March has passed

The second half of March on the island of Ponza was characterised by a continuous alternation between periods of intense migratory activity and challenging weather conditions, which often put fieldwork to the test.

After a rather quiet start, with few captures but the first signs of long-distance migrants arriving – including the season’s first willow warbler and tree pipit – conditions gradually improved thanks to more stable weather. During these favourable windows, a clear increase in bird numbers was observed, with daily totals exceeding 150–180 individuals and a strong presence of swallows, common redstarts, and black redstarts. Among the most notable records was the arrival of the first mistle thrush of the season.

The migration peak occurred on 22 March, with over 400 individuals ringed in a single day despite unstable weather conditions. The day was dominated by song thrushes and chiffchaffs, along with new seasonal species such as jack snipe, linnet, and whitethroat.

In the following days, the approach of a strong storm led to a gradual decline in activity, eventually forcing a precautionary closure of the nets due to very strong winds. The storm did hit the island, causing a temporary halt in operations and a marked drop in captures in the days immediately after.

As conditions slowly improved, migration resumed, albeit irregularly. Noteworthy observations included the arrival of the first yellow wagtails, pied flycatchers, and a wryneck, as well as a pleasant surprise in the form of a bluethroat carrying a ring from Prague.

Peaks of activity returned, including another day exceeding 400 individuals, though these were interspersed with quieter periods linked to wind and rain.

Overall, this period clearly highlights the strong influence of weather on migration: phases of intense passage alternated with days of very limited movement, emphasising how ringing work requires constant adaptation and a great deal of patience.