Spring Birding on Sicily

Occupying a special position between Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean island of Sicily sits at a strategic crossroads between the two continents. Here conquerors have come and gone, each leaving their mark in an eclectic and attractive mix of architecture, language and cuisine. The Greeks, Romans, Moors, Phoenicians and Normans have all passed through, and the legacy of these ruling forces can be seen everywhere on the island in its brilliant cathedrals, palaces, temples, churches and customs; and indeed in the faces of the islanders themselves! You’d be forgiven for imagining that Sicily’s natural wonders could not compete with this heady cultural mix, but you’d be wrong. Boasting a scenic coastline with some magnificent beaches, and a varied interior landscape of plains, gorges and mountain ranges known for their glorious displays of spring flowers and the spectacular Mount Etna, this is a wild yet fertile land of walnut trees, vineyards and lemon groves. And the winds that once brought a succession of invading ships to Sicily still also bring large numbers of migrating birds each spring. One glance at Sicily’s location on a map of the Mediterranean and it becomes clear why the island is such a hotspot for migrating birds. The shorter sea crossings afforded by the presence of this large island between two continents mean that migrants can be abundant and, when conditions are favourable, the coastal headlands are alive with a superb variety of migrants travelling north in spring.  We begin our holiday with a flight to Catania; we then settle into our base for the week, a charming farmhouse on a working vineyard, not far from the historic town of Siracusa. Situated in the bird-rich south-east of the island, Siracusa, with its beautiful seafront, was one of the most important cities of the ancient Greek world. For us, though, it offers an ideal location from which to explore Sicily’s diverse habitats and we’ll make daily excursions with a focus on watching the spring bird migration and other wildlife. The northward migration can be spectacular in Sicily and we will visit all the most rewarding sites. These include exposed headlands, where we'll look for such migrating species as Collared Flycatcher, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Nightjar, Woodchat Shrike and Spectacled Warbler amongst many others. Sicily is also a major migration route for raptors, with Montagu’s, Marsh and Pallid Harriers, and Red-footed Falcons among the many passage species.  Sicily also boasts a series of wetlands, varying from small lakes to expansive marshes, and we will look for Penduline Tit, listening carefully for their inconspicuous but tell-tale calls in the reedbeds, as well as Moustached and Cetti’s Warblers, whilst Black Kites and harriers hunt overhead. The reedbeds also hold an excellent variety of herons and we will be on the look-out forSquacco and Purple Herons, Little Bittern, and Cattle, Little and Great White Egrets.  One of the world’s largest active volcanoes, Mount Etna (3,350 metres) has had a significant influence over Sicily for millennia, the prosperity of the island over time being to a large extent due to the exceptionally fertile soils produced by its volcanic ash. Accompanied by a geologist, we will spend a day marvelling at the contorted lava flow rock formations, though finding time to search for the elusive Sicilian Rock Partridge that lives in the vicinity of the mountain! We will also look for the distinctive Sicilian Long-tailed Tit as we walk among the species’ favourite native chestnut forests. Inland, we’ll explore spectacular limestone gorges and scan the cliff faces looking for Rock Sparrow and Blue Rock Thrush; almond and olive groves hold such species as Rock and Cirl Buntings, and Woodlark. Each day we will stop for a delicious and famously lavish Naturetrek picnic lunch, sampling a range of tasty fare from paninis to some of the many delicious local Sicilian hams, cheeses and olives. In the evenings, back at our comfortable farmhouse base, there will also be the opportunity to set up a moth-trap in the orchard next to the winery, which we’ll check the following morning before breakfast; the area has not been ‘trapped’ before so should yield some surprises!  This is a gentle-paced holiday with a focus on enjoying spring migrants, as well as simply being inthis southern Mediterranean landscape in early spring, with its scents of fresh blooms, pleasing earth-hued architecture and sea vistas, all bathed in a warmth that hints comfortably of the intense summer heat yet to come.