The
Sibillini -
wild Italy at its best
Sibillini
is one of the newest of Italy’s national parks and is situated on
the borders of Umbria and Le Marche. It is a paradise for wild
flowers, butterflies and there are still threatened species such as
wolves and golden eagles in small numbers. Fortunately, people have
been slow to catch on to its natural attractions but time after
time those who travel with us say that they have never experienced
such a wonderful feeling of ‘space’ since we are often ambling on
ridges over flower-studded montane pasture with stupendous views.
The Sibillini, draws us annually for the flower displays - first
for crocus then narcissus, orchids, butterflies and then autumn
colours... each time we find new roads and tracks. It is an area
whose diversity and riches one could never exhaust. Come with us
and you will begin to understand what we mean.
Within
the Sibillini area there is an astonishing variety of habitats from
lush valleys up through extensive woods of low-growing downy oaks
(Quercus
pubescens)
to high mountain pastures. In a half hour or less one can move from
meadows with distinctly Mediterranean orchids, to screes with high
alpines such as androsaces and gentians.
Many orchids flourish in the extensive woodlands and meadows whilst
short turf on grassy hillsides is coloured with mountain flowers
such as thymes, forget-me-nots and rockroses spread to tint whole
areas of hillsides in yellows, whites, pinks and blues.
For
the first part of our trip we are based at an agriturismo near
Preci where the owners are deeply attached to the region and
specialise in local dishes. Scops owl chime at night and, in the
daylight hours you often hear the liquid cascade of notes from
golden oriole. There are flower meadows close by where around 14
species of orchid and numerous butterflies can be are found. They
are a delight for an early morning or, indeed an evening pre-dinner
stroll. All of our walks lie within a short drive of our base
including riverside paths (Camberwell beauty butterflies) and
flower-filled montane meadows with numerous
orchids.
The
Piano Grande is dominated by the vast bulk of Monte Vettore.
Myriads of purple crocus appear after the snow melts and then
slopes are later strewn with orchids, such as Orchis
morio, Orchis pauciflora
and higher up the magenta and yellow spikes of elderflower orchids
(Dactylorhiza
sambucina).
Higher still, carpets of pink mountain vetch (Anthyllis
montana)
and the contrasting blues from spring gentians (G.
verna)
and trumpet gentians (G.
acaulis)
become a vivid indicator of a high montane habitat. In July
butterflies are plentiful with numerous blues, ringlets and some
populations of Apollos.
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