World Owl Day

An event dedicated to the lords of the night

World Owl Day is the annual summer nature event that brings Massimeno to life. As one of the smallest municipalities in Trentino, nestled in Val Rendena at the gateway to the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, it provides the perfect backdrop. The initiative was created to celebrate World Owl Day (August 4th) and to draw public attention to the fascinating and fragile world of nocturnal birds of prey: owls, little owls, tawny owls, barn owls, and scops owls.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Gruppo Italiano Civette, an association founded by ornithologist and science communicator Marco Mastrorilli, one of Italy's leading experts on nocturnal birds of prey, in collaboration with the Municipality of Massimeno and the local Pro Loco. The festival combines scientific rigor with accessible outreach, offering a program designed for both enthusiasts and families vacationing in Val Rendena.

A program of conferences, workshops, and excursions

The two-day event offers a variety of activities for all ages, typically including:

• The "Hear Who's Singing" nature workshop, dedicated to children aged 5 to 14, to discover bird songs;
• An evening conference with a presentation by Marco Mastrorilli, exploring the secret life of owls;
• The "Owl Night", a guided nocturnal excursion into the woods to listen for and identify birds of prey in their natural habitat;
• Morning birdwatching in the forests surrounding the village;
• A photography exhibition on the world's owls, set up in the village square and open for several days.

Massimeno and Val Rendena

Massimeno is a small mountain community in the Autonomous Province of Trento, overlooking Val Rendena and famous for its alpine landscapes and proximity to the Brenta Dolomites. The natural setting makes the event particularly evocative: the night excursions take place in forests that are home to the very species featured in the festival, offering an authentic environmental education experience.

A message of conservation

Beyond its educational aspect, World Owl Day carries a strong message of biodiversity conservation. The event raises public awareness about the threats facing nocturnal birds of prey, such as habitat loss, climate change, rodenticide poisoning, and road accidents. Participating means contributing to the knowledge and protection of species that are vital to the balance of the mountain ecosystems of Trentino-Alto Adige.