The Black Woodpecker is a glacial relict with isolated populations over a fragmented range in pen... more The Black Woodpecker is a glacial relict with isolated populations over a fragmented range in peninsular Italy. Here we present the first census of this species anywhere in Southern Italy. The study was carried out in Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, one of the largest and most important conservation areas in the Mediterranean. The park territory was divided into parcels of 2.5 × 2.5 km and the presence of the Black Woodpecker was assessed using the play-back technique. Other woodpecker species (Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major, Middle Spotted Woodpecker D. medius, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker D. minor and European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis) were also recorded. Environmental features that might explain bird occurrence, such as tree species identity and woodland age, were recorded. Data collected during the survey were used to build the extent of occurrence of the Black Woodpecker in the Cilento Park and to investigate its habitat preferences. The occurrence of t...
Societies as industrialized as ours are, more and less, increasingly polluted. A subtle threat is... more Societies as industrialized as ours are, more and less, increasingly polluted. A subtle threat is given by trace elements, which are considered a major hazard to the environment. However, unlike other sources of pollutions that can be easily detected and that can cause a decline in populations (e.g. poisoning, oil spills), high concentrations of trace elements can cause understated damages. As a matter of fact, while they can rarely cause direct death, they often imply a reduction in fitness and/or a "silent death" which is hardly detectable. Evaluating the health of an ecosystem can be assessed through measuring the concentration of trace elements within the bodies of bio-indicators organisms. Since plants are sessile and accumulate trace elements from their surrounding environment, they can be used to monitor the dynamics of a long period of pollution in a localized area. However, in order to detect pollution in a wider area, it could be useful to use bio-indicators that reflect a larger spatial scale. Non-migratory birds use different sources of food and water within their home range, thus the levels of trace elements in their bodies and in their feathers can reflect the level of toxic elements in their territory and give insight about possible bioaccumulation and/or biomagnification phenomena. In detail, the use of feathers, which are collected from birds captured through mist nets, simplify the research. Birds can excrete trace elements in several tissues, including eggs, but feathers are increasingly used in trace element analysis. In this research, we analyzed concentrations of 6 trace elements (Al, V, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) along a food chain with the Italian Sparrow as the final consumer inside an agricultural area, with industries nearby, next to a lake in Southern Italy (Lago di Conza). In detail, we measured the concentration in the water, the phytoavailability of these elements in the soils, the concentration in both roots and fruits of plants which fall within the sparrow's trophic spectrum, the concentration of animals which are commonly eaten by sparrows during the breeding season (i.e. earthworms, ants, spiders) and within the feathers of juveniles, birds which are moulting from juveniles to adult and adult sparrows. All measurements were performed through ICP-MS. The results highlight that some elements (Cu, Zn and Pb) increase their concentration from water to soil to plants to animals and, noticeably, they strongly bioaccumulate as their concentration is always higher in adult birds than juveniles. The concentration of Cd, instead, decrease from juveniles to moulting birds, but it increases again in adult birds. This suggest some sort of excretion mechanisms in the moult and a later increase during adulthood. Other elements (V and Al) are strongly accumulated in plants' roots, but are no longer present in high concentration further on in the food chain. The preliminary results from our research highlight the importance of monitoring trace elements along the food chain and the relevance of non-migratory, opportunistic birds like the Italian Sparrow to detect particular sources of pollution, especially using different age classes.
Ten SACs/SPAs were monitored between 2009 and 2011, within the the management plan process for th... more Ten SACs/SPAs were monitored between 2009 and 2011, within the the management plan process for the Natura 2000 Network in Molise (southern Italy). Breeding, wintering and migration periods were covered to update the data on bird communities. A total of 229 species were recorded, of which 129 were breeding. Night Heron, Red-rumped Swallow and Crossbill were found breeding for the first time in the Region. Slavonian Grebe, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Gull, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Snow Bunting, and Pine Bunting were observed for the first time. Among scarce or localised breeding and migrant species, we confirmed Collared Flycatcher as breeder, recorded new breeding sites for the Treecreper and a high density of breeding pairs of Tawny Pipit. A relevant issue was the discovering of a mixed syntopic breeding colony of Spanish and Italian Sparrows, for which further study are advisable.
Nel 2010 sono state registrate 574 catture mentre nel 2011 451, con una contrazione nel numero to... more Nel 2010 sono state registrate 574 catture mentre nel 2011 451, con una contrazione nel numero totale di catture di circa il 21%. La contrazione ha interessato soprattutto gli uccelli insettivori, in particolare le specie Capinera, Sterpazzolina, Canapino e Rondine. Le altre specie non hanno dato segni di fluttuazioni negative apprezzabili statisticamente. Le due sessioni di inanellamento hanno consentito di ricavare dati di presenza particolarmente rilevanti per il contesto regionale come l'accertamento della nidificazione della Passera sarda (Passer Hispaniolensis) per la regione Campania. Tale monitoraggio inoltre ha aggiunto nuove specie per l'area oggetto di studio ed aggiornato numerose fenologie, come ad esempio la nidificazione accertata per Torcicollo Jynx torquilla, Rampichino Certhia brachydactyla, Ballerina gialla Motacilla cinerea, Codirosso comune Phoenicurus phoenicurus ed Occhiocotto Sylvia melanocephala; rilevati inoltre alcuni individui in migrazione di Cannaiola Acrocephalus scirpaceus e Forapaglie Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Sono stati raccolti dati sulla presenza di polline nei pressi del becco degli uccelli inanellati e questa è stata riscontata in 3 individui di Capinera Sylvia atricapilla, uno dei quali ricatturato con evidenza di nidificazione. Durante le attività di inanellamento nelle fasi post-riproduttive sono stati elaborati i rapporti J/A per Capinera e Sterpazzolina Sylvia cantillans, catturate con i medesimi transetti per entrambi gli anni. J/A può essere un utile strumento per avere indicazione sugli esiti della nidificazione per l'anno considerato, descrivere la composizione della popolazione nel tempo e trarre consigli di carattere gestionale
Riassunto – Viene presentata l'analisi dell'avifauna di tre laghi Flegrei: Averno, Lucrin... more Riassunto – Viene presentata l'analisi dell'avifauna di tre laghi Flegrei: Averno, Lucrino e Fusaro, effettuata mediante censimenti mensili per tre anni dal 2005 al 2007. I metodi utilizzati sono stati i punti d'ascolto per i passeriformi e il conteggio diretto per i non passeriformi. L'analisi della comu-nità ornitica ha messo in evidenza differenze di utilizzo dei tre laghi da parte delle specie. L'Averno risulta interessante per la presenza di un discreto numero di specie nidificanti. Il lago Fusaro è mag-giormente frequentato durante lo svernamento e risulta idoneo soprattutto per le specie marine. Scarsa la comunità ornitica acquatica del lago Lucrino, negativamente influenzato dalle ridotte dimensioni dello specchio lacustre e dall'intenso traffico veicolare sulle sponde. Parole chiave: avifauna acquatica, indici di comunità, trend di abbondanza. Abstract – Birds of Flegrei Lakes: Averno, Lucrino and Fusaro. Authors show a study about the bird community...
The Black Woodpecker is a glacial relict with isolated populations over a fragmented range in pen... more The Black Woodpecker is a glacial relict with isolated populations over a fragmented range in peninsular Italy. Here we present the first census of this species anywhere in Southern Italy. The study was carried out in Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, one of the largest and most important conservation areas in the Mediterranean. The park territory was divided into parcels of 2.5 × 2.5 km and the presence of the Black Woodpecker was assessed using the play-back technique. Other woodpecker species (Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major, Middle Spotted Woodpecker D. medius, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker D. minor and European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis) were also recorded. Environmental features that might explain bird occurrence, such as tree species identity and woodland age, were recorded. Data collected during the survey were used to build the extent of occurrence of the Black Woodpecker in the Cilento Park and to investigate its habitat preferences. The occurrence of t...
Societies as industrialized as ours are, more and less, increasingly polluted. A subtle threat is... more Societies as industrialized as ours are, more and less, increasingly polluted. A subtle threat is given by trace elements, which are considered a major hazard to the environment. However, unlike other sources of pollutions that can be easily detected and that can cause a decline in populations (e.g. poisoning, oil spills), high concentrations of trace elements can cause understated damages. As a matter of fact, while they can rarely cause direct death, they often imply a reduction in fitness and/or a "silent death" which is hardly detectable. Evaluating the health of an ecosystem can be assessed through measuring the concentration of trace elements within the bodies of bio-indicators organisms. Since plants are sessile and accumulate trace elements from their surrounding environment, they can be used to monitor the dynamics of a long period of pollution in a localized area. However, in order to detect pollution in a wider area, it could be useful to use bio-indicators that reflect a larger spatial scale. Non-migratory birds use different sources of food and water within their home range, thus the levels of trace elements in their bodies and in their feathers can reflect the level of toxic elements in their territory and give insight about possible bioaccumulation and/or biomagnification phenomena. In detail, the use of feathers, which are collected from birds captured through mist nets, simplify the research. Birds can excrete trace elements in several tissues, including eggs, but feathers are increasingly used in trace element analysis. In this research, we analyzed concentrations of 6 trace elements (Al, V, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) along a food chain with the Italian Sparrow as the final consumer inside an agricultural area, with industries nearby, next to a lake in Southern Italy (Lago di Conza). In detail, we measured the concentration in the water, the phytoavailability of these elements in the soils, the concentration in both roots and fruits of plants which fall within the sparrow's trophic spectrum, the concentration of animals which are commonly eaten by sparrows during the breeding season (i.e. earthworms, ants, spiders) and within the feathers of juveniles, birds which are moulting from juveniles to adult and adult sparrows. All measurements were performed through ICP-MS. The results highlight that some elements (Cu, Zn and Pb) increase their concentration from water to soil to plants to animals and, noticeably, they strongly bioaccumulate as their concentration is always higher in adult birds than juveniles. The concentration of Cd, instead, decrease from juveniles to moulting birds, but it increases again in adult birds. This suggest some sort of excretion mechanisms in the moult and a later increase during adulthood. Other elements (V and Al) are strongly accumulated in plants' roots, but are no longer present in high concentration further on in the food chain. The preliminary results from our research highlight the importance of monitoring trace elements along the food chain and the relevance of non-migratory, opportunistic birds like the Italian Sparrow to detect particular sources of pollution, especially using different age classes.
Ten SACs/SPAs were monitored between 2009 and 2011, within the the management plan process for th... more Ten SACs/SPAs were monitored between 2009 and 2011, within the the management plan process for the Natura 2000 Network in Molise (southern Italy). Breeding, wintering and migration periods were covered to update the data on bird communities. A total of 229 species were recorded, of which 129 were breeding. Night Heron, Red-rumped Swallow and Crossbill were found breeding for the first time in the Region. Slavonian Grebe, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Gull, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Snow Bunting, and Pine Bunting were observed for the first time. Among scarce or localised breeding and migrant species, we confirmed Collared Flycatcher as breeder, recorded new breeding sites for the Treecreper and a high density of breeding pairs of Tawny Pipit. A relevant issue was the discovering of a mixed syntopic breeding colony of Spanish and Italian Sparrows, for which further study are advisable.
Nel 2010 sono state registrate 574 catture mentre nel 2011 451, con una contrazione nel numero to... more Nel 2010 sono state registrate 574 catture mentre nel 2011 451, con una contrazione nel numero totale di catture di circa il 21%. La contrazione ha interessato soprattutto gli uccelli insettivori, in particolare le specie Capinera, Sterpazzolina, Canapino e Rondine. Le altre specie non hanno dato segni di fluttuazioni negative apprezzabili statisticamente. Le due sessioni di inanellamento hanno consentito di ricavare dati di presenza particolarmente rilevanti per il contesto regionale come l'accertamento della nidificazione della Passera sarda (Passer Hispaniolensis) per la regione Campania. Tale monitoraggio inoltre ha aggiunto nuove specie per l'area oggetto di studio ed aggiornato numerose fenologie, come ad esempio la nidificazione accertata per Torcicollo Jynx torquilla, Rampichino Certhia brachydactyla, Ballerina gialla Motacilla cinerea, Codirosso comune Phoenicurus phoenicurus ed Occhiocotto Sylvia melanocephala; rilevati inoltre alcuni individui in migrazione di Cannaiola Acrocephalus scirpaceus e Forapaglie Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Sono stati raccolti dati sulla presenza di polline nei pressi del becco degli uccelli inanellati e questa è stata riscontata in 3 individui di Capinera Sylvia atricapilla, uno dei quali ricatturato con evidenza di nidificazione. Durante le attività di inanellamento nelle fasi post-riproduttive sono stati elaborati i rapporti J/A per Capinera e Sterpazzolina Sylvia cantillans, catturate con i medesimi transetti per entrambi gli anni. J/A può essere un utile strumento per avere indicazione sugli esiti della nidificazione per l'anno considerato, descrivere la composizione della popolazione nel tempo e trarre consigli di carattere gestionale
Riassunto – Viene presentata l'analisi dell'avifauna di tre laghi Flegrei: Averno, Lucrin... more Riassunto – Viene presentata l'analisi dell'avifauna di tre laghi Flegrei: Averno, Lucrino e Fusaro, effettuata mediante censimenti mensili per tre anni dal 2005 al 2007. I metodi utilizzati sono stati i punti d'ascolto per i passeriformi e il conteggio diretto per i non passeriformi. L'analisi della comu-nità ornitica ha messo in evidenza differenze di utilizzo dei tre laghi da parte delle specie. L'Averno risulta interessante per la presenza di un discreto numero di specie nidificanti. Il lago Fusaro è mag-giormente frequentato durante lo svernamento e risulta idoneo soprattutto per le specie marine. Scarsa la comunità ornitica acquatica del lago Lucrino, negativamente influenzato dalle ridotte dimensioni dello specchio lacustre e dall'intenso traffico veicolare sulle sponde. Parole chiave: avifauna acquatica, indici di comunità, trend di abbondanza. Abstract – Birds of Flegrei Lakes: Averno, Lucrino and Fusaro. Authors show a study about the bird community...
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