Wind of change

This week on the island of Ponza, the weather put our work to the test. Strong easterly winds often forced us to close some of the nets on the most challenging days, reducing the number of captures. However, there were calmer moments that allowed us to observe a good number of birds and record some interesting seasonal highlights.

Beyond the wind, the weather remained unstable, with rain alternating with clear spells. Nevertheless, the sunnier days brought a resurgence in migratory activity, leading to an increase in the number of birds captured, peaking at over 100 individuals in a single day (19th of March).

The most frequently recorded species included Common Redstarts and Subalpine Warblers, particularly the Eastern Subalpine Warbler. However, other noteworthy arrivals were also observed. This week, we recorded the first Nightingale of the season and the first Tree Pipit, clear signs that the spring migration is gaining momentum. A particularly exciting event was the season's first foreign recovery (21 March): a Common Chiffchaff from Malta, highlighting the strong connections between migration routes across the Mediterranean.

Click on the image below to watch a video of the foreign-ringed bird.

An intriguing aspect of this week was the presence of Subalpine Warblers, a group of birds that has undergone a taxonomic revision in recent years, leading to their division into three distinct species: Moltoni's Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, and Eastern Subalpine Warbler. On Ponza, we mainly observe the Eastern Subalpine Warbler, but individuals of the other two species also occur. Their identification can be tricky and requires a detailed analysis of the tail feathers (Eastern on the left, Western on the right), a fascinating reminder of the complexity and diversity of nature.

Despite the challenges, this week’s balance is positive: migration is in full swing, arrivals are increasing, and the weather conditions seem to promise more stable days ahead. Now, we can only wait and see what surprises the coming week will bring.

Stay tuned!