A week of ringing and retraps

Spring migration has finally kicked into high gear on Ponza. After several days of sunshine and relatively calm weather, birds are now arriving in good numbers and with remarkable variety.

The turning point came on 27 April, with nearly 600 birds ringed, mostly Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and Wood Warblers (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), but also dozens of Golden Orioles (Oriolus oriolus), Whinchats (Saxicola rubetra), and Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster).

Despite the promising weather, the following days (28–30 April) were surprisingly quieter, with daily totals of 180–200 birds, again mainly Wood Warblers (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) and Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). However, highlights included a Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) with a Swedish ring, a Whitethroat (Curruca communis) ringed in Praha, and a Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) bearing an old Italian ring.

On 1 May, the pace picked up again with about 500 birds ringed, most of them Garden Warblers (Sylvia borin). The team also captured a beautiful rufous-morph female Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) and the season’s second Whitethroat (Curruca communis) with a Czech ring.

2 May brought the season’s record day with over 650 birds ringed. Highlights included two foreign retraps (from Praha and Belgrade), a beautiful male Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), and a wide range of species.

Finally, 3 May was another solid migration day with around 450 birds, mostly Garden Warblers (Sylvia borin). The team also ringed the first Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) of the season and a Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) carrying a ring from Prague.

With stable weather and a strong migratory flow, the next days promise to be just as exciting. Stay tuned — migration is in full swing!