
Systematic list - part 7: Larks and Hirundines
Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (3)
Up to 2 at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 1st and 3rd May; 1 at Capo Murro di Porco on 4th May.
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Short-toed Lark, Portopalo di Capo Passero, 1st May |
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Crested Lark Galerida cristata (c. 70)
Not seen in the Etna area but otherwise widespread and common.
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Crested Lark, Portopalo di Capo Passero, 3rd May
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Crested Larks, between Gela and Sciglotti, 28th April (left) and Portopalo di Capo Passero, 29th April (right) |
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Woodlark Lullula arborea (11)
Recorded at several sites in the Etna area, also in Nebrodi and at Modica.
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Woodlark, Mount Etna, 26th April |
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Skylark Alauda arvensis (3)
Present on Etna.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia (c. 30)
Small numbers present in the Siracusa area and at Granelli and the Portopalo di Capo Passero area. At the latter location 12 moved north during a passage of hirundines and Swifts on 1st May. Smaller numbers seen moving north here on other days and also at Capo Murro di Porco.
Swallow Hirundo rustica (>1000)
Very common and widespread. Passage noted at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 30th April with 150+ seen moving north (in short watches morning and evening – presumably a prolonged observation would have recorded thousands). Next day fewer were moving – 70 noted.
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Swallow, Portopalo di Capo Passero, 3rd May
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Swallows, Granelli, 29th April (left) and 1st May (right) |
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Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica (5)
2 at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 1st May, one of which appeared to be missing a tail; 1 at Capo Murro di Porco on 2nd May and 2 nearby on 3rd May.
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Red-rumped Swallow, Capo Murro di Porco, 2nd May
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Red-rumped Swallow, near Capo Murro di Porco, 3rd May |
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House Martin Delichon urbicum (c. 40)
Not recorded in the Etna area but small numbers in most other regions visited. The only clear migrant was a single bird flying north with other hirundines at Portopalo di Capo Passero on 1st May.
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