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Villa Duchessa di Galliera

Liguria  >  Italy

Villa Duchessa is a 32 hectares urban park in Genoa. The area is dominated by a broad-leaved forest with ancient trees, on a hilly ground close to the sea.

Added* by Daniele Baroni
Most recent update 19 березня 2023

Description

Villa Duchessa di Galliera is a nice spot for the observation of species breeding in broad-leaved forests in the Apennines, as Підкоришник короткопалий and Зелений дятел. However, the most interesting species can be observed during migration, especially in spring. Indeed, the park is a raptor migration hotspot: hundreds of Змієїд блакитноногий in March, and of Осоїд євразійський in May can be observed in one day. During February-March, and October-November, thousands individuals of Журавель сірий can be observed migrating over the park going to or coming from the wintering sites in France and Spain. Also, Одуд is frequently seen in the open habitats from March to May. In winter, Ластівка скельна can be easily seen flying over the gardens at the entrance of the park, often with more than 10 individuals, and in the forest Золотомушка жовточуба, Чорна синиця and Гаїчка болотяна can be observed.

During extreme cold winters, Вівсянка очеретяна, Жайворонок лісовий, Вівсянка городня and Вівсянка гірська have been found in the gardens. Чапля сіра has nested in the forests, but not every year. Among the birds that can be seen all year round in the park, Золотомушка червоночуба is very common both in winter and in spring, Синиця чубата is found in the sites with pine trees, and a pair of Сіра сова is nesting close to the church on top of the hill.

Details

Access

The urban park can be visited only walking, and it is not allowed to enter the park by car or cycling. There are 18 km of paths in the park, but I recommend the route suggested in the map (about 5 km), as it covers all the different habitats. The Villa Duchessa is situated within city limits and therefore on walking distance from public transport: trains and busses. The parking spaces are shown in the map, but is not always easy to find an empty lot. Click on a P in the map to get directions to a parking spot.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Agriculture , City/village

Conditions

Hilly

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Winter

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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