Bird news - September 2011 summary

Bar-tailed Godwit, Tsiknias River 30 Aug to 7 Sept at least 

© Dave Dickson

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 - 13 Sept

Common Shelduck - Kalloni Saltpans max. 50 on 21 Sept; Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 18 Sept

Mallard - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 21 Sept

Pintail - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 - 21 Sept

Teal - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 - 30 Sept

Little Grebe - Potamia Reservoir max. 61 on 19 Sept

Black-necked Grebe - 1 off Tsiknias River mouth19 Sept

Greater Flamingo - Kalloni Saltpans max. 200 on 21 Sept; Polichnitos Saltpans max.100 on 16 Sept

Black Stork - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 15 on 29 Sept; Kalloni Saltpans 9 on 21 Sept; Tsiknias River 1 on 4 - 18 Sept

White Stork - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 - 2 Sept

Spoonbill - 2 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept

Little Bittern - 1 Metochi Lake 20 Sept

Grey Heron - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 14 on 18 Sept; Christou (Kameras) River max. 40 on 17 Sept

Great White Egret - Polichnitos Saltpans 1 -3 throughout Sept;  max. 6 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept

WHITE PELICAN - 1 circling over Tsiknias River 17 Sept; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept (both Dave Riley & Andrea Jackson)

Great Cormorant - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 4 on 23 Sept

Shag - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 26 Sept

Honey-buzzard - 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Sept; 22 Palia Vigla 20 Sept

Osprey - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept

Short-toed Eagle - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 - 10 Sept; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 16 Sept; 1 Palia Vigla 20 - 21 Sept

Marsh Harrier - Polichnitos Saltpans 2 on 14 Sept and 1 on 19th; 1 Palia Vigla 20 Sept; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept; 

Montagu's Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Sept

Common Buzzard - Tsiknias River max. 5 on 4 Sept

Red-footed Falcon - Palia Vigla - 7 on 20th and 50 on 21st; 15 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept; 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 24 Sept

Eleonora's Falcon - 1 Potamia Reservoir 7 Sept; 1 Palia Vigla 21 Sept; 1 Skala Kallonis 22 Sept

Hobby - 1 Palia Vigla and 2 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept

Water Rail - 1 Metochi Lake 20 Sept

Stone-curlew - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 15 - 29 Sept: up to 15 Christou (Kamares) River 15 - 22 Sept

Black-winged Stilt - Polichnitos Saltpans 83 on 1 Sept dropping to 1 by 30 Sept

Avocet - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 12 on 4 Sept; Kalloni Saltpans max. 400 on 21 Sept

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER - 2 juvs Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Sept (Terry Robinson)

Grey Plover - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 - 28 Sept

Common Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 6 on 28 Sept

Little Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans 2-5 throughout; 4 Kalloni Saltpans 22 Sept

Kentish Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 97 on 19 Sept

Black-tailed Godwit - 1 - 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 - 8 Sept

Bar-tailed Godwit - 1 - 2 Tsiknias River 30 Aug to 7 Sept (photo: Dave Dickson)

Eurasian Curlew - 1 Tsiknias River 4 Sept; 1 off beach at Kalloni Saltpans 17 Sept

Common Snipe - 1 Metochi Lake 20 Sept

Common Redshank - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 138 on 20 Sept; Kalloni Saltpans max. 45 on 16 Sept

Marsh Sandpiper - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Sept; 6 Kalloni Saltpans 16 Sept; 1 Tsiknias River 17 & 21 Sept

Common Greenshank - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 22 on 15 Sept; 8 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept; 1 Tsiknias River 11, 17 & 21 Sept

Wood Sandpiper - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 - 21 Sept; 2 Tsiknias River 16 & 22 Sept

Common Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 28 Sept; 1 Tsiknias River 11 Sept; 2 Potamia River 18 Sept

Turnstone - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 4 on 2 Sept

Sanderling - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 11 Sept

Little Stint - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 34 on 29 Sept; 20 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept

Temminck's Stint - 2 Kalloni Saltpans 3 Sept

Dunlin - 30 Kalloni Saltpans 21 Sept; Polichnitos Saltpans max. 13 on 30 Sept

Curlew Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 15 on 2 Sept

Ruff - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Sept

Yellow-legged Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 378 on 4 Sept

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 Tsiknias River mouth 16 Sept

Black-headed Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 153 on 20 Sept; 30 Tsiknias River mouth 16 Sept

SLENDER-BILLED GULL - 1 - 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 - 5 Sept

Mediterranean Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 11 on 14 Sept; 20 Tsiknias River mouth 16 Sept

Sandwich Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 29 on 5 Sept; 15 Tsiknias River mouth 16 Sept

Common Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 19 on  Sept

Little Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 10 on 7 Sept

Turtle Dove - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 7 on 7 Sept

Roller - 2 Tsiknias River 1 - 22 Sept

Common Kingfisher - singles Polichnitos Saltpans, Christou (Kameras( River, Tsiknias River, Kalloni Saltpans and Potamia River

Common Bee-eater - 91 Tsiknias River and 20 Metochi 16 Sept

Hoopoe - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans up to 10 Sept; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 17 Sept

WRYNECK - 1 Tsiknias River 8 Sept (Dave Dickson); 1 Skala Kallonis 19 - 21 Sept (Dave Riley & Andrea Jackson)

Red-backed Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 5 9 Sept

Lesser Grey Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 4 on 12 Sept; 1 Lotzaria 17 & 22 Sept

Woodchat Shrike - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans up to 14 Sept; 1 Potamia Valley 19 Sept

Masked Shrike - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 Sept

Sand Martin - singles Polichnitos Saltpans max15 & 28 Sept

Barn Swallow - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 107 on 5 Sept

Red-rumped Swallow - 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Sept

House Martin - 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Sept

Olivaceous Warbler - singles Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River 17 & 22 Sept

Willow Warbler - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 22 on 16 Sept

Blackcap - 1 Skala Kallonis 17 Sept

Common Whitethroat - 1 - 3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Lesser Whitethroat - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Sept; 1 Tsiknias River 18 Sept; 1 Potamia Valley 19 Sept

Whinchat - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 17 Sept

Common Stonechat - 1-5 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Northern Wheatear - up to 7 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Black-eared Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans 2 on 3rd and 1 on 14 Sept

Spotted Flycatcher - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 9 Sept

House Sparrow - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 146 on 14 Sept

White Wagtail - 1 -5 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Yellow Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 37 on 16 Sept

Grey Wagtail - 1 Tsiknias Rover 20 Sept

Tawny Pipit - 1 -2 Polichnitos Saltpans 11 - 30 Sept; 1 Lotzaria 17 Sept

Tree Pipit - 1 Almyropotamos River 11 Sept

Early Sept 11 sightings

Bar-tailed Godwit, Tsiknias River 30 - Aug to 7 Sept at least 

© Dave Dickson

I'm getting regular news from Terry Robinson at Polichnitos Saltpans where he's had a good smattering of waders passing through during the first week, 2 Slender-billed Gulls and small numbers of shrikes, warblers and chats.

The only other notable sighting was the above Bar-tailed Godwit which spent at least a week at the Tsiknias River mouth.

Daily sightings (when I have news) are posted on the Lesvos Birders Facebook page.

Bird news - August 2011 summary

One of the months highlights were two records (of three birds) of Red-necked Phalarope including this juvenile at Polichnitos Saltpans on 26 August  © Terry Robinson 


Common Shelduck - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Aug; 10 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Mallard - Polichnitos Saltpans 1 on 1 Aug and 2 on 11 Aug

Shoveler - 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Aug

Pintail - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 22 - 28 Aug

Garganey - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 5 on 28 Aug; 13 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Teal - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 15 Aug

Greater Flamingo - Kalloni Saltpans max. 100 on 10 Aug

Black Stork - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 7 on 24 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 23 on 10 Aug; Tsiknias River max. 4 on 10 Aug; Christou (Kamares) River max. 12 on 10 Aug; 1 Mesa Wetlands 10 Aug

White Stork - 1 Tsiknias River 10 & 16 Aug

Grey Heron - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 11 on 25 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 27 on 10 Aug

Purple Heron - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 & 24 Aug

Great White Egret - 5 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug; 2 Mesa Wetlands 10 Aug

DALMATIAN PELICAN - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 8-10 Aug at least (Eleni Galinou et al)

Great Cormorant - Kalloni Saltpans max. 31 on 10 Aug; 1 Mesa Wetlands 10 Aug; 1 Vouvaris River mouth 10 Aug

Peregrine Falcon - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 Aug

Short-toed Eagle - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 Aug

Montagu's Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 29 Aug

Common Buzzard - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 3 Aug

Stone-curlew - 2 Christou (Kamares) River 10 Aug

Black-winged Stilt - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 123 on 1 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 74 on 10 Aug

Avocet - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 32 on 20 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 490 on 10 Aug

Common Ringed Plover - 2-3 Polichnitos Saltpans 26-27 Aug

Little Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans 2-4 throughout; 2 Tsiknias River to 10 Aug; 3 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Kentish Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 71 on 26 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 64 on 10 Aug

Black-tailed Godwit - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 27-29 Aug

Eurasian Curlew - 8 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug; 1 Tsiknias River 16 Aug

Spotted Redshank - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Common Redshank - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 79 on 30 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 153 on 10 Aug

Marsh Sandpiper - 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 24 Aug

Common Greenshank - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 24 on 19 Aug; 3 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug; 3 Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Green Sandpiper - 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 12 Aug with 1 there 13 Aug

Wood Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 16 on 6 Aug; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug; 2 Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Common Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 4 on 26 Aug; singles Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Turnstone - Polichnitos Saltpans 1 on 24 Aug, 2 on 28 Aug and 4 on 31 Aug

Little Stint - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 38 on 17 Aug; 7 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug; 2 Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Temminck's Stint - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Dunlin - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 15-29 Aug

Curlew Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 1 Aug

BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 29-31 Aug (Terry Robinson)

Ruff - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 5 on 12 Aug

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 2 Kalloni Saltpans 16 Aug (Oivind Egeland); 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Aug (photo: Terry Robinson)

Yellow-legged Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 569 on 27 Aug

Black-headed Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 15 on 26 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 45 on 10 Aug

SLENDER-BILLED GULL - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug (Eleni Galinou)

Mediterranean Gull - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 23 on 25 Aug; 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Sandwich Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 31 on 18 & 27 Aug; 2 Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Common Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 47 on 13 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 38 on 10 Aug; 32 Tsiknias River 10 Aug

Little Tern - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 31 on 22 Aug; Kalloni Saltpans max. 27 on 10 Aug

Turtle Dove - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 14 on 19 Aug

Common Swift - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 14 Aug

European Bee-eater - present Tsiknias River to at least 16 Aug

Hoopoe - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout; 2 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

European Nightjar - 1 Skala Polichnitou 5 Aug

Red-backed Shrike - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19-30 Aug

Lesser Grey Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 3 on 28 Aug

Woodchat Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 10 on 13 Aug

Masked Shrike - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Aug

Red-rumped Swallow - singles Polichnitos Saltpans 5 & 16 Aug

House Martin - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 19 on 11 Aug

Olivaceous Warbler - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 4 on 8 Aug

Willow Warbler - 1-4 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Common Whitethroat - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Whinchat - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Common Stonechat - 1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Northern Wheatear - 1-4 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Black-eared Wheatear - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Spotted Flycatcher - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 31 Aug

House Sparrow - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 165 on 23 Aug

White Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 6 29-31 Aug

Yellow Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 15 on 31 Aug

Tawny Pipit - singles Polichnitos Saltpans 19 & 22 Aug with 2 on 31 Aug

Corn Bunting - Polichnitos Saltpans max. 25 on 27 Aug

Cretzschmar's Bunting - Polichnitos Saltpans 3 on 17 Aug and 1 21-22 Aug

Rose-coloured Starlings

Rose-coloured Starling, Polichnitos Saltpans, 19 May 2011 © Terry Robinson

Rosy Starlings have been reported in small numbers since 17 May. Small flocks in the Kalloni area were hard to pin down as the usual mulberry trees were not ripe enough for the birds to feed on, so they moved on and sought food elsewhere.

Bird news update - to 21 May

Here's a batch of records from mid-April up to 21 May which I've received info on by email whilst I have been away.

Black-throated Diver – 1 offshore at Alykes Wetlands 6 May.

Cattle Egret * – 1 still Kalloni area still to at least 7 May (only five recently accepted records).

Cattle Egret (with Little Egrets), flooded fields by Kalloni Saltpans works entrance, 6 May 2011 © Mike Sveikutis

Dalmatian Pelican –singles Kalloni Saltpans on 5 & 10 May, with four there on 8 May; 1 Mesa 10 May (same as saltpans?).

Griffon Vulture * – 1 Pithariou Reservoir 9 May, 1 Upper Napi Valley 13 May.

Griffon Vulture, Upper Napi Valley, 13 May 2011 © Mike Sveikutis

Booted Eagle – 1 dark phase Tsiknias River 7 May.

Bonelli’s Eagle – 1 Madaros 10 May.

Lesser Spotted Eagle – 1 Napi Valley 6 May.

Black Kite – 1 still Ipsilou area 7 May.

Pallid Harrier – 1 Meladia Valley 8 May.

Baillon’s Crake – 1 Metochi Lake 7-8 May.

Spur-winged Plover - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 May.

Broad-billed Sandpiper – 1 Faneromeni 11 May.

Great Snipe – 1 Kalloni Saltpans 8 May.

Black-winged Pratincole * – 1 reported Kalloni Saltpans 14 May (only several documented records)

Arctic Tern * – 1 Tsiknias River mouth 26 April (only one previous record).

Caspian Gull * – 1 reported Tsiknias River 23 April (no previous records).

Mediterranean Gull – 150 Petra 5-6 May.

Isabelline Wheatear – a migrant bird Kavaki 30 April.

Rufous Bush-robin – 1 Madaros 11 May.

Thrush Nightingale – 1 Kavaki 30 April.

White-throated Robin - fem Ipsilou 13 May.

White-throated Robin, Ipsilou, 13 May 2011 © Wulf & Eva Kappes

Icterine Warbler – 12 Ipsilou 8 May.

River Warbler – 1 Kavaki 11 May.

Marsh Warbler - 1 Polichntos Saltpans 21 May.

Paddyfield Warbler * – the third claim of the spring of one Potamia Valley 6 May (no previous records).

Rose-coloured Starling - reported from 17 May - 40 at Kavaki and up to 20 Tsiknias River 17 May; 30 near Kalloni Saltpans and 20 Napi Valley 20 May; 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 May.

Lesser Grey Shrike – 1 Skala Kallonis 5 May (first record of the spring – very late coming in this year)

Also, a Monk Seal seen at Molivos on 3 May and a certain Sperm Whale in Gulf of Kalloni on 8 May.

* = full description required by LBRC or HRC.

Records recently 'withdrawn' - Bar-tailed Godwit, Oriental Pratincoles, Pied Wheatear, Italian Sparrow, Yellowhammer.

4 May 2011 - Bimac and Bee-eaters!

Bee-eater, Faneromeni Fields - a large arrival of birds today pleased many birders on their last day on the island, myself included

© Steve Dudley

A mixed day with grey skies and showers in the central areas, but those who headed west faired better with an overcast morning and a brilliantly sunny afternoon. Wind swung round to the NW by the end of the day.

Bird-wise, the west was was hoochin' with warblers and Spotted Flycatchers with a few other nicities thrown in for good measure. But two Bimaculated Larks seen flying on off the sea were the show stealers - alas seen by only the finder - and constitute the first record for Lesvos.

My last day, off to Dadia Mountains and Kerkini tomorrow. Many, many thanks to all those who have shared their sightings with me or in the Lesvos Birding Log at the Hotel Pasiphae. Keep the records cominh - all are needed for the 2011 annual report. Cheers, Steve.

Environment Centre - see here.

No sign of yesterday's Great Great Shrike near Vouvaris River.

Alykes Wetlands - BIMACULATED LARK 2 seen coming on off sea around 0900h at the eastern end of the wetlands by the Milopotamos River mouth. They were seen to come down east of the river but not seen subsequently. Slender-billed Gull 5 (offshore), Montagu's Harrier 2, Common Ringed Plover 3.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1.

Sigri & Faneromeni Fields - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 fem, Collared Flycatcher 5+, Pied Flycatcher 10+, Spotted Flycatcher 250++, Icterine Warbler 20+, Wood Warbler 110+, Willow Warbler 20+, Chiffchaff 2, Common Whitethroat 10+, Garden Warbler 15+, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Orphean Warbler 1, Black-headed Bunting 185+ (inc. flock of 65), Bee-eater 320++ (plus many, many more herd going over throughout the day), Woodchat Shrike 15+, Honey-buzzard 2, Eleonora's Falcon 1 dark, Levant Sparrowhawk 1 male, Red-footed Falcon 1 fem, Alpine Swift 30+.

Kalloni Saltpans - CATTLE EGRET 1, Black Tern 1.

Apothika - BLACK KITE 1, Bee-eater 20+.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - BLACK KITE 2.

Lardia Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2.

Sigri - Roller 1 (on wires just west of town).

Faneromeni Fords - Squacco Heron 3, Little Bittern 2, Little Crake 1.

Skala Kallonis - Little Bittern 1 opp Environmental Centre.

Faneromeni Beach - Yelkouan Shearwaters 000s, Scopoli's Shearwater 60 per hour mid afternoon (all close in shore)

Wood Warbler, Upper Faneromeni Fields - large numbers of migrants in the area, particularly in the under-watched upper fields, included c.110 of these gems, many feeding, as here, in giant fennel

© Steve Dudley

3 May 2011 - Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike, nr Vouvaris River © Steve Dudley

I think most folk got wet again this morning when the overcast early morning sky turned dark and opened up late morning with a ferocious wind. Clearly some new birds found today - more Curlew Sandpipers, a few more Bee-eaters over, a few Montagu's Harriers on the move during the early morning, and the finding of a Great Grey Shrike near the Vouvaris River mouth was a real surpise.

Environment Centre - see here.

north of Vouvaris River mouth - GREAT GREY SHRIKE - one found late afternoon and watched by quite a few folk until at least 2000h. The shot of the bird landing below clearly shows more white in the wing than nominate excubitor, and the tail is as depicted in the Collins Bird Guide for homeyeri. Perched the white primary patch was small like excubitor, but it also displayed the fine white line from eye to eye above the bill of homeyeri. Integrades are apparently common, so maybe this is one which is heavily biased towards homeyeri?

I've long been suspicious of the Great Grey Shrike records of old, and since I've been coming to Lesvos there have been only two records of large grey shrikes, a pallidirostris Steppe Shrike in Sept 08 and this bird. I suspect not all of the previous records of large grey shrikes are simply excubitor. Birds of the race homeyeri, or inegrades with excubitor, have been recorded in Greece (Birds of Greece), but no previous records from Lesvos.

Great Grey Shrike, probably an integrade excubitor x homeyeri, nr Vouvaris River © Steve Dudley

Directions - just north of the Vouvaris River mouth, there is a small track towards the coastal just north of the the old shrimp farm beds (rectangular pools in marsh just north of river mouth). Park here. Just north of this track on the other side of the road is a track going inland in to the open scrubby hillside. Walk up this track and search the dead bushes at the base of the linear, sandy coloured rocky crag straight in front of you.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 in northern part of lake early morning but not seen since; Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3.

Sigri/Faneromeni - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Roller 1, Eleonora's Falcon 1, Osprey 1, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 10+, Bee-eater 20+, Little Bittern 2, Golden Oriole 10+, Temminck's Stint 5, Alpine Swift 21, Icterine Warbler 5.

Kalloni Saltpans - Spoonbill 3 (straight through at 1200), Eleonora's Falcon 1, Whiskered Tern 7, Curlew Sandpiper 39, Montagu's Harrier 5+.

Meladia Valley - Purple Heron 6, Lesser Kestrel 15+.

Tsiknias River - Night-heron 6, Red-footed Falcon 2, Black Stork 1.

Kalami Marsh - Red-footed Falcon fem, Water Rail (calling), Black Stork 3.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Water Rail (unmated female calling!)

Christou River - fem Montagu's or Pallid again present.

Vouvaris River - Purple Heron 1 imm.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - pr performed well just up from car park along the main track much of the morning.

Soumouria - Scops Owl still roosting in tree with green wheelie bin and blue plastic bag at base. Facing the taverna look up the right side for bird well hidden in vegetation c.7m off ground.

Btwn Efthalou and Skala Sikammias - Barred Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 2, Bee-eater 15+.

2 May 2011 - more Semi-collared Flys

Alpine Swift, Moni Ipsilou. Still only small numbers being reported © Steve Dudley

Another mixed day with low cloud clearing to bright sunshine and scattered showers. A relatively quiet day. More migrants evident in the west and two unidentified eagles over Napi early afternoon. Three Black Kites now between Ipsilou and Andissa.

Environment Centre - see here.

Sigri/Faneromeni - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 fems, Collared Flycatcher 1, Ped Flycatcher 20, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Spotted Flycatcher 80+, Whinchat 40+, Bee-eater 30, Barred Warbler 2, Icterine Warbler 9+, Tree Pipit 15+, Wood Warbler 30+, Golden Oriole 10, Black-headed Bunting, Lesser Kestrel 10, Montagu's Harrier 2, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Purple Heron 1.

Btwn Ipsilou & Andissa - BLACK KITE 3 together.

Lardia Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 5+ around the layby with little wooden gate nearest to Vatousa.

Tsiknias River - Osprey 1, Citrine Wagtail 1 male.

Napi Valley - Aquila eagle sp. 2 (1445), Golden Oriole 8, Barred Warbler 1, Quail 1.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 1.

Perasma - Ortolan 1, Red-footed Falcon 3.

Kalloni Saltpans - Marsh Sandpiper 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 2 (also on Alykes Wetlands), Purple Heron 7.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Tree Pipit, Yelkouan Shearwater 200+.

Christou River - both Pallid and Montagu's Harrier reported again today (only one bird!).

1 May 2011 - Black Kites but otherwise quiet

Citrine Wagtail, 2CY male, Polichnitos Saltpans © Steve Dudley

I spoke too soon! A cooler day with overcast skies, scattered showers and fresh south-easterly breeze (gale force on Ipsilou!).

If we thought there were more birds around yesterday, there sure wasn't today. A few new bits and bobs, but nothing too startling.

Late news - yesterday a female Ferruginous Duck on pool at the far eastern end of Alykes Wetlands (also Gargeney).

Environment Centre - see here.

Tsiknias River - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 fem, Black-throated Diver 2 offshore. Citrine Wagtail ad male at ford, Little Bittern 8, Black Stork 1.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - BLACK KITE 2.

Soumouria (scops Copse) - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1.

Christou River - Fan-tailed Warbler 1, Eagle sp (poss. Booted), harrier sp (reported as Montagu's and Pallid), Tawny Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 1, Black Stork 1.

Faneromeni Fields - Wryneck 1.

Ipsilou Monastery - Ruppell's Warbler 1 fem, Eleonora's Falcon 1 (dark phase), Peregrine 1, Blackcap 20+, Pied Flycatchers. Blowing an absolute gale so only the west side was workable with species like Cinereous Bunting, Rock Sparrow and Isabelline Wheatear all difficult.

Vergias River - Wryneck 1, Marsh Warbler 1, Bee-eater 10+, Masked Shrike 1.

Kalloni Saltpans area - Beach Eurasian Curlew 1, Common Ringed Plover 1, Turnstone 2. Moat Marsh Sandpiper 1. Lotzaria Marsh Harrier 6.

Potamia Valley - Goshawk 1, Orphean Warbler, Black-headed Buntings, Long-legged Buzzard.

Meladia Valley - Barred Warbler 1, Wood Warbler 1.

Napi Valley - Red-footed Falcon 5.

North of Tsiknias River/Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 6.

30 April 2011 - Bonelli's Eagle and tern fest!

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.

29 April 2011 - Imperial Eagle

Little Bittern, Tsiknias River. Very few seen up until the last few days but more birds now coming in © Steve Dudley

Back to more settled weather with the early morning low cloud soon lifting to give a pleasantly warm day of sun and scattered cloud for most areas.

The large hirundine movement of recent days continued, with more Common and Alpine Swifts also seen today. The west continued to prove fruitful, but Polichnitos Saltpans have eventually started to deliver. Still very few Red-backed Shrikes, Bee-eaters, no Lesser Grey Shrikes, but the first Roller!

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.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - IMPERIAL EAGLE sub-adult at c. 1050 (also seen Metochi area 1105), Levant Sparrowhawk male.

Metochi Lake - IMPERIAL EAGLE sub-adult at c. 1105 (also seen Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint 1050), Little Crake 2, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Nr (few km in hills south of) Vatousa - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Honey-buzzardmale, Goshawk 2, Short-toed Eagle 6+, Long-legged Buzzard 6+, Lesser Kestrel 2, Black Stork 1, Barred Warbler male.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Nightjar 1.

Skala Eresou - Wryneck 1.

Ipsilou - Black Kite 2.

Christou (Kamares) River - Slender-billed Gull 1, Caspian Tern 1, Little Bittern, Red-throated Pipit 1, Marsh Harrier 1.

Skala Kallonis - Village Eleonora's Falcon 1, Hobby 1. Pool Squacco Heron 5, Little Bittern 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans area - Roller 1, Citrine Wagtail male, Honey-buzzard male, Red-footed Falcon 5, Hobby 1, Montagu's Harrier fem, Hen Harrier fem, Bee-eater 10, Spoonbill 1, Golden Oriole 19, Icterine Warbler 1, Garden Warbler 3, Wood Warbler 40, Red-backed Shrike 1, Black-headed Bunting 29, Common Kingfisher 1, Common Redshank 2 (also Spur-thighed Tortoise, Glass Snake and Ottoman Viper).

Sigri Fields - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Icterine Warbler 4, Barred Warbler 3, Collared Flycatcher 4, Pied Flycatcher 15, Lesser Kestrel 18, Montagu's Harrier male.

Tsiknias River - Mediterranean Gull 2, Red-footed Falcon 3, Little Bittern 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Whimbrel 1, Eurasian Curlew 1, Masked Shrike 1.

Skala Vasilikon - Purple Heron 1, Short-toed Lark 16, Tawny Pipit 1.

Alikoudi Pool - Garganey 1.

Lotzaria - Whiskered Tern 40, Collared Pratincole 20.

Maledia Valley - Red-backed Shrike 2, Icterine Warbler 2.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch one pr up in wood to left of original nest stump, Golden Oriole 2, Wood Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Pied Flycatcher 3.

28 April 2011 - Ring Ouzel (again) and more birds!

Night-herons, Tsiknias River. 14 fresh arrivals to join the six already in-situ © Steve Dudley

Another night of rain gave way to a damp morning. Things soon improved with blue sky being sighted by mid-morning and glorious full sunshine by noon. A few scattered showers in the centre, but more rain in the west and east, but I recorded 30C in the hills above Haramida this afternoon and looking across the Gulf of Gera couldn't even see Mt Olympus due to the sheet rain coming down over there!

A distinct increase in migrants this morning. A large hirundine movement in many areas, lost of warblers fresh in, Golden Orioles, more Black-headed Buntings and a few Bee-eaters. Where are the Red-backed Shrikes?

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.

Ipsilou - RING OUZEL 1, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 6.

Haramida - River Warbler 1, Barred Warbler 2, Savi's Warbler 2. Vegetation here too tall to see the pools I could see form the hills above here!

Metochi Lake - Wryneck 1, Little Crake 4.

Perasma Reservoir - Ortolan Bunting 2, Black-headed Bunting 5, Purple Heron 2.

Sigri and faneromeni area - Great Bittern 1, Spotted Crake 1, Osprey 1, Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 1, small numbers of Bee-eaters and Golden Orioles, Icterine Warbler 2, Barred Warbler 4, Garden Warbler 1 (5 there yday), Ortolan Bunting 4, Collared Pratincole 4, Sardinian Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 3, Lesser Kestrel 38 (in one tree), Stone-curlew, Black-headed Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Wood Warblers and large numbers of warblers and flycatchers, Montagu's Harrier, 'yellow' wgtails (hundreds inc. 1 cinereocapilla), Red-throated Pipits, Tawny Pipits, Short-toed Larks, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 1, Water Rail. Old Sanatorium Ortolan Bunting 4, Black-headed Bunting 40, Tawny Pipit 2, Quail 1.

Platania Valley - Honey-buzzard 2, Hobby 1, Masked Shrike 5, Barred Warbler 2.

Christou (Kamares) River - Slender-billed Gull 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Turnstone 1, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Black-haed Gull 10, Gull-billed Tern 1, Purple Heron 13, Goshawk 1.

Apothika to Maraka - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Red-backed Shrike, Purple Heron 3, Night-heron 2, Lesser Kestrel 6, Wood Warbler 1.

Tsiknias River - Night-heron 22 (inc. 14 birds seen arriving), Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 2, Red-footed Falcon 35, Lesser Kestrel 1, Black-headed Bunting 8+, Short-toed Lark, Marsh Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 1. fuscus Reed Warbler? See below.

Hills inland of Haramida - Barred Warbler 3, large numbers of Cretzschmar's Buntings, Sardinian Warblers and Black-eared Wheatears.

Skala Kallonis - Hotel Pasiphae Barred Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2+, Black-headed Bunting, Blue Rock-thrush.

Kalloni Saltpans - Collared Pratincole 40+ hawking fields late morning; Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Black-tailed Godwit 1, White-winged Black Tern, Whiskered Tern.

Kalami Marsh - Glossy Ibis 80+.

Sourmouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 2.

fuscus Reed Warbler? Tsiknias River. Reed Warblers are very variable on here and this bird shows just how white and cold birds can be. To me this looks like a fuscus-type but without catching them, who knows? © Steve Dudley