Report from 10 to 13 April 2024

Several months ago, the Wels’ Catfish that were plaguing the lake were removed, and immediately thereafter the Little Grebes returned. There are at least two territorial pairs now, perhaps three, and even a Great Crested Grebe has decided to explore. Both these species had abandoned the lake due to the presence of these large predatory fish.
Wader numbers ebb and flow: Common Greenshanks topped out at 50, Ruff at 65, Wood Sandpipers at a hundred or so, Green Sandpipers at 30, at Black-winged Stilts at a meagre 15.

The Shovelers decided it was time for them to leave, as did the last few Garganey.

Newly-arrived migrants included Black Tern, Hoopoe, Common Sandpiper, and a rare Savi’s Warbler, detected thanks to its distinctive reeling song coming from the reedbed.

Another new development this week concerns the appearance of eight Egyptian Geese. In the past I would have certainly considered them escapes from a zoo or a private collection. Now, however, the Egyptian Goose appears on the official Italian checklist as an established exotic, and in spite of myself I must accept them as a legitimate member of our avifauna. After a long spell of rain, the butterflies are finally on the wing. So far I have seen ten species, including the beautiful Scarce Swallowtail and the Painted Lady, a long-distance migrant that crossed the Mediterraean on its way from Africa. A few early dragonflies were also out, the Lesser Emperor (Anax partenope) and a Sympetrum that I was unable to identify.