BirdGuides

MIGRATION 24 World of Birds • 2023 www.birdguides.com Seven migration wonders of the world Watching mass migration is perhaps the most spectacular form of birding – multitudes of birds undertaking barely believable journeys across vast distances. Throughout the world, there are various hot-spots and yways that birders can visit, allowing one to enjoy up-close-and-personal experiences of one of nature’s most jaw-dropping phenomena. Ed Stubbs outlines seven of the best spots to enjoy migration globally. Migrating flocks of European Bee- eater are always guaranteed to raise the pulse. A cross the globe, there is no shortage of migration ‘bottlenecks’, where migrating birds can be intercepted by birders and enjoyed for the spectacle they provide. Be it huge ‘kettling’ flocks of raptors, storks or cranes, dense, fast-moving groups of waders or bushes full of passerines, there is little doubt that immersing yourself in peak migration is one of the most awe-inspiring birding encounters. Below are just a few of the spots that, at the right time of year, can provide you with an unforgettable migration experience. Strait of Messina, Italy The Strait of Messina is a narrow channel separating mainland southern Italy from Sicily. Sadly, this site is notorious for the raptor shooting that has been happening here for decades. However, it is one of the most important European migration flyways for both raptors and storks. Since 1984, some 40 species of raptors have been recorded with the most numerous including European Honey Buzzard, Eleonora’s Falcon and Montagu’s Harrier, along with Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby and Western Marsh Harrier. Rarer species recorded here include Levant Sparrowhawk, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Cinereous Vulture and Amur Falcon. Veracruz, Mexico The Mexican state of Veracruz has gained fame as the site of the world’s most concentrated migratory raptor flyway, the ‘Veracruz River of Raptors’. Every autumn, an incredible six million birds of prey move through the state on their way to winter ranges in Central and South America. Because of the region’s geography, raptors from eastern, central, and western North America converge, providing birders with an extraordinary migration performance. As many as two million Broad-winged Hawks, one million Swainson’s Hawks and 200,000 Mississippi Kites – which are nearly the entire world populations for these three species – pass through Veracruz annually. In addition, more than 1.5 million Turkey Vultures are logged, along with thousands of other raptors, as well as waterbirds and passerines. Batumi, Georgia The Batumi area of Georgia is in the Eastern Black Sea Migration Corridor and is a well-known migration hot-spot. Each year an estimated one million birds of prey pass through the site. The unique topography of the region and its fair autumn climate create perfect conditions for viewing this spectacular migration, which ranks as the third largest on the planet. On peak days, numbers can surpass 100,000 raptors, and on an average day in September European Honey Buzzard can be seen in numbers at many migration watchpoints. BELOW: SYLVAIN REYT (WWW.AGAMI.NL) ABOVE: MARKUS VARESVUO (WWW.AGAMI.NL)