Northern Italy16th-17th May 2006

• The main purpose of this trip was one for those with a rather acquired taste – namely Ashy-throated Parrotbill and Northern Bobwhite – but with two previous visits to the country this year, I realised that Italy as a birding destination is certainly underrated and decided to explore this beautiful country once again...Richard Bonser reports.

Corsica and Sardinia 29th April - 2nd May 2006

• Mark Lopez and I visited the islands of Corsica and Sardinia for 4 days in late April and early May 2006. The prime reason for our visit was to target the two endemic species that are present on Corsica – Corsican Nuthatch and Corsican Citril Finch – as well as observing Marmora’s Warbler and the many endemic or near endemic forms or races that occur on these islands...Richard Bonser reports

Italy 8th - 9th April 2006

• I had long been keen to see one of the few true European endemics, Rock Partridge, and this formed the basis for what was to turn out to be one of the most enjoyable birding weekends that I’ve had in a long while....Richard Bonser reports.

Sicily 27/11/03 – 03/12/03

• This trip was not a real birding trip but just a trip to visit the Island. Nevertheless I tried as much as possible to spend little times looking at birds here and there during the visit...Thibaud Daumal reports

Sardinia 13th - 27th September 2003

• South of Olbia is a fair sized lagoon called Stagno di San Teodoro. We first got access to the north here along a rough access road from the village of La Fraili marked "Della Pescharia" The employee of the fish farm at the end of the track, was happy to let us bird watch on the farm premises...John & Sue Roberts report.

Sardinia Late June, 2001

• Sardinia is an easy place to bird with an excellent road system. With careful planning it should be possible to see all the key species within 3 days. I went in late June and already the Sylvia warblers were not responding to tape...Steve Webb reports

Italy Trip Report June-July, 2001

• I knew that Italy is not the best place for birding in Europe, and while my total count was low (68 species seen) I did manage to see some truly beautiful birds. As always, the process of birding added greatly to the experience of being in another country...Jack Stephens reports.

Sardinia May 2001

• Yet another non-birding holiday on the continent - or so Linda thought. The following is not terribly organised, merely notes from my bird diary so you're going to get birds of note merely as they appeared to us chronologically....Eric Hocking reports

Collins Bird Guide Lars Svensson et al: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk Described by some as the best field guide in the world, and 15 years in the making. Has it been Worth the Wait?...Yes definately! If you buy just 1 book a year then make sure that its this one. Stunning drawings by the worlds finest bird illustrators..and it shows..check out the plates on tern, Skuas, and the Ducks...not forgetting the Finches and Crossbills.

Where to Watch Birds in Italy (LIPU) Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli: Buy from Amazon.co.uk Produced by the LIPU, a leading bird conservation organization in Italy, and published in association with the RSPB, this text represents a joint conservation initiative. 103 sites are covered in this guide which aims to highlight areas of interest to a visiting birdwatcher.

Recommended travel books for Italy:

The Rough Guide to Italy
Ros Belford, Martin Dunford, Celia Woolfrey: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

• Well-written, money-saving guide to Italy, I found this great for the more out of the way places in Italy, especially walking in the national parks. Their coverage of history is good too - detailed but not boring. Good for nightlife and cheap accommodation.