Strait of Messina in south Italy is a critical point for migrating birds. Birds of prey like European Honey Buzzard, Marsh Herrier, Hen Herrier and other like Storks, Eagles, Bee Eaters, Vultures use to cross Italy between Sicily and Calabria. Calabria is a region where old poaching tradition are loosing strength but people are still shooting birds of prey, eating their meat or just for sport. Even when the hunting season is closed. During the migration from and to Africa (april-may and september) plenty European Honey Buzzard fell under poachers rifles. From the end of ’80 to last years, State Forestry Corp, birds association like Cabs ans Lipu had to work a lot to retake control of small villages around Reggio Calabria like Calanna, Archi, Pellaro, Motta San Giovanni, Melia, Santo Stefano d’Aspromonte, Bagnara. The Ndrangheta’s home host a huge market of rifle without serial number, generally coming from thefts in other part of Italy. These are used by the criminal organization, also by poachers whom hide these illegal rifles in woods and in the ground. They can get at the shooting spot and avoid State Forestry Corps controls.
