ANUU Migrators: Concluded 19th Wintering Project

ANUU Migrationists: 19th Wintering Project concluded

ANUU Migrationists: The nineteenth year of the survey of the "Svernanti Project ”in the name of naturalness.

On 25 January 2015, the nineteenth year of the Wintering Project concerning the monitoring of avifauna through the scientific ringing technique carried out at the FEIN Ornithological Observatory of Arosio ended. The Project is coordinated by the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) based in Ozzano dell'Emilia, in the province of Bologna. During the monitoring 4 transects of mist-nets were used for a total length of 140 m. placed in different environments. At the Arosian station the technical staff carried out 7 study days, divided into 4 in December 2014 (8-13-20-30) and 3 in January 2015 (4-18-25), analyzing 39 subjects of 14 different species (in 2010-11 73 subjects of 10 different species were analyzed, in 2011-12 53 subjects of 11 different species were analyzed, in 2012-13 99 subjects belonging to 16 different species were analyzed and, finally, in 2013-14 30 subjects belonging to 9 different species were analyzed) such as Peppola, Frosone, Siskin, Merlo, Pettirosso, Redwing, Blackcap, Regulus, Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit and Green Woodpecker, belonging to 6 ornithic families such as Turdidae, Paridae, Silvidae, Fringillidae, Picidae and Prunellidae.

The most numerous species was the Great Tit with 10 subjects analyzed and the numerically most representative family was the Paridae with 22 analyzed birds belonging to 4 different species. The study days were held in good weather and it should be emphasized that, on the day of January 25, 2015, the largest number of catches was recorded with 13 subjects belonging to 6 different species. Among the subjects analyzed, as many as 25 were self-catching, that is birds that, at the time of capture, already had a ring in the tarsus, placed before the project was carried out again at the Arosio Observatory.

These recaptures do nothing but testify how the territory of the Arosian station has favored the stop of several individuals who every year find shelter and nourishment necessary for their survival. Furthermore, during the project, 8 × 50 binoculars were used with which it was possible to constantly observe the Nuthatch, the Wren, the Common Rampichino, the Fiorrancino, the Great Spotted Woodpecker, the Buzzard, the Sparrowhawk, the Wood Pigeon. , the domestic pigeon, the collared dove, the hooded crow, the magpie and the jay, respecting the times and considering six cardinal points arranged outside the capture systems: one to the north, one to the north-west, one to the north -east, one southwest, one southeast, one south. For the latter operation the transept method was used.

Once the wintering project is concluded, the activity at the Arosio Observatory continues with the study of pre-nuptial migration and the breeding project, to then devote itself again to the study of post-nuptial migration, demonstrating that the monitoring of avifauna continues in a standardized form. and in a continuous and constant way aiming at respect for the environment and ecology which represents a set of qualities linked to nature or naturalness, to environmental education at a territorial level. To this end there are many schools and groups who love nature that every year visit the ancient structure of Arosio, rooted in traditions but with a strong sense of the naturalistic future where the study activity belongs to a lifestyle far from that of civilization. modern.

This is the naturalness or naturalness of the Ornithological Observatory, one of the most active scientific stations in our beautiful country for more than thirty years. In conclusion, the data collected confirm the importance that environments, even if small in size but of high ecological value, such as the territory of the Arosio ornithological station, have on the ornithic community present in the winter period. And this is particularly important when these territories are located in an environmental context quite evidently surrounded by urban agglomerations with the related disturbances that can affect the natural life of animal species.

In this case these conditions can be compared to natural islands and for this reason their importance has an amplified relevance. The ringing technique, combined with that of observation, made it possible to record the presence of the species and their movements thanks also to the recaptures carried out, as well as assessing the physical and morphological conditions of the individuals analyzed.

(February 16, 2015)

ANUU Migrators