Lesvos Birding 2012 day trips - update!


Come and enjoy the real Lesvos with Lesvos Birding's Steve Dudley!

I only announced the finalised dates for next years day trips a few weeks back, and you guys aren't slow are you?!

I'm thrilled that so many of your have already booked your stay on the island and are keen to book your places on my trips. The first two weeks, 22 April to 5 May 2012, are already proving very popular with places booking up very quickly. Still plenty of places on the 6 - 18 May dates.

So, if you haven't booked your places yet, hurry! I'll flag up dates which are filling up on the day trips page - see here.

A DVD Guide to Birdwatching in Europe


Filmed & Narrated by Paul Doherty
Bird Images
£17.95


Available from Bird Images - click here




Running time 3 hrs 15 mins
Bird species covered: 255 plus numerous landscapes, insects, etc.




Featuring
The Netherlands – February
Eilat, Israel – March
Extramadura, Spain - April 
Pyrenees, Spain - April
Lesvos, Greece – April
Central Finland – June
North Norway – June
Eastern Poland - May
Falsterbo, Sweden – October
Northern Israel - October

This is the latest in Paul Doherty's 'Birdwatching Guides'. His promotional blurb states 'Rather than put out a succession of DVDs (Birdwatching in Poland, Lesvos etc) we felt that people would appreciate the much lower cost of having footage from some of the very best European sites condensed onto one DVD.'

Lesvos, quite rightly, features on this DVD as one of Europe's premier birding destinations and it receives 33 minutes (10% of the running time). In this time you get to see footage for a total of 68 species (and some species you see more than once) filmed at seven (although I would break this down to 12 individual sites) of the main sites across the centre and west of the island. There is also footage of other wildlife.

As you would expect, the footage of birds is variable. There is nothing of poor quality with quality ranging from good to excellent. Some of my personal faves being a singing and displaying rufous Bush-robin, Glossy Ibis and marsh terns - these epitomise Lesvos in spring for me - and the footage of a singing Olive-tree Warbler is fantastic. But its really being picky since so much of the footage is simply brilliant in terms of clarity or showing behaviour (the displaying Goshawk is not crystal clear but is great to see). Some footage is brief, but some sections provide lengthy studies of the bird and some of the simple narration includes very good identification pointers (e.g. female Collared Flycatcher) and is provided over the 'natural' soundtrack of birdsong and other surrounding noises (some natural, some not). You can even watch the whole thing without narration and simply sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of Lesvos in spring.

Overall this presents a very good feel for a spring week on Lesvos. It introduces not only some of the more typical, likely-to-be-seen species (I'd say only several species are difficult to see) but also some of the many differing landscapes. It also shows you that its not all blue skies and wall to wall sun - just look at the Squacco Heron and Flamingo footage to see the reality of a Lesvos spring squal! All should help you plan for the trip not only in terms knowledge, but also giving you an indication of terrain and weather to help you pack the right clothing! What guides (be they DVDs, books, or internet sites) can't accurately provide is the 'buzz' of migration, the rush of a fall of migrants with birds in every bush, but this DVD should whet the would-be-visitors appetite very nicely.

Species included (in order of appearance) - the few species in ( ) are 'background' to other species: Common Nightingale, Black-headed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Black Stork, Purple Heron, Red-backed Shrike, Red-footed Falcon, Corn Bunting, Black-headed (Yellow) Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit, Rufous Bush-robin, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, (Grey Heron), Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Whiskered Tern, White-winged (Black) Tern, Common Tern, Squacco Heron, Greater Flamingo, (Moorhen), Little Bittern, Little Crake, Baillon's Crake, Scops Owl, Subalpine Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Cirl Bunting, Ruppell's Warbler, Kruper's Nuthatch, Masked Shrike, Short-toed Treecreeper, Spotted Flycatcher, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk, Honey-buzzard, Hen Harrier, Citrine Wagtail, Roller, Golden Oriole, Pied Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Lesser Kestrel, Long-legged Buzzard, Little Stint, Scopoli's (Cory's) Shearwater, Yelkouan Shearwater, Stonechat, Isabelline Wheatear, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Cinereous Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Lesser Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Olive-tree Warbler, Jay, Orphean Warbler, Sombre Tit, Western Rock Nuthatch.

Sites covered: Skala Kallonis, Tskinias River, Alykes Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans, Metochi Lake, Soumouria ('Scops Copse'), Kavaki, Achladeri, Faneromeni, Meladia (river ford, fig grove and chapel), Ipsilou and Platania.

Other wildlife includes Starred Agama (Lizard), Levant Marsh Frog, butterflies inc. Persian Meadow Brown and Eastern Festoon, Owl-fly, Thread (-winged) Lacewing, Southern Emerald Damselfly.


And don't be put off by the other areas covered! There's more stunning birds, wildlife and scenery on the other 90% of the DVD which will soon have you wanting to go to all these places too! Just go once you've been to Lesvos.

Bird news - October 2011 summary


Ruddy Shelduck - Polichnitos Saltpans present max. 27 on 30th
Common Shelduck - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 19 on 31st
Mallard - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 10 on 15th
Teal - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 14 on 15th
Greater Flamingo - Polichnitos Saltpans max.215 on 30th
Black Stork - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 15th; Kalloni Saltpans max. 12 on 3rd
Spoonbill - 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 16th-17th
Grey Heron - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 13 on 18th
Great White Egret - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 11 on 25th-31st
DALMATIAN PELICAN - 4 Kalloni Saltpans on 3rd (Terry Robinson)
Shag - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 13 on 26th
Osprey - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans on 5th
Merlin - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans on 18th
Peregrine - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans on 23rd
Stone-curlew - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3rd - 8th
Black-winged Stilt - Polichnitos Saltpans 1-2 throughout
Lapwing - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 21st
Grey Plover - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout
Common Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans up to 4 throughout
Little Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans 1 -2 to 22nd
Kentish Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 115 on 22nd
Eurasian Curlew - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 3rd
Common Snipe - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 8th
Common Redshank - Polichnitos Saltpans 130 on 7th
Common Greenshank - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 36 on 19th
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 22nd
Common Sandpiper - up to Polichnitos Saltpans to 17th
Little Stint - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 44 on 7th
Dunlin - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 16 on 30th
Ruff - 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 22nd
Yellow-legged Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 102 on 8th
Black-headed Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 603 on 22nd
SLENDER-BILLED GULL - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 19 on 24th
Mediterranean Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 1 - 4 throughout
Sandwich Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 12 on 4th
Turtle Dove - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 1st
Red-backed Shrike - 1 -4 Polichnitos Saltpans to 20th
Sand Martin - 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 4th
Barn Swallow - Polichnitos Saltpans 35 on 11th and 15 on 12th
Willow Warbler - Polichnitos Saltpans max. max. 17 on 8th and present to 23rd
Blackcap - Polichnitos Saltpans 1 on 6th, 3 on 20th, 4 on 21st and and 1 on 23rd
Common Whitethroat - 1  Polichnitos Saltpans 6th
Sardinian Warbler - 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 31st
Black Redstart - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 8 on 31st
Whinchat - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans to 28th
Common Stonechat - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 16 on 31st
Northern Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 7th and present to 22nd
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans to 21st
House Sparrow - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 131 on 14th
White Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 13 on 10th and present to 20th
Yellow Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 37 on 16 Sept
Tawny Pipit - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans to 4th
Meadow Pipit - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 6 on 18th
Water Pipit - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 29th
Serin - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 32 on 19th
Linnet - 2 - 3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout
Corn Bunting - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 203 on 22nd
Cirl Bunting - Polichnitos Saltpans 3-4 throughout

All records Terry Robinson

Lesvos Birding 2012 day trips - update!


Come and enjoy the real Lesvos with Lesvos Birding's Steve Dudley!

I only announced the finalised dates for next years day trips a few weeks back, and you guys aren't slow are you?!

I'm thrilled that so many of your have already booked your stay on the island and are keen to book your places on my trips. The first week, 22 - 27 April 2012, is already proving very popular with places booking up very quickly.

So, if you haven't booked your places yet, hurry! I'll flag up dates which are filling up on the day trips page - see here.

Lesvos Birding 2012 day trips - book now!


23 day trips running between 22 April and 18 May - read on!

Book early! 
85% places for my 2011 day trips booked up by the end of January 2011.

Day trips with Lesvos Birding's Steve Dudley 
I am the only guide to offer day trips to independent birders visiting the island and by popular demand I am extending my day trips to cover four weeks in spring 2012. The itinerary of trips will ensure I reach all the regular favourite and major sites as well as the more far flung corners of the island including some of my favourite nooks and crannies. Lesvos Birding caters for all birding abilities. 

In total I am offering 23 day trips covering the main areas of the Gulf of Kalloni, the far west and the north of the island between 22 April and 4 May searching for key species such as Krüper’s Nuthatch, Cinereous Bunting, Rüppell’s Warbler, other breeding species, wetland specialties and of course, migrants. Full details below - keep reading!

This is an excellent way for independent birders to join others to share the Lesvos Birding experience, see new sites, new species and maybe reach areas of the island you wouldn’t venture to yourself.

What's included: all day trips include transport (start/end at Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis), fuel, a taverna lunch, and the guiding services of Steve Dudley. Start/finish times as indicated.

Destinations: sites listed in each excursion are an indication of the area to be visited. Not all sites listed may be visited and routes may vary to those advertised depending on the birding on the day. Not all the species listed may be seen!

Numbers: minimum number of clients is 3. Max group size 7.
  
How to book: advance booking is recommended. See individual trips below. Select Book now and email me with the details of the excursions you wish to take part in.

Payment: bookings in advance (up to 6 April 2012) will require full payment. UK customers are asked to pay by cheque, non-UK customers can pay by PayPal or International Bank Transfer (latter incurs additional charges). Bookings taken on the island from 21 April 2012 (if any places still available) will require cash payment in Euros.

Lunch: all day trips include a full taverna lunch at one of my favourite tavernas around the island - often enjoyed just as much as the birding! All tastes are catered for, but seafood and fish are Lesvos specialties and usually enjoyed by Lesvos Birding groups. Let me introduce you to new flavours and smells of real Lesvos cuisine, but you’re welcome to an omelet if you want one!

Breakfast: since some participants may have to leave their hotel to get to Skala Kallonis before their own hotel starts serving breakfast, my day trippers can enjoy a buffet breakfast at the Pasiphae Hotel for a very reasonable €5 per person.

A testimonial from some previous happy day-trippers. Stan and Angela spent a day out west (Lardia Valley, Ipsilou, Sigri) with me in September 2010.

Hi Steve, I just wanted to say how much Angela and I enjoyed the day we spent with you on Lesbos recently. We found the day to be really enjoyable, entertaining and very instructive. You are an inspiration, and, as a result of our day with you, we have resolved to try to improve our birding knowledge and skills. Keep up the good work, and we hope to see you again on Lesbos, perhaps in the Spring.

Best wishes, Stan (Lancashire, UK)

------------------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY, 22 April 2012
THE GULF OF KALLONI
Metochi, Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Achladeri Forest, Alikoudi Pool, Polichnitos Saltpans, Mesa Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 22/04)
Sorry, full up.

MONDAY, 23 April 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 23/04)
Sorry, full up.


TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 2012
THE NORTH
Metochi, Kavaki, Perasma Reservoir, North Coast, Napi Valley, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 24/04)
Sorry, full up.

wednesday, 25 APRIL 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 25/04)
Sorry, full up.

THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2012
THE GULF OF KALLONI
Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Achladeri Forest, Alikoudi Pool, Polichnitos Saltpans, Mesa Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 26/04)
Sorry, full up.

friday, 27 APRIL 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 27/04)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book nowFilling up!

saturday, 28 april 2012 - sorry no day trip today

sunday, 29 APRIL 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 29/04)

Sorry, full up.

monday, 30 APRIL 2012
THE GULF OF KALLONI
Metochi, Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Achladeri Forest, Alikoudi Pool, Polichnitos Saltpans, Mesa Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 30/04)
Sorry, full up.

tuesday, 1 may 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 01/05)

Sorry, full up.


wednesday, 2 may 2012
THE GULF OF KALLONI
Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Achladeri Forest, Alikoudi Pool, Polichnitos Saltpans, Mesa Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 02/05)
Sorry, full up.

thursday, 3 MAY 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 03/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Only one place!

friday, 4 May 2012
THE NORTH
Metochi, Kavaki, Perasma Reservoir, North Coast, Napi Valley, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 04/05)
Sorry, full up.


SATURDAY, 5 May 2012 - SORRY NO DAY TRIP TODAY

SUNDAY, 6 may 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 06/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Filling up!

MONDAY, 7 may 2012

A change to the previous advertised day trip
OLIVE-TREE WARBLERS - NAPI VALLEY & KALLONI AREA
Napi Valley, Platania, Potamia, Metochi, Kalloni wwetlands (ref. 07/05)
08.30 – 19.30
The priority today is looking for Olive-tree Warblers north of Kalloni in the olive groves of Napi Valley and Platania. We'll spend the morning looking for these elusive warblers. If we don't find them in the morning then we'll search elsewhere for other goodies and then return to a key site for a late afternoon/early evening search when they should be more active again.
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Filling up!

TUESDAY, 8 MAY 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 08/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book nowOnly one place left!

WEDNESDAY, 9 MAY 2012
THE GULF OF KALLONI
Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans, Achladeri Forest, Alikoudi Pool, Polichnitos Saltpans, Mesa Wetlands, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 09/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants around the main Gulf of Kalloni wetland sites plus breeding species such as Krüper’s Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Masked Shrike and other woodland species in Achladeri Forest.
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Filling up!

THURSDAY, 10 MAY 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 10/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Filling up!

FRIDAY, 11 MAY 2012
THE NORTH
Metochi, Kavaki, Perasma Reservoir, North Coast, Napi Valley, Kalloni Saltpans (ref. 11/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day starting at the Gulf of Kalloni, heading north towards Molivos in search of Rüppell’s Warbler, Blue Rock-thrush, Crag Martin and coastal migrants, a search around some of the northern areas in search of migrants, returning via the Napi Valley to spend the evening looking for wetland species around Kalloni Saltpans. An outside chance of Scops Owl today too!
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book nowFilling up!


SATURDAY, 12 MAY 2012 - SORRY NO DAY TRIP TODAY

SUNDAY, 13 MAY 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 13/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Only two places left!

MONDAY, 14 MAY 2012 - SORRY NO DAY TRIP TODAY

TUESDAY, 15 MAY 2012
THE WILD, WILD, WEST
Lardia Valley, Ipsilou area, Sigri area, Meladia Valley (ref. 15/05)
08.30 – 19.30
A full day searching for migrants and resident specialties in the west. Species we will look for inc. breeding Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin; migrant passerines inc. shrikes, warblers, flycatchers, etc.; raptors inc. Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, harriers, Lesser Kestrel and other migrant falcons (inc. Eleonora’s).
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book nowFilling up!

wednesday, 16 MAY 2012 - SORRY NO DAY TRIP TODAY

THURSDAY, 17 MAY 2012
A change to the previous advertised day trip
OLIVE-TREE WARBLERS - NAPI VALLEY & KALLONI AREA
Napi Valley, Platania, Potamia,  Metochi, Kalloni wwetlands (ref. 17/05)
08.30 – 19.30
The priority today is looking for Olive-tree Warblers north of Kalloni in the olive groves of Napi Valley and Platania. We'll spend the morning looking for these elusive warblers. If we don't find them in the morning then we'll search elsewhere for other goodies and then return to a key site for a late afternoon/early evening search when they should be more active again.
€80 / £70 inc. taverna lunch. Book now. Filling up!


FRIDAY, 18 MAY 2012 - SORRY NO DAY TRIP TODAY

E&OE