The Novara Birdwatching Group, NovaraBW for short, was formed in 2008 to bring together birdwatchers that live in, or visit the Novara area. The group has a headquarters for meetings, a frequently updated web site and a mailing list. The activities of the group can also be followed on Facebook on the “Novara Birdwatching” group.
 Thanks to an ever-increasing number of members, NovaraBW runs a series of activities from simple reporting of bird sightings, to local census counts, field trips to local areas of interest and participation in national conservation and education projects. NovaraBW is a branch of EBN Italia.
The Little Bittern, the smallest of our Herons, is the symbol of our group as Novara is the Land of Herons. The province of Novara covers 1339 square km and has a population of 343,000. The large areas of agricultural land used for growing rice, maize, grain, vines, fodder crops and wood are used by both migrant and nesting birds making the Novara area particularly good for birdwatching. The area is bordered by two of the most important rivers in Piedmont: Ticino and Sesia.
 Since 1850, 264 bird species have been recorded in the area. Two of these, Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) are introduced species (Category C) and along with Ashy-throated and Vinous Throated Parrotbill (Paradoxornis alphonsianus and Paradoxornis webbianus) which nest across the border in Lombardy, make the area attractive for European listers.
 We have compiled a list of more than 70 Hot Spots in the area, which are of particular interest. Each Hot Spot is regularly monitored with particular attention to migrant and breeding species as well as the general state of the environment. The data collected, along with the other sightings are recorded in a database and a monthly summary is produced. Important sightings are communicated via the mailing list such that members can find out as soon as possible about rare or unusual species.
Novara Birdwatching also publishes data from ringing sessions both at the Casalbeltrame reserve and other sites around the region. The ringers often invite members to attend sessions, which can be very interesting both for those wishing to learn how to ring as well as for those who just want to see common, elusive or rare species close-up in the hand. 
Novara Birdwatching organises conferences and other activities relating to birdwatching and birdgardening - the creation of bird friendly garden habitats by using bird feeders, nest boxes and food plants. A balcony and the right advice can often be enough for impressive results.
As birdwatching is an outdoor activity, our field trips to important areas locally and further a field are a fundamental part of our activities. During our trips, which are not normally physically taxing, there are always competent birders and naturalists who are willing to offer help and advice to experts and interested novices alike.
Finally, among the other activities undertaken by members we should mention some of the writings, which include nationally acclaimed poems, stories and accounts of nature.

Information for Visiting Birders

Naturalised Species (Category C)
The province of Novara and the surrounding areas are home to self-sustaining populations of four naturalised species that may be of interest to WP listers in particular. This section aims to provide some information of the best places and times to see these species. It draws on local knowledge and trip reports from visiting birders.

Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
The rice fields of Novara hold a small but increasing population of Sacred Ibis. Traditionally this species has been most easily seen in the heronry at Oldenico and the surrounding area - the Parco Naturale Lame del Sesia. More recently, this species has also started to breed at another heronry between Biandrate and Caslbeltrame. Obviously this only applies during the breeding season. For birders visiting outside of the breeding season (winter especially), Sacred Ibis may be seen easily by driving around the minor roads in the areas surrounding Casalbeltrame and Casalvolone At Casalbeltrame there is a small nature reserve.

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
This species has been seen successfully in the past, and can still be seen, in the Lame del Sesia reserve. However, a new, perhaps more reliable site has been identified. The Boschi del Ticino can be accessed from the village of Sforzesca, just south of Vigevano. Follow the signs to Boschi del Ticino and park in the car park. Walk through the woodland and turn right at the fork in the path. The agricultural area you will come to holds Northern Bobwhite. These birds are easiest to see in the winter and early spring and are much more difficult in summer. In winter the birds can form flocks while in spring, they are calling.
An alternative area to try is the Agogna valley between Sizzano and Fara Novarese. This wooded river valley can be accessed from Sizzano or from the road between Fara Novarese and Barengo (taking the minor road with a sign for the Motocross area). If visiting in the summer, Barengo has a pair of nesting White Storks on the church.

Ashy/Vinous Throated Parrotbill
(Paradoxornis alphonsianus/Paradoxornis webbianus)
The Palude Brabbia is the best place to see both of these species. This site is just outside the province of Novara and is close to Varese. Directions:
From the A8 (Milan - Varese), come off the motorway at Azzate, Lago di Varese. Follow signs for Bodio and then Inarzo. In Inarzo, park by the town hall walk along the path to the LIPU reserve.
Alternatively, to access the reserve from the western side, follow the signs for the Whirlpool factory and park in the car park. Take the track to the right until you find the ringing hut.
A word of warning - While these two species may be identified easily in the field, genetic analyses tend to suggest that they have interbred in the past (and perhaps still) and that genetically pure Vinous Throated Parrotbills are not present.

Two trip reports can be found here:
http://www.freewebs.com/canarybirder/northernitalyfeb2008.htm
http://www.freewebs.com/richbonser/northernitalymay2006.htm

Spring Migration
As a land-locked area, the province of Novara might not seem a migration hotspot. However, the rice fields are a vitally important stopover for thousands of waders and herons. The agricultural cycle dictates that the fields are flooded for the first time in early April and from the end of the first week of April up until mid May wader passage gets underway. The area covered by the rice fields is vast and Novara is at the eastern edge. Some of the best areas for waders are on the western edge, in a rough triangle formed by Trino, Livorno Ferraris, and Vercelli. However, given the size of the area, waders can be found almost anywhere. A car is essential as for every 2 or 3 fields packed with waders, there will be 50 fields with nothing and no one is quite sure how to predict the best zones. In our area, the areas to the south and west of Novara are probably the most productive. A typical late April day can produce:

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) - Thousands (many in breeding plumage)

Wood Sand (Tringa glareola) - Thousands

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) - Hundereds

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) - hundereds

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)- Hundereds of various subspecies

Smaller numbers of small waders (Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Little Stint (Calidris minuta), Temmincks Stint (Calidris temminckii), Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina)) can also be found along with the chance of vagrant waders (Sociable Plover (Vanellus gregarius), Great Snipe (Gallinago media) etc).
This period coincides with heron passage and it is easy to see all 9 breeding heron species in a day (Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus), Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and rarely Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)). This period is also good for raptors and other migrants.

Other Birding areas

1) Agogna Morta and Campo della Sciura/Ghina, Borgolavezzaro

2) Valle dell Arbogna, (between Novara, Garbagna and Nibbiola)

3) Rice fields of Barengo

4) Rice fields of Sozzago

5) Rice fields of Granozzo and Confienza

6) Heronry at San Bernardino

7) River Sesia valley

8) Parco del Ticino

9) The reedbed at Dormelletto and the surrounding area

10) Monte del Falò and Valle dell’Agogna, Armeno

11) Valle del Terdoppio between Mezzomerico and Suno

12) Badia di Dulzago

13) Bosco della Scimla at Carpignano Sesia

14) Piano Rosa di Ghemme, Romagnano e Cavaglio

15) Lagoni di Mercurago

16) Parco del Fenera (Ara)

 
The Rice Fields
During the winter, the rice fields hold good numbers of Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor), Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) and duck. During spring and summer, nine or more Heron species can easily be seen in a day (especially close to one of the various heronries) along with several raptor species and Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus). The area is also good for breeding species such as Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Bittern (Botuarus stellaris) and both Common (Sterna hirundo) and Whiskered Terns (Childonias hybridus) can also be found. Migrants can include Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio; regular), White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) and other raptors including Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Hobby (Flaco subbuteo), Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), waders and small numbers of passerines such as Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) and Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos).

Novara and the surrounding area
The town of Novara benefits from being in the middle of the rice fields in that the parks and gardens provide a break from the extensive wetland areas. Of particular note are the winter roost of up to Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) in the city centre (STP Battaglia), the large numbers of breeding Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba) during the summer (easily seen in the city centre particularly in August/September when the Common Swifts (Apus apus) have departed) and a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Falco pellegrinus). Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros) are ubiquitous. The parks in the city hold breeding Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Serin (Serinus serinus) and small numbers of Warblers. During the winter, they can also hold wintering Siskin (Carduelis spinus) and small numbers of thrushes.

Parco Del Ticino and the Sesia Valley
The Parco del Ticino can be accessed from various points along the river (Oleggio, Bellinzago and Cameri for instance) while the Sesia is found to the west of Novara. The area is characterised by the river (which carries meltwater from the Alps) and the strips of ancient woodland that follow the course of the river. During the winter months these areas can hold good numbers of Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus), flocks of Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta), woodpeckers including Lesser Spotted (Denrocopos minor), Raptors including Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), finches and tits. Spring and summer are characterised by the arrival of both migrant and breeding passerines.

Lago Maggiore/Lago d’Orta area
During the winter, Lago Maggiore holds a surprising array of waterbirds despite being far from the sea. It is particularly good for grebes (including Black-necked (Podiceps nigricollis)), Gulls and diving ducks with occasional records of Scoters (Melanitta sp.), Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) etc. The lake can be viewed from any number of places between Arona and Stresa.
Mottarone is the highest and most northerly point of the province of Novara. It can be reached easily from Stresa by car or by taking the cable-car while Monte del Falò is reached from Lago d’Orta (Armeno). During the winter months Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris) can be seen easily around the ski resort on Mottarone along with Ravens (Corvus corax) and occasional flocks of buntings. The pine woods hold Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) and Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) while the deciduous woods lower down hold good numbers of Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla), Siskin (Carduelis spinus) and other woodland species. During the summer the woods can hold Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), Bonellis Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) etc. During migration, the reedbeds at Dormeletto (and further north at Fondotoce) act as magnets for migrants waiting to cross, or having just crossed, the Alps. In autumn thousands of Swallows (Hirundo rustica) come to roost in the evenings and there is a good passage of Penduline Tits (Remiz pendulinus) and Reed Buntings (Emberiza shoeniculus). During the summer, Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and other reedbed species can be seen and heard.

The Foothills
The areas around Ghemme and Romagnano Sesia are heavily wooded and provide a stark contrast to the plains to the south and the mountains to the north. This area is where White (Ciconia ciconia) and Black Storks (Ciconia nigra) can be seen nesting.

Typical species of the various environments

Woodland
Breeding birds include the classic woodland species such as tits, including Marsh Tit and woodpeckers, including Wryneck, and Buzzards along with summer visitors such as Blackcap, Melodious Warbler and Golden Oriole. During the winter, the woodland areas hold wintering finch flocks that can include impressive numbers of species such as Siskin, Brambling and occasional Hawfinch.

River
The best time to visit these areas is during the migration periods when passing waders such as Green and Common Sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers stop along the river banks to feed. Impressive numbers of Swifts and hirundines congregate to feed during the summer months accompanied by Hobbies who feed on the large Dragonflies. All through the year, species such as Cormorant, Mallard and Kingfisher can be seen and during the winter months, other duck species or Water Pipit may be found.

Rice Field
Breeding species include Black-winged Stilt, Moorhen and Lapwing while up to 9 species of Ardeid can be seen feeding in the rice fields. The poplar plantations hold singing Golden Orioles and raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine and Hobby can be found. Small numbers of terns are occasionally seen. During the winter, with the rice fields dry, there is little to attract birds. However, raptors can still be encountered and Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine spend the winter in the area. In some years, good mixed flocks of Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Brambling can be found along with Linnet, small numbers of thrushes and occasional Great Grey Shrike. The resident herons are joined by good numbers of wintering Great White Egrets and Long-eared Owls are seen most easily during this period.
During both passage periods, large numbers of waders (including Wood and Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Stints) and Yellow Wagtails use the area as a stopover. Migrating raptors such as Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle and Red-footed Falcon pass overhead while passerines such as Red-backed Shrike, warblers and Quail may be seen.

Public Park
The city parks hold breeding species such as Serin, Redstart and warblers alongside the resident Tree and Italian Sparrows and Black Redstart. During the winter months, Siskin, Brambling and occasional thrushes occur. During the summer the parks in Novara are a good place to observe both Common and Alpine Swifts.

Lake/Pond
During the winter months the lakes and ponds of the area are home to various species of duck and grebes while during the summer, terns and hirundines use these areas while feeding on insects.

Stork Nest

Heronry
Active from February to May/June, the heronries hold good numbers of Grey Heron, Night Heron and Little Egret. Smaller numbers of other species such as Sacred Ibis, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron and Squacco Heron may also be found in some heronries.

Marshland
As with the rice fields, these areas offer shelter and feeding opportunities to waders and heron species. In addition, they serve as breeding grounds for Bittern, Little Bittern and Acrocephalus warblers.

Farmland
The farmland areas hold small numbers of some species including Quail, Corn Bunting during the summer and can hold finch flocks during the winter. They are also used as feeding areas by storks and raptors.

Reedbed
During the summer months, the breeding reedbed species (including Acrocephalus and Cettis Warblers and Little Bittern) can be heard singing from the reedbeds. During migration, the reedbeds of the area act as important staging posts for migrating warblers, Penduline Tits, Reed Buntings and hirundines particularly during the autumn. Large hirundine roosts can form during late August and early September.

High Altitude Woodland
These woodlands are home to various interesting breeding species such as Goldcrest, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler. During the winter months, large flocks of Siskin and Brambling can also be found.

Alpine Meadow
The Alpine meadows of the area hold species such as Water Pipit, Wheatear, Rock Bunting and Raven during the summer while in winter, small numbers of Alpine Accentor can be found.