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Systematic list - part 3: Raptors, Rails and Coots

 

Honey-Buzzard Pernis apivorus (1)

1 flew in off the sea at dusk at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 30th April.

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Honey-Buzzard, Portopalo di Capo Passero, 30th April

 

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (c. 6)

Recorded on and around Capo Murro di Porco, at Granelli and at Portopalo di Capo Passero – each observation involved single females and apart from the bird seen several times at Granelli most or all of the others were likely migrants.

 

Montagu's Harrier circus pygargus (1)

A male flew overhead near Capo Murro di Porco on 24th April.

 

Buzzard Buteo buteo (11+)

4 together about 10k north of Piazza Amerina and 3 at the Valle di Templi at Agrigento. Otherwise just singles at Etna, Museo Kamarina, Monteluce and between Palazzolo Acreide and Catania. Every bird I saw reasonably well had more or less the same pattern - is there less variation among Sicilian birds compared to those in the UK, or was it just coincidence?

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Buzzard, north of Piazza Armerina (left) and Valle di Templi, Agrigento (right), 27th April

 

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Buzzard, Mount Etna, 26th April (left) and Monteluce, Vendicari, 29th April (right)

 

Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus (1)

A pale-phase bird at the Valle di Templi at Agrigento on 27th April.

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Booted Eagle, Valle di Templi (Agrigento), 27th April

 

Osprey Pandion haliaetus (1)

1 perched on a snag at Riserva Naturale Orientata Fiume Ciane on 23rd April.

 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (c. 16)

Small numbers seen throughout the areas visited.

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Kestrel, Museo Kamarino, 28th April

 

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus (1)

A male at Capo Murro di Porco on 2nd May.

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Red-footed Falcon, Capo Murro di Porco, 2nd May

 

Peregrine Falco peregrinus (1)

One flew over with prey near Portopalo di Capo Passero on 29th April.

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Peregrine, near Portopalo di Capo Passero, 29th April

 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (4)

At least 3 heard calling in the same area at Granelli and another bird seen elsewhere at Granelli.

 

Water Rail, Granelli, 3rd May 2012

 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (c. 8)

Only very small numbers seen – 1s and 2s at just 6 sites.

 

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (3+)

Heard calling at Granelli on 29th April and 1st May; 1 seen at Riserva Naturale Orientata Fiume Ciane on 2nd May and another there on 4th May.

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Purple Swamphen, Riserva Naturale Orientata Fiume Ciane, 2nd May 2012

 

Coot Fulica atra (300+)

The most numerous and widespread waterfowl with all of the main wetland areas visited, plus some of the smaller ones, holding a few (and often many).

 

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