🦅 Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Thousands cross the Strait Aug–Sep. Peak counts exceed 10,000/day. A spectacle of a lifetime.

Migliaia attraversano lo Stretto ago–set. Conteggi oltre 10.000/giorno. Lo spettacolo della vita.

🦅 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Resident breeder in Aspromonte — one of Italy’s southernmost pairs. Present year-round above 800m.

Nidificante residente nell’Aspromonte. Presente tutto l’anno sopra gli 800m.

🐟 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Breeding pair on Strait cliffs — one of very few in southern Italy. Excellent views from Costa Viola.

Coppia nidificante sulle falesie dello Stretto. Ottima visibilità dalla Costa Viola.

🌈 Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Spectacular flocks along Scilla–Bagnara cliffs. Mid-April to mid-May.

Stormi spettacolari lungo le falesie Scilla–Bagnara. Metà aprile–metà maggio.

🦉 Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)

Resident in rocky Aspromonte gorges. Spectacular calling Jan–Mar. Guided night sessions available.

Residente nelle gole rocciose. Spettacolare in canto gen–mar.

🕊️ White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Thousands migrate through the Strait Mar–Apr and Aug–Oct. Watch from Scilla cliffs.

Migliaia migrano attraverso lo Stretto mar–apr e ago–ott.

1. Punta Pezzo (Villa San Giovanni)

Best raptor migration point on the Strait. Aug–Sep for honey buzzards. Free, accessible by car.

Miglior punto per la migrazione dei rapaci. Ago–set per i pecchiaioli. Gratuito, in auto.

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2. Gambarie forest edges

Year-round: nuthatches, crossbills, firecrests, woodpeckers. Short walk from car park.

Tutto l’anno: picchi muratori, crocieri, fiorrancini. Breve passeggiata dal parcheggio.

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3. Scilla–Bagnara sea cliffs

Breeding peregrines, blue rock thrushes, Alpine swifts. Spring bee-eater migration.

Falco pellegrino nidificante, passero solitario, rondone pallido. Gruccioni in migrazione primaverile.

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4. Calanchi di Aspromonte

Eroded badlands with blue rock thrushes, black wheatears and nesting eagle owls.

Calanchi erosi con passeri solitari e gufi reali nidificanti.

🌸 Spring (Mar–May)

Best for migrants: storks, bee-eaters, raptors northbound. Breeding season by April.

🍂 Autumn (Aug–Oct)

Peak migration. Honey buzzard spectacle Aug–Sep. Storks and ospreys Sep–Oct.

❄️ Winter (Nov–Feb)

Wintering raptors: hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl on coastal grasslands.