Fauna of the Nure and Chero Valleys
A considerable variety of animal species are found in the Nure and Chero valleys, the result generally of the great differences in the countryside and the climate between the plain and the mountains. The upper valley, with its numerous little lakes and waterholes is an ideal habitat for amphibians and reptiles. Among these are the Italian salamander, the common toad, the green frog, the lizard, the viperine snake and the viper. There are also many species of bird, including birds of prey such as the sparrowhawk, the buzzard, the golden eagle and the falcon. Other birds found are the red-legged partridge, the hoopoe, the blackcap, the blackbird, the magpie, the woodpecker and the chaffinch. Traces of animals are found too: foxes, moles, badgers, weasels, hares, wild rabbits, squirrels and wild boars.
A small rodent of the family of Gliridae, widespread in our countryside from the plain up to 1500 metres altitude. It is a curious animal, and like the squirrel runs and climbs trees, leaping from branch to branch ...
Information sheet prepared by the ornithologist Marco Mastrorilli
Between April and September, the area along the bed of the Nure is an ideal habitat for the Scops owl, a small nocturnal bird of prey that is easily recognised, thanks to its ear tufts, which look like ears to many people.
Information sheet prepared by the ornithologist Marco Mastrorilli. Listen to the audio with the "churring".
The river Nure between Ponte dell’Olio and Podenzano takes on environmental characteristics that make it the ideal "scenario" for a creature that we can call the "ghost of the river", the nightjar.
In search of a rare and unusual bird that is found in the Nure, with an information sheet by the ornithologist Marco Mastrorilli.
A webcam was mounted in the historic Park of Grazzano Visconti to observe the animals by night.
The salamander (speleomantes ambrosi) is a not very amphibious amphibian that may be found in damp rock debris, or in damp rocky ravines and caves.
A really beautiful bird, with a curious appearance, characterised by its round body, compact plumage, short tail and claws without webbing.
The Apennine rivers and streams are often crossed by bridges, and along their banks there are frequently steep rock walls of sandstone. These are ideal nesting places for the crag martin.
The hill country of the province of Piacenza, characterised by cultivated areas alternating with woods, hedges, uncultivated areas and rocky outcrops, is certainly where buntings are most easily seen.
In recent years the beech woods of the Apennines have once again become the refuge of the wolf (canis lupus), that old protagonist of mountain life.
The alpine pastures on the summits of the Apennines have for some years once again become the hunting ground of one of the most majestic and beautiful of all birds of prey, the golden eagle.