Report from 17 to 20 April

After several excessively summer-like days, we whiplashed back into wintery weather, with temperatures close to freezing and high winds that knocked down numerous trees at La Cassinazza.

Among the many waders that came and went were a Common Redshank, a Marsh Sandpiper, and a Whimbrel. The first is uncommon but regular here, the second is a bona-fide rarity, and the Whimbrel is only the third record here, although they all came in the last twelve months. This week saw many other new arrivals: Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Pochard, Alpine Swift, Sand Martin, and Turtle Dove. An Osprey made a brief appearance and was immediately chased off by the local Buzzards. A dozen Common Terns have settled into the colony, fighting, chasing each other, and calling harshly as the males court the females by bringing them minnows.

The Savi’s Warbler is still reeling from the reedbed, and rather lustily at that. I have not yet been able to have a proper look at it, but I recorded the song and I have it on good authority that my identification is correct.

The Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are notable for their absence.

It is only the start of the breeding season, but the Sacred Ibis have already taken the heronry by storm. It’s hard to imagine a more gregarious species; if this is only the beginning, then there won’t me any room left for the other herons to nest.