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Hellenic Ornithological Society, photo: Th.Kominos
Antikythira Bird Observatory

Although bird migration is a feature found in almost every island of the Mediterranean, few areas actually fulfill all the requirements for the creation of a Bird Observatory, The island of Antikythira is one of the top 10-15 sites for this purpose.

Due to its geographical position and certain features - a longitudinal island, with a north to south direction and very few human activities - Antikythira qualify as an ideal site for population monitoring of the large birds of prey (buzzards, harriers, eagles etc) that pass through the Peloponnese and Crete, but also for the study of small birds'' migration by direct observation or ringing.

Therefore, a Bird Observatory in Antikythira can cover both issues, a unique fact in the Mediterranean. Moreover, Antikythira hosts one of the largest populations of Eleonora''s Falcons (Falco eleonorae) in the world, adding more to the scientific research. The concentration of so many small bird-feeding falcons is, of course, not a coincidence...

The Antikythira Bird Observatory does a systematic recording of all birds of prey passing through Antikythira and an examination of all the parameters that affect through-passage.
 
Ringing is a scientific method of bird migration monitoring. This action includes catching of birds and marking them with metal rings put in the bird''s leg.
Eleonora''s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) is a separate activity of ABO, as Antikythira host a significant portion of the global population of this species. Action is taken through a LIFE-Nature project implemented by HOS and its partners.
 

Latest posts from the ABO blog

 The wind saw strong from early mooring so we did not manage to open the nets at all. This is the first time the last 6 years we are not able to ringing for two day in May!    

The Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Σχοινοποταμίδα) that was trapped on April 11 with a Finish ring was initially ringed in Espoo on the August 23, 2010. This information was brought to us by our former volunteer, Raimo and we thank him for that.

The strong winds did not allow us to ring more than a couple of net rounds. Nevertheless though the vest winds brought us some birds. Species trapped today: Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin, Κηποτσιροβάκος), Whitethroat (Sylvia communis, Θαμνοτσιροβάκος), Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina, Κιτρινοστριτσίδα), Sand Martin (Riparia riparia, Οχθοχελίδονο), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis, Χωραφοσπουργίτης), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata, [...]

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