27 April 2010 - migrants galore out west

The west did it again. Those of us who ventured across to Sigri had another one of those mad migrant days - everywhere you looked, Turtles Doves, Red-backed Shrikes, Rollers, flycatchers - mad!

Nr Molivos - ROCK BUNTING 2 reported.

Meladia Valley - Pallid Harrier 1, Roller 6, Red-backed Shrike 30+, Golden Oriole 20+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 3, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Common Kingfisher 1 (late record), Turtle Dove (dozens), Lesser Kestrel 2, Short-toed Eagle 2.

Faneromeni Fords - Citrine Wagtail male, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Great Bittern 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Snipe 1, Little Bittern 3, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1.

Faneromeni Fields - Turtle Dove 2-300 inc. a flock of 120+ in one olive grove! Goshawk 1, Red-backed Shrike (many), Black-headed Bunting.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike (many), Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Purple Heron, White-winged Black Tern 1, Collared Pratincole 2, Black-headed Bunting.

Petrified Forest Museum, Sigri - Collared Flycatcher 1, Orphean Warbler 3, Common Cuckoo.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - White-winged Black Tern 10, Roller 2, Golden Oriole 6, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 10+, Black-headed Bunting 12+.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still building nest. Bee-eater 30+. Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 (singing 150m NW of bridge).

Kalimi Marsh (Mesa) - White-winged Black Tern 9, Shoveler 4, Mallard 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush Robin (in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans), Rose-coloured Starling 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Black Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, Gull-billed Tern 3, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Common Shelduck 26.

Alykes Wetlands - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Whiskered Tern 50+, White-winged Black 20+, Red-footed Falcon 4, Ruddy Shelduck 20, Squacco Heron 6, Teminck's Stint 8, Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Buntings.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 26.

Petrified Forest road - Rufous Bush Robin, Chukar.

Christou River - Roller 1.

Pessa Waterfall Trail (Achladeri Forest) - Grey Wagtail (pr), Woodlark.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 42, White-winged Black 1, Bee-eater 17, Black-headed Bunting 50+, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit.

Tsiknias River - Quail 1.