There are never any certainties when wildlife watching, but the Naturetrek group which has just returned from Abruzzo (Italy) were treated to some stunning encounters. The Abruzzo National Park in the central Apennines is one of the strongholds of the elusive Marsican Brown Bear. One was sighted in the distance, on a hillside, but a couple of evenings later we spent over an hour watching one grazing in meadows opposite us. We had excellent views and only left when it was too dark to see it any longer! Some of the group, returning to the airport soon after dawn, also saw one at about 50 metres, climbing away from the road. Three members of the group, walking up to the Prato Rosso meadows, were thrilled when two Apennine Wolves ran across the path in front of them, and on other days we had superb views of groups of Chamois at close range, and of a family party of Wild Boar with twelve piglets of different ages. Other highlights included Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), the Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana dinarica), Golden Eagles and Goshawk. A full tour report will be available over the coming weeks and we will be returning to Abruzzo in 2009 hoping to match the highlights of this year!
To find out more about next year's tour visit the The Apennines: Italy's Abruzzo National Park tour page.