Early April water levels and migrants

Seasonal pools near the Kalloni Saltworks entrance © Eleni Galinou
Plenty of water here which will hopefully hold until the late month as long as coming weeks remain largely cloudy with some more rain. If that sun gets out day after day we might see a rapid drop.

Eleni Galinou (now living on Samos) has returned to the island for a while and along with Skala Polichnitou resident Terry Robinson, has sent me some photos of current water levels and a bit of bird news form this week.

River Tsiknias at the Kalloni-Mitilini road bridge © Terry Robinson

Friday, 3 Apr
From Terry - Polichnitos Saltpans
A better day today, 3 Swallow, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 64 Ruff, 3 'Yellow' Wagtail, 7 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 29 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a Hoopoe.

From Eleni - Kalloni Saltpans and surrounding fields
A Spur-winged Plover is in a field next to the saltpans all day. Also a Short-toed Eagle, 2 Black Storks, 1 Greenshank and 40 Ruff and 14 Little Ringed Plovers. I also had great views of a male supercilliaris Yellow Wagtail this morning - there are Yellow wagtails all over the place!

Thurs, 2 Apr
From Terry - Polichnitos Saltpans
7 Swallow, 2 Hoopoe, 3 Black-eared Wheatear, 1 Northern Wheatear, 4 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Ruff 2, 9 'Yellow' Wagtail and a Black Redstart.

Weds, 1 Apr
From Eleni - Kalloni Saltpans and surrounding fields
I finally arrived in Lesvos and we are suffering from Sahara dust clouds the last days.
There were 4 Glossy Ibises, 6 Garganey, 1 Pintail, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Great White Egret and 4 Ferrugineus Ducks on the saltpans, plus 142 Avocets and 40-45 Black-winged stilts.

Tues, 31 Mar
From Terry - Polichnitos Saltpans
2 Black-eared Wheatear pans this am, + 2 Hoopoe, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Ruff, 1 Wood Sandpiper.

Sat, 28 Mar
From Terry - Polichnitos Saltpans
A better morning today, frosty start, calm conditions - 10 Ruff, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Swallows, 3 Northern Wheatear, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Black-headed Wagtails, 1 Hoopoe and a Black Redstart still around.

I had a ride upto Skalla Kallonis area, a lot more migrants in up there than around Polichnitos pans.
At River Ali miropotamos (Lisvori) [the smelly river] Alpine Swift, Common Swift and 5 Red-rumped Swallows.
At Mesa wetland 6 Ruff, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 10+ Common Swifts.
Around Metochi Lake area, 16 Common Swift, 3 House Martins, 2 Alpine Swifts.
The Potamia res is overflowing and had an adult and a 1st win/sum Little Gulls and a Marsh Harrier.
Along the Tsiknias River 10+ Alpine Swifts, 60+ Common Swifts, Swallows and House Martins and a Black Stork.

Potamia Reservoir overflowing! © Terry Robinson

2 Little Gulls here on 28 Mar.

Mikri Limni © Terry Robinson
If this still holds water at the end of the month it will definately be worth checking if you're passing.