Start of autumn migration 2018
Newsletter 27/09/2017
The autumn migration of our wild Northern Bald Ibises has begun with a true highlight: This year, the female “Camillo” from the generation 2015 returned from the wintering area to her breeding area in Burghausen (Bavaria) for the first time. She hasn´t bred yet, as she´s still too young. But on September 22nd, she started to fly back towards south, and six (!) juvenile Northern Bald Ibises of the current breeding season followed her.
On September 22nd, the first flight stage of 170 km led the group across the Alps to Lienz (East Tyrol). On the following day, the birds flew to Venice (210 km). On September 24th, the majority of the group managed to fly the longest flight stage over 215 km, crossing the Padano Plain and the Apennine, and to arrive north of Florence. During this flight, one of the young birds lost contact to the rest of the group and was left behind near Venice. On September 25th, the group of birds flew the remaining 170 km to the wintering area, the WWF Oasi Laguna di Orbetello. Unfortunately, one of the young birds died at the last stopover site due to electrocution.
But the overall outcome is nevertheless positive: Never before has a single Northern Bald Ibis led so many juvenile birds in such a short time over the entire migration route to the safe wintering area. With an average flight distance of 195 km and a maximum of 215 km, the total distance of 780 km (starting from Krimml/Salzburg) was flown within four days without a break.
On the same day as the group around Camillo, two further Northern Bald Ibises arrived in the wintering area. The juvenile bird that was left behind in Venice was already captured by Daniela. It has a small injury at the beak and was quite exhausted. After a veterinary check-up it was released in the wintering area. It was able to learn the most important part of the route towards south and will be able to complete the rest of it. Thus, a total of eight Northern Bald Ibises arrived in Tuscany within one day, five of which are juveniles born and raised in the wild. This was a good day for our project!
A further 23 Northern Bald Ibises are currently still north of the Alps. We assume that they will also depart within the next few days.
Picture (M Unsöld): Young Northern Bald Ibises in flight.
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