OUR HISTORY
The Migration Research Center was opened in 2002 on the Island of Ponza, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western Italian coast. The Center is currently engaged in the 'Small Islands Project' and conducts also research in collaboration with the University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna (Austria), the University of Ferrara (Italy), the Max Planck Institute of Ornithology (Germany) and the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences of the University of Tuscia in Viterbo (Italy).
Ringing activities are carried out according to the main purposes of scientific research on the ecophysiology and phenology of bird migration. The data is also used to monitor the status and trends of migrating European bird populations and to assess the impact of climate change on bird migration.
The Research Center also acts as a platform for communication and dissemination of the basic principles for nature conservation.
The qualified staff of the Center also offers educational activities for primary and secondary school visits, but also training courses for university students from different countries. The visits include a practical demonstration of the ringing activity and explanations of the importance of scientific research and environmental protection.
The center's activities are 90% on a voluntary basis and most of the costs are guaranteed by donations.
THE SMALL ISLANDS PROJECT
The Small Islands Project (PPI) was launched in 1988 by Dr Fernando Spina and the National Institute for Wild Fauna (formerly INFS), now the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research. The Project aims to analyze the different characteristics of the spring migration of birds across the Mediterranean Sea, which constitutes a vast ecological barrier between Africa and Europe.
Started as an Italian initiative, the PPI soon involved several islands and coastal sites scattered throughout the central-western area of the Mediterranean Sea.
The main objective of the PPI is to monitor the migratory routes and phenology of the seasonal movements of numerous species (especially passerines), paying particular attention to long-distance migratory birds that spend the winter in sub-Saharan areas.
Furthermore, since the fragile ecosystem of the Mediterranean islands is strongly threatened, the project also aims to analyze the functional role the islands assume towards the birds that stop there. This can be understood thanks to the study of the physiological conditions of animals during the various phases of the transition to Europe.
A more detailed description of the monitoring activities is available in PPI Instruction Manual.
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RINGING FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES
The study of bird migration has made great strides in the last century thanks to the bird ringing activity. The data and information thus obtained are useful both for research and for management purposes. Individual bird analysis facilitates studies of bird dispersal and migration, social structure and behaviour, longevity and survival rates, reproductive success, and population growth of birds.
The ringing activity consists of applying an aluminium ring on the leg of the captured animal, on which an identification alphanumeric code and the address of the central reference institute of the issuing nation have been engraved. This means that, in which case a dead specimen is found, the ring must be sent back to the address indicated, specifying the date and place of discovery. Analysis of the recapture/haunting of recorded rings provides important information about the routes, wintering areas, migration speed and maximum age reached by birds in the wild. There are currently ten different ring sizes, depending on the size of the paws.
Birds are captured using a standardized system of nets called mist-nets. These networks operate from sunrise to sunset and are checked every hour, depending on the weather conditions. Each captured specimen receives a ring and various parameters such as age, sex, biometric measurements and physiological conditions such as fat accumulation and the size of the pectoral muscles are detected for each individual. All the information collected is recorded in a special database developed by ISPRA.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HEADQUARTERS
The Ponza Research Center has been active since 2006, and is responsible for studying the migration of birds in close collaboration with the Ponza Ringing Station. Several partners support the Ponza Research Center: the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology and the Department of Cognitive Biology in Vienna (Austria), the Max Planck Ornithology Institute in Seewiesen (Germany) and the University of Ferrara (Italy) .
Bird migration is still one of the least known natural phenomena. Just before departure, migratory birds increase their body mass to be able to face the long flight crossing large ecological barriers such as the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea. During these long flights, migratory birds use up a large part of their energy reserves, and for this reason they spend about 80% of their migration time in the stop-over sites where they rest from the long journey and accumulate new energy to continue their migration. For that reason, the study of bird behavior in stop-over sites is essential in order to understand the secrets of bird migration.
Ponza represents an important stop-over site for small migratory birds heading towards northern European nesting districts, and more than 20,000 birds are captured in the Ponza Ringing Station during the two months of the project. For this, the researchers in Ponza can count on a large number of birds for the study of migration. Working with birds in the wild during their long journey allows us to study the factors regulating migration strategies and to explore the metabolic and physiological mechanisms that underlie bird migration. Even today, the physiological mechanisms that regulate bird migration are largely unknown. Until now, the Ponza Research Center has greatly contributed to expanding our knowledge on bird migration, through numerous publications in several international scientific journals.
THE PARTNERS
The Ponza Research Center has been active since 2006 and is responsible for studying the migration of birds in close collaboration with the Ponza Ringing Station. Several partners support the Ponza Research Centre, including the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, the University of Vienna, and the Max Planck Institute of Ornithology in Seewiesen (Germany).
Ponza represents an important stop-over site for small migratory birds heading towards northern European nesting districts, and more than 20,000 birds were captured in the Ponza Ringing Station during the two months of the project. For this, the researchers in Ponza can count on a large number of birds for the study of migration. Working with birds in the wild during their long journey allows us to study the factors regulating migration strategies and to explore the metabolic and physiological mechanisms that underlie bird migration. Even today, the physiological mechanisms that regulate bird migration are largely unknown. Up to now, the Ponza Research Center has greatly contributed to expanding our knowledge on bird migration, through numerous publications in several international scientific journals.
Since June 2016 we have received the patronage of the
Municipality of Ponza (LT)!
Patronage represents a symbolic form of adhesion and an expression of appreciation by the Municipality for initiatives deemed worthy.
The activities carried out by CISCA and, initially, by the ringing station, are of relevance for the Ponza area. In addition to having a direct impact on the community and local commercial activities, the activities of scientific interest carried out highlight even more the peculiarity island environment.
Such recognition is a source of pride for us and we sincerely thank the Municipality of Ponza!
