We provide a check-list of Italian birds with major emphasis on the phenological categorization of each taxon, following the approach and updating the results of an analogous list previously published (Brichetti & Massa, 1998). In this list we based on the IOC World Bird List (Gill & Donsker, 2015) for nomenclature, species sequence and higher level taxonomy (from genus to order). This compilation takes into account the decisions made by the Italian Ornithological Commission (COI) and includes 548 species, recorded in Italy until the end of 2014.

International audienceTo predict the impact of climate change over the whole species distribution range, comparison of adult survival variations over large spatial scale is of primary concern for long-lived species populations that are particularly susceptible to decline if adult survival is reduced. In this study, we estimated and compared adult survival rates between 1989 and 1997 of six populations of Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) spread across 4600km using capture–recapture models. We showed that mean annual adult survival rates are different among populations along a longitudinal gradient and between sexes. Variation in adult survival is synchronized among populations, with three distinct groups: (1) both females and males of Corsica, Tremiti, and Selvagem (annual survival range 0.88–0.96); (2) both females and males of Frioul and females from Crete (0.82–0.92); and (3) both females and males of Malta and males from Crete (0.74– 0.88). The total variation accounted for by the common pattern of variation is on average 71%, suggesting strong environmental forcing. At least 61% of the variation in survival is explained by the Southern Oscillation Index fluctuations. We suggested that Atlantic hurricanes and storms during La Nin˜ a years may increase adult mortality for Cory's shearwater during winter months. For long-lived seabird species, variation in adult survival is buffered against environmental variability, although extreme climate conditions such as storms significantly affect adult survival. The effect of climate at large spatial scales on adult survival during the nonbreeding period may lead to synchronization of variation in adult survival over the species' range and has large effects on the meta-population trends. One can thus worry about the future of such long-lived seabirds species under the predictions of higher frequency of extreme large-scale climatic events

Climate change is affecting the phenology of seasonal events in Europe and the Northern Hemisphere, as shown by several studies of birds' timing of migration and reproduction. Here, we analyse the long-term (1982-2006) trends of first arrival dates of four long-distance migratory birds [swift (Apus apus), nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), and house martin (Delichon urbicum)] and first egg laying dates of two migrant (swift, barn swallow) and two resident species [starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Italian sparrow (Passer italiae)] at a study site in northern Italy. We also addressed the effects of local weather (temperature and precipitation) and a climate index (the North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO) on the interannual variability of phenological events. We found that the swift and the barn swallow significantly advanced both arrival and laying dates, whereas all other species did not show any significant temporal trend in either arrival or laying date. The earlier arrival of swifts was explained by increasing local temperatures in April, whereas this was not the case for arrival dates of swallows and first egg laying dates of both species. In addition, arrival dates of house martins were earlier following high NAO winters, while nightingale arrival was earlier when local spring rainfall was greater. Finally, Italian sparrow onset of reproduction was anticipated by greater spring rainfall, but delayed by high spring NAO anomalies, and swift's onset of reproduction was anticipated by abundant rainfall prior to reproduction. There were no significant temporal trends in the interval between onset of laying and arrival in either the swift or the barn swallow. Our findings therefore indicate that birds may show idiosyncratic responses to climate variability at different spatial scales, though some species may be adjusting their calendar to rapidly changing climatic conditions.

Riassunto -Storicamente, i primi casi di nidificazione di Cigno reale (Cygnus olor) in Italia sono stati accertati in Lombardia e Piemonte negli anni '60-'70 del secolo scorso, in seguito ad introduzioni iniziate negli anni '30-'40 nelle parti svizzere di alcuni laghi lombardi e continuate nei decenni successivi. La popolazione nidificante risulta attualmente concentrata nelle regioni settentrionali, dal Piemonte orientale alla fascia costiera alto-adriatica, dove si riproduce quasi il 90 % della popolazione nazionale; presenze più frammentate in Liguria, Trentino-Alto Adige, Toscana, Umbria, Lazio, Basilicata e Sardegna. All'inizio degli anni '80 del secolo scorso erano state stimate 20-35 coppie nidificanti in meno di 15 siti; di queste, l'80% si trovava in Piemonte e Lombardia. Le coppie sono aumentate a 25-45 nel 1987, poi a 300-500 nei primi anni del 2000, ed attualmente a 500-700 in oltre 150 siti, con un aumento di oltre il 900% rispetto ai valori iniziali. Questi dati confermano la fase di incremento ed espansione territoriale nota a livello europeo negli ultimi decenni. La colonizzazione di molti siti riproduttivi, localizzati in prevalenza nelle regioni settentrionali, è dovuta alla formazione di nuclei svernanti, cui fa seguito la formazione di coppie riproduttrici. Tale fenomeno ha interessato, seppur in misura più limitata, anche le regioni centro-meridionali, dove le osservazioni sono andate aumentando negli ultimi due decenni. Il Cigno reale nidifica a coppie isolate o localmente raggruppate in forma coloniale in zone umide naturali o artificiali, anche di modesta estensione, preferibilmente dal livello del mare fino a 300 m, con un'altitudine massima di 970 m s.l.m., rilevata in Trentino.Parole chiave: Cigno reale, distribuzione, consistenza, evoluzione, Italia. Abstract: Distribution, abundance and trend of the breeding population of Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, in Italy in the years 1980-2012.Historically, the first Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) nesting cases in Italy were found in Lombardy and Piedmont in the '60s-'70s of the last century, as a result of introductions started in the '30s-'40s in the Swiss parts of some lakes of Lombardy and continued in the following decades. At present, 90% of the breeding population of Mute Swan in Italy is located in the Northern regions, from Eastern Piedmont to the Northern Adriatic coast; smaller numbers are present in Liguria, TrentinoAlto Adige, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Basilicata e Sardinia. In the early '80s there were 20-35 pairs in less than 15sites, 80% of them in Piedmont and Lombardy; the numbers increased to 25-45 in 1987, 300-500 in the early 2000s. At present, there are 300-700 pairs, in more than 150 sites, with a more than 900% increase. The colonization of many sites, mainly located in the northern regions, is due to the repeated presence of wintering birds, which was followed by the formation of breeding pairs; this phenomenon has also affected, although to a lesser extent, the central and southern regions, where observations in non-reproductive pe...

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