26 April 08 - where eagles dare

A major improvement today, with four migrant eagle species, other raptors and a large increase in migrant passerines.

Weather: overcast all day with occasional sunny period. Moderate northerly wind. Max. temp 20 C.

Today's main highlights -

Petra - STEPPE EAGLE (sub-adult, 6th island record) low to the south at 09.25 followed within a minute by a BLACK KITE. Black-headed Bunting 2, good Ruppell's Warbler activity.

North coast track (Eftalou to Skala Sikaminias) - GOLDEN EAGLE (adult) north at 13.55 mobbed by Long-legged Buzzard. Audouin's Gull 1.

Parakoila Marsh - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1 over in morning. Little Crake 1.

Platania - BOOTED EAGLE 1 over in morning. Olive Tree Warbler showing on and off, Golden Oriole 15+.

Anaxos - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1.

Napi Valley - RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH 1 just north of Napi, Red-footed Falcon fem.

Tsiknias River - ROLLER 1, CITRINE WAGTAIL Wagtail 1, Little Crake 1, Temminck's Stint 1.

Petra Reservoir - Marsh Warbler 1, Great Spotted Cuckoo 2.

Maladia River Ford - Red-breasted Flycatcher 1, Roller 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 3 (plus Red-backed, Masked and Woodchat), Barred Warbler 4, Ortolan Bunting 5+, Savi's Warbler 1, Thrush Nightingale 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Wood Warbler.

Aghias Ioannis - Ortolan Bunting 5+, Sardinian Warbler 1, Cinereous Bunting.

Kalloni Saltpans - Broad-billed Sandpiper 13, Dunlin 2, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint.

Alykes Wetlands - Collared Praticoles 17, Red-throated Pipits 4, Short-toed Lark 5.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 2.

Christou River - Whimbrel 1.

Kalloni Soccer Pitch (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 2 (easiest bird still the roadside tree marked with plastic chocholate choice bottle).

Achladeri - both Kruper's Nuthatch and Long-eared Owl showing well.

More Rollers reported from elsewhere (but no details) on the island, plus many more Red-backed Shrikes, Golden Orioles and commoner migrants such as flava wagtails and warblers. Still very few flycatchers.