Migration of Black Kites in Central Italy

In central Italy Black Kites are leaving their breeding territories. Many of their nesting sites are already empty and there are observations of small flocks moving southward. They are going to Africa and in the next weeks they will overcome the Mediterranean Sea at the Channel of Sicily reaching Tunisia.

In the picture below our feeding point for Black Kites. We will be  waiting  them back  next spring.

Movements of Black Kites: new Medraptors paper out now!

A new Medraptors paper has been published on Ethology, Ecology and Evolution journal. The paper is a review of what it is known about the movements of Black Kites in the different seasons of the year. The article makes the point of research made during migration as well as during the breeding season and winter. Different hypotheses are discussed related to the different behaviour of these raptors in relation to different geographic areas. In particular differences discussed concern timing, flyways, the influence of population size and wintering areas. 

You can find the pdf at the following link:

• Panuccio M., Agostini N., Mellone U. & Bogliani G. 2013. Circannual variation in movement patterns of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans migrans): a review. Ethology, Ecology & Evolution dx.doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2013.812147.

Fledgling raptors

In these days chicks of many raptor species are growing fast and in the next days they'll leave their nests. In the pictures below young Kestrels in nest boxes and a nest of Black Kites photographed by Marco Trotta in the coastal area south of Rome (Central Italy).

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.