whip snake and Natrix natrix play an important role.

The purpose of this short note is to provide further insights into the value of this area, the historical and scenic importance of which  is abundantly well-known.

The growth of Public interest with regards to the woodland and scenic aspects promoted by the first-rate Guided Tours is encouraging. However, while the care and protection of these aspects continue to be sadly neglected, the “fauna” part of the equation is totally ignored  whenever requalification of the Monza Park is discussed.  Considering the variety of wildlife present in the Park ,  this is indeed a disgrace.

This environment is fragile and is adversely affected by the type of neglect described, by violation concerns in general and the race track which, absurd though it may seem, is allowed unbounded encroachment.

A very interesting booklet has been published recently “Gli Uccelli del Parco di Monza” (Birds of the Parco di Monza)  as well as two intersting pamphlets “Fli Anfibi del Parco” (Amphibians of the Park) and “I Serpenti del Parco” (Snakes of the Park).  The pamphlets  cover the territory of the Parco della Valle del Lambro.  Unfortunately this material is available in Italian only.  However , if you’d like more information we will be happy to provide it.