Isola di Salina (Stagno di Lingua)

The island, despite being quite urbanized, is currently covered, especially on the slopes of the volcanic cones and in the more rugged coastal areas, by dense and extensive shrublands which are replaced in some areas with patches of forests. This gives to the island a certain naturalistic and landscape value. In this site, there are some aspects related to rocky environments, both along the coastline and inland, which are well represented. Like the other islands in the archipelago, it hosts numerous endemics, many of which are quite widespread and well-represented. The island lies on an important migratory route for birds of pray and storks, which is part of the same migratory flow as the Strait of Messina. Additionally, the passage of passerines, especially in the autumn, is significant, with an abundance of turdids and sylviids. Among the nesting birds, the most notable presence is represented by colonies of Eleonora’s falcon, which are located on the rocky cliffs. The conservation status of the habitats can be considered good and, in some cases, excellent, allowing for the survival of a relatively rich fauna. Moreover, the area is characterized by some endemic species -sometimes unique to the Aeolian archipelago or the island of Salina itself – such as the lizard Podarcis raffonei, exclusive to Scoglio Faraglione, currently excluded from the site’s perimeter, for which inclusion is proposed.