Siberian Stonechat - first record for Lesvos

Siberian Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson

The Hellenic Rarities Committee as accepted this bird as the first record of Siberian Stonechat Saxicola torquata maurus for Lesvos and Greece.

The Birds of Greece (Handrinos & Akriotis, 1997) lists a single 'Eastern Stonechat' S. t. maurus/variegatus for Greece from Keri Lagoon, Zakynthus in November 1986 (date fits with this record) and there is a second record from Strogyli, Arta (HRC 08).

This record is the first to be accepted by HRC as maurus.

Siberian Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson

Eastern Stonechat

Eastern Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson

Terry Robinson found this Eastern Stonechat near Vatera on 15 November. It is very pale with clean, pale (the belly appears almost white), broad pale fringes visible on the outer tail feathers and an plain, unstreaked rump.

If accepted by the Hellenic Rarities Committee as an Eastern/Siberian Stonechat it will be the first record for the island. The Birds of Greece (Handrinos & Akriotis, 1997) lists only one 'Eastern Stonechat' for Greece from Keri Lagoon, Zakynthus in November 1986 (date fits with this record) and there is a second record from Strogyli, Arta (HRC 08 - due Dec 09). Terry's will therefore be a third for Greece if accepted.

Eastern Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson