MIGRATION STUDY PROTOCOLS and ECOVOLUNTEERS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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.