The controversial study
A press release appeared on the LIPU website a few days ago which refers to a study on the start dates pre-nuptial migration of various bird species, which would have been carried out by Professor Ambrosini of the University of Milan through the analysis of data from the Ornitho.it portal. Given that the press release and the attached document do not constitute a scientific article or a university report, the method of Prof. Ambrosini has already been analyzed by the undersigned Office with a press release dated 11 October 2023. To summarize: the method used presents numerous a priori assumptions that make the results unreliable, for example: the increase in reports in the cells is attributed to pre-nuptial migration, despite the fact that winter movements of birds are known for numerous other non-migratory causes (erratism for climatic/food reasons, dispersion, winter itinerancy, seasonal nomadism, secondary winter movements, etc.).
Ringing data
Furthermore, the direction of flight is unknown, which in January, February and March can be contrary to the pre-nuptial movement, as demonstrated by ringing data and satellite telemetry. Furthermore, the date selected in the scientific article to separate the post-nuptial migration from the pre-nuptial one was November 30, a completely incorrect assumption, since it is known that the post-nuptial migration continues until December and there are North-South movements also in January, February and even March, depending on the species.
Satellite telemetry
Beyond the reference to the rock partridge, which LIPU now includes among the migrants that begin their migration in February (sic), there are other "pearls", such as the snipe and the woodcock, which would begin their pre-nuptial migration from 21 December when telemetry clarifies that the arrival at the wintering sites still occurs in various cases in the same month, especially following the well-known "waves of frost". In short, LIPU announces a "political" document with the intent of further anticipating the start dates of bird migration for Italy, which in truth the Commission has already highlighted as being too early compared to those of all other EU states. Federcaccia will send a summary of the scientific work to the institutions to adequately refute and clarify this further instrumental ideological position to which LIPU has long accustomed us (source: FIDC).