The second online study day under Action C6 took place on September 24th, replacing the visits organized as part of the first and second internships in Italy (which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) for the exchange of experiences between Italian and French experts.
During the meeting, Cecilia Tucci and Davide Senserini presented the activities carried out within the Bieri Wildlife Center (restoration of some aviaries, restoration of hatching rooms, purchase of incubators) and the breeding methods applied: artificial incubation, semi-natural brooding using light-weight hens, and natural ground brooding by pairs of Italian partridges in specially constructed pens.
Furthermore, the phenotypic selection activities of Italian partridge breeders were illustrated based on reference models consisting of historical museum specimens and the description of the subspecies as carried out by Hartert in 1917.
Another topic discussed was the experimental anti-predator training technique implemented at the Bieri farm. Two approaches were used: one aimed at stimulating the chicks' anti-predator response towards foxes (using a specially stuffed fox) and the other aimed at inducing a response in partridges in pre-acclimatization aviaries towards diurnal birds of prey (using a buzzard trained by a trained fox). falcon(yesterday).
Valter Trocchi and Daniel Tramontana then provided a general overview of all the preparatory activities completed under Actions B1 and C3, aimed at the acclimatization and reintroduction of Italian partridges to the Mezzano site. They described the acclimatization structures (electric fences, aviaries, feeding stations, and environmental furnishings) and the phases of their implementation. They also explored the release methods and the measures implemented to reduce mortality in the initial phases following release.
The meeting, which also included video contributions from the speakers, was well attended and appreciated by the French experts, who also asked questions and shared their experiences on the subject, thus sparking a constructive debate that will contribute to the success of the project.
taken from lifeperdix.eu
