SICILY the delights of a Sicilian spring in the shadow of Mount Etna There are few places in the Mediterranean that can rival the delightful landscape and rich cultural history of Sicily. The hilly terrain includes the striking dome of Mount Etna, while plains and plateau are more frequent in the south eastern parts of the country visited on this itinerary. Well known as a flyway for springtime migrants streaming northwards from Africa, a wide variety of species can be expected from waterfowl and warblers to raptors and terns. Migrant songbirds tend to be concentrated on the east coast promontories. The Straits of Messina are a famous raptor bottleneck, and at this time of year harriers should be on the move including Marsh, Montagu’s and Pallid. Resident species offer interest too, including Montagu’s Harrier and Mount Etna the endemic Sicilian Rock Partridge, which some ornithologists believe is a separate species from their mainland relatives. The distinctive Sicilian form of Long-tailed Tit has recently been suggested as a split too. The island boasts as much sunshine as any other part of Europe, and by the time we visit the air will be filled with the scent of wild flowers and the fields are carpeted with fallen orchard blossoms. Add to the mix the hospitable Sicilian people and an abundance of wonderful food and local wine, it is easy to see why this amazing island is becoming a destination of choice for the discerning birdwatcher. On this tour we have two bases, both in eastern Sicily. ITINERARY MADONIE MOUNTAINS Exploring first the rugged and remote interior, we will be delighted to find a mix of high mountain and open steppe which forms a very picturesque landscape. Scenic drives will reveal a variety of species which find their home here. Common garden birds include Serin, Spotless Starling and Cirl Bunting. We will spend time exploring the beautiful Madonie Mountains, searching out species such as Red- billed Chough, Rock Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Rock Sparrow and perhaps overhead, a stately Golden Eagle. Patience and good luck may well reveal the secretive Sicilian Rock Partridge, the most sought after of the distinctive island forms and perhaps a species in its own right. Our charming hotel provides traditional Sicilian evening meals, washed down with appetising local wine. Eastern Subalpine Warblers can be heard singing in the garden whilst we wait! Descending to the more ‘steppe-like’ foothills we will make a stop at a colony of Lesser Kestrels, then later look for Egyptian Vultures whilst searching out sites for singing Spectacled Warblers and Blue Rock Thrushes. SYRACUSE On day three we move on towards the migrant hot-spots and marshes of the eastern coastline, but not before visiting the stunning and still smouldering, Mount Etna. Europe’s largest active volcano dominates the whole of eastern Sicily and you are never far from its influence on this tour. It is very interesting to visit the lava fields which adorn the slopes to see the bare, black pumice at first hand. Many plants have colonised these stark slopes, including woodlands of beech, birch and pine which harbour distinctive local races of both Long-tailed Tit and Common Crossbill. Further breakdown of the volcanic material has resulted in a very fertile hinterland which supports almonds, olives, grapes and citrus groves. Syracuse, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, forms an excellent base from which we can easily explore the bird rich south east of the island. A variety of habitats await; all providing some notable birdwatching. Very near to our hotel are the migrant hot-spots of Capo Murro di Porco and Penisola Maddelena and we shall make several visits to
Transcript
SICILYthe delights of a Sicilian spring in the shadow of Mount Etna
There are few places in the Mediterranean that canrival the delightful landscape and rich cultural historyof Sicily. The hilly terrain includes the striking domeof Mount Etna, while plains and plateau are morefrequent in the south eastern parts of the countryvisited on this itinerary. Well known as a flyway forspringtime migrants streaming northwards fromAfrica, a wide variety of species can be expectedfrom waterfowl and warblers to raptors and terns.Migrant songbirds tend to be concentrated on theeast coast promontories.
The Straits of Messina are a famous raptorbottleneck, and at this time of year harriers shouldbe on the move including Marsh, Montagu’s andPallid. Resident species offer interest too, including
Montagu’s Harrier and Mount Etna
the endemic Sicilian Rock Partridge, which someornithologists believe is a separate species from their mainland relatives. The distinctive Sicilian form of Long-tailedTit has recently been suggested as a split too. The island boasts as much sunshine as any other part of Europe,and by the time we visit the air will be filled with the scent of wild flowers and the fields are carpeted with fallenorchard blossoms. Add to the mix the hospitable Sicilian people and an abundance of wonderful food and localwine, it is easy to see why this amazing island is becoming a destination of choice for the discerning birdwatcher.On this tour we have two bases, both in eastern Sicily.
ITINERARYMADONIE MOUNTAINSExploring first the rugged and remote interior, we will bedelighted to find a mix of high mountain and open steppewhich forms a very picturesque landscape. Scenic drives willreveal a variety of species which find their home here.Common garden birds include Serin, Spotless Starling andCirl Bunting. We will spend time exploring the beautifulMadonie Mountains, searching out species such as Red-billed Chough, Rock Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper,Hawfinch, Rock Sparrow and perhaps overhead, a statelyGolden Eagle. Patience and good luck may well reveal thesecretive Sicilian Rock Partridge, the most sought after of thedistinctive island forms and perhaps a species in its own right.Our charming hotel provides traditional Sicilian eveningmeals, washed down with appetising local wine. EasternSubalpine Warblers can be heard singing in the garden whilstwe wait! Descending to the more ‘steppe-like’ foothills we willmake a stop at a colony of Lesser Kestrels, then later look forEgyptian Vultures whilst searching out sites for singingSpectacled Warblers and Blue Rock Thrushes.
SYRACUSEOn day three we move on towards the migrant hot-spots andmarshes of the eastern coastline, but not before visiting thestunning and still smouldering, Mount Etna. Europe’s largestactive volcano dominates the whole of eastern Sicily and youare never far from its influence on this tour. It is veryinteresting to visit the lava fields which adorn the slopes tosee the bare, black pumice at first hand. Many plants havecolonised these stark slopes, including woodlands of beech,birch and pine which harbour distinctive local races of bothLong-tailed Tit and Common Crossbill. Further breakdown ofthe volcanic material has resulted in a very fertile hinterlandwhich supports almonds, olives, grapes and citrus groves.
Syracuse, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, forms anexcellent base from which we can easily explore the bird richsouth east of the island. A variety of habitats await; allproviding some notable birdwatching. Very near to our hotelare the migrant hot-spots of Capo Murro di Porco andPenisola Maddelena and we shall make several visits to
these garrigue covered headlands to see what birds can befound. The quantity and variety of migrants will change daily,but Woodchat Shrike, Whinchat, Pied and CollaredFlycatchers, and several races of Yellow Wagtails, can all besought. At the time of our visit, the locally wintering Richard’sPipits should still be present, whilst Sardinian and EasternSubalpine Warblers can be plentiful at times. Nearer the sea,bare rocks and open short grass attract Tawny Pipits andwheatears which can be present in three varieties; Northern,Black-eared and possibly even a lingering Isabelline. Eachheadland boasts an ornate lighthouse, from where sea-watching can be productive, so we will keep an eye open forboth Yelkouan and Scopoli’s Shearwaters, as well as passingAudouin’s and Yellow-legged Gulls and even the occasionalBottle-nosed or Striped Dolphin offshore.
A short drive inland brings us to the Cava Grande deCassible, Sicily’s own ‘Grand Canyon’, which cuts through thelimestone plateau near Avola. The view from the top ismagnificent, and looking down into the gorge can produceSicilian Rock Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush and Alpine Swift,with Lanner and Peregrine both possible, whilst SpectacledWarblers and Rock Sparrow are more certain. For those withan interest in wild flowers, this site boasts a fabulous varietyof orchids including Bee and Italian Man Orchid.
During our stay we will venture half an hour northwards to theSaline di Priolo, a wetland home to Greater Flamingo andFerruginous Duck, and if the water levels are right, a host ofmigrant waders that are likely to include Spotted Redshank,resplendent in their summer finery. Nearby the grass andthistles of the Penisola Magnisi hold breeding CalandraLarks, Short-toed Larks and Stone Curlews. Migrantpasserines find the low vegetation ideal for resting andfeeding. With luck Tawny, Tree and Red-throated Pipits canall be found whilst Black-headed and other wagtails follow thefeeding cattle. All these migrants do not go unnoticed byraptors and this headland offers one of our best chances todiscover a Montagu’s Harrier or perhaps Pallid Harrier,halting their migration for an easy meal.
Longarini and Vendicari are easily accessible wetlands on thesouth coast which provide further variety in the form ofPenduline Tit, Spoonbills, Purple Gallinule and, depending onwater levels, passage herons. Nearby, the disused salt pondsof the Salina di Morghello often hold Gull-billed Tern, GlossyIbis and Garganey whilst migrant waders such as Little Stint,Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Sandpiper find the shallowsmuch to their liking.
Throughout, we will have daily views of many SpanishSparrows, here showing clear genetic links to the so called‘Italian Sparrow’.
This is a leisurely paced tour to a most enchanting island,where we welcome the warmth of the Mediterranean springalongside a rich variety of birds. But it would be foolish to
totally ignore the magnificent archaeological legacy so closeat hand and short visits, no doubt with ice-cream in hand, tothe magnificent Greek amphitheatre in Syracuse or to witnessthe Baroque splendour of Noto, will be equally memorable.
CLIMATE AND PACESpring comes early to Sicily and outdoor breakfasts on thehotel verandas are possible even at the time of our visit.Pleasantly warm and sunny days are to be expected withoutthe blistering heat of summertime. Of course a little rain isalways possible, particularly in the mountainous interior, buthopefully nothing to spoil the birdwatching. Breakfast willnormally be taken at about 7.30am, with the option of one ortwo pre-breakfast walks, if required to suit the migrationpatterns prevalent at the time. Basic fitness is all that isrequired. Full days will be spent in the field with short tomedium length walks on mainly flat ground. There is littleuphill walking even in the mountains.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOODFull-board accommodation is provided, with two nights at theAgriturismo Tenuta Castagna near Gangi and five nights atthe Kalaonda Hotel in Plemmirio, both hotels offering notablefood and wine. All rooms have en-suite facilities.
PRICE INCLUDES …..All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-boardaccommodation (starting with lunch on 12th and ending withbreakfast on 19th), local transport by minibus, soft drinks atmeal times, bottled water throughout, site entrance fees andinternational flights.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDTravel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTSReturn flight from Manchester to Catania using the scheduledservices of Easyjet. Outbound flight departs early morning,return flight arrives back late afternoon. Flights are alsoavailable from Luton.
7 nights:
Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount(if you book before28th December 2016):
Full Cost:
Deposit:
12th to 19th April 2017
Lance Degnan
7 clients with one leader or12 clients with two leaders
