Purple Herons, Metochi Lake. Recent days have seen small flocks heading north over the island. These birds were part of a flock of 11 seen coming in from the south and then circling the lake before attracting three birds up from the lake area and all the birds then heading off together to the north. Another three birds were seen leaving the lake to the north too © Steve Dudley
Warm and sunny - Lesvos back to normal!
Slightly more birds around today with what appears to be a new arrival of flycatchers in the west. Bee-eaters and Red-backed Shrikes still thin on the ground but trickling in. Despite reports, still no bush robins actually on territory and where now are the lesser Grey Shrikes? What a topsy-turvy year this is.
Late news - 2 Laughing Doves reported in Loutra 29 April. No further details (one previous record May 1994).
Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas are being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).
Environment Centre - please visit the centre. Apart from fascinating displays about the Kalloni area and its wildlife, geology etc, they need our support. The centre is on the edge of Skala Kallonis. Walk down the side of the bakery by the mini soccer pitch, along the the track with the channel on your left and houses on your right towards the Tsiknias River. The centre is the last building (pink - you cant miss it!). Only a small sign on the gate (the main sign blew away in the winter!). Open hours are 0900-1300 and 1800-2100. Thanks.
North of Mesotopos - BONELLI'S EAGLE adult or nr adult. Seen in the same area last year and late news of a bird over Lardia Valley (nr Vatousa) around the 19 April, suggests there may well be a pair in the Vatousa area which shoulk be looked for when in the Vatousa area.
Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Levant Sparrowhawk male, Eleonora's Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 2m 1f, Goshawk 1, Hobby 1, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, European Sparrowhawk, Peregrine.
Kalloni Saltpans (east side) - Caspian Tern 1, Black Tern 10, Whiskered Tern 30, White-winged Black Tern 15, Gull-billed Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 5, Slender-billed Gull 8, Mediterranean Gull 18, Spotted Redshank 4, Grey Plover 8, Shoveler 5 (4m, 1f), Glossy Ibis 27, Greater Flamingo 1080, Temminck's Stint 3.
Polichnitos Saltpans - Citrine Wagtail 2CY male (pool closed to village).
Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler (1 at barrier site below Mavria - park carefully and tale care on this road), Hobby 1, Masked Shrike (many), Golden Oriole.
Makara - Barred Warbler 1, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Little Gull 1, Scopoli's Shearwater 3, Yelkouan Shearwater 1000+.
Metochi Lake - Purple Heron 17, Little Bittern 3, Night-heron 2, Squacco Heron, Little Crake 5+, Golden Oriole 1, Savi's Warbler.
Ipsilou - Red-footed Falcon 1, Collared Flycatcher 5, Wood Warbler 2, Cinereous Bunting and Isabelline Wheatear.
Sigri / Faneromeni - Barred Warbler 5, Icterine Warbler 2, Montagu's Harrier male, Red-footed Falcon 1, Collared Flycatcher 15, Pied Flycatcher 10, Spotted Flycatcher 20, Whinchat 50, Wood Warbler 3, Golden Oriole 2, Red-backed Shrike 1, Tree Pipit, Bee-eater, Short-toed Lark 8, Black-headed Bunting (many).
Kavaki - Barred Warbler 2, Ruppell's Warbler.
Skala Sikaminias - Audouin's Gull 1, Scopoli's Shearwater 1, Yalkouan Shearwater.
Sigri Old Sanatorium - Icterine Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Quail 2, Night-heron 1.
Almyropotamos River (nr Polichnitos pans) - Golden Oriole 20, Red-backed Shrike 1, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 2.
Meladia Valley - Icterine Warbler 3, Golden Oriole 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Wood Warbler, Tawny Pipit 1, Rock Sparrow 1, Purple Heron 7.
Aghios Ioannis - Montagu's Harrier male.
Soumouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 1 - in tree to right of taverna - blue plastic bag under stone at base of tree - look up right hand side of tree, bird is difficult to see behind leaves.
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Purple Herons, Metochi Lake. Recent days have seen small flocks heading north over the island. These birds were part of a flock of 11 seen coming in from the south and then circling the lake before attracting three birds up from the lake area and all the birds then heading off together to the north. Another three birds were seen leaving the lake to the north too © Steve Dudley
