Capri Bird Observatory

Capri Bird Observatory studies migratory birds from a hillside site on the island of Capri, in Italy's Gulf of Naples, rather than looking outward into space.

About Capri Bird Observatory

The observatory occupies land among the ruins of the medieval Castello Barbarossa, donated to the Swedish state by physician and socialite Axel Munthe. Capri sits directly on a major bird migration route across the Mediterranean between Africa and Europe, making it a valuable spot for tracking movements each spring and autumn.

History

Founded in 1956, the observatory was run by Swedish researchers conducting spring bird ringing until 1983. Since 1986, it has been used jointly by Italian and Swedish researchers, continuing decades of migration data collected from the same hillside.

Location & getting there

The site sits on Monte Barbarossa above Capri town, in the Gulf of Naples, reached via a walking route up from the island's centre.

Visiting Capri Bird Observatory

Every Thursday from April to October, the San Michele Foundation runs guided walks up to Monte Barbarossa, covering the Mediterranean plant life, the history of Castello Barbarossa, and current bird migration research; in spring and autumn, visitors may also see ornithologists ringing birds. Sign up at least a day ahead by phoning Villa San Michele or visiting its museum shop in person.

See your named star from here

Capri Bird Observatory is dedicated to watching birds rather than stars, but the island's hillsides do offer open Mediterranean night skies away from its town centre. If you have named a star through Star Register, you can check its coordinates in our star catalogue and look for it from a dark, clear spot on the island.