A bridge too far for Europe’s migrating birds?
A proposed crossing between Sicily and mainland Italy has prompted an international warning over the future of one of Europe’s most important migration routes.
BirdLife International has called for intervention over the proposed Messina Strait bridge, warning that the crossing could kill large numbers of migrating birds.
The narrow channel separating Sicily from Calabria funnels birds travelling between Europe and Africa. Alongside Gibraltar and the Bosporus, it forms one of the continent’s principal migration bottlenecks, with Honey Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and other raptors concentrating over the crossing.
In its warning issued on 25 September, BirdLife cites the project’s environmental assessment: under adverse weather conditions, spring collisions could kill more than 500 raptors and 84,000 passerines and other nocturnal migrants. The corresponding autumn estimates exceed 130 raptors and 9,500 nocturnal migrants. These are predictions, not recorded losses.
BirdLife identifies supporting cables, habitat destruction and lighting that disorientates nocturnal migrants as the principal dangers. It says associated roads, railways and power lines could add further mortality.
The migration route is also used by Garden Warblers, Wood Warblers and Collared Flycatchers. Birds arriving from Africa depend on opportunities to rest and feed before continuing north, while the autumn passage carries migrants towards the Mediterranean and Sahara crossings.
The strait has previously been a focus of sustained action against illegal shooting. BirdLife’s earlier account credits conservation organisations and enforcement work with substantially reducing poaching there.
BirdLife and its partners have asked the European Commission and the Convention on Migratory Species secretariat to stop the bridge project, arguing that it conflicts with wildlife-protection obligations. That is the organisations’ legal position.
Giorgia Gaibani, Head of Natura 2000 at Lipu–BirdLife Italy, said: ‘The Strait of Messina is not ours to gamble with.’
25 Sep 2026
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