Report of the 24 July 2022

I was away from La Cassinazza most of the week: an issue I had to deal with at home and the temperatures near 40 degrees conspired to keep me away. I was only able to visit today, and just for a few hours. The drought is hitting hard: the meadows and undergrowth are dry, the soil is dust covered in dry leaves, and mature trees, regardless of the species, are also suffering. In addition to the cicadas, the only songs to be heard were those of the Golden Oriole and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. For the first time this summer I did not hear a single Cuckoo, and I presume they have left.

The heronry is alive with the calls of adult herons and the cries of their chicks. It continues to expand, with new Night Heron and Cattle Egret nests on some willow bushes that were empty last week.

Parental care in herons is a lively affair, with much fluttering of wings and crossing of bills (which are as sharp as a dagger, and should be handled with care). One could easily believe they were looking at a family feud instead of tender loving care.