AAA. Hobson – May 2024
Isotopes’ research on the origins of Woodpigeons crossing Italian peninsula in autumn: updating discussion on aggressive criticism and true “evidence based”results.
Ricerca con isotopi sulle origini dei Colombacci che attraversano la penisola Italiana durante la migrazione: aggiornamento di discussione sulle critiche aggressive e sui reali risultati “evidence based”.
Enrico Cavina
Editor IJWR
- SUMMARY
L’Autore del presente articolo propose in ambito associativo (Club Italiano del Colombaccio – CIC) la specifica Ricerca in collaborazione con Keith Hobson già nel 2013 dopo che Hobson aveva pubblicato analoga Ricerca in Francia (2009). Così nacque il così detto “Progetto Hobson” ma la promozione, programmazione, realizzazione e standardizzazione di data-base (Vasco Feligetti – CIC) su 550 capi raccolti selezionati, elaborazione ed analisi dei dati isotopici si sono sviluppati in 9 anni, anche tra gravi polemiche, incomprensioni, critiche pretestuose, di travaglio associativo prima di giungere ora ad un “preliminary report” che nel mese di maggio 2024 ha raccolto questo straordinario risultato: Google Search, con semplici parole chiave: “Common Woodpigeons Research papers 2023”, su 64.900 citazioni mette al primo posto della lista il Lavoro firmato Hobson.
Statistical survey on the “origins” of the common Wood pigeon during the transit-migration of autumn 2021 in Italy – https://journal.
Ci sembra doveroso sottolineare subito: il primo risultato scientifico del Progetto Hobson (2013 – 23) è l’impact-factor di Google che lo pone al primo posto su 64.900 papers/Links scientifici raccolti nel 2023 per la Ricerca su Columba palumbus.
Questa inequivocabile documentazione di “impact-factor Google” dovrebbe far tacere ogni critica pretestuosa (così come discutiamo nel Testo che segue) anche nei termini di una dettagliata analisi culturale da noi prodotta (2024).
L’articolo che segue si adegua a puntualizzare come la Ricerca Scientifica, pur svolta in termini di Citizen Science connessa a Ricerca Istituzionale (Hobson ed il sui Team), può raggiungere importanti traguardi di impact-factor, ed anche in soli termini di preliminary-report già essere proiettata in un Lavoro scientifico più completo anche nei tempi lunghi di elaborazione, come spesso richiede la serietà scientifica.
Gli elementi che seguono nel Testo sono espressione di piena responsabilità esclusiva dell’Autore.
Key words : impact-factor, Google search, preliminary report, Common Woodpigeons, isotopes, flyways, cultural discussion.
- INTRODUZIONE
La migrazione del Colombaccio (Columba palumbus) rimane ancora un campo aperto alla Ricerca. Anche in presenza di un’indubbia evoluzione dei mezzi e modalità di monitoraggio (gps, monitoraggio satellitare, evidenziazione con radar e intelligenza artificiale) una completa evidenziazione di census migratorio ed identificazione delle origini dopo nidificazione sono tuttora carenti.
La Ricerca con isotopi così come sviluppata da Hobson in molte specie migratorie rimane valido strumento di analisi.
Per il Colombaccio Hobson pubblicò un importante lavoro nel 2009: Stable isotopes (δD) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals: the case of European woodpigeons – https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01651.x
Su questa base di ricerca ampiamente documentata, nell’ambito delle ricerche sulla migrazione del Colombaccio in Italia, come sviluppate dal Club Italiano del Colombaccio in buona parte già documentate nel Lavoro: The General Pattern of Seasonal Dynamics of The Autumn Migration of The Wood Pigeon Columba Palumbus in Italy – October 2018; The Ring 40(1) – https://www.wbwp-fund.eu/ring/
Su questa base appunto, riuscimmo a creare un produttivo contatto con Hobson, propositivo per realizzare in Italia una ricerca sulle Origini, simile ed aggiornata a quella relativa alla Francia pubblicata da Hobson nel 2009.
- MATERIALI e METODI
Nel 2013 sulla HP del CIC pubblicammo una lunga analisi della possibile realizzazione di una ricerca italiana con isotopi, così come aveva fatto Hobson in Francia. Così nacque la proposta del nostro Progetto Hobson. Base della nostra attuale analisi è quindi il Testo integrale (2013) che segue:
“COLOMBACCIO
Scusandoci con i cultori della Beccaccia, diamo priorità di Recensione e commenti al Lavoro di Hobson K.A. e Coll. (2009) “Stable isotopes ( delta D) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals : the case of European woodpigeons” ( J . of Applied Ecology 46,3,572,2009) perchè questo Lavoro evidenzia con equilibrio di affermazioni e di analisi tutte le potenzialità e limiti dei nuovi modelli di studio con Isotopi per “delineare” le origini e le connettività migratorie degli animali .Lo studio si è avvalso della indispensabile collaborazione dei Cacciatori utilizzando le penne di 1513 Colombacci abbattuti in pieno Inverno ( Dicembre) nelle varie Regioni di tutta la Francia ( 1395) ma anche dalla Spagna (70) e da Corsica-Sardegna ( 48 ) .Per ogni uccello sono stati valutati questi elementi : età ( adulti,giovani),punteggio di muta e attività di muta ( muta attiva o sospesa ) ,la lunghezza dell’ala ( misurazione standardizzata e millimetrica) e sono state valutate solo le penne come riconosciute per crescita esclusiva nell’area di nidificazione.La valutazione isotopica si è avvalsa dell’isotopo Idrogeno stabile ( delta D ) e le analisi sono state più volte ripetute in termini di comparazione sul materiale keratinico.L’identificazione geografica delle aree di origine ( caratteristiche isotopiche comparabili con quelle degli Uccelli ) , considerando le derivazioni alimentari ( caratteristiche isotopiche delle diete ) e quelle piovane si è avvalsa di Mappature del International Atomic Energy agency e del Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation . Il modello ( GIS-based model of “delta Dp” ) si è avvalso di un’elaborazione algoritmica e statistica molto complessa per la nostra comprensione di “non addetti ai lavori” ma certamente si è finalizzato a ridurre al minimo le possibilità di errori eventualmente anche legati alla fisiologia di crescita degli uccelli nelle aree di origine . Andando quindi a determinare le origini geografiche dei Colombacci abbattuti ( ricordiamo : pieno inverno in Dicembre ) ed esaminati anche per età , il Lavoro si focalizza su tre categorie di Colombacci : residenti , migratori di media distanza , migratori di lunga distanza . L’analisi comparativa dei Migratori a lunga distanza vs gli altri, ha permesso anche di valutare logitudine e latitudine delle aree di origine . Le Mappe di origine così elaborate sulla carta geografica dell’Europa risultano molto indicative circa la sempre prudente affermazione di “probabile” origine di una popolazione o di singoli individui. Molti altri elementi interessanti si evincono dalla approfondita analisi dei risultati conseguiti dalla Ricerca. Cerchiamo quindi di sintetizzare e seguire le sequenze di analisi come sono riportate nel Lavoro di Hobson e coll.. L’analisi dei risultati tiene in conto i precedenti risultati di una ricerca pubblicata da Hobson nel 2004 : i rilevamenti attuali identificano aree di origini già conosciute , ma molti colombacci risultano di origine sconosciuta ed in questa analisi vengono ora riferiti ad origini potenziali – per i colombacci Francesi – nell’Europa Centrale.Invece per i colombacci abbattuti in Spagna le origini vanno delineate più a Nord includendosi l’Europa Nord-centrale e la Russia Occidentale.Interessante il dato di Corsica e Sardegna ,più calzante per le nostre linee migratorie : i risultati delle ricerche con inanellamento identificavano per questi colombacci “Corsi-Sardi” origini piu a Sud dell’Europa Centrale ( Austria,Ungheria,Ucraina) ma i risultati attuali indicano una linea di origine a latitudini un po’ più basse ancora e precisamente su una linea a Nord-Est da Ucraina a Nord Italia , e più a Sud su una linea Est-Ovest dalla Bosnia a Costa Adriatica Balcanica.E quì – commentiamo noi – è proprio il focus sul quale è necessario sviluppare ricerche che interessino più propriamente i flussi di transito sulla nostra Penisola. Ricordando ancora che in questo studio il prelievo è avvenuto in pieno inverno (dicembre) su tutte le varie estese Province della Francia tutta, i risultati identificano una presenza invernale di “residenti” ( 54-58 % ) , di migratori a media distanza ( 31-33 % ) e migratori a lunga distanza ( 10-13% ) , e si deve sottolineare che questi ultimi sono stati prevalentemente abbattuti nel Sud della Francia , anche se sorprendentemente una buona parte dei colombacci abbattuti nell’area centrale dei Pirenei , è stata relazionata ad origini più vicine (media distanza) nell’Europa Centrale ( Germania,Polonia,Bielorussia,
- DISCUSSIONE
Così fu quindi la nostra Proposta ed a seguire negli anni si realizzò il “Progetto Hobson”.
In sintesi estrema il risultato, pur temporaneo, del decennale viaggio di questa “proposta 2013” è tutto in questo “preliminary report” firmato da Hobson (2023): Statistical survey on the “origins” of the common Wood pigeon during the transit-migration of autumn 2021 in Italy (testo completo su IJWR in index 2023) – https://journal.ilcolombaccio.
E connesso risultato di “impact factor Google” già sopra evidenziato come prima citazione assoluta su 64.900 citazioni raccolte da Google (Maggio 2024) su tutti i Links reperibili per Ricerca scientifica sulla Specie: Columba palumbus.
Potrebbe bastare questa documentazione per chiudere con polemiche e critiche pretestuose, ma per meglio comprendere lo scenario culturale nel quale si sono svolte queste contestazioni al Progetto Hobson, è bene riportare recenti evidenze di discussione. Infatti nel giugno 2023 venivo informato in dettaglio di queste critiche che si sviluppavano su siti/chat “social” e mai su Links propriamente scientifici.
A questa informazione ebbi modo di rispondere dettagliatamente e qui riporto alcuni estratti:
Omissis …ringrazio di avermi informato di commenti che giudicano deludenti e negativi i primissimi risultati comunicati da Hobson ed il suo team. Di questi commenti non avevo e non ho contezza né diretta né indiretta. …Omissis…
La pretesa di avere un’esatta, come richiesto, collocazione di Origine (…il mio Colombaccio viene dai boschi di SanPietroburgo, da quelli intorno Mosca o da quelli di Kiev? ). Nessuno (almeno per quanto so io anche da altri Membri del Club) e tanto meno io si è mai sognato di affermare questa, ripeto, affermazione di “esattezza”, ANZI. Dieci anni orsono quando nacque l’idea (vedi Testo completo in calce) del Progetto Hobson, subito così fu scritto “diamo priorità di Recensione e commenti al Lavoro di Hobson K.A. e Coll. (2009) “Stable isotopes (delta D) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals: the case of European woodpigeons” ( J . of Applied Ecology 46,3,572,2009) perché questo Lavoro evidenzia con equilibrio di affermazioni e di analisi tutte le potenzialità e LIMITI dei nuovi modelli di studio con Isotopi per “delineare” le origini e le connettività migratorie degli animali” (trovi in calce il testo completo già per dieci anni sempre on-line sul website del Club, e più volte ribadito negli aggiornamenti annuali ed in particolare con dovizia di dettagli analitici in https://www.ilcolombaccio.it/colombaccio_continuo.html).
Nessuno, di certo, non io ha mai parlato di “esatta “ ma piuttosto di “probabile Origine”: invito a rileggere con attenzione questa impostazione di proposta 2013 al Club: “potenzialità e LIMITI“ ecc. ecc. D’altra parte capisci bene che se non ci fossero state “potenzialità” della “Ricerca con isotopi” non si sarebbero sviluppati in 10 anni con metodo isotopico decine e decine di Lavori scientifici sulle Migrazioni di insetti, farfalle, mammiferi,
Fatta questa premessa torniamo ad Hobson: su mia sollecitazione nell’occasione di “Poggibonsi” ha inviato questa Nota preliminare e restiamo in attesa di ulteriori elaborazioni statistiche, di certo molto complesse ed impossibili da comprendere per noi non addetti ai Lavori, che (SONO CERTO) porteranno un contributo fondamentale per la Ricerca sulla Migrazione del Colombaccio nel Paleartico Occidentale, e di questo successo il Club potrà essere orgoglioso di aver consentito la realizzazione.
Ecco quanto ho scritto al Prof. Fusani, Direttore dell’Istituto Konrad Lorentz dell’Università di Vienna, e che sta collaborando per altro canale di Ricerca:
“Hobson sta completando il Lavoro scientifico definitivo.
I primissimi risultati indicano che si è verosimilmente aperta una nuova Flyway che dall’areale Boreale immette più del 50% delle popolazioni, attraverso la Porta Moravia e dintorni, che si uniscono alla Flyway Mediterranea. Il che spiegherebbe l’enorme incremento delle popolazioni in transito in Italia in questi ultimi 5 anni. Comunque aspettiamo l’analisi definitiva”
Qui il primo commento di Hobson:
“Nonetheless, the data to date have shown some very interesting and useful patterns and this will stand as one of the most complete isotope studies”
Alcuni commenti parlano di risultati “assai deludenti”. Bene, “questi commentatori“ hanno certo diritto a contestare le risultanze di Hobson ma per farlo devono scrivere argomentazioni scientifiche, assolutamente scientifiche e non altre, ben precise e tali da essere pubblicate (Lettere ai Direttori) su Riviste Scientifiche o Websites qualificati o direttamente ad Hobson (se vogliono posso adeguatamente metterli in contatto con lui).
- CONCLUSIONI
Vogliamo sottolineare, con personale senso di rammarico, che gli elementi documentali sopra riferiti si configurano in un quadro di polemica pur anche squallida che non è consono allo stile di comunicazione scientifica più propria ai toni moderati usuali per l’Autore. Purtroppo la “vicenda di ricerca“ così lunga e travagliata è stata oggetto di critiche derivate dai bassifondi della “non-cultura” e di conseguenza ci è sembrato necessario qui reagire con similare durezza. Chiediamo scusa.
L’evidenziazione del risultato “impact factor Google“ documenta un risultato incredibile nella commistione tra Citizen Science e Scienza Istituzionale.
- Bibliografia e Weblinks
https://besjournals.
https://www.ilcolombaccio.it/
- Dichiarazione
Come da copyright in HP in nominale Editor in Chief, il presente Lavoro, che non ha carattere e vincoli di Ricerca scientifica ma esclusivo culturale, può essere pubblicato in altri siti/riviste online. F.to Editor in chief Enrico Cavina 10/05/2024.
AAA. Hobson – May 2024
Isotopes’ research on the origins of Woodpigeons crossing Italian peninsula in autumn: updating discussion on aggressive criticism and true “evidence based”results.
Enrico Cavina
Editor IJWR
- SUMMARY
The author of this article proposed the specific research in collaboration with Keith Hobson in 2013 after Hobson had published a similar research in France (2009). Thus was born the so-called “Hobson Project” but the promotion, programming, creation and standardization of databases (Vasco Feligetti – CIC) on 550 selected collected animals, processing and analysis of isotope data have developed over 9 years, even amidst serious controversies, misunderstandings, specious criticisms, associative labor before now reaching a “preliminary report” that in May 2024 has collected this extraordinary result: Google Search, with simple keywords: “Common Woodpigeons Research papers 2023”, out of 64,900 citations puts Hobson’s work at the top of the list.
Statistical survey on the “origins” of the common Wood pigeon during the transit-migration of autumn 2021 in Italy – https://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/tag/research-jackson-and-hobson/
It seems only right to point out right away: the first scientific result of the Hobson Project (2013 – 23) is Google’s impact-factor, which places it in first place out of 64,900 scientific papers/links collected in 2023 for the Columba palumbus Research.
This unequivocal documentation of “Google’s impact-factor” should silence any specious criticism (as we discuss in the text below) also in terms of a detailed cultural analysis produced by us (2024).
The following article aims to point out how Scientific Research, although carried out in terms of Citizen Science connected to Institutional Research (Hobson and his Team), can achieve important impact-factor goals, and even in terms of preliminary-report already be projected into a more complete Scientific Work even in the long processing times, as scientific seriousness often requires.
The following elements in the Text are the sole responsibility of the Author.
Key words : impact-factor, Google search, preliminary report, Common Woodpigeons, isotopes, flyways, cultural discussion.
- INTRODUCTION
The migration of the wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) still remains an open field for research. Even in the presence of an undoubted evolution of the means and methods of monitoring (GPS, satellite monitoring, radar and artificial intelligence) a complete highlighting of the migratory census and identification of the origins after nesting are still lacking.
Isotope research, as developed by Hobson in many migratory species, remains a valuable tool for analysis.
In 2009 Hobson published an important paper for the Wood Pigeon: Stable isotopes (δD) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals: the case of European woodpigeons – https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01651.x
On this widely documented research base, as part of the research on the migration of the wood pigeon in Italy, as developed by the Italian Wood Pigeon Club in large part already documented in the Work: The General Pattern of Seasonal Dynamics of The Autumn Migration of The Wood Pigeon Columba Palumbus in Italy – October 2018; The Ring 40(1) – https://www.wbwp-fund.eu/ring/pdf/40/1_cavina%202018.pdf
On this basis, we were able to create a productive contact with Hobson, proposing to carry out a research on the Origins in Italy, similar and updated to the one relating to France published by Hobson in 2009.
- MATERIALS and METHODS
In 2013 we published a long analysis of the possible realization of an Italian research with isotopes, as Hobson had done in France. Thus was born the proposal of our Hobson Project. The basis of our current analysis is therefore the full text (2013) which follows:
“WOOD PIGEON
Sorry to woodcock lovers, we give priority to Review and comments to the work of Hobson K.A. et al. (2009) “Stable isotopes (delta D) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals: the case of European woodpigeons” ( J . of Applied Ecology 46,3,572,2009) because this work highlights with balance of statements and analysis all the potentialities and limits of the new study models with Isotopes to “delineate” the origins and migratory connectivity Animal. The study availed itself of the indispensable collaboration of the Hunters using the feathers of 1513 wood pigeons killed in the middle of winter (December) in the various regions of France (1395) but also from Spain (70) and Corsica-Sardinia (48). For each bird, the following elements were evaluated: age (adults, juveniles), molting score and molting activity (active or suspended molting), wing length (standardized and millimeter measurement) and only the feathers were evaluated as recognized for exclusive growth in the nesting area. The isotope evaluation made use of the isotope stable hydrogen (delta D) and the analyses were repeated several times in terms of comparison on keratin material. The geographical identification of the areas of origin (isotopic characteristics comparable to those of birds), considering food derivations (isotopic characteristics of diets) and rainfall derivations made use of Mapping of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation. The model (GIS-based model of “delta Dp”) has made use of a very complex algorithmic and statistical processing for our understanding of “non-experts” but it has certainly been aimed at minimizing the possibility of errors possibly also related to the growth physiology of birds in the areas of origin. Going then to determine the geographical origins of the felled wood pigeons (remember: midwinter in December) and also examined by age, the Work focuses on three categories of wood pigeons: residents, medium distance migrants, long distance migrants. The comparative analysis of long-distance migrants against others has also made it possible to evaluate the logitude and latitude of the areas of origin. The Maps of origin thus elaborated on the map of Europe are very indicative of the always prudent affirmation of the “probable” origin of a population or individuals. Many other interesting elements can be deduced from the in-depth analysis of the results achieved by the Research. Let us therefore try to synthesize and follow the sequences of analysis as they are reported in the Work of Hobson et al. The analysis of the results takes into account the previous results of a research published by Hobson in 2004: the current surveys identify areas of already known origins, but many wood pigeons are of unknown origin and in this analysis they are now referred to potential origins – for French wood pigeons – in Central Europe. the data of Corsica and Sardinia, more fitting for our migratory lines: the results of the ringing searches identified for these wood pigeons “Corsican-Sardinian” origins more in the south of Central Europe (Austria, Hungary, Ukraine) but the current results indicate a line of origin at slightly lower latitudes still and precisely on a line in the North-East from Ukraine to Northern Italy, and further south on an East-West line from Bosnia to the Balkan Adriatic Coast.And here – we comment – it is precisely the focus on which it is necessary to develop research that more properly concerns transit flows on our peninsula. Remembering again that in this study the sampling took place in the middle of winter (December) over all the various extensive provinces of the whole of France, the results identify a winter presence of “residents” (54-58%), medium-distance migrants (31-33%) and long-distance migrants (10-13%), and it must be emphasized that the latter were mainly killed in the South of France. although surprisingly a good part of the wood pigeons killed in the central area of the Pyrenees, has been related to closer origins (medium distance) in Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Belarus, Western Russia). It should be borne in mind that the annual “game bag” in France in 2000 ( Lormée et al.) was estimated at over 5 million out of a total of about 10 million estimated in Europe in 1984 . The population of resident wood pigeons, distinguished by a total of about 10 million wintering pigeons, has more than doubled in the last 15 years (Cohou V. et al. 2007). This increase in the number of residents has been linked to man-made environmental changes: a 30% reduction in oak forests (acorn) south of the Pyrenees, in parallel with an increase in maize cultivation in France north of the Pyrenees. The correlation – intuitive also in our territories (e.g. S.Rossore, Migliarino, Pisa) as well as in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary – with the types of intensive agricultural crops (mainly corn and sunflowers) has been well analyzed by Bea et al. (2003) in a census study in a vast territorial area of the Iberian Peninsula in the South-West between Spain and Portugal) with a presence of wintering and resident pigeons of about 3 million wood pigeons, However, the area is subject to variable movements, including massive intra-winter movements, linked to environmental conditions (climate, agriculture, tree and forest ripening). As already mentioned, the increase in the number of resident populations in France – also depending on the changes in Spain – would have been calculated to be in the order of 66%. Hand in hand with these considerations, we note that Hobson et al. (2009) point out that in any case the annual global game bag in France to the extent of 50% is achieved in October-November and recall that starting from 1960 there would have been a decrease in France-Spain transits. We have doubts about this statement, also because it is not supported by scientific data cited. We note that there is a very precise monitoring of transits in the Pyrenees and that – as far as we can consider with respect to our step dimensions – the numbers detected by GIFS as a Group of Pyrenean Hunting Federations are impressive: in particular for the transit “peaks” such as the certain count of about 600,000 wood pigeons in a single day on October 31, 2011 at the Urrugne Pass, the pass closest to the Atlantic coast. Ultimately, the work of Hobson et al. (2009) on the basis of the winter “game bag” (residents and winterers) examined with stable isotope H, identifies, for most of the wood pigeons present in December in France, “residential” origins (France and contiguous countries) and in any case quite close (Central Europe and not too far north and not too far east). This data evidently suggests and reads a gradual tendency of the European populations of wood pigeons to reduce their migratory routes; And for the residential aspects, agricultural and forest areas play a fundamental role (food available even after harvests, obviously all in relation to the contingent weather conditions and even more climatic. I would like to point out that I have occasionally observed this phenomenology of residential-like permanence and even massive contingent movements in the area of Evros – Northern Greece on the borders with Bulgaria and Turkey in the middle of winter (December-January). Hobson et al. point out that the populations of Poland, Denmark, Finland and Sweden in recent decades have greatly increased their tendency to winter at the same latitudes as their territories of origin. We could say (personal note) that it is as if the atavistic impulse to follow the migratory rules of “continental drift” is no longer so necessary and one can even survive by adapting to local conditions and with less effort (!??). So here we are to consider the so-called Pigeons. Long-distance migrants: the analysis of Hobson et al. on the origins (further north and north-east of the aforementioned Central European area) and on the wintering of these “long-distance migrants” (only 10-13% in the specific study) allows us to affirm what had already been detected with the ringing, namely “migrants born more in the north migrate more to the south than short-medium distance migrants”. In fact, in the surveys of Hobson et al., these large fliers were found in the majority in the southernmost areas of the regions examined, and for these there is also the not insignificant fact – for the evolutionary comparison of the bodily and morpho-structural characteristics – that they have the longest wings suitable for large and harder periods of flight. Hobson et al. conclude by stating that the investigations with stable isotopes (delta H) are part of a research method on migrations, which is still young and evolutionary, however, already such as to delineate with scientific clarity and statistical prudence on large numbers the areas of origin of migratory people. However, the method must be integrated with the ancient research tested with ringing and today with satellite radio tracking, as already applied to the wood pigeon in Portugal and France (Cohou V.-Faune Sauvage 293, 2011). Wanting to hazard an amateurish critique of the immense work of Hobson Keith A. et al. – now carried out not only on the wood pigeon but also on the woodcock, as we will see below, and on other migratory ones – we must point out that the 2009 Work did not have a priority focus on migration per se (stop-overs included) since the contingent examined was taken in December, therefore in consolidated wintering conditions. In fact, all the immense hunting samples carried out in the middle of the migration (for example on the Pyrenean passes) have not been considered, samples that carry with them the very meaning of migration and that could allow us to better deepen the analysis of the male/female and juvenile/adult ratios. Still in terms of timid criticism, we were surprised by the fact that since the area in question is France, the certainly existing migratory line descending from the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland) was not considered as real areas of origin but possibly also transit areas of contingents from Scandinavia. We are well aware that numerous studies carried out with Radar confirm this migratory line from the North-East and then directly south of the Channel towards Western France up to Spain, Portugal, Morocco. However, from the fascination that derives from the scientific intensity of this research by Hobson et al., it is natural to consider the opportunity that such studies with Isotopes (as pioneered in the WORM project of Alessandro Tedeschi of Amici di Scolopax per la Woodcock) are also conducted in Italy and on large numbers of properly migratory harvesting as is possible with the involvement of Hunters, Associations, ATC. It is also obvious to note that the North-South line that descends from the Finnish-Scandinavian regions, from the Baltic States, Poland, Belarus, Western Russia and the other migratory line from North-East to South-West that descends from Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, Austria, and above all East-West from Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula, well these Migratory lines are not scientifically well studied as regards the Combacci that descend from us precisely on these lines. This is a deficiency (the Wood Pigeon Club Wood Pigeon Project seems to be a first concrete step) that concerns Italy, but also Greece and further south the North African Coast. We hope that this “review” – always to be considered amateur and possibly not free of interpretative errors – carried out mainly on the Work of Hobson et al., in itself prior as it refers to 2009, will allow the reader an easier and more up-to-date interpretation of what Hobson et al. report today, June 2013, for the Woodcocks studied in France and the Iberian Peninsula. I would therefore like to reinsert a RESEARCH proposal , which is simple in implementation , which only requires the good will of everyone to measure the WINGS of the daily game bag . In short, we could have large numbers from which to derive statistical elements, as in Hobson’s work.”
- DISCUSSION
So was our Proposal and then over the years the “Hobson Project” was realized.
In a nutshell, the result, albeit temporary, of the ten-year journey of this “2013 proposal” is all in this “preliminary report” signed by Hobson (2023): Statistical survey on the “origins” of the common Wood pigeon during the transit-migration of autumn 2021 in Italy (full text on IJWR in index 2023) – https://journal.ilcolombaccio.it/statistical-survey-on-the-origins-of-the-common-wood-pigeon-during-the-transit-migration-of-autumn-2021-in-italy/
And related result of the “Google impact factor” already highlighted above as the first absolute citation out of 64,900 citations collected by Google (May 2024) on all the Links available for Scientific Research on the Species: Columba palumbus.
This documentation could be enough to close with controversy and specious criticism, but to better understand the cultural scenario in which these protests against the Hobson Project took place, it is good to report recent evidence of discussion. In fact, in June 2023 I was informed in detail of these criticisms that developed on “social” sites/chats and never on properly scientific Links.
I had the opportunity to respond in detail to this information and here are some excerpts:
Omitted … I am grateful for informing me of comments that consider the very first results communicated by Hobson and his team to be disappointing and negative. I had and do not have direct or indirect knowledge of these comments. … Omitted…
The claim to have an exact, as required, location of Origin (… Does my wood pigeon come from the woods of St. Petersburg, from those around Moscow or from those of Kiev? ). No one (at least as far as I know also from other members of the Club) and even less I has ever dreamed of affirming this, I repeat, statement of “accuracy”, ON the CONTRARY. Ten years ago, when the idea of the Hobson Project was born, it was immediately written “we give priority to the Hobson Project.” Review and comments on the work of Hobson K.A. et al. (2009) “Stable isotopes (delta D) delineate the origins and migratory connectivity of harvested animals: the case of European woodpigeons” ( J . of Applied Ecology 46,3,572,2009) because this Work highlights with balance of statements and analysis all the potentialities and LIMITS of the new study models with Isotopes to “delineate” the origins and migratory connectivity of animals” (you can find at the bottom the complete text already online for ten years on the Club’s website, and repeatedly reiterated in the annual updates and in particular with a wealth of analytical details in https://www.ilcolombaccio.it/colombaccio_continuo.html).
No one, of course, has never spoken of “exact” but rather of “probable origin”: I invite you to carefully reread this approach of the 2013 proposal to the Club: “potentialities and LIMITS” etc. etc. On the other hand, you understand well that if there had not been the “potential” of “Isotope Research” dozens and dozens of scientific works on the Migrations of insects, butterflies, mammals, fish and of course Birds would not have been developed in 10 years with isotope methods to “outline” the origins and migratory connectivity of animals.
Having said that, let’s go back to Hobson: at my request on the occasion of “Poggibonsi” he sent this Preliminary Note and we are waiting for further statistical elaborations, certainly very complex and impossible to understand for us non-experts, which (I am SURE) will bring a fundamental contribution to the Research on the Migration of the Wood Pigeon in the Western Palearctic, and the Club can be proud of this success to have made it possible.
Here is what I wrote to Prof. Fusani, Director of the Konrad Lorentz Institute of the University of Vienna, and who is collaborating for another research channel:
“Hobson is completing the definitive scientific work.
The very first results indicate that a new Flyway has probably opened that from the Boreal range introduces more than 50% of the populations, through the Moravian Gate and its surroundings, which join the Mediterranean Flyway. This would explain the enormous increase in populations in transit in Italy in the last 5 years. In any case, we are waiting for the final analysis”
Here is Hobson’s first comment:
“Nonetheless, the data to date have shown some very interesting and useful patterns and this will stand as one of the most complete isotope studies”
Some comments speak of “very disappointing” results. Well, “these commentators” are certainly entitled to challenge Hobson’s findings but to do so they must write scientific arguments, absolutely scientific and not others, very precise and such as to be published (Letters to Editors) in qualified Scientific Journals or Websites or directly to Hobson (if they want I can adequately put them in touch with him).
- CONCLUSIONS
We would like to underline, with a personal sense of regret, that the documentary elements referred to above are configured in a framework of controversy, albeit squalid, which is not in keeping with the style of scientific communication more typical of the moderate tones usual for the Author. Unfortunately, the long and troubled “history of research” has been the subject of criticism derived from the slums of “non-culture” and consequently it seemed necessary to react here with similar harshness. We apologize.
The highlighting of the “Google impact factor” result documents an incredible achievement in the mix of Citizen Science and Institutional Science.
- Bibliography and Weblinks
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01651.x
https://www.ilcolombaccio.it/colombaccio_continuo.html
- Declaration
As per copyright in HP in nominal Editor in Chief, this Work, which is not of a scientific research character and constraints but exclusively cultural, may be published in other online sites/journals. F.to Editor in chief Enrico Cavina 10/05/2024.