In the morning we went to the WWF’s Oasi di Gabbianello, which I’ve written about in previous posts. It’s located near the town of Barberino di Mugello…about a half hour drive north from our house. 

In the early afternoon we came back toward Florence and went to the second reserve, a municipally-owned park in the town of Sesto Fiorentino, just outside of Florence. It’s called the Parco della Piana. Great place for bird watching…no admission fee, either. 

Photo no. 1. We’ll start at the top left, from the swan. 

Now, even though yesterday we came across an apparently very-difficult-to-spot bird (see photo no. 2), the swan photo is perhaps my favorite of the day. Such a lovely creature. Photo taken at Gabbianello. 

Photo no. 2. The above-mentioned, elusive Jack snipe. Cute little thing, isn’t it? I love its Italian name: frullino, which also means “whisk.” Yes, the kind that you use in the kitchen. No idea why… Photo taken at the Parco della Piana. 

Photo no. 3. The stilt and the…oh wait, let’s play “can you spot the second bird? And what is it?” 😉 Taken at the Parco della Piana.

Photo no. 4. A garganey. I read that it’s a “scarce and very secretive breeding duck in the UK.” Wow. And we saw at least three or four yesterday, both at Gabbianello and the Piana. Anyway, handsome fellow. This is the Parco della Piana one.