Italy: Birds & Art in Apulia & Matera

Black Stork © Brian Gibbons

At the heel of the Italian boot, the southern provinces of Apulia and Matera boast a fascinating mix of nature and culture. Our easy-going itinerary, based in two excellent hotels, takes us to roaring river gorges and ancient villages, flower-laden plateaus and medieval monasteries, combining the very best sights of this fascinating historic region at its most inviting season.

The mild climate and strategic position of the southern Italian provinces of Apulia and Matera have attracted human settlers since the dawn of history. Here, where the turquoise waters of the Adriatic meet the Ionian Sea, medieval villages and wilderness parks dot one of Europe’s most dramatic landscapes. Our tour is designed to take full advantage of the region’s incredibly rich heritage, both natural and cultural.

In Matera, cave dwellings first excavated some nine thousand years ago have been transformed into modern homes and shops; in Bari, resting place of Saint Nicholas, a massive medieval castle looms over grand palaces built by wealthy merchants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Traditional agricultural practices still survive here, and the countryside offers an almost overwhelming mix of habitats, from rugged oceanside cliffs and forested valleys to steppe-like plateaus and golden salt marshes. The birds are just as diverse. Among the raptors that still haunt the blue skies are Red Kites, Short-toed Snake-Eagles, Montagu’s Harriers, and Lesser Kestrels, while the continent’s most colorful birds—European Rollers, Eurasian Hoopoes, and European Bee-eaters—hunt smaller prey on open fields.

Among the many regional specialties we will seek are Western Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, and Calandra Lark. On seaside ponds and marshes, we hope to see the spectacular European Spoonbill, Western Marsh Harrier, and Black Stork. Western Swamphens, recently split from the other “purple” swamphens, are also possible.

Featuring a casual pace and a piquant mixture of natural history and cultural experiences, this new tour is specially designed to appeal to serious birders as well as those who seek a broader-based travel experience.

Slow pace and relatively short days afield; most activities optional; excellent accommodations and meals; transportation by small bus with professional drivers; roadside, woodland, and seaside birding; walking easy to moderate, though some steep stretches in the village of Matera; typical daytime highs in the 60s F, with the chance of a brief shower at any time.

Eurasian Hoopoe © Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock