Report from 5 to 7 April 2024

Migration seems to have taken a break: in the first couple of days of my stay there was very little of it in evidence; in particular, the impoundments, which looked ready to host throngs of waders, were basically deserted. It was only on my last day – in fact, my last two hours – that several dozen of each of Greenshank, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Black-winged Stilt appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The complete absence of Common Snipe and Little Ringed Plover is quite surprising at this time of year.

Mallard and Teal numbers are down to a few dozen each, and the very last Garganeys are still passing through. The forty or so Shovelers that have been lingering at La Cassinazza for the last few weeks are still around.

New arrivals included Cuckoo and Purple Heron, while a Short-toed Eagle flew high overhead.

Passerine numbers were also lacklustre, the season’s first Common Redstart the only record of note. One species does seem to be quite in evidence: the Cetti’s Warbler, which can be heard singing from any suitable patch of habitats. We are glad to see it is once again numerous, given the ups and downs it has experienced in recent years.