Birding in Boboli Gardens, Florence
When: December 2016 Weather: Cold, 5-10C
Nikon P900. Leica M240 35 Summilux
As we stayed right opposite the Palazzo Pitti, the home of the Medicis, it was a no brainer to visit the Boboli Gardens which is part of the whole Pitti Palace. Walking through the building, you emerge into a vast open space leading up a hill…
the Boboli Gardens
At 9 in the morning on a cold winter’s day, the place was nigh deserted and it was like walking in a private garden. The bird life was not plentiful but there were a few interesting sightings and not a little birdsong…
Grey Heron perched at the first fountain
grey heron head in detail
High class birdwatching amongs the classical statues of the Boboli Gardens…here the statue of Neptune and his trident
wood pigeon
wood pigeon
domestic pigeon
I’ve never seen such fat pigeons before!
the views of Firenze from the top of Boboli are worth the climb….
there were European sparrows of course
and the common EUropean Starling is spectacular when it catches the light
and again…
just a common blackbird…
under the wintery Tuscan sun
and the walks in the gardens were lit beautifully by the morning sun
terrible picture of pied wagtail
and then this lttle brown job hopped into view
my favourite bird of the morning….the European Robin…common in europe but never seen in tropical climes..
just a gorgeous little fella that made my day
Winter birding in Florence is not very productive but still not bad….and to have these wonderful gardens in the heart of Firenze as a green lung away from the shops and museums is just liberating.
The Natural Traveller 
Enjoy your Tuscan winter with your family, Ron. Merry Christmas!
thanks Ces…good food but not so good birding so far…