Garda Ornithological Observatory Resumes Bird Migration Research in Lombardy
The Garda Ornithological Observatory has been reborn after half a century of inactivity. It was restored on Monte Spino by the Regional Agriculture Department, utilizing the expertise of the Regione Lombardia Forest Company of Gargnano. The ancient passerine bird banding station has resumed operation, where birds will be marked and released so they can be tracked during their migration across endless spaces.
Scientific Activities and History of the Observatory
The University of Milano-Bicocca provides scientific consulting with a constant presence, and the National Institute of Wild Fauna of Bologna coordinates its activities as a reference point for all Italian ornithological observatories. The unique research, conceived and implemented for the first time in Europe in the Danish town of Viborg by ornithologist Mortensen, dates back to 1899.
Within a few years, new observers and banding centers followed this example, spreading across various European nations, and a station was established on Garda at the urging and passion of the Salò resident Dr. Antonio Duse, located at the Spino pass in the eponymous mountain hut, now renovated by the Region. It was August 15, 1929, when Dr. Duse taught his nephew, then fourteen years old, Vittorio Pirlo, how to band the first captured bird.
Antonio Duse is among the most interesting and illustrious figures of Garda society in the early 20th century: chief of the Salò hospital, he was D’Annunzio’s personal doctor. He dedicated his free time to bird trapping without neglecting significant cultural initiatives, such as authoring the books “The Migration of Birds” and “Benacense Birdlife,” and eventually founding the Garda Observatory.
Resumption of Activities and Facilities
“In homage to his foresight and decision to continue Mortensen’s Danish experience, the Region will name the Spino Observatory after Dr. Antonio Duse,” says Dr. Vittorio Vigorita of the Department of Agriculture, who promoted the renewal of studies on bird migrations. Recently, he returned to Spino to review and finalize the last details.
He was accompanied by Enrico Boscaini, responsible for the estate of the Company; Lorenzo Fornasari, scientific manager of the research on behalf of the University; and Vittorio Pirlo, president of the University of Salò and keeper of the memory of the long-standing ornithological work carried out there.
The observatory can be reached from Gaino village via a mule track that follows the valley of the Camerate. Mr. Pirlo handed over approximately fifteen logbooks to the regional team, in which all observed birds over Duse’s 30 years of activity were recorded.
Last week at Spino, nine chiffchaffs and a blackcap were captured and banded. An aluminum ring was attached to each, inscribed with “Infs Ozzano.Bo.Italy,” followed by a letter and a recognition number. The abbreviation stands for the National Institute of Wild Fauna, based in Ozzano, Bologna.
Before release, each bird was recorded, noting its species, sex, age (determined by the stage of wing feather mutation), wing length, tail, tarsus, and beak measurements, along with weight and fat reserves.
On the Spino clearing, following the advice of local ornithologist Alessandro Micheli of the Benacense Faunal Coordination, a 12-meter by 3.60-meter net has been set up, which will remain until next winter under the supervision of university staff. The net, placed on the “pass” of the ancient roost, acts as an invisible trap for exhausted birds attempting to cross the pass to reach the opposite slope and rest.
The spring migration is underway, bringing birds back to their breeding grounds. “We have renewed this work intensively,” Vigorita concluded, “70 years after Duse’s founding, placing ourselves at the forefront in Lombardy with 30% of all Italian bandings. We plan to establish an ornithological museum and an educational center for school groups and tourists in the renovated facilities by the Region.”