Raptor Migration across the Strait of Messina

Raptor Migration across the Strait of Messina

Reference: Corso, A, Raptor Migration across the Strait of Messina, southern Italy, British Birds 94(4) 196-202 (2001).

Notes:

This is an important raptor migration point, particularly in spring.
Most frequent raptor is the Honey Buzzard with 102,365 seen in five springs from 1996-2000 with maximum of 27,297 in 2000.
Other leading counts (five-springs total) are: Marsh Harrier 11,650; Black Kite 3,597; Common Kestrel 3,210; Montagu's Harrier 2,316.
39 species of raptors have been seen to date plus two distinctive subspecies.
A total of 67 Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus have been seen over five springs with a maximum of 18 in 1999.

Comments:

Raptors arriving here have crossed either 150km of sea via Sicily and Cap Bon in Tunisia or 290km of sea via Sicily, Malta and Tunisia.
The proportion that come through each route is not known from this study.
Honey Buzzards and Marsh Harriers are clearly quite happy with at least the shorter sea crossing while Black Kites are not.
With reference to the BOURC's decision to place Booted Eagle in category D, this species clearly can make sea crossings of sufficient length to reach Ireland.

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