Wintering passerines in the Oasi Stagni Urbani Fano (Province of Pesaro and Urbino, Italy)

In winter 2006-2007 a project aimed at monitoring little passerines wintering winthin the “Stagni Urbani” Wildlife Protection Area of Fano - along the Metauro River - was carried out. The recorded data refer to 7 ringing sessions which were held from 3rd December 2006 to 17th February 2007. In each session vertical 4-pocket mist-nets were used. The nets were arranged in 4 tiers, each one positioned in a different type of environment. In total, the nets were 144 mt long. On each activity day the nets were opened one hour before dawn and birds were caught for at least 3 hours. Biometrical surveys were carried out on each bird according to EURING. The ringing total was 291 birds, of 236 different speciments and 21 species. Retraps of 9 species (Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, European Greenfinch) show that the area was used as a wintering site. The most representative species to be caught are: Great Tit 16.1%, Blackcap 12.3%, Robin 11.4% and European Greenfinch 11.0%. Cetti’s Warbler is the species which recorded the highest retraps from the same site/total traps ratio (62.1%).