Author: Violetta

With a sudden turnaround, the weather gods gave us clear, sunny days – with a few exceptions, of course – culminating in spring-like afternoons, during which the year’s first butterflies took to the wing: the Red Admiral, Peacock, and Brimstone. Great Tits have begun to sing, and Magpies are fixing up last year’s nests. Other birds – especially Blackbirds, Reed Buntings, and Siskins – have suddenly become much more numerous and noisy; perhaps they are already on the move. Still, I will bestow the official title of the year’s first migrants on the seven Ruff that arrived mid-week, beating out a flock of 15 Green Sandpipers by just a couple of days. The handful of Dunlin associating with Lapwings that we have been seeing at La Cassinazza since November wintered locally. During my walks I often run into Great Bitterns. I think there are at least three individuals around, each with its own well-defined territory.

Moorhens are so common that we take them for granted. In winter, large numbers concentrate around the main house and the courtyard, but we still barely acknowledge their presence.

La Cassinazza remained shrouded in fog for much of the week. Under these conditions, birdwatching is reduced to seeing shadows and hearing calls and wingbeats. Late winter is when the number and variety of birds bottoms out, and there is no migration to speak of. On top of all this, the weather was cold and humid. Still, my enthusiasm at finally being outside after two weeks in Covid quarantine was not diminished one bit. But I don’t have much to report.  There were several close encounters with Great Bitterns. Their proverbial wariness, mimetic plumage, and the fog meant that they always saw me before I saw them, flushing when I was only a few meters away. Marsh Harriers are notable for their absence. Until a few years ago, the reedbed at La Cassinazza hosted a winter roost of ten to twenty individuals. The Wild Boars have now taken over the reedbed – and other habitats as well – and the Marsh Harriers are gone. Like every year, the first hazel blossoms signal the beginning of the new cycle of seasons.  Waterfowl numbers remain high. While the Mallards came and went this year, the Teal have remained faithful to La Cassinazza, their numbers fluctuating between 700 and 1000.