
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 |
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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) |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (4)
At least 3 heard calling in the same area at Granelli and another bird seen elsewhere at Granelli.
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Water Rail, Granelli, 3rd May 2012 |
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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 |
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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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