Timing of Pre-Nuptial Migration of the Song Thrush Turdus Philomelos in Calabria (Southern Italy)

Muscianese E., Martino G., Sgro P., Scebba S. and Sorrenti M. 2018. Timing of pre-nuptial migration of the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos in Calabria (southern Italy). Ring 40: 19-30.

The European Commission has established that pre-nuptial migration of the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos in Italy begins in the second decade (10-day period) of January. This three-year study was carried out at two localities in the Calabria region of southern Italy from 2012 to 2014, with 3-4 ringing sessions every decade from mid-January to the end of March. In total, 447 birds were captured. Based on catching dynamics and changes in fat load and body mass, we documented that the species’ northward migration took place in mainly March, with early movements in February. As no migratory activity was detected before the second decade of February, the dates of the hunting season in this area can be re-considered.