Description
Between the village of Duino and the quarry of the Villaggio del Pescatore lie the Cernizza woods, the ancient hunting reserve of the Princes of Thurn und Taxis; it also goes by the name of the Deer Park or the Nigriano Woods. The Cernizza derives its name from the Slovenian “črno”, or black, indicating the shady coverage of the holm oak, an evergreen oak that is a typical species of the forest. The many paths through the woods form a radial pattern, giving a “labyrinth” effect in which it is not uncommon briefly to lose one’s direction. Raimondo IX della Torre had a two-metre-high wall built around his “Deer Park”, and this is still in part visible from the sea. Within the woods, artificial excavations, caves and trenches mostly dating back to the Great War have been found. The ancient Roman Gemina road that connected Aquileia to Tergeste (Trieste) and then led on to Aemona (Ljubljana) used to cross the Cernizza woods. Some of the grooves formed by the passage of carts are still visible across the Bratina headland towards the Timavo springs, near San Giovanni di Duino. Walking through the Cernizza woods, one can observe a very different mosaic of habitats: from the pseudo-Mediterranean scrub comprising holm oak and hornbeam, to typical species of the karst forest, from scattered specimens of black pine and Aleppo pine, to areas of karst moorland in the occasional small clearing. Hornbeam is a typical species of this site: its scientific name is presently Carpinus orientalis, but it was initially called Carpinus duinensis.
Vegetation
Frequent in the sea and in lagoons, and like dwarf eelgrass forms extensive fields which are very important for fish and waterfowl.
A halophyte (salt-tolerant) species not present in salt marshes but on rocky coasts and harbour works such as jetties and embankments, even in...
A species of evergreen oak, it is the main constituent of the Mediterranean maquis and locally can be found between the Timavo river and Miramare...
Traditions
In ancient times, there used to be a wide stretch of navigable sea opposite the springs of the Timavo, known as the Lacus Timavi, roughly covering...
These are a typical feature of the local countryside in the Carso and Gorizia region, whereby farmers can offer their wine, ham and cheeses...
Habitats
The Carso is a long plateau facing SE-NW, sloping slightly downwards towards the west. The eastern part reaches about 400 metres in height, while...
The special microclimate characterising the coast near Trieste depends from the white limestone cliffs that reflect sunlight, the warming effect...
Birds
19-21 cm, sexes similar. There is a grey variety and a rufous one. It is a small owl with ear tufts and a characteristic and insistent song. Present...
10.5-12 cm - sexes similar. Evident brown grey tuft. Present throughout the year in the pine forests of the Carso, including the cliffs of Duino and...
10-11.5 cm, sexes similar. A small tit with characteristic white patch on the nape. Present all year, it nests in the pinewoods of the Carso and...
38-43 cm sexes similar, grey with white wing bands. Present throughout the year, it commonly nests in the groves of the lagoon islands and in...
33-36 cm, sexes similar. There is a grey variety of cuckoo and a red one. It has pointed wings vaguely reminiscent of a bird of prey but the head is...
52-58 cm, sexes similar. Grey upperparts, white lower parts. Present throughout the year and abundant, nesting in the lagoon, on the roofs of houses...
13-14 cm, male with black head and red eye, the female brown with grey head. Present throughout the year, it nests in warm coastal scrubland between...
48-56 cm, sexes similar, plumage varies widely, generally brown with light patches. Present all year round, most numerous even in the largest lagoon...
17-21 cm, sexes similar. Black upperparts, red throat and whitish belly. Present from March to April and from September to October, it nests in rural...
24-28 cm, sexes similar. Well-camouflaged, recalling a carpet of dead leaves. Of crepuscular and nocturnal habits, it can be observed in flight while...
29-33 cm, sexes similar. Plumage light beige with black collar. Present all year round, often associated with human settlements in cities, towns and...
25-29 cm, sexes similar, orange plumage striped with black, erectile crest on the head, flickering flight. Present from April to September and fairly...
15-16.5 cm, sexes similar. Reddish brown upperparts, and light in underparts. Present from April to September. It nests in coastal and riparian...
