Gadwall, Avocets and winter snow

Gadwall, Polichntios Saltpans, 25 January 2010 © Terry Robinson

Worsening winter weather, with snow on the hills and night-time temps down to -9C, has delivered some wildfowl to Polichnitos Saltpans including these four Gadwall on 25 Jan, only the fourth record for the island!

Snow on the hills of Petoni (between Parakila and Agra) viewed from across the Gulf of Kalloni at Skala Polichnitou © Terry Robinson

Avocets feeding in the middle of the Gulf of Kalloni viewed from Polichnitos Saltpans © Terry Robinson

Terry also reports lots of Skylarks around, this flock of Avocets (above) off Skala Polichnitou and regular Hen Harrier sightings the last few days around Polichnitos Saltpans. On 27 Jan counts of 2 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 81 Shelduck (record site count), 4 Black Storks, 1 Common Snipe, 300+ Skylarks and 7 Reed Buntings.