Results of the wildlife monitoring plan

The combination of vineyards, arable land, woodlands, meadows, ecotones, and isolated trees creates an environmental mosaic that makes Col d’Orcia a true refuge for birdlife. Furthermore, organic management proves to be a great resource for biodiversity, and the management of arable land allows the nesting of species that are in difficulty in Italy and across Europe. A heritage to be protected and monitored, thanks to the research work of Forest Doctor Luca Mamprin, Head of the LIPU Natural Reserve of Ca’ Roman, with whom in 2025 we carried out the first ornithological survey campaign on the company’s nesting birds, as well as the first survey study of bats during their foraging activity.

Over the course of the monitoring campaign, 70 bird species were recorded, 67 of which were considered nesting within the 10 survey points inside the estate. The total number of nesting individuals recorded within 100 metres of the survey points amounts to 669, of which 575 were attributed to the internal points (an average of 58 individuals per point) and 95 to the three external points (an average of 32 individuals per point).

Among all observed species, 9 are of conservation interest. A particular case is represented by the European greenfinch (Carduelis chloris), which was classified as LC (Least Concern) in the Farmland Bird Index, curated in Italy by LIPU for BirdLife International in 2013; its conservation status has now shifted to VU (Vulnerable) in the latest update of 2022. The red kite in Italy is consistently considered VU.

The highest values of species richness and abundance of individuals are observed at survey points with greater structural and ecotonal complexity (e.g. the combined presence of vineyard, isolated trees, linear shrub elements, and small water bodies).