Last April, at theUniversity of Milan, graduated with a three-year degree in Natural Sciences, Dr. Andrew Bettoni presenting the final paper entitled: "Intra-seasonal variations of autumn-winter relative abundance estimates of woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) in some Italian regions". The thesis, which had as supervisor Professor Diego Rubolini, also coordinator of the research of FIdC Lombardia on Cesena, and as co-rapporteur Dr. Michael Sorrenti, was drawn up by analyzing the results of the hunting diaries and the “Temporeale” application for three consecutive seasons, 2015-16-, 2016-17, 2017-18.
Research data Federcaccia-Friends of Scolopax they have been related to the sighting indices coming from the Italian ornithological portal “Ornitho”, in which the sightings made throughout Italy by professional and amateur ornithologists converge. The aim was to test the reliability of the two methods to mutually validate the results.
Although it is only three years, and without going into the merits of the statistical correlations, it has been shown that the two methods effectively investigate the evolution of the presences during the hunting season in the regions considered, and that therefore the hunting diaries and the application "Real time" they are reliable tools to follow the phenology of the species in Italy. Congratulations and best wishes from to the new doctor a professional future full of satisfaction by the Federcaccia and, we are sure, by all hunters. We remain satisfied, in addition to having contributed to the achievement of this result, of having seen the validity of our studies recognized once again in the academic field, the result of the collaboration and commitment of many volunteer hunters.