A Preliminary Study of the Raptor Migration

over the island of Antikythera in Southwest Greece

Antikythera Bird Observatory (ABO)

The Hellenic Ornithological Society –BirdLife International Partner in

Greece- established in 2003 a Bird Observatory on the Island of

Antikythera, a very

small island situated south of the Island of Kythira, between the

Peloponnese and Crete, in the Eastern Mediterranean. Antikythira is a

Greek island with an

area of 20 km² and a coastline of 24 km and is surrounded by 4 smaller

islets. The population of the island is around 35 people.

The island is characterised by an important flow of migratory birds in

spring and autumn, including a major migration route of raptors and by

the presence

of one of the largest colonies of Eleonora’s Falcon in the world. The

focus of this observatory is the study of migration of smaller birds, by

mist-netting and ringing, monitoring of raptor migration, training

ringers and studying and safeguarding the falcon colony.  

The Hellenic Ornithological Society –BirdLife International Partner in

Greece- established in 2003 a Bird Observatory on the Island of

Antikythera, a very

small island situated south of the Island of Kythira, between the

Peloponnese and Crete, in the Eastern Mediterranean. Antikythira is a

Greek island with an

area of 20 km² and a coastline of 24 km and is surrounded by 4 smaller

islets. The population of the island is around 35 people.

The island is characterised by an important flow of migratory birds in

spring and autumn, including a major migration route of raptors and by

the presence

of one of the largest colonies of Eleonora’s Falcon in the world. The

focus of this observatory is the study of migration of smaller birds, by

mist-netting and ringing, monitoring of raptor migration, training

ringers and studying and safeguarding the falcon colony.  

The Island of Antikythera is a very important stop/corridor for the

raptors that migrate over the Mediterranean Sea during both migrating

periods. Twenty eight (28) species have been recorded up to date. Pernis

apivorus is the most abundant species recoded on the island (highest

daily count, 1800birds), as well as Circus aeruginosus (highest daily

count, 740 birds) and Falco naumanii (highest daily count, 873 birds).

Buteo buteo, Buteo b. vulpinus, (correspond to the 20-30% of the total

number of migrating Buteo sp.) Accipiter bravipes, Hieraaetus pennatus

(highest daily count, 47 birds) are also common during migration. Very

important are the numbers of Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus, Aquila

heliaca, Aquila pomarina, Falco cherrug and Falco peregrinus. Some

impressive counts were recorded on the 22/4/2004, where 2228

individuals of 17 raptor species were counted, while on the 21/9/2004

2696 individuals of 11 species were counted.

The Island of Antikythera is a very important stop/corridor for the

raptors that migrate over the Mediterranean Sea during both migrating

periods. Twenty eight (28) species have been recorded up to date. Pernis

apivorus is the most abundant species recoded on the island (highest

daily count, 1800birds), as well as Circus aeruginosus (highest daily

count, 740 birds) and Falco naumanii (highest daily count, 873 birds).

Buteo buteo, Buteo b. vulpinus, (correspond to the 20-30% of the total

number of migrating Buteo sp.) Accipiter bravipes, Hieraaetus pennatus

(highest daily count, 47 birds) are also common during migration. Very

important are the numbers of Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus, Aquila

heliaca, Aquila pomarina, Falco cherrug and Falco peregrinus. Some

impressive counts were recorded on the 22/4/2004, where 2228

individuals of 17 raptor species were counted, while on the 21/9/2004

2696 individuals of 11 species were counted.

Species that breed on the island include Hieraaetus

fasciatus (1p), Falco peregrinus (3-4 p), Falco

biarmicus (1-2 p), Falco tinunnculus (10-15 p).

Based on data from the censuses of Eleonora’s

Falcon over the last 2 years, it was found that the

species population on the island of Antikythera

without including the surrounding islets- was over

800 pairs, that is the largest population of the

species found on an inhabited island in the world.

Species that breed on the island include Hieraaetus

fasciatus (1p), Falco peregrinus (3-4 p), Falco

biarmicus (1-2 p), Falco tinunnculus (10-15 p).

Based on data from the censuses of Eleonora’s

Falcon over the last 2 years, it was found that the

species population on the island of Antikythera

without including the surrounding islets- was over

800 pairs, that is the largest population of the

species found on an inhabited island in the world.

Migration Level Resident Possibly Migration period

The main migration routes in Greece

The migration period of raptors on the Island

of Antikythera

Characteristic habitats of Antikythera

The raptor migration routes in the area of Southeast Peloponnesse and the islands of Kythera and Antikythera

Map of the island of Antikythera

SpringAutumn

Island of Antikythera

Island of Kythera

SE Peloponnesse

Theodoros Kominos

HELLENIC ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY