An unusual Marsh Harrier

Yeray Seminario in this moment is our main raptor counter at the Strait of Messina and here following his interesting note and picture concerning the plumage of an unusual Marsh harrier:

Some Marsh Harriers approached the observation point and one dark individual, with some peculiar small white carpal patches and white lower belly, caught our eye. When it came out of a cloud I could take a few distant pictures and when examined, I realized I never had seen a Marsh Harrier with this unusual plumage

New M.Sc. thesis!

Few days ago Giacomo Biasi graduated at the University of Siena. In his M.Sc. thesis (title: "How weather conditions influence the flight strategies of migrating raptors: a case study from a migration bottleneck") he analyzed the flight behaviour of raptors in relation to weather conditions at Batumi bottleneck (Georgia). In particular the flight altitudes of raptors were analyzed showing species-specific behaviours. The data were collected in 2011 thanks to a collaboration between MEDRAPTORS and Batumi Raptor Count.

News from the Strait of Messina

Yesterday the first flocks of Honey buzzards have passed over the Strait of Messina. Moreover Pallid Harriers are still moving across the area like the one in the picture below (taken by Yeray Seminario). If you would like to participate at the count write to us.

Our daily observations on Trektellen!

We joined the Trektellen project and now our daily observations are available to everybody. Up to now several hundreds of raptors has been observed from our watchpoint at the Strait of Messina, most of them were Marsh Harriers but about 17 species has been recorded. Check our daily report by clicking on the picture below: 

Tens of Pallid Harriers at the Strait of Messina

Yesterday an amazing passage of Pallid Harriers has been observed at our watchpoint at the Strait of Messina. 28 individuals were counted, together with good numbers of Marsh Harriers. Tomorrow we expect another good day of migration!

If you would like to participate at the count write to us.