FROM THE SPECIALISTS' POINT OF VIEW

••• I must admit for most of my life I held various rather opinionated views about most things Italian. Love the wine, hate the opera. Architecture wonderful, football boring. Women charming, men bottom pinchers. I confess that my prejudices were fuelled by total ignorance, in particular the fact that I had never actually been to Italy! My "excuse" was that I almost invariably only visit another country to enjoy its birds and of course - as everyone knows - there aren't any birds in Italy because they have all been shot by hunters.
Then Bob Scott kidnapped me and took me to the Po Delta in spring. Surely this couldn't be Italy! There were birds everywhere, particularly on the wetlands. Species that birdwatchers struggle for in other parts of Europe leapt out to be admired. Little Bitterns, Purple Herons, Pygmy Cormorants, several species of harrier, masses of waders, gulls and so on. There were warblers and flycatchers in the gardens and Red-footed Falcons and Lesser Kestrel on the telegraph wires. What's more, we visited well planned reserves with information centres and nature trails, whilst also being able to explore and find our own places and birds. We came across no hunting whatsoever.
And as if this wasn't enough...... the women were indeed charming, and so were the men. I saw not one bottom being pinched, heard not a note of opera being sung and. watched a great game between Inter Milan and Juventus. The wine was delicious and the food terrific. I didn't have time to check out the architecture, but I'm sure its fabulous.
Isn't it: nice when your prejudices are totally shattered? La dolce vita indeed.
Go and enjoy.
Bill Oddie


••• It is customary for authors to end their acknowledgements by offering an all embracing thanks to everyone that they may have forgotten. Over the years, many people have assisted me in gathering information and knowledge about the Emilia-Romagna region of the Po Delta. Some, whose names I never knew and some, I regret to say, I have inevitable forgotten. I therefore start my acknowledgements by offering thanks to the large number of Italian and British friends and acquaintances who, over more than 15 years, have introduced me to many different aspects of the Delta.
In more recent years, the staff (both office and field) of the Po Delta Park and DELTA 2000 have been particularly helpful. Before and during the compiling of this book, the DELTA 2000 offices were prepared to put up with my presence, answer rather pathetic questions about Italian computer programmes that I could not understand and provide quite splendid cups of coffee. I now consider them all my friends, but in particular a great big thanks to Paola Ferrioli who looked after me so well - translated all my problems and made all my arrangements.
In the field I received advice and encouragement from Menotti Passerella (what he doesn't know about the birds and the eating establishments of the Po Delta is not worth knowing), Carol Debney (from Birdwatching magazine who is such a fan of all things Italian), Bill Oddie (who kindly assisted with presentations at the British Birdwatching Fair and then had me pestering him to write the Foreword to this book) and of course Elisa and Daniela Giunchi who not only proved to be the most charming of companions during field visits but produced the excellent maps that accompany the text. Beatrice Bellini has tackled the daunting task of translating my text into Italian and in the process spotted several English language mistakes - my grateful thanks.
Gullivers Natural History Holidays were prepared to risk the first ever British holiday group to the Delta with my wife and I acting as leaders - they have proved to be pioneers as several groups have followed over subsequent years. During various visits, the staff at Cannevié proved most hospitable - even sorting out the problems with a broken down mini-bus.On more recent visits the Villa Belfiore in Ostellato has become my Italian home - the staff have looked after me well, even taking care of the lone Englishman in the corner during the pre-Christmas festivities and the St. Valentine's day dinner!
And finally - a great big thanks to my wife, Ann. Not only did she see me departing off to Italy on numerous occasions, but she (apparently) willingly left her bed in the wee small hours to provide a taxi service.I only hope that we can jointly visit the Delta for many years to come.
Bob Scott

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