MEDRAPTORS

New paper out now!

2012-02-26T21:14:00.002+01:00

A new paper from Medraptors is just out now. The article compares the spring and fall migration of Short-toed Snake Eagles at the Apuan Alps and in a new watchpoint in Greece, the Mount Olympus. The results of this research show that also the Greek population of this species makes a long detour to avoid crossing the Mediterranean, via Bosphorus, both in autumn and in spring. In the article are analyzed and discussed differences in the percentages of juveniles migrating together with adults in the autumn at both sites. These results are put in relation with the width of ecological barriers in the study area, assuming that a relationship exists between the size of the stretch of sea that divides Europe from Africa and the tendency of juveniles to follow the adults during their first migration.

Panuccio M, Agostini N, G Premuda 2012. Ecological barriers Promote risk minimization and social learning in migrating short-toed snake eagles. Ethology Ecology & Evolution 24: 74-80.

Second Eurapmon workshop

2012-02-16T13:46:00.003+01:00

Last week was held the second Eurapmon meeting in Murcia (Spain). Tens of researchers from 27 different countries of Europe, from Portugal to Russia, took part at the workshop. During the two days meeting, the National Coordinators showed the monitoring activities that are already active in the different countries. Moreover it was discussed a questionnaire to complete an inventary of the monitoring projects "with" and "for" raptors in Europe. For Italy ISPRA presented the actual situation. The new website is already active (to see it click here). Here below a picture of the workshop.

Abstract of the Conference: "The migration of soaring birds. The role of the Adriatic coast"

2012-02-01T15:29:00.004+01:00

Are available online the abstracts of the conference that has been held on October the 7th in Urbino "The migration of soaring birds. The role of the Adriatic coast".
Among them also the Medraptors contribution.

To download it (in italian) click on the picture below.

Italy signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Raptors

2012-01-17T12:48:00.004+01:00

On October the 22nd 2008, it was concluded in Abu Dhabi (UAE), under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Fauna, a Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia (Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia), also known as a Memorandum of Understanding on Birds of Prey.

On the same date it was signed by 28 states and the Convention of the 1st November 2008 entered into force.
The protocol in question, non-legally binding , contains a list of general conservation measures, guidance on the application and final provisions. It is also accompanied by an action plan indicating a series of specific steps that should be implemented by the signatory countries.

On November 21, 2011 Italy signed the Protocol: The signing took place during the Tenth Conference of the Parties to CMS, held in Bergen in Norway, 20 to 25 November 2011.

To download the text of the Protocol click here.
For further information see the website: www.cms.int

Antikythira - spring 2012: Volunteers needed

2012-01-12T14:02:00.005+01:00

Antikythira Bird Observatory run by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (the Greek partner of BirdLife) is organizing a bird ringing campaign (supervised by the Hellenic Bird Ringing Center) and a raptor migration monitoring campaign. Both monitoring campaigns will run from March 25th up to May 25th 2012 on Antikythira Island (Southern Greece).
We are seeking ringers and observers to join us as volunteers, to help us carry out the two campaigns.
Information on the accommodation provided, the volunteers’ tasks, how to get there, and other frequently asked questions can be found here: www.ornithologiki.gr
To see our papers concerning raptor migration in Antikythira click here: Medraptors - papers
For more information please get in contact with Christos Barboutis (barboutischr[at]gmail.com).

Happy new year from Medraptors

2011-12-31T00:25:00.002+01:00

New paper out now!

2011-12-21T17:36:00.004+01:00

Loop migration of Greek Honey Buzzards

A new paper from Medraptors is just out now. It is the first systematic study on Honey Buzzard migration along the Balkans-Crete-Libya flyway. The results of this research show that individuals breeding in Greece migrate through the island of Antikhytira in autumn but not during spring migration. In the paper, two different hypothesis are discussed, both suggest a loop migration strategy as an explanation of their migratory behaviour.
To download it click on the link below.

Agostini N., Lucia G., Mellone U., Panuccio M., Von Hardenberg J., Evangelidis A. & Kominos T. 2012. Loop migration of adult European Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus, Linnaeus, 1758) through the Central-Eastern Mediterranean. Italian Journal of Zoology DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2011.623245.

Photographic report Batumi 2011

2011-12-13T00:38:00.005+01:00

On the photographic blog of Michele Panuccio a report on the autumn migration at Batumi, Georgia, has been posted. The pictures show aspects of raptor migration and human threats (poaching and trapping). To see it click on the picture below.

XVI Italian Congress of Ornithology

2011-11-28T11:09:00.002+01:00

Last September there was the sixteenth Italian Congress of Ornithology. Medraptors was present with two posters that can be downloaded from the link below. The first showed the results of a research on raptors wintering in Basilicata (Southern Italy) and the other one reported information on migrating raptors on Mount Olympus (Northern Greece). Both are in press on the volume of conference proceedings.

Satellite tracking Eleonora’s falcons, Montagu’s harriers and Egyptian vultures

2011-11-23T15:34:00.005+01:00

Satellite tracking and remote sensing technologies unravel conservation problems of European raptors wintering in Africa

November 2011. Populations of migratory species can be affected by events occurring in distant and different parts of the world, and a bulk of studies suggest that long-distance migratory birds are declining at a faster rate than other species. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the ecology of migratory birds has been constrained by the difficulties in tracking individuals across seasons.

Satellite tracking advances
Nevertheless, advances in the miniaturization of satellite tracking devices are now making it possible to determine the connections between the different seasonal grounds of birds in a way unimaginable few years ago. Moreover, the availability of fine-scale digitalized land use and climate maps obtained through remote sensing allow biologists to analyze the habitat preferences of those birds and model their distribution.

Eleonora's falcon, Montagu's harrier and Egyptian vulture
The research group of the Estacion Biologica Terra Natura (University of Alicante, Spain) recently published the first papers dealing with habitat use of European satellite-tracked raptors wintering in Africa: the species involved are the Eleonora's falcon, that spent the winter in Madagascar, and the Montagu's harrier and the Egyptian vulture in the Sahel (West Africa).

Eleonora's Falcon

Eleonora's Falcons wintering in Madagascar selected degraded humid forests and cultivated areas close to pristine humid forest. They showed a preference for these land use types within areas where pristine humid forests were the most abundant habitat type. These falcons could be taking advantage from a spill-over edge effect of their insect prey into open areas close to humid forests. Therefore, the importance of humid forests for Eleonora's Falcons seems to be high. The current loss of this habitat in Madagascar is a cause for concern with respect to the conservation of this long-distance migratory falcon species.

Montagu's harrier
Montagu's harriers occupied a large region encompassing a total of eight countries. The most preferred habitats were croplands and grasslands. Protected areas only covered a small proportion of the overall wintering grounds of tracked harriers and the most suitable areas for the species in Western-Central Sahel. Increasing the extent of preferred natural habitats within protected areas should benefit the conservation of this and probably other insect-eating raptors. Conservation actions in the region should therefore be mostly focused on improving land use planning and management outside protected areas, specially enhancing agricultural practices to make biodiversity conservation compatible with poverty alleviation.

Egyptian vultures
Similar results were also recorded for the Egyptian vultures. The species winters in the transitional Sahelian eco-region which is composed of a mosaic of semi-arid grasslands, savannas, steppes, and thorn scrublands where traditional semi-nomad shepherds raise livestock in a system of transhumance, which is taken advantage of by Egyptian Vultures. Similarly to Montagu's harriers, these areas are located in southern Mauritania, along the Senegal border and in Central Sahel region.

Site fidelity
In all the three species, the individuals showed a high degree of site fidelity, occupying roughly the same areas in consecutive years. These data, coupled with other ongoing studies, will facilitate the conservation of these European long-distance migratory species also outside of their breeding range.

A Peregrine Falcon from tundra to Apulia

2011-11-18T23:54:00.002+01:00

Here following a nice picture (by Matteo Caldarella) of a beautiful, and unusual, young female of Peregrine Falcon of the calidus subspecies. This bird was recovered with a slight fracture and happily released the past spring in Apulia (Southern Italy).
To read more (in italian) click here.

New paper out now!

2011-11-10T09:48:00.001+01:00

HOW and WHY juvenile Short-toed eagles born in Italy reach Africa migrating through Spain and not just heading to the South? The answers are in this new paper published by the Journal of Avian Biology (click on the link to download the paper) :

Mellone U., Limiñana, R., Mallìa E. & Urios V. 2011. Extremely detoured migration in an inexperienced bird: interplay of transport costs and social interactions. Journal of Avian Biology 42: 468-472.

MIGRATION STUDY PROTOCOLS and ECOVOLUNTEERS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

2011-11-04T20:31:00.003+01:00

Pyrénées-Atlantiques, FRANCE - October 2011
Last week there was a workshop organized by EUROMIGRANS Network. The associations taking part in the workshopv were: LPO (France), Fundacion Migres (Spain), BTO (Great Britain), Batumi Raptor Count, Medraptors and other organizations. Among the speakers also Keith Bildstein from the Hawkmountain Sanctuary, USA. Many participants from different countries: France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Great Britain, Romania, Latvia. Topics covered during the workshop were the proposal to use a common protocol for counts of migrants in Europe and management of eco-volunteers. At the end there was a panel on the future of EUROMIGRANS and many proposals were made and soon a new website of this international network will be available online. The workshop was held in the picturesque setting of the Pyrenees Atlantiques and the organization was excellent thanks to the efforts of the coordinator, Jean-Paul Urcun (LPO-Lindus). Although most of the time was spent inside the building where the workshop sessions were held, there was the chance to see many raptors, among them Red Kites and Griffon Vultures.
Here following some pictures from the meeting.

Meeting 7th October 2011 Pesaro, Italy

2011-10-02T19:25:00.001+02:00

Here following the flyer of a meeting on the role of the Adriatic coast of Italy in relation to the migration of raptors. Medraptors will be there with a presentation on this topic.

Il prossimo 7 ottobre si terrà a Villa Caprile, vicino Pesaro, un incontro sulla migrazione dei rapaci lungo la costa Adriatica italiana. Medraptors sarà presente con un intervento che farà il punto sullo stato delle conoscenze attuali sull'argomento.
Siete tutte e tutti invitati/e a partecipare.

News from Batumi Raptor Count

2011-09-28T18:48:00.001+02:00

In the last two days at Batumi has been observed the migration peak of different species of raptors. Yesterday tens of thousands Steppe Buzzards and about 2000 Lesser-spotted Eagles have passed over the watchpoints together with some Steppe Eagles, Greater-spotted Eagles and Imperial Eagles. Really an impressive migration well monitored by the skilled team of Batumi Raptor Count!

News from the autumn migration

2011-09-24T18:48:00.001+02:00

In these days at Batumi, many thousands of raptors are migrating and other Crested Honey Buzzards were observed. Among the other sights some Steppe Eagles and yesterday a wonderful Black Vulture passed over the watchpoint. Check the daily observation diary here: www.batumiraptorcount.org

On the other hand in Southern Italy the peak of the migration of Marsh Harriers has been observed yesterday at the Aspromonte National Park where about one thousands of individuals has been counted.

News from Batumi Raptor Count 2011

2011-09-19T19:49:00.002+02:00

In these days many thousands of different species of raptors have been observed at Batumi (Georgia). Among others, Honey Buzzards, Black kites, Levant Sparrowhawks, Steppe Buzzards., Montagu's Harriers, Pallid Harriers, Egyptian Vultures. The Camp is led by Batumi Raptor Count who invited members of MEDRAPTORS. There are about 20 volunteers making observations from Holland, Belgium, Georgia, France, United States, Germany, Armenia and Italy of course.
Here below a picture made yesterday in Batumi to Crested Honey Buzzard that is really a rare sight in the Western Paleartic area.

A new project is starting!

2011-09-13T10:21:00.002+02:00

This week starts the project at Batumi that we are running together with Batumi Raptor Count. The project is focused on the influence of local weather conditions on the migratory behaviour of raptors. In this period the commonost species are: Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite and Lesser-spotted Eagle. Click on the picture below to enter the website of Batumi Raptor Count.

MEDRAPTORS Observation Camp 2011

2011-09-11T16:08:00.001+02:00

During the Camp on the Calabrian Appennines we have found a new watchpoint to monitor the migration of raptors along the chain mountain of southern Italy. The area is located in the northern part of Aspromonte close to the border of Serre Mountains. Interesting numbers of Honey Buzzards have been recorded. Moreover we observed the following species of migrating raptors: Black kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Hobby, Eleonora's falcon, Kestrel. Among resident raptors the Goshawk, the Honey Buzzard and the Bonelli's Eagle. Further investigations are needed to quantify the migratory flow at the site.

Roosting Black Kites

2011-08-12T15:53:00.003+02:00

In these days at the roosting sites near Rome, Black kites show restlessness. It's coming the time to leave the breeding grounds and to start the journey toward the african wintering territories. We hope to see many of them along their way at the MEDRAPTORS observation camp that is starting...

Immature Short-toed Snake Eagles

2011-07-29T19:13:00.002+02:00

Click on the picture below to read a new paper concerning the summering of immature Short-toed Snake Eagles in northern Africa.

Stop the massacre of migrating birds!

2011-06-30T09:59:00.002+02:00

Two different episodes concerning poaching against migrating birds in the Mediterranean.

The first one is a severe aggression against two Italian volunteers who were conducting anti-poaching activities in Cyprus. At the end of April they have been kidnapped and beaten by Cypriot poachers. The police arrived on the scene but did not denounces the attackers.
Click here to read more (in italian):

The second episode thankfully is good news.
Here below some pictures of an action made by LIPU (BirdLife Italy) volunteers and by the anti-poaching group of the italian forest rangers (CFS - Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) the 26 of May at the continental side of the Strait of Messina (Southern Italy).
The intervention led to the arrest of a 63 years old poacher from Reggio Calabria. He had an illegal weapon (12 caliber rifle with serial abraded) that was seized together with hundreds of cartridges for hunting raptors in the area "Water Pigs" near Scilla town. Poachers used to reach that place by a long rope tied to a tree. During house search were seized 5 other rifles , six thousand cartridges and 15 pounds of gunpowder.
Congratulation to the LIPU volunteers and to the forest rangers for their good work. We express our indignation over the episode in Cyprus and solidarity to CABS (Commitee Against Bird Slaughter) volunteers. We wish that illegal hunting will stop in Italy, Cyprus and in the whole Mediterranean area.

MEDRAPTORS Observation Camp

2011-06-22T14:46:00.006+02:00

Between the end of August and the beginning of September there is the peak of the migration of different species of raptors in the Central Mediterranean area.
In particular thousands of Honey Buzzards and Black Kites follow the italian peninsula concentrating along the Calabrian Appennines. Other species observed in smaller numbers in this period are: Marsh Harriers, Montagu's Harriers, Ospreys, Booted Eagles, Common Buzzards, Ketrels, Lesser Kestrels. Sometimes with some luck it is possible to watch rare raptors like the Egyptian Vulture or the Lanner Falcon. This year the aim of the camp is to localize the migrating corridors of raptors between two mountain ranges: the Aspromonte and Serre mountain chains. In this point the italian peninsula is only few tens of chilometers wide.
The study area is covered by forests and it is included in the Aspromonte National Park, while the seaside is few chilometres far. The wonderful so called "Jasmin Coast".
The watchpoints are located at altitudes of 800-900 m a.s.l. on hilltops and mountain ridges. If you are a fan of birds of prey join us, we are looking for volunteers.
Download the application form from our website.

Pavia, 20 giugno 2011 ore 19:30

2011-06-14T09:53:00.003+02:00

Siete tutti e tutte invitati/e a partecipare!

Welcome back Osprey!

2011-06-05T15:03:00.001+02:00

After 42 years Osprey is back in Italy!

This is really a good piece of news, since the last breeding pairs were recorded in Italy in the '60s. Now a pair is feeding two chicks on the coast of Tuscany, central Italy. This is a good result that rewards conservation efforts of the Maremma Regional Park.
The Mediterranean population consist of only 100 pairs located in Corsica, Balearic islands, Algeria and Morocco. Now we hope that they constitute a stable population in Italy.
(In the picture below a view of the Maremma Regional Park)

Pallid Harrier ringed at Ustica island

2011-05-30T12:37:00.001+02:00

Our friend Giuditta Corno sent us two pictures of a beautiful adult male of Pallid Harrier ringed at the island of Ustica at the end of April.
At that island we counted up to 44 migrating Pallid Harriers during spring 2002, while the ringing monitoring at Ustica is made by the Palermo ringing station and coordinated by ISPRA.

Photographic report spring 2011

2011-05-26T14:17:00.002+02:00

On the photographic blog of Michele Panuccio a report on spring migration at the Strait of Gibraltar and at the island of Panarea has been posted. To see it click on the picture below.

New paper out now!

2011-05-23T14:08:00.002+02:00

A new Medraptors paper is out now on the current issue of British Birds. The paper shows the results of the first systematic survey made in Greece on raptor migration. There are analyzed data collected during five fieldwork seasons carried out between spring 2007 and autumn 2009.

To read more follow the link below:

Lucia G., Agostini N., Panuccio M., Mellone U., Chiatante G., Tarini D. & Evangelidis A. 2011. Raptor migration at Antikythira, in southern Greece. British Birds 104: 266-270.

News from the islands

2011-05-18T23:40:00.005+02:00

After two days of bad weather and strong wind, today 120 and 100 Honey Buzzards were observed migrating respectively at the islands of Panarea and Ustica.
In the pictures below an Honey Buzzard and two ornithologists in action at Ustica.

New M.Sc. Thesis!

2011-05-16T20:24:00.005+02:00

Some days ago two students graduated and they discussed their thesis made within MEDRAPTORS research projects respectively at the Universities of Pavia and Parma.

The first thesis concerns autumn migration at Antikythira in relation to weather conditions while the second investigated the migration and wintering of Marsh and Montagu's Harriers through the analisys of ringing recoveries data provided by EURING.

Diego Tarini - Migrando di isola in isola. Analisi del passaggio autunnale dei rapaci e dell'influenza delle condizioni meteorologiche nella Grecia meridionale [An island hopping migration. Analysis of the southbound passage in relation to weather conditions in Southern Greece]. Università degli Studi di Pavia a.a. 2009/2010.

Lisa Muner - Analisi della migrazione, dello svernamento e della dispersione del Falco di Palude (Circus aeruginosus) e dell'Albanella Minore (Circus pygargus) tra l'Europa e l'Africa [Analysis of the migration, wintering and post-reproductive dispersion of Marsh and Montagu's Harriers between Europe and Africa]. Università degli Studi di Parma a.a. 2009/2010.

Honey buzzards on the Aeolian

2011-05-07T18:32:00.003+02:00

Yesterday more than 3500 Honey Buzzards were observed migrating northwards at Panarea, in the Aeolian Isles while 200 passed by Ustica.

In the previous days few birds were observed in both sites. At panarea in particular the more common scene observed was the hunting activity of Marsh harrier and Common buzzard on rats that are very common at this site!

Poachers without limits in Italy

2011-04-28T12:35:00.004+02:00

Two bad news for birds that are migrating through Italy.
The first one concerns a seriour act of intimidation against the ringing station of the island of Lampedusa where poachers destroyed the ringing station and set fire to a car because they would like poaching without any witness. The ringing monitoring at that island is made by the Palermo ringing station and is coordinated by Ispra within the "Small Island" project started in 1988.

Moreover the other bad news concerns the situation at the Strait of Messina where for the first time after several years the Italian government is refusing to send the anti-poaching task force. At that site, last year poachers killed 400 hundreds Honey Buzzards in the area close to the city of Reggio Calabria. This decision could cause a massacre of migratory birds frustrating the results obtained in more than 20 years of protectionist activities.

We send our solidarity to the Sicilian ornithologists active in Lampedusa island and we express our disapproval for the government choices.

Here following two links where you can find more informations (in italian):
LIPU - BirdLife Italy
Ispra

Gulls vs. Peregrine Falcon

2011-04-27T17:18:00.004+02:00

From Ustica a nice action shot of a mobbing scene.

News from Ustica island (Southern Italy)

2011-04-24T00:45:00.004+02:00

The Migratory Raptor Project that we are running together with LIPU - BirdLife Italy started on the 20th of April. Up to now some tens of raptors passed at the island of Ustica, most of them were Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, Hobby Falcons, Red-footed Falcons and last night a flock of Honey Buzzards roosted on the island. Among other birds Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Shags, Bee-eaters, Alpine Swits and a flock of 16 Golden Orioles migrated at the site.

News from the Strait of Gibraltar

2011-03-29T12:32:00.003+02:00

Last week-end was great for migration at the Strait of Gibraltar. Hundreds of Booted Eagles, White Storks and a lot of Black Kites crossed the Strait coming from Africa. The migration is always monitored by ornithologists of Fundaciòn Migres.

Here below a picture of a Griffon Vulture in the same thermal with a Short-toed Snake Eagle and two pictures of the researchers, among whom Keith Bildstein from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

Autumn Observation Camp 2011

2011-03-16T20:19:00.001+01:00

Between the last decade of August and the first week of September we will make a fieldwork in Southern continental Italy at a new potential bottleneck site along the Calabrian Appennines. The site is a beautyful mountain area mainly covered by forests enclosed in the Aspromonte National Park and the seaside is not far from there. In fact the peninsula in that point is wide few tens of Kilometers. In that period the commonest species are: the European Honey Buzzard and the Black Kite.
We are looking for volunteers, if you want to join the camp contact us.

Breeding Egyptian Vultures monitored by Fundacion Migres

2011-03-11T11:47:00.006+01:00

Yesterday a pair of Egyptian Vultures was already in the nest in Cádiz Province, Spain. However in these days many individuals of this species are still migrating from Africa to Europe.

In the picture below Antonio-Román Muñoz of Migres Foundation monitoring cliffs nesting raptors in Andalusia (southern Spain). The aims of this Foundation include different kind of activities: researches on migrating raptors and ecology, monitoring raptor population, wildlife management, popularization and educational programs (see their website: www.fundacionmigres.org).

Batumi Raptor Count: a new partner for 2011

2011-03-07T17:18:00.002+01:00

In autumn 2011 we are going to run a field work at Batumi in cooperation with BRC.

We will collect data on the flight behavior of the most numerous species of soaring birds during a period of three weeks between the half of September and early October. The most important species will be Steppe buzzard, Lesser-spotted eagle, Booted eagle and Black kite.

In particular our aim is to collect data on the flight altitude in relation to atmospherical conditions. As such the study aims to improve our understanding of the efficiency with which soaring birds migrate under differing weather conditions and how this affects local route choice in the bottleneck.

Studies on flight behavior in function of weather are crucial for a migration monitoring project. Because counts can be subject to large variability due to weather conditions. It is (among other issues) crucial to show that a watch-site like Batumi covers a majority of the seasonal migratory flow. This research will be an important early step in getting to understand local migration dynamics of different species.

Batumi Raptor Count is a very important project for the protection of European Raptors. At this site a huge number of raptors migrate during autumn mostly coming from the formerly Soviet Union.
In 2009 more than 800.000 raptors were observed migrating on the eastern coast of Black Sea.
A long term monitoring could provide informations of paramount importance for the protection of European birds of prey. For this reason we are proud to cooperate with the researchers involved in Batumi Raptor Count (click here to visit BRC website).

Photographic report Bosphorus 2010

2011-03-03T16:16:00.003+01:00

On the photographic blog of Michele Panuccio a report on autumn migration at Bosphorus has been posted. To see it click on the picture below.

Migrating raptors, spring migration 2011

2011-02-26T19:51:00.004+01:00

Also in the new upcoming spring we are going to collaborate with LIPU BirdLife Italy in the Raptor Migration Project in Italy.

In particular we are going to make observations at the islands of Ustica and Panarea, focusing on the flight behaviour of European Honey Buzzards through the Mediterranean Sea.
Observations are going to start the 20 of April until the 20 of May.
In this context we invite you to partecipate at the anti-poaching camp on the continental coast of the Strait of Messina (click here for further informations).

More hunters than raptors in Central Italy

2011-01-18T10:23:00.002+01:00

Sunday, during a 75-km of road-count in Central Italy (Tolfa Mountain) less than 20 raptors (Red Kites, Kestrels, Common buzzards) were observed while we met about 50 hunters...
Unfortunately in Italy there are about 700.000 hunters in Italy are a huge impact on environment in some areas . Differently from other European Union countries, in Italy hunting - concerning species and dates - is increasing thank to the lobby activity of weapon industry and hunters associations.

Winter road-count

2011-01-09T20:18:00.003+01:00

We finished the winter raptors monitoring in Basilicata (Southern Italy) after more than 400 km of car transects. We counted about one raptor per km. Mostly Common Buzzards, Kestrels and an impressive number of Red Kites. We observed also some Northern Harriers (more than expected), Sparrowhawks, Black Kites, Marsh Harriers and one Osprey.
In the pictures below, a perched Kestrel and a typical road counter during a break.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T19:23:00.002+01:00

Proceedings of the Adriatic Flyway 2009 Conference

2010-12-28T11:41:00.006+01:00

The proceedings of the Adriatic Flyway 2009 Conference are out now. To download them click here. You can find there also a Medraptors contribution.

What was the Adriatic Flyway Conference for?

Main aim of the conference was to bring together nature conservationists and ornithologists from the Balkans as well as representatives from international organisations working in bird protection. The Conference has in fact facilitated the dialogue between these groups and to point out the major importance of the East Adriatic Coast within the Central European migration route. Moreover the conference was an essential tool to promote the importance for protection and sustainable development of the natural areas of the Balkan Region.

Sequestred wind farm (Girifalco)

2010-12-24T17:38:00.005+01:00

Girifalco (Southern Italy): sequestred wind farm, built without respecting due distances from private dwellings. The sequestration ordered by power of attorney for trasgressions of urbanstic laws and regional directives. That area is also an important bottle-neck for the autumn migration of raptors: we counted up to 5000 in one season.

Confermato il sequestro delle pale eoliche di Girifalco (CZ)
E' stato confermato dal GIP il sequestro dell'impianto eolico ricadente nel Comune di Girifalco. La struttura presenterebbe diversi abusi in violazione alle norme urbanistiche ed alle direttive previste. In particolare l'impianto sarebbe stato realizzato senza rispettare le distanze dalle abitazioni private e a ridosso di un altro impianto eolico. Il parco eolico è stato realizzato dalla società Brulli energia di Reggio Emilia. Ci sono diversi indagati ma al momento non sono stati emessi avvisi di garanzia.
Bisogna sottolineare che tutta l'area di Girifalco e dei comuni vicini è stata pesantemente interessata dalla costruzione di impianti eolici nonostante diversi studi da noi realizzati abbiano messo in evidenza l'importanza dell'istmo di Marcellinara (il punto più stretto della penisola) per la migrazione dei rapaci. Anche la normativa in materia dichiara che non è possibile costruire tali impianti in aree importanti per la migrazione dell'avifauna, ma ciò non ha fermato l'edificazione di molte decine di pale eoliche sull'area.

Wintering raptors in Lucania (Southern Italy)

2010-12-11T13:14:00.001+01:00

As winter arrived, we are starting a new raptor monitoring program. Between December and January we are going to investigate wintering raptors in Basilicata (Southern Italy) by some hundreds of car transects in that region. Red kites, Common buzzards and Kestrels are the main expected species. We will inform you about that.

Dramatic Eagle

2010-12-05T14:17:00.000+01:00

Report Turkey Autumn 2010

2010-11-16T14:30:00.003+01:00

Click on the picture below to read the report of the research made in Turkey during Autumn 2010. More than 30.000 birds were observed also from a new watchpoint.

New paper reprints

2010-10-20T18:10:00.001+02:00

On our website we added the reprints of the following papers:

Mellone U., López- López P., Limiñana R., Urios V. 2010. Weather conditions promote route flexibility during open ocean crossing in a long-distance migratory raptor. International Journal of Biometeorology in press.

López-López P., Limiňana R., Mellone U. & Urios V. 2010. From the Mediterranean Sea to Madagascar: Are there ecological barriers for the long-distance migrant Eleonora's falcon? Landscape Ecol. 25(5): 803-813.

Agostini N. & Logozzo D. 2000. Migration and wintering distribution of the Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) in southern Italy. Buteo, 11:19-24.

Agostini N., Logozzo D. & Coleiro C. 1999. The orientation/navigation hypothesis: an indirect evidence in migrating Honey Buzzards. Rivista italiana di Ornitologia, 69:153-159.

Egyptian vultures fed by temple priest, 1906

2010-10-16T12:49:00.004+02:00

A southern Indian temple at Thirukalukundram near Chengalpattu is famed for a pair of Egyptian Vultures that have reputedly visited the site for "centuries". These birds are traditionally fed by the temple priests and arrive before noon to feed on offerings made from rice, wheat, ghee and sugar. Although punctual, the failure of the birds to turn up was attributed to the presence of "sinners" among the onlookers. Legend has it the vultures represent eight sages who were punished by Shiva with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.

Edgar Thurston

Ethnographic notes in Southern India
(Sources: http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924023651023#page/n329/mode/1up - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_vulture)

Nic is in Morocco!

2010-10-13T12:37:00.003+02:00

Nic, the first Short-toed Snake Eagle tracked from Basilicata, arrived in Northern Africa crossing the Mediterranean Sea at the Strait of Gibraltar while the other one is still in Southern Spain. Clik on the picture below.

Last news from Turkey

2010-10-04T22:52:00.004+02:00

Autumn observations at the Straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles came to an end with succesfullresults. Tens thousands raptors have been seen migrating en route to Africa. A more detailed report will be given in the next days.
The very last moment at Toygar Tepe (northern Bosphorus) has been great for the close passage of tens of eagles. Here below one picture of them.

News from Bosphorus 8

2010-09-28T19:13:00.003+02:00

In the last three days thousands of raptors and hundreds of storks were observed here at Toygar Tepe. Among them some rare species: a Red Kite, a male Pallid Harrier, a juvenile White Tailed Eagle and a juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle. Moreover a flock of about 20 Common Crossbills.

News from Bosphorus 7

2010-09-24T20:34:00.003+02:00

In the end there has been the peak of the Lesser-spotted Eagle migration at Bosphorus. Today about 6000 eagles have been observed from the Toygar Tepe watchpoint, mostly flying over the hills in front of the Black Sea.

News from Bosphorus 6

2010-09-23T23:17:00.003+02:00

Today was an impressive migration day thank to the passage of about 2500 raptors (mostly Lesser-spotted Eagles) and more than 200 Black Storks. The sky was covered by clouds and a strong wind blew from North East.

Dardanelles Autumn 7

2010-09-20T22:21:00.000+02:00

Today about 250 Red-footed Falcons were observed migrating through the Gallipoli Peninsula. They passed in flocks flying high over our watchpoint.

Satellite tracking of Short-toed Snake Eagles from Southern Italy to Africa

2010-09-19T19:07:00.000+02:00

Ugo Mellone together with the University of Alicante (Spain) and the Faunistic Observatory of Basilicata Region is studying the migration of Short-toed Snake Eagles. In particular he is tracking with GPS Satellite transmitters two juveniles fledged in Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Regional Park. One of the two eagles started the migration today and up to now it's going towards the North. To follow their movements click on the picture below.

News from Bosphorus 5

2010-09-18T21:39:00.000+02:00

Like in Marettimo, also here in Turkey we took pictures of an adult and a juvenile Egyptian Vultures migrating together.

In Autumn 1966 Porter and Willis counted 367 Egyptian Vultures but now the individuals observed migrating through the Bosphorus are much less. This is a signal of a dramatic decline of this species in Europe.

News from Bosphorus 4

2010-09-17T22:41:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was a really good day for migration here at Bosphorus (but also the day before yesterday and today...) and we observed also a rare species, a juvenile White Tailed Eagle.

Egyptian Vultures over Marettimo

2010-09-16T18:40:00.000+02:00

Here below, some pictures taken on the 4th September by Giuseppe Speranza. These migrating Egyptian Vultures were observed passing over the island of Marettimo (Western Sicily), that is an important site for the migration of this endangered species. In the past years we counted up to 74 individuals between the end of August and the first half of September.

Dardanelles Autumn 6

2010-09-15T21:11:00.000+02:00

Few migrating raptors at Dardanelles in these days but a lot of Bee Eaters. Yesterday the peak with more than 500 individuals.

News from Bosphorus 3

2010-09-14T22:06:00.000+02:00

Today was the first day with an intense passage of Lesser-spotted Eagles. About 700 migrated over Toygar Tepe and some hundreds were observed also from the Kuçuk çamlica.

News from Bosphorus 2

2010-09-13T22:18:00.000+02:00

Today here at Bosphorus we recorded a passage of some tens of Booted Eagles, mostly adults . They migrated in small flocks and they passed high over the watchpoint.

Dardanelles Autumn 5

2010-09-10T22:10:00.000+02:00

Not only raptors migrate at Dardanelles. Spoonbills and Shags passed over the watchpoint and a huge flock (several hundreds!!!) of White Storks is roosting at Kavak Delta.

Dardanelles Autumn 4

2010-09-07T22:48:00.000+02:00

Yesterday and today migrated through the Strait of Dardanelles about 140 raptors most of them were Honey Buzzards (with a lot of juveniles) but also Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, Booted Eagles, Lesser-spotted Eagles, Common Buzzards and Black Kites.

News from Bosphorus

2010-09-07T22:43:00.000+02:00

Today at Toygar Tepe we observed 100 migrating eagles. Lesser-spotted Eagles, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Snake Eagles, one Greater-spotted Eagle and one juvenile Imperial Eagle.

Dardanelles Autumn 3

2010-09-04T23:02:00.000+02:00

At last one good day of migration here at Dardanelles thank to the passage of about 250 Honey Buzzards.

Fortunately we have a new MEDRAPTORS member. In the picture below you can see him looking for raptors at the watchpoint.

Dardanelles Autumn 2

2010-09-02T22:23:00.000+02:00

Few migrating raptors at Dardanelles but every day something interesting like the flock of pelicans passed today or the Imperial Eagle often observed hunting.

Observations at Bosphorus

2010-08-29T18:25:00.001+02:00

After 10 days of observations at Toygar Tepe, north of Istanbul in the Asian side of the Bosphorus, we reported the passage of about 2000 White Storks and 400 European Honey Buzzards.

Dardanelles Autumn 1

2010-08-24T20:32:00.000+02:00

We start observations in Turkey, but up to now few migrating birds and strong wind. In the picture below a part of a flock of 50 roosting White Storks (together wıth 6 Black Storks and some Marsh Harriers) at Kavak Delta yesterday evening.

Turkey in Autumn

2010-07-26T11:05:00.000+02:00

The next 21 August we start a 6-weeks fieldwork in Turkey. Our aim is to compare raptor migration at Bosphorus and at Dardanelles Strait through simultaneous observations at both sites. Look forward our blog/website for the update.

New papers out now!

2010-07-10T11:16:00.000+02:00

A new paper concerning the migration of Honey Buzzards in relation to weather conditions was accepted. You can dowload the proof preview from the website of Zoological Studies (click at the link below). The paper reports the results of the ornithological camps made in Girifalco, Southern Appennines, during autumn 2005 and 2006.

Panuccio M., Agostini N., Lucia G., Mellone U., Ashton-Boot J., Wilson S., Chiatante G. & Todisco S. 2010. Local weather conditions affect migration strategies of adult Western Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) through an isthmus area. Zoological Studies: in press.

Moreover on the last number of the Journal of Raptors Research a review concerning the migration of Western Marsh Harrier through the Mediterranean Sea has been published (at the moment you can find it on BioOne Online Journals):

Agostini N. & Panuccio M. 2010. Western Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) migration through the Mediterranean sea: a review. Journal of Raptor Research 44(2): 136-142.

Ustica island, photographic report

2010-06-17T11:33:00.000+02:00

On our webisite, in the photo gallery (Ustica island/Spring 2010), we added a photographic report of spring 2010 migration at the island of Ustica (Sicily, Southern Italy). Click on the picture below to enter:

Cominciano i lavori per il Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina

2010-06-16T11:15:00.000+02:00

The construction site for the bridge at the Strait of Messina started. We state our concern for the environment and the area that is also one of the most important site for raptor migration in Europe where the passage of more than 20.000 birds are reported every spring. Following the press release of No Bridge Network.

"Nella zona nord di Messina sono iniziate le trivellazioni che inaugurano ufficialmente l`avvio dei lavori del Ponte. Si tratta solo di un`anticipazione dello sconvolgimento che colpirà una vasta area fortemente urbanizzata, fragile dal punto di vista idrogeologico, importante dal punto di vista ambientale e paesaggistico. E lo spreco di denaro pubblico sarà enorme, continuo, inarrestabile. Proprio nel periodo dei tagli ai servizi essenziali. Arriva il mostro sullo Stretto. Sono iniziate in via Circuito, nella zona nord di Messina, le trivellazioni per completare gli studi necessari per il progetto definitivo del Ponte sullo Stretto. Per oltre due mesi, in piena estate, via Circuito sarà impraticabile perché il Governo ha deciso di continuare a buttare milioni di euro per progettare una mega-opera inutile e devastante. Mentre le aree alluvionate di Messina attendono ancora i promessi sostanziosi finanziamenti, mentre RFI continua lo smantellamento del servizio pubblico di traghettamento risparmiando su navi e traghetti siciliani a vantaggio dell’Alta velocità del Nord, mentre la crisi economica colpisce i lavoratori, mentre vengono attuati tagli agli enti locali, agli stipendi degli statali, alla scuola, ai servizi pubblici, ai precari, agli invalidi…"

Rete No Ponte
Terre Libere

Other papers

2010-05-26T18:33:00.000+02:00

- Poster presentation from the Italian Ornithological Congresses

- More papers from Medraptors Staff (not concerning migrating raptors)

- Medraptors graduation thesis (B.Sc., M.Sc.)

News from Ustica

2010-05-16T20:34:00.001+02:00

Yesterday, with a strong West wind, a flock of Spoonbills and some Honey Buzzards were observed migrating through the Falconiera Promontory while today a small flock of Black Kites and few Marsh Harriers were recorded.

Hundreds of Honey Buzzards over the Ligurian Appennines

2010-05-12T09:19:00.000+02:00

Yesterday we went to Arenzano (Ge) with the students of the applied zoology and ethology course of the University of Pavia together with their prof. Giuseppe Bogliani. In few hours we could observe the migration of more than 300 Honey Buzzards, some Black Kites and a Montagu's Harrier despite the wet weather.

More raptors over Ustica

2010-05-08T10:56:00.000+02:00

Yesterday a new passage of raptors was observed over the island of Ustica. 134 Honey Buzzards, 13 Black Kites, 3 Marsh and one Montagu's Harrier.

News from Mount Olympus

2010-05-03T19:48:00.000+02:00

Unlike Ustica, bad news from Mount Olympus. After one week no one Honey Buzzard was observed but it is interesting to report the passage of 17 Black Storks.

Ustica, Sicily, 2nd May, peak of the passage of Honey Buzzards

2010-05-02T21:27:00.000+02:00

Today there has been the peak of the passage of Honey Buzzards over Ustica, never seen so many migrating on the island. More than two thousand have flown high above Falconiera promontory. After many days when just a few individuals were observed, the important part of migration began yesterday with about 90 Honey Buzzards. The 1st of May was also cheered up by the passage of more than three thousand and five hundred bee-eaters (it was very difficult to count the lot of them).

"They arrived in flocks
Calling each other above the rocks

feeding the air with merry cries

up and down low and high

until in the end they decide

to cross together towards the other side."

Ustica, from the 20th April to 20th May.

2010-04-27T17:34:00.000+02:00

Honey Buzzard female

LIPU MIGRATING RAPTORS PROJECT

We collaborate with LIPU - BirdLife Italy making observations at the island
of Ustica from the 20 April to 20 May.

The first migrating Honey Buzzard

2010-04-22T17:34:00.000+02:00

Today, here at Ustica, we observed the first Honey Buzzard of the season. Also a Pallid Harrier, some Marsh and Montagu's Harriers and some Lesser Kestrel passed over the watchsite.

LIPU MIGRATING RAPTORS PROJECT

2010-04-17T16:20:00.000+02:00

For another spring we collaborate with LIPU - BirdLife Italy making observations at the island of Ustica from the 20 April to 20 May. In particular, the aim of our fieldwork is to investigate the water-crossing behaviour of Honey Buzzards in relation to weather conditions.

PARCO EOLICO DI GIRIFALCO

2010-04-15T12:00:00.000+02:00

LIPU E MEDRAPTORS ESPRIMONO SOLIDARIETA’ AL PROFESSOR TOLONE
Gravi le responsabilità del Comune di Girifalco,
ma anche quelle della Regione Calabria e del Nucleo VIA

La Delegazione reggina della LIPU e l’associazione Medraptors esprimono solidarietà al Prof. Salvatore Tolone, Docente dell’Università Federico II° di Napoli, per i gravissimi atti di intimidazione subiti a seguito della sua opposizione alla realizzazione di un Parco Eolico da parte della Brulli Energia nel territorio del Comune di Girifalco.
Il professor Tolone, come ha rivelato l’articolo del quotidiano La Repubblica del 16 marzo scorso, ha subito diverse intimidazioni per aver scoperto gravissime irregolarità nella realizzazione del Parco Eolico di Girifalco (CZ) – tra cui incredibili falsificazioni delle mappe catastali a corredo del progetto, dalle quali sono stati fatti sparire 80 edifici che avrebbero intralciato la collocazione delle torri – fino all’attentato dinamitardo che ha distrutto la sua autovettura parcheggiata di fronte alla caserma dei Carabinieri di Lamezia.
Oggi, a causa delle sue denunce, è costretto a vivere lontano dalla Calabria.
Questi episodi, secondo le associazioni di tutela ambientale, portano ancora una volta alla ribalta i torbidi interessi che in Calabria, ma anche in altre regioni del Sud, gravitano attorno all’eolico, richiamando le gravissime responsabilità della Regione Calabria e del Nucleo VIA della Regione nel rilascio delle autorizzazioni, che hanno portato ad una proliferazione di impianti in misura largamente superiore a quanto previsto dal Piano Energetico Regionale.
Nel territorio calabrese la passata Amministrazione Regionale ha concesso di tutto: autorizzazioni rilasciate senza che ve ne fossero i presupposti, come quella concernente l’impianto Edison di Melissa/Strongoli (KR), dove è stata consentita la realizzazione del parco eolico nonostante la valutazione d’incidenza fosse negativa; documenti scomparsi misteriosamente, come le osservazioni contrarie al Parco Brulli di Girifalco presentate dal prof. Tolone e dalla stessa LIPU ( il Decreto 11928/2007 della Regione Calabria ha autorizzato il parco eolico visto “che non sono pervenute osservazioni da parte di soggetti interessati”???); parchi eolici concentrati in zone di intensa migrazione di rapaci veleggiatori, in violazione delle stesse norme di salvaguardia stabilite dalla Regione, come per gli impianti realizzati in sequenza su tutta la dorsale catanzarese (Girifalco, Iacurso, Maida, San Pietro a Maida ecc) o quelli dell’ENEL a Montebello e Bagaladi, in provincia di Reggio Calabria.
Infatti l’Istmo di Marcellinara, tra lo Ionio ed il Tirreno catanzaresi, rappresenta uno dei più importanti punti di passaggio di uccelli veleggiatori del nostro Paese. Proprio qui, assurdamente, la Regione Calabria ha autorizzato la più grande concentrazione di pale eoliche di tutta Italia, contravvenendo alle sue stesse regole (Deliberazione 55/2006 della Giunta Regionale della Calabria).
Nel caso di Girifalco, poi, non si possono tacere le gravissime responsabilità che fanno capo all’Amministrazione Comunale di quel centro.
Com’è possibile credere, sostengono LIPU e Medraptors, che gli amministratori locali non si siano resi conto delle falsificazioni, nemmeno quando le torri sono state erette vicino alle case?
Sconcertante anche l’archiviazione disposta dalla Procura della Repubblica di Catanzaro in merito alle documentate denunce di falso presentate dal Prof. Tolone. Archiviazione poi contraddetta dalla stessa Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia di Catanzaro, che ha disposto la riapertura dell’indagine.
Al riguardo LIPU e Medraptors ricordano che il p.m. De Magistris, silurato a Catanzaro ed allontanato da importanti inchieste su politici, massoneria deviata e consorterie affaristiche, si stava occupando anche delle gravi irregolarità commesse da esponenti politici di primo piano della Regione Calabria interessati alla realizzazione dei parchi eolici.
La LIPU e Medraptors si augurano che il clamore suscitato dall’inchiesta del quotidiano romano rimetta in primo piano la vicenda e si giunga all’accertamento delle responsabilità, specie quelle di coloro che avrebbero dovuto controllare la regolarità dei progetti e non l’hanno fatto, favorendo così le organizzazioni criminali.

Reggio Calabria, 14 aprile 2010

LIPU RC, Via Nazionale 114, 89134 Pellaro (RC) http://www.lipureggiocalabria.it/ / lipurc@libero.it
MEDRAPTORS, http://www.raptormigration.org/ / medraptors@raptormigration.org

New paper out now!

2010-04-13T13:08:00.000+02:00

The first number of the new ornithological journal, Chinese Birds, has been published. There you can find a new paper from Medraptors. Click to download it.

Panuccio M. & Agostini N., 2010. Comparison of the water-crossing behavior of Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) and European Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) during autumn migration. Chinese Birds 1(1): 30-35.

Honey Buzzard migration at Mount Olympus?

2010-03-31T18:34:00.000+02:00

We are planning a field study focused on the Honey Buzzard migration through the Eastern Mediterranean. We are going to make observations between 27 April and 16 May at Mount Olympus at the same watchsite where we have as soon as reported the passage of hundreds of Short-toed Snake Eagles and storks.

Hundreds of Snake Eagles at Mount Olympus

2010-03-25T18:05:00.001+01:00

Yestarday was the peak of the migration of Short-toed Snake Eagles at Mount Olympus: 260 individuals observed! Also some storks migrated at the site.

Criminalità e parchi eolici a Girifalco (CZ)

2010-03-22T17:58:00.000+01:00

Segnaliamo questo articolo apparso su Repubblica del 16 marzo a proposito dell’eolico a Girifalco, Calabria dove Salvatore Tolone combatte una battaglia contro il grande business energetico e la criminalità organizzata.
Sull’argomento sono state presentate anche tre interrogazioni parlamentari. Sull’eolico a Girifalco si era scritto qualche tempo fa anche a proposito della vicinanza ad un monastero bizantino delle torri.

«Sono come quei toreri incoscienti. Tutti sanno che non l’ avrò vinta, guardano l’ ora e in paese aspettano che il toro si scateni e mi infilzi». É il vento che ha inguaiato Salvatore Tolone.É il vento che oggi lo fa vivere fuori casa, consegnato alla paura e all’ idea che quelli lì lo possano far fuori per davvero: «In Calabria può capitare che ti sparino perché intralci, ostruisci, “deludi” le loro spettative… Ma ancora non ho paura…». Il vento di Girifalco, tra Catanzaro e Lamezia Terme, soffia forte e, quel che più conta, soffia per molti mesi all’ anno. Le colline lo incanalano nelle vallate, i costoni lo bloccano fino a sequestrarlo. É vento buono per un grande parco eolico, il business energetico di questi anni. La vita di Tolone, che insegna all’ università di Napoli, resta inchiodata al paese natìo, il grumo di case dominato dalle ‘ ndrine più violente della regione. La sua vita cambia quando anche i suoi terreni risultano ghiotti per far girare le pale immense, gli uccelli d’ acciaio che produrranno energia.

In paese del parco si inizia a parlare nel 2005 quando una società di Reggio Emilia, la Brulli Energia, presenta il progetto per la realizzazione di sedici torri della potenza di due megawatt ciascuna. La Brulli, precisiamolo subito, è un’ azienda tecnicamente affidabile, solida finanziariamente e con decine di realizzazioni in Italia. Però a Girifalco le cose non vanno come dovrebbero. Il progetto viene approvato il 2006 dal consiglio comunale (delibera n.13 del 24 marzo). Quindi il mese successivo, il 12 aprile, è firmata la convenzione con la società. Ma le parole utilizzate per illustrare il piano d’ opera hanno subito misurato una certa distanza con gli intendimenti reali: infatti nel testo della convenzione il parco eolico, progettato per produrre 32 megawatt di energia, cambia passo e la produzione punta a 44 megawatt. Le sedici torri proposte e approvate divengono dunque ventidue. Tolone ha estese proprietà e si accorge di un errore che nessuno, né i tecnici della società promotrice né quelli del comune, aveva avuto modo di notare. Più che errore si potrebbe dire, a voler essere maliziosi, un nitido falso. Le mappe catastali sulle quale sono state individuate le torri risultano alterate nella scala di rappresentazione: 1: 2500 invece che 1: 2000. Scala più ampia e distanze allungate. Ma soprattutto sbianchettate, alleggerite dal panorama ottanta abitazioni, e ridisegnate le distanze minime necessarie per realizzare quelle torri così alte in modo da rispettare i limiti di legge: non meno di 500 metri devono separare una casa da una torre. Ottanta case c’ erano e non ci sono. Le distanze inghiottite nel nulla. Rese inesistenti. «Per errore», ammetteranno al comune. Tolone, forte della scoperta e prima che scadanoi termini per le osservazioni e le deduzioni, invia il 28 aprile del 2007 al settore Tutela dell’ Ambiente della Provincia di Catanzaro le sue prove e le sue contestazione. Ricorso ricevuto e protocollato (prot. n. 31328/07). Passa un mese e poco più. 7 giugno 2007: il giovane docente dopo aver presentato un libro a Reggio Calabria si dirige con la sua auto a Lamezia Terme. La parcheggia proprio di fronte alla caserma dei carabinieri. Gli sembra sia meglio custodita. Si avvia alla stazione ferroviaria e sale sul treno per Napoli. Alle sei del mattino del giorno seguente i carabinieri di Lamezia gli comunicano che l’ auto è deflagrata. La bomba, lato autista, è esplosa nella notte. La bomba, dunque. Primo avvertimento. Ma Tolone si sente torero e continua a sfidare il toro… Entra in Procura, a Catanzaro, il 17 luglio del 2007 e denuncia ogni cosa: le mappe alterate, le stranezze evidenti, le cointeressenze inquietanti. Tempo quindici giorni e si accorgerà che le sue inquietudini non sono terminate perché la Regione Calabria l’ 8 agosto 2007 (decreto 11928) autorizza il parco eolico visto che ogni cosa è al suo posto e considerato «che non sono pervenute osservazioni da parte dei soggetti interessati». Non sono pervenute osservazioni? E la sua del 28 aprile cos’ era? C’ era appunto scritto osservazioni. Aveva dedotto, provandolo, che le mappe erano false. Non era una osservazione utile? Tolone inizia a capire come gira il vento a Girifalco. E soprattutto dove esso giri. Le ruspe cominciano ad invadergli il terreno in modo abusivo; vengono incanalate le acque in modo che la sua proprietà si allaghi; vengono apposti picchetti annunciando il futuro prossimo. Lui ogni volta corre dai carabinieri e sporge querela. Un giorno lo fermano e gli dicono: «Mettiti d’ accordo, prendi i soldi e falla finita». Il nostro torero si dirige in procura per capire e domandare che fine abbia fatto il suo esposto. Bussa alla porta dell’ archivio. La sua denuncia, il vento che gira contro le leggi, le case sbianchettate, le distanze annullate, i progetti alterati, non ha avuto seguito. Procedimento n. 2252/2007 destinato alla morte anticipata: al famigerato modello 45. Archiviazione. La Procura avrà avuto sicuramente buoni motivi per fare questa scelta, ma Tolone decide che non è giunto il momento di fermarsi. Si convince che non è giusto scappare. Certo, gli hanno appena incendiato il trattore, è il secondo avvertimento. In genere al terzo ti sparano. Ritorna a Catanzaro e chiede in Procura di riavere copia delle sue carte. Non gliele danno. Anzi, quel fascicolo, apparso morto, torna in vita e viene affidato a un pm della direzione distrettuale antimafia. I mesi però passano invano. Tutto il 2008 se ne va senza che che foglia si muova. E così il 2009. Le pale si alzano lentamente. Sono dodici quelle finora realizzate. Ma il 4 marzo scorso uno di quei grandi uccelli d’ acciaio, la torre B1, prende fuoco. Incendio doloso, chiaro indizio che gli appetiti non sono stati sfamati a dovere. La ‘ ndrangheta, che ha già presentato il conto, non è abituata ad avvertire più di una volta. In questo caso siamo già a due avvertimenti. «So che al terzo non c’ è scampo: mi spareranno». Il professor Tolone, liberale di buona famiglia, bibliofilo e giramondo, oggi torero di Girifalco, aspetta. E ancora spera che qualcuno si accorga di lui e del vento assassino. (ha collaborato Giuseppe Baldessarro) – ANTONELLO CAPORALE

Imperial eagle

2010-03-22T17:50:00.001+01:00

One of the two imperial eagles observed two days ago here at Mount Olympus.

Eagles and storks

2010-03-20T19:58:00.000+01:00

Today was an wonderful day of migration, here at Olympus mountain. More than 100 Short-toed Snake Eagles, 50 white storks and two beautiful Imperial Eagles passed in few hours.

Finches

2010-03-18T18:10:00.000+01:00

Yestarday over the watchpoint here at Olympus mountain hundreds of finches migrated in flock comprised in an average of 2-25 individuals. On the picture below one of them.

The migration is going on

2010-03-16T20:44:00.000+01:00

Today a flock of 9 White Storks passed over the watchpoint soaring very high, at least 1300 m above the sea level. Few raptors...

News from Mount Olympus

2010-03-14T20:08:00.000+01:00

At last, today the migration has started. About 100 Short-toed Snake Eagles, 20 White Storks and a Griffon Vulture flying along the white slopes of the mountains. Bad weather but amazing migration.

Spring migration

2010-03-07T12:53:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we started observations at Mount Olympus in order to check the spring migration of Short-toed Snake Eagles through the Eastern Mediterranean. Up to now very few birds, snow and cold weather...

Sicily, January 2010

2010-02-26T10:47:00.000+01:00

Our friends from Ragusa, Sicily, sent us a picture made during our fieldwork in January. We made more than one thousand km of line transects in the whole island and we observed hundreds of wintering raptors mostly kestrels and common buzzards but also marsh and hen harriers, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons, booted eagles, black kites and lesser kestrels. We wish to thank all the people who supported us during the research in particular LIPU (BirdLife Italy) of Alcamo and Gela, the Natutal Reserve of Gela Lake (Biviere), Antonino Provenza, Paolo Amato, Emilio Giudice, Peppe Campo, Antonino Duchi and Renzo Ientile.

New paper reprints

2010-02-19T09:56:00.000+01:00

On our website we added the reprints of the following papers:

Panuccio M. & Canale E. 2003. Osservazioni sui movimenti post-riproduttivi del Nibbio bruno, Milvus migrans, nel Lazio (Central Italy). Rivista italiana di Ornitologia, 73(2): 180-182.

Agostini N. & Panuccio M. 2003. How do Accipitriformes behave during autumn migration at the Circeo promontory? Rivista italiana di Ornitologia, 73(2): 165- 167.

Agostini N. & Panuccio M. 2003. Analysis of the spring migration of Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) and Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) at two sites of Central Italy. Avocetta, 27: 203-205.

Agostini N., Logozzo D. & Melotto S. 1994. The flocking behaviour of migrating honey buzzards. Suppl. Bollettino di Zoologia :63.

Ringing raptors

2010-02-11T12:45:00.001+01:00

Our friends rangers from the Natural Reserve of Decima Malafede (Central Italy) have ringed a Common buzzard wintering there. This is the nice picture.

A call against no-limits hunting in Italy

2010-02-09T13:00:00.000+01:00

We support a call from Bird Life Italy (LIPU) against the no-limits hunting law in Italy, sign it:

Fermiamo “caccia no limits” nell’Anno della Biodiversità

Il Senato della Repubblica, venerdì 28 gennaio 2010, ha approvato tra le proteste generali l’articolo 38 della legge Comunitaria. In gioco, con questo articolo “ingannevole”, ci sono tante cose e tutte molto negative, che la LIPU riassume in poche parole: caccia “no limits”! L’articolo 38 è anzitutto una beffa all’Europa, che da quattro anni attende invano dall’Italia risposte alle infrazioni commesse. Italia che abusa della caccia in deroga a specie protette; che non prevede alcun divieto di caccia nelle delicatissime fasi di riproduzione e migrazione degli uccelli; che non tutela abbastanza le zone di protezione speciale e gli habitat naturali. Nessuna di queste risposte all’Europa arriverà, con l’articolo 38. Ma in compenso, la situazione peggiorerà. Perché questo articolo allungherà la stagione di caccia, cancellando i limiti della stagione venatoria nazionale -oggi contenuta tra il 1° settembre e il 31 gennaio- aprendo così la strada a nuove, illegittime deroghe. In sostanza, l’Italia sta dicendo all’Europa che risolverà un’infrazione aggiungendone un’altra! Ma l’articolo 38 è anche un grave e concreto danno alla Natura. Perché si potrà cacciare ad agosto, con i piccoli uccelli ancora dipendenti dai genitori, o nel delicato mese di febbraio, quando i migratori sono nel pieno del loro viaggio di ritorno verso i luoghi di riproduzione.
Natura già ferita da mille assalti: la distruzione degli habitat, i cambiamenti climatici, l’inquinamento ambientale, lo scempio al territorio e al paesaggio. Natura che ci chiede ben altro, e cioè rispetto, cura, attenzione, conoscenza.
L’articolo 38 è poi una ferita al diritto, alla chiarezza, alla trasparenza della politica. Perché la sua approvazione al Senato si è consumata tra sotterfugi, trucchi, piccoli inganni, pressioni indebite, cose nascoste o mistificate.
Infine, l’articolo 38 è un raggiro delle persone, degli italiani. Di quell’86% di italiani (sondaggio IPSOS per LIPU etc.) contrari ad ogni allungamento della stagione venatoria. Lo hanno forse chiesto, agli italiani, se la caccia ad agosto e a febbraio è davvero cosa gradita?
Il 2010 è l’anno internazionale della Biodiversità. Ci sono tante cose da fare: natura da conoscere e proteggere, voli da salutare, boschi e alberi con cui respirare. La Biodiversità: un mondo infinito e meraviglioso. Cosa c’entrano i fucili e il piombo con tutto ciò?
Noi amiamo la natura e la biodiversità. Presto l’articolo 38 andrà alla Camera. Fermiamolo, tutti insieme. Diffondi questo appello.
Firma la petizione LIPU su http://www.lipu.it/tu_petizione_cacciaselvaggia.htm
Comunicate la vostra adesione, come singolo individuo o come gruppo, associazione, società, ecc., alla LIPU scrivendo una email a: giovanni.albarella@lipu.it

Blood samples requested for Circus pygargus DNA analyses

2010-02-04T11:50:00.000+01:00

A colleague from Spain, J. T. Garcia, needs some help for a research, in particular he needs blood samples for Circus pygargus DNA analyses. If you can help him, read the post and answer.

As a part of an unfinanced research on Montagu’s Harrier focused in phylogeography of the species, I’m seeking blood/tissue samples to be used in studies of population genetics and phylogeny, which will be useful in the conservation of this threatened species. I have collected samples from different populations and have used some original DNA samples provided by different harrier’s workers. I would also like to expand the database to include new Circus species and populations. Unfortunately, I lack some populations of Europe to finish the laboratory work. Please see below and let me know at jesus.ggonzalez@uclm.es if you have already taken samples (e.g. from past fieldwork, birds dead, etc) from Montagu’s or related Circus species. It is important to record the locality and date the sample was taken and any other relevant information. Samples should be mailed directly to my lab. I will acknowledge adequately all contributors.
Detailed Directions:
1) Blood (one-two drops) or tissue (0,5 cm2) samples can be sent in eppendorf-like tubes (preferably stored in ethanol 99%, but not necessary). If you wish, you may also send samples in Zipper bags (for tissue samples).

2) Please, label each sample independently with your name, sampling date, origin of sample and storage conditions (conservation buffer, frozen samples, etc).

Shipping address:
Jesus T. Garcia
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinégéticos (IREC-CSIC)
Ronda de Toledo s/n
13005 Ciudad Real.
Spain
E-mail: jesus.ggonzalez@uclm.es

Antikythira photographic report

2010-02-01T11:34:00.001+01:00

On our webisite, in the photo gallery (Antikythira/Autumn2009), it's possible to see a photographic report of autumn 2009 migration of raptors at the island of Antikythira (Southern Greece). Click on the picture below to enter: