Interesting paper on Science: vultures and diclofenac

Among the different threat European raptors must face there is the diclofenac. This low-cost veterinarian product is used worldwide to manage livestock. However residuals remain in the carcasses provoking the death of vultures feeding on them. Now a new important paper has been published on Science highlighting the detrimental use of this veterinarian product. In our opinion the production of diclofenac should be stopped and its selling forbidden, first in Europe and then worldwide.

To read the paper click on the picture below:

New paper out now!

Our last paper has been published! It relies on the distribution of short-toed eagle in Italy in relation with its migratory route, the geography of the Mediterranean and the ecological features affecting the breeding area selection. The conclusions suggest that the presence of a natural barrier such as the Mediterranean Sea leads this species to an unexpected southerly direction of colonization in Italy.

You can download it at the link below:

• Panuccio M., Lucia P., Agostini N., Ottonello D. & Bogliani G. 2014. Motion capacity, geography and ecological features explain the present distribution of a migratory top predator. Ecological Research DOI: 10.1007/s11284-014-1226-2

XXII Spanish Congress of Ornithology

In these days in Madrid there is the XXII Spanish Congress of Ornithology promoted by Seo-Bird Life Spain. Among the different interesting contribution there is a poster also from our research network. You can read it clicking on the link below:

• Panuccio M., Stanzione V., Catoni C., Biasi G., Santini M., Bogliani G. & Dell'Omo G. 2014. Ground-speed of migrating raptors as revealed by a surveillance radar. Proceedings of the XXII Congreso Español de Ornitología, Madrid: 137. 

Research In Ornithology

The Italian Journal of Ornithology (Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia) is a very old italian journal: it was founded in 1911! Now it was re-styled, there is an English name with the same acronym (Research In Ornithology), a new journal cover and a new Editorial Board led by the prof. Giuseppe Bogliani. We invite all the researchers to take a look to the new website and to submit to the journal their papers.

Click on the picture below to enter the RIO website.

Raptor migration - Aspromonte Mountain - Autumn 2014

Between the 11th of August and the end of September we observed the passage of raptors together with our friends of Ornis Italica on the Aspromonte mountain. From a single watchpoint we counted 11484 raptors moving southward. Among them several Honey Buzzards, Black Kites and Marsh Harriers. Among the rare species we underline the passage of four individuals of Egyptian vultures with two fresh juveniles. Unfortunately some poaching activity was recorded during raining days when raptors flew at lower altitudes on the ground.

Steppe Buzzard over Marettimo

Steppe buzzards are not always easy to distinguish from individuals of the nominal subspecies. Also because of the large overlap area in Eastern Europe where several birds show intermediate characters between the two subspecies. Therefore, here in the Central Mediterranean area, it's a kind of satisfaction when you catch the sight of a buzzard that clearly is a vulpinus. In the picture below a shot of an individual migrating at the island of Marettimo (Western Sicily). It is possible to identify it thanks to the distinct trailing edge, the fine barring remiges and the subterminal tail-band typical of adult individuals.   

News from Marettimo island

Despite the very strong southern wind some raptors are reaching the island of Marettimo. Yesterday a flock of about 100 Black Kites has been observed. Moreover Short-toed Eagles, Marsh Harriers, Common and Steppe Buzzards are hunting along the ridge of the main relief waiting for a changing wind.