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Overview
Capo San Vito is the northernmost point of a peninsula on Sicily's north coast between the Cofano Gulf in the west and Castellamare Gulf to the east.
Part of the east coast of this peninsula is protected as the Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve and this remains one of the few parts of Sicily's north coast free of development.
Habitats include extensive garrigue interspersed with cultivated land, grassland and bare rocky slopes. Dwarf Palm is a common plant amongst the scrub and there are densely vegetated canyons, patches of woodland and plantations. In addition there are sea cliffs and rocky shores.
Birds
Among birders this peninsula is best known as one of Sicily's best sites for Bonelli's Eagle which breeds here in very small numbers. Peregrine Falcon breeds on the sea cliffs, Lanner Falcon may still be possible here and Eleonora's Falcon occurs on passage.
Other migrant raptors to be seen here include Black Kite and Common Buzzard and European Honey Buzzard. Common Quail is regular in the grasslands and Rock Partridge occurs in the higher rocks along with Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow and Blue Rock Thrush. Scrub warblers include Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler and Spectacled Warbler. Alpine Swift and Pallid Swift are common along the cliffs in summer.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Bonelli's Eagle, Common Kestrel, Eleonora's Falcon, Lanner Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Rock Partridge, Common Quail, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Swift, European Nightjar, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Common Redstart, European Stonechat, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush,
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Access and Facilities
The easiest part of the peninsula for birding visitors to explore is the reserve at Lo Zingaro and the best time is spring.
The reserve lies to the north-west of the town of Castellammare del Golfo, reached on the main coast road from Palermo.
Access to the reserve is at Scopello where guides and maps are available.
Contact Details
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External Links
San Vito on Welcome to Italy website
Content and images originally posted by Steve
