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From the Alps to the Adriatic

Birds

The Trieste area has an astonishing range of species. Little egret, purple heron, black-winged stilt, garganey and the first arrivals of northern ducks are likely in the wetlands, plus griffon vultures and ravens in the Karst and pre-Alps. Woods have black woodpeckers and alpine swifts nest in coastal cliffs, staying on well into October. In alpine meadows, water pipit and ring ouzel, summer visitors, should still be hanging on, plus the near-resident crag martins that leave the area for only the very coldest part of the year.

Migration will be well under way and millions of passerines nesting in northern Europe will be on their way south. Visible migration is often very obvious as pipits, thrushes, wagtails, finches and buntings move through from daybreak until mid-morning.

Flowers

The Karst is renowned for its flora with mixed Balkan, alpine and northern flowers including irises, orchids and several endemic plants. Banks of geraniums and lilies in the Alps lead to gentians and anemones on the higher slopes. Late summer will produce a different flush of plants and fungi from the usual mix.

Other wildlife

Butterflies abound, both in the Alps and the Karst and in late summer the final emergence of many multi-brooded species takes place, including Weaver's, heath and spotted fritillaries, swallowtail and a range of blues and coppers. There are also late summer specialities such as the false grayling and tree grayling, only on the wing from late August until the first frosts. In the Karst there are red squirrels and roe deer; in the Alps we should see alpine marmot, ibex and perhaps chamois.

Black-winged stilts Black-winged stilts

Amazingly, Chris Gibson's holiday report from 1997 is still online on the website of 'The Slovenian'.

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