Passage of Buteo spp. over Marettimo (Sicily)

In the field of the "Raptor Migration Project" coordinated by LIPU BirdLife, our friend Giovanni Cumbo made a whole month of observations at the wonderful island of Marettimo (Western Sicily). Among the observed raptors he counted some individuals of Buteo spp., that are scarce migrants across the Central Mediterranean area. Those birds were Common Buzzards but also Steppe Buzzards and Long-legged Buzzards. Here follow some pictures taken by Giovanni in Marettimo.

Raptor Migration Project 2013

In the last days the session of fieldwork (Raptor Migration Project) coordinated by LIPU BirdLife Italy on which we collaborate was ended. In particular also this year we made observations at the island of Ustica where it has been recorded the passage of about two thousands Honey Buzzards together with good numbers of Marsh Harriers and Montagu's Harriers.

Sicily 2013 - Raptor Conservation update

Unfortunately two 50-days old chicks of Bonelli's eagle were stolen from a nest in Sicily. This criminal act was made on the 8th of May in one of the daily monitored nest. The activity of poachers in Sicily is still intense against this rare raptors and therefore our commitment must be intense. 

However we have also a good piece of news, yesterday the first young eagle flew away from the nest  while  many others are  following in the next few days. 

New Master thesis!

Some days ago Massimo Sotto discussed his Master thesis at the University of Pavia. This thesis has been realized among the research activities of MEDRAPTORS. In particular, Massimo studied the wintering ecology of the Common Buzzard in northern Italy. Two study areas were compared, the Padana Valley and hilly and mountain territories of northern Apennines. The results of his research showed that the Common Buzzard mostly winters on flat areas and in particular on rice fields. In addition  Kestrels, Hen Harriers, Sparrowhawks and Peregrine Falcons were the other species of raptors recorded but in small numbers.  

Call for volunteers at the Strait of Gibraltar!

There is a great opportunity to partecipate at one of the most important monitoring  project of migrating raptors. The Migres Foundation is looking for volunteers:

Migres Foundation is launching its 2013 call for researchers for the monitoring of migratory birds in the Strait of Gibraltar. Migres is a scientific programme for the long-term study and monitoring of migratory birds through the Strait of Gibraltar. Since 1997, Migres Programme is based on systematic and standardised bird counting which provides comparable results year after year. Furthermore, Migres actively contributes to environmental education and social awareness of bird and habitat conservation. This programme also aims to train those people interested in bird identification, census techniques and migratory bird studies. For this reason, we open this call to all those interested in our studies on migratory birds in the Strait of Gibraltar. 

You can find more information at the Migres Foundation website www.fundacionmigres.org or ask for additional information by email at: colaboradores@fundacionmigres.org

Raptor migration update from Southern Italy

The Italian peninsula is involved in an important migration flow. Lesser kestrels, Red-footed falcons and harriers are moving through southern Italy as observed in several sites of Calabria and Apulia. In the pictures below, taken by Matteo Caldarella, some migrating falcons close the Adriatic cost of Apulia.

Kestrels are laying eggs

April is the month  when many raptors start the breeding activities. In Central Italy Kestrels are occupying nests and laying their first eggs. The pictures below were taken in nest boxes in cultivated fields close to Rome.