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Systematic list - part 2: Seabirds, Herons and allies

 

Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea (5)

3 flew past Capo Murro di Porco 24th April, 2 past Portopalo di Capo Passero 29th April.

 

Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan (6)

6 flew past Capo Murro di Porco 24th April.

 

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (2)

2 Vendicari 28th April.

 

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (1)

A male flushed at Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela 28th April.

 

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (25+)

Up to at least 4 at Granelli. On the evening of 1st May there were 8 Squacco Herons together on the rocky beach just NE of Portopalo di Capo Passero and 12 at the small lake just NW of the point – presumably newly arrived migrants?

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Squacco Herons, Granelli, 28th April (left) and 1st May (right)

 

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Squacco Herons, Portopalo di Capo Passero, 1st May (right)

 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (c. 20)

About 20 south of Catania on 23rd April.

 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta (30+)

Up to 25 at Granelli; also a flock of 5 flew north at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 1st May. One bird accidentally flushed at Granelli had largely orange-buff body and mainly white wings (with some orange-buff colour) – the pattern recalled Squacco Heron but it was too dark so I rapidly took some photos. Unfortunately my camera was on the wrong setting so the photos are appalling, however they clearly confirm that the bird was in fact a Little Egret. The cause of the bizarre colouration appears to be some kind of contamination. I looked for this peculiar bird several times subsequently but with no success – given its condition perhaps it didn't survive.

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Little Egret, Granelli, 1st May

 

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contaminated Little Egret, Granelli, 29th April

 

Great White Egret Ardea alba (3+)

Up to 3 at Granelli.

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Great White Egrets, Granelli, 29th April (left) and 3rd May (right)

 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (c. 8)

1 at Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela and up to 4 at Riserva Naturale Orientata Fiume Ciane; also recorded at Granelli.

 

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (1)

An adult at the small lake just north west of Portopalo di Capo Passero on 1st May, perhaps a fresh migrant in view of the migrant Little Egrets and Squacco Herons recorded that evening.

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Purple Heron, near Portopalo di Capo Passero, 1st May

 

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus (ruber) roseus (173+)

7 at Vendicari and up to 150 at Granelli. More unexpectedly a flock of 16 flew North well out to sea past Capo Murro di Porco on 2nd May.

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Greater Flamingoes, Granelli, 29th April

 

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