Dutch Birding volume 24 (2002) no 4

Lesser Spotted Eagle wintering in Sicily, Italy, in 2000-01

Between late September and late October 2000, c seven juvenile Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina, all migrants, were recorded between Siracusa and Gela, south-eastern Sicily, Italy. On 31 October 2000, a juvenile Lesser Spotted Eagle flew off from the semi-dried ponds in the northern saltpans. The next day, it was seen again. After an absence of a couple of days, the bird was relocated in the Saline di Siracusa area. The rest of the month, it was seen there almost daily. During the early morning, the bird was hunting in nearby fields or along reed-beds and from c 12:00 it used to perch on dead trees (enabling a detailed study of the plumage). Its range became gradually larger and after a month, the bird not only frequented the Saline di Siracusa area but also more distant areas. In fact, it was often seen arriving from the direction of Mount Climiti and Val d'Anapo, Mount Iblei, an area of low mountains behind Siracusa. Possibly, the bird roosted overnight in the woods of this area and hunted in the valleys and the Saline di Siracusa area during the day. It remained in the area until 13 December. After 13 December, the Lesser Spotted Eagle could not be found anymore. However, on 26 December, it was relocated at Vendicari NR, a wetland 45 km south of Saline di Siracusa. The last record was on 18 January 2001.

Andrea Corso, Via Camastra 10, 96100 Siracusa, Italy
voloerranteyahoo.it

Giuseppe Consoli, Viale Teracati 50, 96100 Siracusa, Italy