27 April - White-throated Robin breeding!


White-throated Robin, Petrified Forest, April 2013 
(Irania gutturalis) Λευκόλαιμο Αηδόνι 
© Steve Dudley


South westerly winds saw a small movement of raptors in the morning, but high afternoon temperatures (29C) soon curtailed most bird activity until the evening.

Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
Two males showed on and off throughout the morning from the road overlooking the square concrete building. 

We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.

I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.

It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.

SEMICOLLARED FLYCATCHER female
Lesser Kestrel 52 over
Black-headed Bunting - several
Collared Flycatcher male
Golden Oriole male
Red-backed Shrike 2

Between Antissa and Ipsilou
Black Kite 4
Levant Sparrowhawk 3
Red-footed Falcon 14
Eleanora's Falcon 3

Ipsilou
GRIFFON VULTURE 1
Black Kite 2
Red-footed Falcon 4
Red-breasted Flycatcher male

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Gull-billed Tern 3
Purple Heron 3
Squacco Heron 5
Glossy Ibis 5
Marsh Sandpiper 1
Common Ringed Plover 3
Red-throated Pipit 5
Black-headed Bunting 10

Tsiknias River
Mediterranean Gull 9
Squacco Heron 6
Black-headed Bunting several

Potamia River
Purple Heron 2
Squacco Heron 1

Platania 
Golden Oriole 2

Metochi Lake
Night-heron 9
Little Bittern 7
Little Crake 5
Squacco Heron 3
Great Reed Warbler 2
Golden Oriole 2

Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana
Scops Owl 
Long-eared Owl adult at nest with 3 young (same site as 2012)

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl - several. Please do not harass the birds!