Strofades

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Composed of two small islands, Stamfani and Arpia, they lie 27 miles south of Zakynthos. They are both sparsely vegetated and rocky. The islands currently belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, which has prohibited hunting on the island. [http://www.ornithologiki.gr/en/sppe/en080.htm] There is a strong avian presence on the islands. Species include Cory's Shearwater ("Calonectris diomedea") and migratory passerines. There is also a large spring migration of Turtle Doves ("Streptopelia turtur").

The Strofades in Culture

As the Strophades, they were identified as the dwelling-place of the Harpies. Virgil states that the Harpies drove the Trojans from the Strophades (Aeneid "iii, 209 passim."). The islands are mentioned in "The Divine Comedy" (see List of cultural references in The Divine Comedy).

According to legend, the islands' name, meaning "Islands of Turning," refers to Zetes and Calais, sons of Boreas, who voyaged with the Argonauts. Zetes and Calais rescued Phineas from the Harpies. They succeeded in driving the monsters away but did not kill them, as a request from the goddess of the rainbow, Iris, who promised that Phineas would not be bothered by the Harpies again. They were "turned back" at the Strophades by Iris while continuing their pursuit of the creatures. [http://www.fjkluth.com/harpies.html]

External links

* [http://www.ornithologiki.gr/en/sppe/en080.htm Important Bird areas of Greece]