New M.Sc. thesis!

This week Alberto Pastorino graduated at the University of Pavia. He made a Master thesis analysing individual differences in flight performances of Honey Buzzards migrating in southern Italy. Radar measurements were made on raptors flying singly and in flocks, and for each flock were tracked more individuals. The amazing results showed that faster speed is reached by individuals flying in flocks rather than alone and that there are significative differences among individuals of the same flock.

New M.Sc. thesis!

Few days ago Giacomo Biasi graduated at the University of Siena. In his M.Sc. thesis (title: "How weather conditions influence the flight strategies of migrating raptors: a case study from a migration bottleneck") he analyzed the flight behaviour of raptors in relation to weather conditions at Batumi bottleneck (Georgia). In particular the flight altitudes of raptors were analyzed showing species-specific behaviours. The data were collected in 2011 thanks to a collaboration between MEDRAPTORS and Batumi Raptor Count.

New M.Sc. thesis!

Some days ago at La Sapienza, University of Rome, Martina Scacco graduated with the highest marks and praice. She has discussed her Master Thesis realized in the field of our research activity. In particular she has analyzed the diet of Kestrels breeding in central Italy in relation with land use, breeding success and individual preferences.

New B.Sc. thesis!

Some days ago Sara Capotosti discussed her thesis in Informatics at the University La Sapienza of Rome. She developed a web portal in order to support the research related to raptor movements and their dissemination basing on MEDRAPTORS activity. The title of the thesis is: "RaptorMigration a web portal for the study and the observations of migrating raptors". We congratulate with her and we hope to launch a new MEDRAPTORS website realized thanks to her thesis next summer.

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.  

New Ph.D. dissertation!

Last week Nicolantonio Agostini discussed his Ph.D. thesis at the University of Pavia. The title of his dissertation is: "Migration strategies of raptors as revealed by direct visual observation". 

The research was the result of fieldworks made in Italy, Greece and Turkey and compared the migration behaviour of different species of raptors: the Honey buzzard, the Marsh harrier, the Short-toed Eagle, the Booted Eagle and the Lesser-spotted Eagle. 

New B.Sc. thesis!

Some days ago, at the University of Siena, Lina Lucia has discussed a B.Sc. thesis realized within Medraptors projects. In particular that research focused on the distribution and the habitat selection of raptors in Basilicata (Southern Italy).

A new Ph.D. dissertation

Last week Michele Panuccio discussed his Ph.D. dissertation made within MEDRAPTORS research projects at the University of Pavia.

His thesis analyzed factors influencing the migratory behaviour of raptors in the Mediterranean area. Among them: morphology, geography, flocking behaviour, orientation, information transmission, weather conditions.

In particular was investigated the migration of four species: the Short-toed Snake Eagle, the European Honey Buzzard, the Western Marsh Harrier and the Black Kite.

Used methods were: visual observations in Italy and Greece, ring recovey analysis, modeling.

• Michele Panuccio - Across and around a barrier: migration ecology of raptors in the Mediterranean basin. University of Pavia, a.a. 2010/2011.

New M.Sc. Theses!

Some days ago two students graduated and they discussed their theses 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.