Cap Bon Promontory

 

The natural setting of the site

Cap Bon is a peninsula in the far north eastern Tunisia. It is surrounded by the Gulf of Tunis in the north. Towns located on the peninsula include Nabeul, Kelibia and Menzel Temime. The peninsula is a 25 km-wide plain dominated in the north by a promontory that reaches a height of 392 m, before dropping steeply to the sea. El Haouaria is a small town very close to the watchsite located on the tip of the promontory.

The migration survey

The first observations at the site occurred in the 70’s. However later research highlighted that this site is not suitable to make counts of migrants because raptors often stop migration in front of the water barrier. In addition, several local breeders are often reported among migrating raptors causing a further bias in the monitoring. For this reason the area is a very good spot for birdwatching but not for raptor counts. Migration takes place in spring and the commonest species recorded are the European Honey Buzzard, the Western Marsh Harrier and the Black Kite. Also Short-toed Snake Eagles, Lesser-spotted Eagles, Egyptian Vultures and Cranes are regularly observed at the site.

How to get there?
The closest airport is in Tunis.

Contacts
MEDRAPTORS (Mediterranean Raptor Migration Network)

Main references

  • Agostini N. 2005. Are earlier estimates of Accipitriformes crossing the Channel of Sicily (central Mediterranean) during spring migration accurate? Journal of Raptor Research 39(2): 184-186.
  • Agostini N. & Duchi A. 1994. Water–crossing behaviour of Black Kites (Milvus migrans) during migration. Bird Behaviour, 10:45-48.
  • Agostini N., Malara G., Neri F. & Mollicone D. 1994. La migrazione primaverile del Falco pecchiaiolo (Pernis apivorus) a Cap Bon (Tunisia) e sullo Stretto di Messina. Atti VI° Convegno italiano di Ornitologia : 451-452.
  • Agostini N., Malara G., Neri F. Mollicone D. & Melotto S. 1994. Flight strategies of Honey Buzzards during spring migration across the central Mediterranean. Avocetta, 18:73-76.
  • Dejonghe J.F. 1980. Analyse de la migration prénuptiale des rapaces et des cigognes au Cap Bon (Tunisie). Oiseau et Re fr.Orn., 50:125-147.
  • Thiollay J.M. 1977. Importances des populations de rapaces migrateurs en Méditerranée Occidentale. Alauda 45(1): 115-121.
  • Thiollay J.M., 1975. Migration des printemps au Cap Bon (Tunisie). Nos Oiseaux 33:109-121.