Last 10 May, 4 days earlier than last spring, the woodcock “VENETO 2” arrived in its breeding area in the Russian-Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk. The exciting monitoring of this wild, only one of the many followed by the ongoing project, was made possible thanks to a tiny satellite transmitter weighing only 9,5 grams placed on the back of the bird in the spring of 2013 on the banks of the Piave river, in the countryside of the province of Treviso. The valuable research is carried out as part of the "Scolopax Overland" project, thanks to the collaboration between the specialist association "Amici di Scolopax", the Department of Biology of the University of Padua, the Company of the Veneto Region - Veneto Agriculture and with the contribution of the Migratory Birdlife Office of Federcaccia.
Already in 2011 the research on the mysteries of migration produced the first results starting right in the Veneto thanks to the woodcock “VENETO 1”, thanks to the sensitivity of the Veneto Region. Three years after the first release in Veneto, this woodcock named “VENETO 3” is offering, thanks to the observation of its migration journeys, invaluable information useful for research and knowledge.
In this spring 2014, for the second consecutive year, it traveled the long migration journey flying over the skies of the entire Western Palearctic for over 6.200 km, reaching for the third time beyond the 101st meridian where it is likely to find its native site. In observing the timing of the trips, it is highlighted that the woodcock, while traveling along different "highways of the sky" and starting about 15 days earlier (March 18) than last season (April 2), reached its destination "almost" in the same week of May (4 days in advance).
Thanks also to the information provided by this adult female woodcock, a precious mosaic of data about the dynamics and timing of migration takes shape, an essential source for an objective and correct knowledge and management of the species. Thanks to those who participated on a voluntary basis allowing the success of the project, and in particular for the Veneto to the hunting friends of the Galzignano (PD) Section and to the friends of Treviso Mario Gemin and Carlo Torresan, who with their commitment do not only personal, have contributed to this success.
Federcaccia Bird Migration Office
(May 21, 2014)
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