A Week of Real Migration: From Easter calm to the First Big Waves

After weeks of unstable weather, the past few days at Ponza finally brought signs of real spring migration. Despite a still uncertain start around Easter, the overall trend has been clearly positive, with the first big arrivals and an increasing diversity of species.

The week began with cloudy skies but relatively calm conditions, allowing a good number of birds to be ringed, especially whitethroats (Curruca communis) and garden warblers (Sylvia borin). Notable early highlights included the first icterine warbler (Hippolais icterina) of the season and a handsome male cuckoo (Cuculus canorus).

As the weather stabilised, so did the numbers: on 21 April, around 500 birds were ringed, making it the best day of the season so far, dominated by pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and whitethroats (Curruca communis). This wave also brought the first nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), a highly anticipated seasonal arrival.

The midweek was marked by a return of the westerly winds, which typically mean fewer birds, but still some key species like wrynecks (Jynx torquilla), wood warblers (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), and the first bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) appeared, signalling the advance of the more southern migrants.

The real explosion came again towards the weekend: on 26 April, a drop in the wind triggered a sudden influx of migrants, with another 500 birds ringed, mostly concentrated in a few intense afternoon hours. Pied flycatchers, wood warblers, wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe), golden orioles (Oriolus oriolus) and bee-eaters dominated the scene, bringing a truly springlike atmosphere to the island.

In short, after a hesitant start, spring migration has finally shifted gear: the nets are again busy, the diversity is growing, and Ponza is once again showing its role as a key stopover site for thousands of migratory birds.With the weather now more stable, we can look forward to even more exciting arrivals!