Gran Paradiso Wildlife / Tour Report September 2020

Emilien and I meet our guests in the morning. The weather is fine and the temperatures are rather mild for the end of September. We are very excited to start a new wildlife tour to the incredible Gran Paradiso National Park.

We start our ascent through a large larch forest. This is the typical Nutcracker habitat, but we won't be lucky enough to spot it. On the other hand, several Coal Tits are present in this forest. A real challenge to try to locate them visually thanks to their song.

It is at the tree line, around 2100 meters above sea level that we stop to take our picnic. The place is superb!

Along the way we observe Golden Eagles, 2 at the same time which skirt the cliffs taking advantage of the thermals. We arrive at the refuge in the middle of the afternoon. Enough to enjoy a good beer while observing our first chamois through binoculars!

Once this short break is over, we go to meet a chamois near our refuge. We place ourselves so as to have it in silhouette. A little reminder on the management of the exposure helps our participants to understand how to make beautiful images with a graphic silhouette.

After this successful approach, we leave our chamois quietly and go back to our refuge for dinner. After a good hike in good company, a good, hearty meal and a good shower, we head to our rooms for the night.

On the second day, we wake up quite early and have breakfast. A beautiful and long day awaits us!

We go in search of a chamois nursery. The weather is overcast and a few showers are expected during the day. Along the way our birding guide Emilien hears a snowfinch! He manages to spot it but it leaves quickly.

Arrived at a strategic point that I know well, a total of 20 chamois are facing us! They are all there, quietly grazing. Unbelievable!

It is almost only here, in the Gran Paradiso National Park, that we can make such amazing observations without disturbing the animals at any time. Our guests are delighted.

We enjoy being with this group of chamois all morning, with an incredible view with clouds at the bottom of the valley.

We return to the refuge at noon for lunch.

Once the little rain has passed, we decide to go up a bit in the direction of a favorable area to observe the Alpine Ibex. On the way we observe several chamois. Surprisingly, they don't normally hang around in this area.

Arrived on the ibex sector, there is nothing. Only a few chamois. Here again, it is surprising. Seeing ibex in this area is never guaranteed of course, but the chances are very high. We go to a small hill to try to scan the surroundings as much as possible with binoculars, but nothing. We take advantage of the extraordinary view of these places for a few moments before heading back down.

On the way back we will have the chance to observe and photograph several chamois. We admire these fairly cooperative males until the end of the afternoon.

Then we return to the refuge. On the menu, the starter already makes our mouth water: minestrone with vegetables or Val d'Aostana rice. We feast, happy for our second day despite the absence of the ibex.

The next morning, I manage to spot a small group of a good dozen ibex from the refuge! Beautiful males! Great! After a good breakfast we go directly to meet them. Seeing that they are moving, I try to anticipate their trajectory and place us in a spot which seems favorable to their coming. After a few minutes of walking we are at the hoped-for place and the ibex will arrive nearby in a few moments. A pair of horns, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 12 pairs of horns !!

In a few minutes, they are all in front of us, eating quietly. We have time to observe them and to photograph them. Happiness!

Once they reach a rocky area, we leave them and set off again to the chamois nursery. Once arrived in front of the chamois the weather turns bad and it starts to rain. Our group is motivated and we stay with them for a long time.

The rain starting to intensify we returned to the refuge to have a good cappuccino.

We decide to take our picnic in the refuge and leave after our meal.

On our return the weather improved, and we can see the first freshly fallen snow from 3000m. And once we get to the tree line a young Bearded Vulture flies right above our heads! Absolutely magical, although the scene went by very/too quickly. Luckily, a few moments later it was Benoit, one of our guests, who spotted another Bearded Vulture! And not the same because this one is an adult! Watching him hover over the cliffs is just amazing. Thanks to the weather!

A little further down in the forest we have a rather unexpected encounter: a chamois is standing on the roof of a ruin! You have to see it to believe it ! And yet...

After this magnificent scene we set off again towards the cars. Grateful for these magical 3 days in total immersion in the beautiful Gran Paradiso National Park.

To live this adventure in the heart of nature with us, check the dates of our next wildlife tour in the Gran Paradiso National Park and join us!

Luca
Guide Salva Fauna