The Circeo forest birds of prey

Here a list of the beautiful birds of prey seen in the Circeo forest:
The ever present and adaptable Eurasian Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus), the imposing local buzzard (Buteo Buteo), a large and impressive raptor frequently visiting the Circeo Park forest and open pastures at the edge of the woodland. It is a real joy to witness the Buzzard in action when hunting. It soars in wavering, rising circles over nesting woods and often perches on old telegraph poles or fence posts.

Here in the Circeo and in the rest of southern Latium is the most common and seen bird of prey, often seen also in wooded farmlands, hills and moors near crags and forest. The honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), is an even larger bird than the common buzzard. It is exceptionally variable in color and pattern and therefore requires a careful identification. Its name derives by the fact that eats wasps and bee grubs, wax, honey in addition to its diet of insects, pupae, small mammals and reptiles. Among the most common nocturnal birds of prey birders can often see (at the right time of the day) Long Heared Owl (Asio Otus), little owl, (Athene noctua), the tawny owl (Strix aluco ), and the barn owl (Tyto alba).

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Other falconiforms nesting or visiting frequently the Circeo Park are:
Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), a medium-size falcon, very beautiful and elegant, entirely dark brownish, almost black. It nests more frequently on the Circeo promontory or on Zannone or Palmarola Islands, but it seen hunting often over the Ciceo marshlands and lagoons as well as close to the cliffs of the promontory. Other are the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo), a small falcon seen from time to time catching insects and small birds caught in the air by its supreme speed in chase or stoop.

Other likely birds of prey are the Saker (Falco cherrug), the black kite (Milvus migrans), a summer visitor from Africa. The black kite find a good summer nesting site in the Circeo forest near the lagoons and marshlands where often is seen snatching the food from the surface of the water in a fast, sweeping dive, using its strong feetto pick upthe food and carry it feeding in mid-air. Finally it is possible to spot the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), and who knows how many other we are forgetting! Among the smaller birds, the thrush, the blackbird, the robin, the nightingale, the dunnock, the great tit, the blue tit, the wren, etc and we can go on with many other species for joy of nature and birds’ lovers.

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park