Panarea island The natural setting of the site Panarea is a small volcanic island located within the Aeolian archipelago, about 65 km NW off the Straits of Messina, between the islands of Lipari and Stromboli. The observation post is located at its highest point, ca. 400 m a.s.l., at a one-hour walk from the main village. The migration survey Observations started in 2004 during spring, within the “Progetto Rapaci Migratori” organized by LIPU (Birdlife Italy). During this season is possible to observe thousands of raptors, mainly Honey buzzards, by-passing the Strait of Messina in order to reach the Italian peninsula more quickly. During the post-breeding migration the numbers are much lower and the most abundant species is the Marsh harrier. How to get there? The closest airport is Reggio Calabria, and then it is possible to reach the island with a ferry boat from Milazzo (Sicily). Contacts MEDRAPTORS (Mediterranean Raptor Migration Network) Main references Agostini N., Gustin M., von Hardenberg J. & Panuccio M. 2016. Wind patterns affect migration flyways and flock size of a soaring bird over sea. Avian Biology Research 9(3): 159-166. Mellone U., Agostini N., Panuccio M. & Gustin M. 2007. La migrazione primaverile dei rapaci Accipitriformi attraverso le isole Eolie: primi dati. [Spring raptor migration over the Aeolian archipelago]. Poster presentation, Proceedings XIV Italian Ornithological Congress: 67. Agostini N., Cardelli C. & Gustin M. 2007. Factors shaping pathways of European Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) during spring migration in the Central Mediterranean basin. Journal of Raptor Research 41(1): 57-61. Panuccio M., Agostini N. & Mellone U. 2005. Autumn migration strategies of honey buzzards, black kites, marsh and Montagu’s harriers over land and over water in the central Mediterranean. Avocetta 29: 27-32.
