Since a few months a large patrol of razorbills (Alca torda) has “invaded” the eastern Mediterranean, probably coming from the coasts of Spain where a population regularly winters. Sightings have been recorded virtually all along the Tyrrhenian coast and beyond. I’d really like to take a few photos of the elegant bird, since it has been spotted several times even at a short distance from home. So far I have always missed it; today I’m trying to find it at the Varigotti beach, hoping for more luck.

As soon as I’ve exited the highway I am immediately attracted by a church with an octagonal dome, already noticed in the past, next to the ruins of the nearby Castel Gavone. So I’m conceding myself a small detour before reaching the sea.

At the ancient village of Perti I’m discovering a small jewel: the church of Sant’Eusebio. Indeed it is composed of two distinct buildings: a medieval one with a beautiful bell-gable (rather rare in Liguria), which seems to be very appreciated by three pairs of jackdaws; and an eighteenth-century one with the characteristic octagonal dome that I had previously noticed. All around a bunch of old houses, remnant of the ancient village.

A road goes halfway up the hill, overlooking a valley and surrounded by an olive grove. At a short distance, in the middle of the crowns of the olive trees, another octagonal dome stands out: it’s the church of Our Lady of Loreto, also called “dei cinque campanili” because of its spires. This dates back to pre-renaissance and makes the place even more interesting, as three elegant religious buildings from three distinct eras are concentrated in a few hundred meters.

All of them not very easy to photograph, especially the village of Perti; so I’m writing in my notebook to come back and find a point with a better view — probably on the opposite side of the valley, for a photo with a telephoto lens.

After a brief preliminary exploration of the area, I’m heading to the Varigotti beach. Here the ornithic situation is desolate: not only there are no razorbills, but it’s even difficult to spot any bird. I have to settle for a Sandwich tern and a cormorant-gull couple. Furthermore both are mediocre photos.

In the end a disappointing day in many respects, although I rejoice in the discovery of a new corner with a very interesting landscape.