Grillaio in Matera
The Lesser Kestrel is such a disappointing English name for such a fantastic bird. The Italians call them Grillaio, after their main …
The Lesser Emperor of Matera
We’re in Matera in the south of Italy. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, with palaeolithic caves on …
Jackdawning realisation
As well as all the Lesser Kestrels, there are Jackdaws everywhere in Matera in southern Italy. They’re on the rooftops, on window …
Swallows in the air
We are wandering around Matera, a city in the south of Italy watching the Swallows. The city is vast and seemingly empty, …
Could it be a Canary?
I can see a tiny yellow bird at the very top of a house resting on the TV aerial in Matera in …