Giara di Gesturi

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Overview

The spectacular plateau of Giara di Gesturi is situated in the south of Sardinia roughly midway between Cagliari and Oristano.

The uninhabited plateau is basaltic and covers an area of nearly 50km2 at an altitude of about 500m. This boulder-scattered landscape has large expanses of Cork Oak forest and Mediterranean maquis.

Birds

Notable Species

A good range of bird species can be seen on the plateau with raptors such as Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard particularly common and Northern Goshawk is also present. Little Bustard was once a breeder here and may still do so in small numbers.

Barbary Partridge and Calandra Lark find ideal habitat amongst the rocks and the scrub has the usual Sylvia warblers such as Marmora's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Moltoni's Warbler and Sardinian Warbler.

The endemic Sardinian races of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Jay are common. Additional passerines include Wood Lark, Woodchat Shrike, European Stonechat and Cirl Bunting with Spotless Starling in the villages at the foot of the plateau.

During passage periods the area attracts migrant waders and herons and raptors including Red Kite and Hen Harrier.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Grey Heron, European Honey Buzzard, Red Kite, Black Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby, Barbary Partridge, Little Bustard, Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Little Owl, Common Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Calandra Lark, Wood Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Common Nightingale, Common Redstart, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Marmora's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Moltoni's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Common Jay, Hooded Crow, Northern Raven, Spotless Starling, Italian Sparrow, Chaffinch, Corsican Finch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting

Other Wildlife

Although famous for its semi-wild horses the flora of the plateau is of particular interest and importance. Most of the more than twenty species of orchid found in Sardinia can be seen here and the maquis consists of a wide variety of species.

Site Information

History and Use

Avoid the area on Sundays and holidays as it is widely used for shooting.

Areas of Interest

To do

Access and Facilities

Giara di Gesturi can be reached by taking the S197 road to the village of Gesturi and then a signposted minor road up onto the plateau. There is no accommodation on the plateau but camping is possible.

Contact Details

To do

External Links

Giara di Gesturi - English Translation

Content and images originally posted by Steve