New paper out now!! Raptor counts, best practices and radar

A new paper by our research network has been published on Bird Study. The paper highlights the importance of using field protocols during counts of migrating birds and the need of sharing objectives and best practices among monitoring groups working in migratory bottlenecks. Moreover in the paper are reported case studies to show how can be useful to use a radar on migratory bottlenecks. First in order to localize focal points of passage, second to calculate the percentage of raptors passed undetected by visual observers, and last to evaluate the proportion of raptors undertaking the sea crossing on coastal areas. 

You can find the paper at the link below:

• Panuccio M., Agostini N., Bogliani G. & Dell'Omo G. 2018. Migrating raptor counts: the need for sharing objectives and field protocols, and the benefits of using radar. Bird Study DOI:10.1080/00063657.2018.1506423

News from the Strait of Messina

The passage of raptors at the Strait of Messina in the first days of September was impressive. Our counters observed up to now the passage of 18477 Honey Buzzards! Of course also many other raptors were observed and in the last few days numbers of Marsh harriers are increasing. 

News from the Strait of Messina

In the last three days more than 5000 Honey Buzzards passed over our watchpoint located on the Aspromonte mountain, at the Strait of Messina. Moreover, our observers recorded several other raptor species, storks and bee-eaters. We are for sure in the best period of migration! 

News from the Strait of Messina

Yesterday it was the first peak migration day of Honey Buzzards at the Strait of Messina. 1360 individuals passed in about one hour in the morning just before an heavy rain. 

Egyptian Vulture in continental Italy

Here below a couple of pictures (by Gianpasquale Chiatante) of one of the two breeding pairs of Egyptian vulture in Continental Italy. This pair reared two chicks this year.

News from the Strait of Messina

Since a week we have started the monitoring season of the migration of birds of prey. So far about 1000 birds of prey have been passed, mostly black kites but also two beautiful Egyptian vultures. Moreover hundreds of Bee-eaters have passed over our watchpoint.

Migrating White Storks in Southern Italy

The migration has started also along the Mid-Mediterranean Flyway. Yesterday evening a flock of about 20 White Storks has been photographed (by Nicola Ritorto) roosting near Caulonia town, along the Ionian coast of Calabria. The flock will probably reach the Strait of Messina in the next few hours.