The Fauna
The Cape Rama area is home to fauna typical of coastal environments. Along the trails, among the scree slopes and dry stone walls, it is easy to spot reptiles such as Wagler’s Lizard (Podarcis wagleriana), endemic to Sicily, the Field Lizard(Podarcis sicula), the Gecko(Tarentola mauritanica), the Hemidactylus(Hemidactylus turcicus) and, more rarely, the Biacco(Hierophis viridiflavus), a harmless and shy black snake.
Of particular interest are the resident species that nest in the ravines of cliffs: the Herring Gull (Larus cachinnans), the Lonely Sparrow (Monticola solitarius), the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis); among the bushy vegetation, on the other hand, find shelter in the Cappellaccia (Galerida cristata), the Blackbird (Turdus merula), the Sardinian wink (Sylvia melanocephala), the Goldfinch(Carduelis carduelis), the Stonechat(Saxicola torquata), the Great Tit(Parus major), and the Redstart(Phoenicurus ochruros).
The “Capo Rama” Reserve is located along migratory routes, and during periodic movements some species, including the Grey Heron(Ardea cinerea) and the LittleEgret (Egretta garzetta) stop undisturbed on the cliff: in spring before reaching nesting areas and in autumn when they return to their wintering areas.
Flocks of Anatidae and Cranes(Grus grus) in formation fly over the Reserve, while in the spring-summer period some species stop in the area: the Hoopoe(Upupa epops), the Swallow(Hirundo rustica), the Least Swallow (Delichon urbica), the Swift (Apusapus), the Greater Swift(Apus melba), and the Wheatear(Oenanthe oenanthe).
Through direct sightings or the finding of tracks, the presence of mammals such as Fox(Vulpes vulpes), Wild Rabbit(Oryctolagus cuniculus), Hedgehog(Erinaceus europaeus), some species of Bat(Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is established.
The Reserve is populated by a great multitude of insect species, including the PrayingMantis (Mantis religiosa) that camouflages itself among the leaves and branches of vegetation. Colorful butterflies flutter from March to November, some as large as the Macaon(Papilio machaon), Podalirio(Iphiclides podalirius), Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra var. cleopatra), others smaller in size such as the Zygena(Zigaena filipendulae), Icarus(Polyommatus icarus) or Bronze Argus(Lycaena phlaeas).
