Volunteering at Antikythira

Blackcap (S.atricapilla),the bird that keeps our nets busy for the last 5 days. This species is very much attracted by fruits and fill the nets we have around the fig trees. In the pictures you can see female birds, while males have black crown instead of brown. 

Observed for the first time in Antikythira this young White Pelican (P. onocrotalus) has been seen wandering in the island for the past two days, lets hope it will find its way to the wintering grounds.

The resident Bonelli’s Eagle (H. fasciatus), who we call Manolis, is mobbing an immature Egyptian Vulture (N.percnopterus) in an effort to safeguard his territory. This regularly seen behaviour gives observers a nice spectacle.

Yesterday was a very interesting day for raptor migration monitoring,12 different species were recorded in varying numbers. Among them: 3 Lesser-Spotted Eagles (A.pomarina), 2 Egyptian Vultures (N.percnopterus), 2 Long-legged Buzzards (B. rufinus), 20+ Booted Eagles (H.pennatus), 2 Pallid Harriers (C. macrourus), and 1 Short-Toed Eagle (C. gallicus).

  Bee eaters (Merops apiaster) use Antikythira for rest and refueling during both migration periods. They usually fly in flocks, feeding in the air where they can spot flying insects from a distance as far as 100m. Their voice is unmistakable, while their aerial display looks like flying rainbow.

Situated in the southernmost point of Antikythira, Apolitara’s lighthouse has shown the way for sailors since 1926. It is a very good place for observing Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), while the one hour walk takes you through cliffs, old house ruins, and a nice view to the northwestern coast of Crete.

Cat snake (Telescopus fallax) is the sole snake species in Antikythira. It is not dangerous for man because it is opisthoglyph, meaning that the poison is found in the back of the mouth, plus its mouth opening is not big enough to bite big objects. Usually observed at nights when it goes for hunting. This juvenile […]

Although common during migration, Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is one of the most beautiful passerines among those that are ringed in Antikythira. This species usually migrates during night, heading to sub Saharan Africa and to the southern tips of the Arabian peninsula. In this picture you can see an adult male while it is difficult to […]

During migration on Greek islands the only species from ordo Piciformes which is passing through is Jynx torquilla. European subspecies J. torquilla torquilla winters in very small numbers or irregularly in Mediterranean basin and Middle East. The majority of population winters in Africa south of Sahara. Every year up to 14 specimens are ringed in […]

One of the breeding species on Antikythira island in small numbers is Falco tinnunculus. Together with other breeding raptors: (Hieraaetus fasciatus, Falco eleonore, Falco biarmicus and Falco peregrine)s they represent more than 1/3 breeding birds on this island. This species feeding habits depends on insects more than on migrating birds like the other.This immature bird […]