European species and Mediterranean species meet, providing great biodiversity. The ratlier shrubby 

 woodland was not dominated by any one species: an oak Quercus aegilops was frequent, there was 

 Bay (Lauras nobilis), Viburnum tinus (familiar from British shrubberies), a Medlar (Crataegus azarolus), 

 Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) plus pines and many other species. The first striking species noted 

 were white Asphodels (Asphodelus albus): not much later there would be many more Yellow Asphodels 

 (Asphodeline lutea). Among these were many Blue Gromwells (Lithospermum purpurocaerulea). Very 

 confusingly, an information board at the entrance to the wood described this as Anchusa aurea, a key 

 z having been omitted from the specific name! There was some excitement when peonies (Paeonia 

 mascula) were found in bloom. A less spectacular discovery that produced excitement nevertheless was 

 Ground Pine (Ajuga chamaepitys). There were anemones (Anemone hortensis and A. pavonina) and 

 in one area leaves of very many cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium). In the less wooded areas there 

 were orchids (Orchis italica and Optirys fusca), a Birthwort (Aristolochia pallida), swallow-wort 

 (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria), several grape hyacinths, irises still to bloom and much, much more. The 

 birders noted Hoopoes, Nightingales, Sardinian Warblers and Cuckoos and there were a few butterflies 

 including Southem Festoon, Glanville Fritillary and Southem Comma. A black snake proved very co- 

 operative to photographers until extreme close-ups were attempted. All survived! 



The next day was more than a little damp. The walk took us on lanes through olive and cherry groves 

 that should have been interesting botanically but were disappointing, the farmers having applied 

 herbicide rather freely. They had missed some fine plants of a Venus' Looking Glass (Legousia 

 speculum-veneris) with much larger flowers than our L hybrida. Under hedges there were particularly 

 fine foliage forms of Cyclamen hederifolium. 



A short coach trip took us to the starting point of another walk that proved to be a great treat, along the 

 Canale di Parro, a covered aqueduct that carries water from the Apennines to the arid Apulian lowlands. 

 This went through open country with extensive views: the vegetation was predominantly Mediterranean, 

 with Cistus shrubs (Cistus crispus, C. albidus and C. salvifolius) just coming into bloom. Various 

 butterflies were noted, especially Green Hairstreaks, Large Tortoiseshell and Scarce Swallowtail, and 

 plenty of birds but the party was really slowed down by the great quantity of orchids. Orchis italica was 

 the most frequent, with some Orchis tridentate and a few Orchis laxiflora and many different Ophrys. 

 The latter are not easy to identify but there were Early Spider Orchids (Ophrys sphegodes) and many 

 Ophrys lutea, many both in number and in different forms. There was Ophrys fusca and a few Mirror 

 Orchids (Ophrys speculum) and probably several other species. Not only was the walk superb but there 

 was a bar at the end, with beer! 



Most of the other days were devoted to sightseeing in some of the small hilltop towns of the region, 

 where rococo architecture predominated. The party did get to see, and paddle in if they wished, the 

 Adriatic. Unexpected organisms found washed up on the shore were sponges: the seaside vegetation 

 was not cared for but, as we were there after noon, Barbary Nuts (Gynandiris sisyrinchium) (which are 

 late risers, blooming only after lunch) in various forms were noted. A wild Gladiolus was found by one 

 adventurous couple who saw a Hamer and the Bath White butterfly. Geology dominated the end of the 

 day with a visit to vast, extensive limestone caves at Castellaria. That evening the hotel provided, as it 

 did daily, appetising snacks with the pre-dinner drinks: these were bulbous, vegetable and quite tasty. 

 Detective work by one of the party revealed that we had eaten bulbs of the grape hyacinth Muscari 

 comosum that had been available the day before, in large quantities, in the local market along with four 

 or five different species of mushroom and a wealth of local produce. 



On the final day, because the flight back left in late evening, there was a bonus morning trip westwards 

 into the neighbouring province, Basilicata, to the town of Matera. The oldest houses were built into the 

 limestone cliffs of a spectacular gorge rather similar to a sun-drenched Malham Cove. This area would 

 cleariy have repaid some days of exploration as species of Campanula could be seen in crevices of the 

 cliffs and there were tracks leading in all directions from the town into open country. The town housed 

 a population of Peregrines. There was time after a late lunch for some to make a final trip to the Bosco 

 Selva. Approaching Bari airport at the end of the trip we really did see the orb of the golden sun dipping 

 into the wine-dark sea! 



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