Report from 5 to 6 October 2024

As some species arrive, others leave: their seasonal movements are well known and occur predictably year after year. These reports of mine reflect this, and it would not be too hard for someone to imagine that I copy them from years past. With the start of the hunting season, increasing numbers of Teal and Mallards crowd into La Cassinazza’s safe haven. As October starts, the Hobbies have left us, while several characteristic species of winter have arrived: Great Bittern, Wigeon, Gadwall, Wren, Goldcrest and Firecrest. Chiffchaffs have become numerous, while a fair number of Willow Warblers can still be heard calling.

The most conspicuous species of all is the Robin. They have only recently arrived, and are loudly challenging one another as they skirmish over the best wintering territories.