Report from 3 to 6 May, 2024

With the arrival of the Pied Flycatcher, Bonelli’s Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby and Honey Buzzard the ranks of spring migrants are now complete. The Savi’s Warbler continues to sing, even more lustily now. At this point, it is safe to assume if is not a lingering migrant but a territorial bird hoping to breed. Many pairs of Common Terns have already laid eggs, and my annual battle of wits with the Hooded Crows that predate their nests is back on. Most days, several Black Terns have been keeping the Common Terns company, and were even joined by a Whiskered Tern one day. As I was watching them, an extreme rarity made a brief pass, a species so outlandish it is only of interest to the most fanatical birdwatchers. It streaked across the sky and disappeared, leaving me no chance to photograph or document it. La Cassinazza has no suitable habitat for it.

Of greater local interest was a sighting of a pair of Great Bitterns flying low over the reedbed, then dropping down together. This behaviour suggests a breeding pair, and this would be a most welcome return after an absence of several year.

Not too long ago, the Pygmy Cormorant wasn’t even a part of the Italian avifauna. It eventually established a foothold here, and has continued to expand. Our first sighting at La Cassinazza was big news, but it is now a breeding resident and is such a routine sight that it no longer rates a mention in our weekly reports.