Invitation for volunteers - Strait of Messina

Next week we are going to start a new season of fieldwork at the Strait of Messina, together with our friends of Ornis Italica: on the 10th of August we will start an extensive fieldwork going on until the end of September. We are monitoring the effect of a new powerline on the migration of birds as well as collecting data on the migratory behaviour of raptors with a radar station and from two different watchpoints. It could be the chance to observe good numbers of raptors (Honey Buzzards, Black Kites, Marsh Harriers, Montagu's Harriers, Egyptian Vultures, Lesser Kestrels) moving toward the Strait and also to meet friends and colleagues. Last year more than 20.000 raptors were counted from a single watchpoint. If you would like to join us as a volunteer you are welcome and we will provide food and accomodation. 

Write us an email for further information.

Winter is coming!

Here in Central Italy lot of Black Kites have already left their breeding territories about two weeks in advance. This was probably due by the fact that many pairs have failed the breeding this year. On the other hand other breeding pairs have still chicks in their nest, waiting for fledging.

Pallid Harriers

Here following some amazing pictures taken by Yeray Seminario at our watchpoint at the Strait of Messina during last spring migration. Raptors in the pictures are Pallid Harriers. This species has been observed in good numbers last spring with 75 individuals counted. Moreover also 74 individuals were observed belonging to the unidentified group of Montagu's/Pallid Harrier. The peak day was the 12 April with 28 identified Pallid harriers.

An interesting behaviour

An interesting behaviour shown by Kestrels breeding in the central Apennines (Gran Sasso). Our friend Eliseo Strinella took these pictures of Common Kestrels flying with cow's droppings. What do Kestrels do with those excrements?

Our World Migratory Bird Day

Over the last two days at the Strait of Messina raptor count in Southern Italy, around 4000 raptors were observed. Twelve species were recorded in total; honey buzzards were the most frequent, passing in large flocks. Other highlights included small flocks of red-footed falcons, montagu's and marsh harries and a juvenile pallid harrier. As well as black kites, booted eagles and black storks. The count was supplemented with the use of radar to detect bird passage. 

Short-toed Snake Eagles

Here following an amazing sequence of a "discussion" between an adult and an immature short-toed snake eagles. The pictures were taken by Ugo Ferrero in April close to Taranto in south-eastern Italy.

News of the Strait of Messina

The last two days we have counted about 3000 raptors at our watchpoint at the Strait of Messina. They were mostly Honey Buzzards but we observed also dozens of Black Kites and harriers. A flock of seven Black Storks was observed on Ciccia Mountain, on the Sicilian side of the Strait, and after 38 minutes they passed over our station at 23 km of linear distance.

This morning the migration has started early, with 100 hundred Honey Buzzards between 8:00 and 8:30. In the picture our watchpoint and, on the left, the radar station.