Wader passage picks up

superciliaris type Yellow Wagtail, Kalloni Saltpans, 3 Apr 09 © Terry Robinson

The word 'complex' is a very good one for the Western Yellow Wagtail complex! As any visiting birder to the island can testify, Lesvos gets a bewildering array of 'forms' pass through in spring. A single flock can have half a dozen 'forms' in it. This 'superciliaris' type bird was present last week at Kalloni pans. Superciliaris is believed to be a thunbergii variant. The supercilium is not as clean as I've seen with some yellowing at the front which might indicate a hydrid.

Some news from Terry Robinson over the weekend.

Mon, 06 Apr

Well Steve, so far you have got your wish! 8 hours rain yesterday and last night, the sun is shining now but to the south the sky is black, and I can hear thunder booming in the distance. Still lots of waders coming through, nothing special this am.

Sat, 04 Apr

Polichnitos pans this morning - 127 Ruff, 12 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Dunlin, 3 Little Stints, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 28 'yellow' wagtails, 3 Swallows, 2 Hoopoes, 3 Northern Wheatears, 1 Black-eared Wheatear.

Went to Kalloni saltpans this afternoon to look for the Spur-winged Plover but didn't find it, but Eleni's 'superciliaris' yellow wagtail was still present. Plenty of birds though - 191 Mediterranean Gulls, 288 Avocet, 51 Black-winged Stilts, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshank, 1 Curlew and a Montagu's Harrier.

On nearby Alykes Wetlands (flooded) 300 Ruff, 8 Marsh Sandpipers, 4 Garganey.

We've also had a male Common Redstart in the garden this morning.