Report from 5 to 7 June

This week’s guest of honour was a flock of Pochards, five drakes and one hen. This diving duck finds little suitable habitat in the shallow waters of La Cassinazza, and they never stay long.

An unfortunate event absorbed all of our attention: one of the White Storks that breed locally had an accident. It was noticed by some passers-by, who initiated a cascade of phone calls that eventually reached the Provincial Police. Together with one of their officers, and in front of concerned audience comprising half of the local village – all of six people – we managed to rescue the injured animal and take it to a wildlife hospital. Unfortunately, the injury is too serious, and the stork will never be able to fly again. There was quite a moving moment when the White Stork’s partner, which was watching the scene from atop their nest, flew in circles over the injured bird, calling to it. This was followed by a farewell ceremony with much bill clattering, before the healthy bird returned to the nest to care for the chicks. It brought tears to the eyes of some in the audience.

The butterfly family Pieridae, also known as Whites and Sulphurs, comprises many, often look-alike species. Of the species that occur at La Cassinazza, the Eastern Bath White (Pontia edusa, also known as Pieris edusa) is the least common.