What happened after the summer
We left off in June with the notes on the disappointing spring step, characterized by a not very clement weather and with the hope of a recovery of the pace in the summer-autumn season but, if we have to tell the truth, there would be more to comment on the events caused by the bad weather than on the passage of our winged friends in our territories. It is necessary to underline that talking about migration is always complicated because its development varies depending on the territory and the relative habits that the winged friends possess thus causing different impressions. Finding a meeting point on what is happening therefore becomes challenging. Although all the species were present, it is necessary to underline their low numerical presence which was more or less marked and underlining how the season just passed was stingy. While the month of August was one of the hottest since 1800 to today with very intense stormy phenomena, the migration began with the departure of the Swifts and the House Martins from the urban nesting areas confirming however also in this year, as has been noted for some time, a significant decrease.
Black Flycatcher and other presences
Among the trans-Saharan species, a good presence of the Pied Flycatcher was noted, which already in the first ten days of August made its appearance together with the Tree Pipit and the Whinchat, also in good numbers. The White Wheatear, the Willow Warbler and the Green Warbler were scarce, as well as the Garden Warbler. Nothing to report regarding the Quail and the Wood Dove, which, according to the surveyors, have maintained a fair presence in their congenial territories. Also in August, as per the calendar, the first movements of waders were noted, such as the various Sandpipers, Sandpipers, Snipe and Anatidae. September appeared to be in contrast with the past and, due to the fresh air currents coming from Northern Europe, it manifests itself with mild temperatures and frequent rains that trigger flooding events as happened in Emilia-Romagna. The month thus opens in the North with the hope of observing the first Song Thrushes, which appear scarcely from the second ten days of the month, without however satisfying the enthusiasts of the large Turdidae. In fact, together with the Blackbird, the Song Thrush will be missing for the entire migration period, giving, so to speak, only one or two days that will probably be considered the so-called first "furies". In this month, to the already mentioned trans-Saharan species, which continue to show a good presence, we add the excellent presence of the Wood Pigeon, the Starling, the Robin and that, although not striking, of the Flycatcher and the Redstart.
A rainy autumn
Nothing to report regarding the Finches, which however, in October, make their excellent appearance with the Chaffinch accompanied by the Hawfinch, the latter returned in small groups in various areas after years of absence. Together then, as we are used to seeing, the Linnet, Siskin and Brambling join in. October was characterized by many and intense rains, defining this year's autumn as one of the rainiest in recent decades. In many Italian regions such as Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Marche and Emilia-Romagna, due to the very strong storms and cloudbursts, other flood events were recorded. It must be said however that on the eastern and Adriatic side things went decidedly better than on the western Tyrrhenian side of the Peninsula, thanks to weather conditions more favorable to the October migration. Returning to the analysis of the pace in the countryside, from the first ten days of October, Pipits and Skylarks appear in good numbers while, once again, the Water Pipit is observed in an irregular and localised way.
Scarcity of territorial species
Even for the Linnet the numbers are a bit below par. As already mentioned before, the Blackbird and the Song Thrush are not yet satisfying and although localized they are observed in reduced numbers compared to previous years. Some observers even report a notable scarcity of the species in their territory. Apart from the "fury", if we can call it that and always below average, of the second ten days of the month, this situation will not change during the season and only the arrival of the first Redwings in the last ten days of the month will calm a little the disappointments of the fans of these large thrushes. The month marks the arrival at lower altitudes of the Dunnock, the Chiffchaff and still the excellent presence of the Wood Pigeon, the Starling and the Robin. In the mountains and hills several Woodcocks are observed (the first on the plains are sighted during the third ten days of the month), while in the valleys there are no significant elements as regards the aquatic species.
And while the main period of autumn migration is coming to an end, observing the skies that see the Cranes transiting towards warmer shores, hope clings to the observation of those species that should appear in November and then spend the winter at slightly lower altitudes. We are referring to the reports of the legendary Fieldfares from the medium hills to the plains. We will see the evolution of migratory movements, knowledge of which is very relevant for understanding the eco-biology of birds because they can provide answers to the needs of an applicative and management nature. Through knowledge of the times and routes of movement, protection programs can be defined, managing them in a way that is more suitable for the sites and in the most appropriate periods. Much information available today on bird migration has had an effective tool in field observation. (W. Sassi – source: ANUUMigratoristi)
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