2013 first dates of migrants

If your going to Lesvos this spring then see here about getting and sharing bird news before and during your stay.


White Stork
Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar (T Robinson).

Glossy Ibis
Kalloni Saltpans 23 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou).

Short-toed Eagle
Pagani 6 Apr (P Tsakmakis).

Pallid Harrier
Alykes Wetlands 10 Apr (P Tsakmakis).

Montagu's Harrier
Alykes Wetlands 10 Apr (P Tsakmakis).

Little Ringed Plover
Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Mar (T Robinson).

Spur-winged Plover
Kalloni Saltpans 13 Apr (D Fotiou).

Black-tailed Godwit
Kalloni Saltpans 22 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou).

Spotted Redshank
Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar (T Robinson)

Marsh Sandpiper
Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Mar (T Robinson).

Wood Sandpiper
Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Mar (T Robinson). 

Curlew Sandpiper
Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar (T Robinson).

Ruff
Polichnitos Saltpans 28 Mar (T Robinson).

Common Tern
Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar (T Robinson).

Common Swift
Mytilini 24 Mar (J Delavez)

Hoopoe
Kalloni Saltpans 10 Mar (P Thomaidis).

Woodchat Shrike
Kalloni 23 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Masked Shrike

1 Polichnitos Saltpans  5 Apr (T Robinson).

Sand Martin
2 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Barn Swallow
Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Mar. (T Robinson).

House Martin
Recorded from Mytilini 22 Feb (J Delavez/Observado).

Red-rumped Swallow
Mytiilini 26 Mar (J Devalez).

Olivaceous Warbler
Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr (T Robinson).

Willow Warbler
Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Mar (T Robinson).

Blackcap
Mytilini 5 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Lesser Whitethroat
Polichnitos Saltpans 31 Mar (T Robinson).

Common Whitethroat

Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Apr (T Robinson).

Subapline Warbler
Polichnitos Saltpans 12 Mar (T Robinson).

Whinchat
Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar (T Robinson).

Common Nightingale
Mytiilini 26 Mar (J Devalez).

Northern Wheatear
Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Mar (T Robinson).
Kalloni Saltpans 10 Mar (P Thomaddis)

Isabelline Wheatear
Kalloni Saltpans 28 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Black-eared Wheatear
Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar. (T Robinson)

Yellow Wagtail
Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Mar (T Robinson)

Tawny Pipit
Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Apr (T Robinson).

Tree Pipit
Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar (T Robinson)

Red-throated Pipit
Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr (T Robinson)

Cretzschmar's Bunting
Eresos 23 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis)

Spring update - 20 April 2012

Sharing your bird news when on the island - see here
Spring migrant news

Glossy Ibis, Polichnitos Saltpans, 30 Mar 12 © Terry Robinson

Records Terry Robinson (via OrnithTopos) unless otherwise stated.

MENETRIES'S WARBLER
A male was seen and photographed at Kavai on 12 April (L Starnini). See photos on the HRC site here. This is the first record for Lesvos and Greece. It was seen here.


APRIL

Squacco Heron - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 & 7 Apr
Booted Eagle  - 1 reported 17 Apr (location unknown) 17 Apr
Pallid Harrier  - 1 reported 16 Apr (location unknown) 17 Apr
Red-footed Falcon - fem Polichnitos Saltpans 17 Apr
Little Crake  - up to Skala Kallonis Pool and up to 5 Metochi Lake (Reg Thorpe)
Marsh Sandpiper - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr
Common Sandpiper  1 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Apr
Temminck's Stint - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 17 Apr
Common Tern  - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr
Alpine Swift  - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Apr
Common Swift  - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 12 Apr
Scops Owl  - 1 present at Soumouria Scops Copse (Reg Thorpe)
Sand Martin - Polichnitos Saltpans from 2 Apr
Red-rumped Swallow  - Polichnitos Saltpans from 12 Apr
Masked Shrike  - present Achladeri from 17 Apr (Reg Thorpe)
Common Whitethroat  - Polichnitos Saltpans from 12 Apr
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler  - 3 Faneromeni 18 Apr (Reg Thorpe)
Whinchat  - Polichnitos Saltpans from 13 Apr
Black-eared Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans from 2 Apr
Northern Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans 10 on 2 Apr
Collared Flycatcher  - several Faneromeni 18 Apr (Reg Thorpe)
CITRINE WAGTAIL  - male Polichnitos Saltpans 13 Apr
Tawny Pipit - Polichnitos Saltpans up to 7 on 3 Apr


Ortolan Bunring (17 Apr) and Whinchat (18 Apr) also reported but no site details.


Kruper's Nuthatch vocal in Achladeri Forest picnic site but not appeared to have settled yet (18 Apr). 

MARCH
Garganey - 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 28th, 20 Kalloni Saltpans 25 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Yelkouan Shearwateter - Polichnitos Saltpans max 1852 on 19 Mar

Great Crested Grebe - Polichnitos Saltpans max 285 on 18 Mar

Black-necked Grebe - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Mar

Black Stork - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Mar

Glossy Ibis - 27 nr Kalloni Saltpans 16 Mar (Eleni Galinou); 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 28th with 3 there from 30th

Squacco Heron - Metochi Lake 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Purple Heron - Metochi Lake 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Spoonbill - 1 Kalloni Saltpans 28 Mar (Jelle Davalez/Observado)

Little Crake - Metochi Lake 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Booted Eagle - 1 Potamia Valley 26 Mar (Anja Hoff), 1 nr Efthalou 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Marsh Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Mar

Hen Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans still

Grey Plover - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 - 31 Mar

Common Ringed Plover - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Mar

Little Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans from 11 Mar
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar

Ruff - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans small numbers since 9 Mar 

Pallid Swift - birds seen Mytilini from 21 Mar (Jelle Davalez/Observado)

Scops Owl - 1-3 birds heard Mytilini from 20 Mar (Jelle Davalez/Observado)

Hoopoe - Polichnitos Saltpans from 13 Mar

Woodchat Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans from 25 Mar

Barn Swallow - Polichnitos Saltpans from 20 Mar

House Martin - Polichnitos Saltpans from 19 Mar

Short-toed Lark - Polichnitos Saltpans from 19 Mar

Fan-tailed Warbler - 1 Dipi Larisos from 26 Mar (Jelle Davalez/Observado)

Grasshopper Warbler - 1 Dipi Larisos from 26 Mar (Jelle Davalez/Observado)

Subalpine Warbler - Metochi Lake 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Ruppell's Warbler - Kavaki 29 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Willow Warbler - Polichnitos Saltpans from 26 Mar

Blackcap - Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar

Northern Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans from 13 Mar, Petrified Forest 27 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Black-eared Wheatear - Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint 27 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Isabelline Wheatear - Petrified Forest 27 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Yellow Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans from 18 Mar

Tawny Pipit - Polichnitos Saltpans from 14 Mar

Cretzschmar's Bunting - Petrified Forest 27 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Ortolan Bunting - Petrified Forest 27 Mar (Anja Hoff)

Also remaining winter migrants in and around Polichnitos Saltpans include Green Sandpiper, Skylark, Black Redstart, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting.

Spring water levels

Skala Kallonis Pool, 27 March 2012 © Vasilis El. Vogiatzis

The winter has seen average levels of rainfall and there are many season pools in the usual areas around the Kalloni area. But fine weather since mid-March is already seeing these pools water levels drop. Lets hope they get topped up before we all get out there.

I know its been raining hard up to at least 18 April and all season pools are flooded and should now be at levels to see standing water in to May.

Early spring migrants

Glossy Ibis, near Kalloni Saltpans © Eleni Galinou

All records Terry Robinson (via OrnithTopos) unless otherwise stated.

Garganey - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 28th

Glossy Ibis - 27 nr Kalloni Saltpans 16 Mar (Eleni Galinou); 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 28th 

Marsh Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Mar

Little Ringed Plover - Polichnitos Saltpans from 11 Mar

Wood Sandpiper - Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar

Ruff - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans small numbers since 9 Mar 

Hoopoe - Polichnitos Saltpans from 13 Mar

Woodchat Shrike - Polichnitos Saltpans from 25 Mar

Barn Swallow - Polichnitos Saltpans from 20 Mar

House Martin - Polichnitos Saltpans from 19 Mar

Short-toed Lark - Polichnitos Saltpans from 19 Mar

Willow Warbler - Polichnitos Saltpans from 10 Mar

Blackcap - Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar

Northern Wheatear - Polichnitos Saltpans from 13 Mar

Yellow Wagtail - Polichnitos Saltpans from 18 Mar

Tawny Pipit - Polichnitos Saltpans from 14 Mar

Other records

Yelkouan Shearwateter - Polichnitos Saltpans max 1852 on 19 Mar

Great Crested Grebe - Polichnitos Saltpans max 285 on 18 Mar

Black-necked Grebe - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Mar

Black Stork - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Mar

Hen Harrier - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 & 28 Mar

Grey Plover - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 - 28 Mar

Common Ringed Plover - 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 19 Mar

Also remianing winter migrants in and around Polichnitos Saltpans include Green Sandpiper, Skylark, Black Redstart, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting.

5 - 13 April update - inc. Finsch's Wheatear

13 April 2010

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2 males on territory, Orphean Warbler 1.

Almiropotamos River – Orphean Warbler 1, Red-rumped Swallow 1, Hen Harrier 3, Cretzschmar's Bunting 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Wagtail 10, SYKE'S WAGTAIL 1, Glossy Ibis 20, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle (Andy Stoddart).

12 April 2010

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 1, Black-headed Wagtail 10, Blue-headed Wagtail, Lesser Kestrel 3 (Andy Stoddart)

11 April 2010

Nifida - Temminck's Stint 1, Marsh Sandpiper 6, Wood Sandpiper 2, Black-eared Wheatear 2, Spanish Sparrow 1, Subalpine Warbler 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Cretzschmar's Bunting 1 (Terry Robinson).

Andissa - Isabelline Wheatear 1, Serin 2 (Andy Stoddart).

10 April 2010

Polichnitos Saltpans – MERLIN 1 ad male, Marsh Sandpiper 42, Ruff 53, Whinchat 1 (Terry Robinson).

Metochi Lake - Night-heron 5, Little Crake 3, Masked Shrike 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 12, Night-heron, Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi), 'Romanian Wagtail (dombrowski) (Andy Stoddart).

9 April 2010

Kalloni Saltpans - Ruddy Shelduck 65, Pintail 3, Garganey 27, Glossy Ibis 155, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Curlew 1, Spotted Redshank 13, Marsh Sandpiper 36, Pallid Swift 1, Short-toed Lark 2, Spanish Sparrow 9 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Almiropotamos River – Orphean Warbler 1, Wood Sandpiper 2 (Terry Robinson).

Meladia Valley - Cinereous Bunting, Orphean Warbler 2, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Lesser Kestrel 2, Northern Wheatear 6, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle (Andy Stoddart).

Skala Eresou - Garganey 4.

8 April 2010

FINSCH’S WHEATEAR, a male at Ipsilou (Nikos Probonas, Thanos Kastritis, et al). This is only the second confirmed record for Lesvos, and only the third record for Greece (although we are following up several reports from 1998-2001). Photo © Thanos Kastritis

Ipsilou - Long-legged Buzzard 1, Raven 1, Finsch's Wheatear 1 (above), Black-eared Wheatear 1, Isabelline Wheatear 1, Blue Rock-thrush 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Vigla, nr Ipsilou - Isabelline Wheatear 4 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Vergias River, Skala Eresou - Jack Snipe 1, Purple Heron 1, Wood Sandpiper 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Kalloni Saltpans - Ruddy Shelduck 44, Pintail 3, Garganey 28, Glossy Ibis 4, Squacco Heron 2, Pallid Harrier 1, Curlew 1, Spotted Redshank 16, Marsh Sandpiper 29, Short-toed Lark 7, Spanish Sparrow 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Eximnos, Mesotopos - Cinereous Bunting 3, Cretzschmar's Bunting 3, Short-toed Eagle 2, Alpine Swift 1, Chukar 2.

Almiropotamos River – Montagu’s Harrier 1, Hen Harrier 3, Kingfisher 1 (Terry Robinson).

Skala Eresou - Little Bittern (Andy Stoddart).

Ipsilou to Sigri - Rock Sparrow, Lesser Kestrel 30, Isabelline Wheatear 2, Gull-billed Tern, Short-toed Eagle, Hen Harrier 3, Chukar, Orphean Warbler, Purple Heron, Western Rock Nuthatch (Andy Stoddart).

7 April 2010

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 2, Lesser Kestrel, Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi) (Andy Stoddart).

6 April 2010

Almiropotamos River - Little Crake 1, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Woodchat Shrike 2, Northern Wheatear 1, Long-legged Buzzard, Goshawk, Raven (Terry Robinson).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2, Long-tailed Tit 2 (Andy Stoddart).

Kalloni Saltpans - Gull-billed Tern 50, Glossy Ibis 180, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck 7, Garganey 10 (Andy Stoddart).

5 April 2010

Meladia Valley - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1, Isabelline Wheatear, Cinereous Bunting, Little Crake, Sombre Tit, 2 Purple Herons, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Orphean Warbler 3, Black-headed Wagtail 10, Chukar 2,Subalpine Warbler (Andy Stoddart).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Great Reed Warbler 1 (Terry Robinson).

Almiropotamos River - Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Northern Wheatear 1, Woodchat Shrike 1, Stone-curlew 2, Hen Harrier 2 (Terry Robinson).

4 April - another Spotted Eagle!

Spotted Eagle, Meladia Valley, 4 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Sightings from Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet's last day on the island. I'd like to thank them both for their daily updates which have just served to whet the appetite of those of us due out later this month!

Today's highlight was another Spotted Eagle. None for over a decade and then three in a week! I wonder how normal this is, that birds pass through when there are usually no (or very few) visiting birders on the island.

Meladia Valley - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1, Goshawk 1, Marsh Sandpiper 8, Red-throated Pipit 2.

Sigri - COLLARED FLYCATCHER male.

Faneromeni - GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO 1.

Metochi Lake - HAWFINCH 20+ feeding, SAVI'S WARBLER 1, Little Crake 8, Water Rail 1, Common Nightingale 1, Great Reed Warbler 2.

Tsiknias River - Spanish Sparrow 10.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands - Black Stork 1, Pintail 2 (pr), Stone-curlew 2, Black-tailed Godwit 9, Marsh Sandpiper 39, Curlew Sandpiper 5, Short-toed Lark 40+, Red-throated Pipit 2.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Glossy Ibis 21 (Terry Robinson).

Meladia Valley - Cinereous Bunting, Orphean Warbler, Nothern Wheatear, Short-toed Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Hen Harrier 4, Rock Nuthatch (Andy Stoddart).

3 April - Another Spotted Eagle, Savi's Warbler and Sykes' Wagtail

Spotted Eagle, over Kalloni Saltpans, 3 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Sightings from Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet.

Kalloni Saltpans and Alykes Wetlands - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1 (this weeks two birds are the first records since 1999), SYKES' WAGTAIL (beema) 1, Great White Egret 10, Little Egret 13, Glossy Ibis 125, Grey Heron 22, Purple Heron 20 (in off sea at dusk), Squacco Heron 1, Ruddy Shelduck 41, Common Shelduck 55, Shoveler 15, Pintail 1 (female), Common Teal 2, Garganey 15, Marsh Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 1, Osprey 1, Peregrine 1, Stone-curlew 1, Black-winged Stilt 30+, Avocet 300+, Ringed Plover 2, Little Ringed Plover 3, Kentish Plover 1, Black-tailed Godwit 17, Eurasian Curlew 2, Ruff 80, Marsh Sandpiper 4, Greenshank 26, Common Redshank 1, Wood Sandpiper 20, Green Sandpiper 1, Curlew Sandpiper 3, Little Stint 15, Common Tern 1, Short-toed Lark 40+, Black-headed Wagtail 6, Blue-headed Wagtail 20, Grey-headed Wagtail 1, Tree Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 4, Lesser Whitethroat 6, Common Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 1, Woodchat Shrike 1, Spanish Sparrow 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - SAVI'S WARBLER 1, Purple Heron 1, Sedge Warbler 5, Eurasian Reed Warbler 1.

Metochi Lake - HAWFINCH 30+, Purple Heron 2, Black Stork 1, Garganey 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Little Crake 5, Common Kingfisher 1, Sedge Warbler 4, Eurasian Reed Warbler 2, Great Reed Warbler 1, Masked Shrike 1, Reed Bunting 1.

Mesa - Great White Egret 21, Greater Flamingo 36, Common Shelduck 1, Ruddy Shelduck 4, Little Ringed Plover 12 ,Green Sandpiper 1, Wood Sandpiper 4.

Skala Vasilikon - WRYNECK 1, HAWFINCH 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Orphean Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Common Whitethroat 1, Eurasian Reed Warbler.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Great White Egret 3, Black Stork 1, Common Shelduck 16, Hen Harrier 1, Black-winged Stilt 3, Avocet 6, Little Ringed Plover 15, Ringed Plover 2, Green Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 1.

Nifida - Glossy Ibis 1, Black-winged Stilt 6, Green Sandpiper 3, Wood Sandpiper 5, Cinereous Bunting 1.

Mikri Limni - Black-winged Stilt 6, Green Sandpiper 3, Common Cuckoo 1, Long-tailed Tit 5, Woodchat Shrike 1.

Eresso to Andissa - Cinereous Bunting 2, Sombre Tit, Subalpine Warbler, Hoopoe, Short-toed Eagle 11, Cretzschmar’s Bunting (many) Black-eared Wheatear (many), Hen Harrier 2, Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Andy Stoddart).

Also, I've been informed that Jean-Philippe's and Sebastien's count of 6000+ Little Gulls is a Greek record count!

2 April - Rüppell’s Warbler and much more!

Rüppell’s Warbler, Meladia Valley, 2 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Meladia Valley - Rüppell's Warbler male (above), Orphean Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Whinchat 1, Black-headed Wagtail 4, Blue-headed Wagtail 4, Quail 2, Short-toed Eagle 1, Hen Harrier 2, Marsh Harrier 1, Long-legged Buzzard 1, Water Rail 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Skala Eresou - Night-heron 17 in off sea, Tree Pipit 6 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Sigri - Lesser Kestrel 15+, Pallid Harrier 1st summer male (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Ipsilou - Isabelline Wheatear 1, Northern Wheatear 1, Black-eared Wheatear 5, Cinereous Bunting 5, Cretzschmar's Bunting (many), Hen Harrier 2 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Skalakori - Woodchat Shrike 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Tsiknias River - Common Nightingale 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Kalloni Saltpans and Alykes Wetlands - Little Egret 12, Great White Egret 11, Purple Heron 8, Glossy Ibis 30+, Black Stork 1, Greater Flamingo 400+, Ruddy Shelduck 30+, Common Teal 2, Garganey 1, Marsh Harrier 2, Stone-curlew 2, Avocet 400+, Black-winged Stilt 36, Ringed Plover 1, Little Ringed Plover 1, Common Snipe 1, Ruff 37, Marsh Sandpiper 6, Greenshank 27, Green Sandpiper 2, Wood Sandpiper 24, Spotted Redshank 2, Mediterranean Gull 1, Common Tern 1, Short-toed Lark 20, Tree Pipit 1, Black-headed Wagtail 10, Blue-headed Wagtail 7, Tawny Pipit 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Subalpine Warbler 1, Spanish Sparrow 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Pintail 1, Hen Harrier 2, Marsh Harrier 1, Marsh Sandpiper 4, Ruff 2, Little Ringed Plover 21, Avocet 6, Woodchat Shrike 1 (Terry Robinson).

Skala Eresou - Glossy Ibis 30, Black-headed Wagtail 6, Lesser kestrel 6, Nigh-heron 12, Goshawk, Alpine Swift 5, Mediterranean Gull, Red-rumped Swallow 10, Scops Owl 2 (Andy Stobbart).

1 April - Olive-tree Warbler and Little Gulls

Little Gulls, part of 6000+ seen between Lesvos north coast and Turkey, 1 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Sightings from Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet.

Weather and water levels - two weeks of fine weather and no rain is already seeing water levels dropping fast. Fingers crossed for some rain in the next couple of weeks.

Korakas headland - Olive-tree Warbler 2 (as far as I now by far the earliest ever records on the island - previous earliest 22 Apr 2008), Tree Pipit 1, Audouin's Gull 1.

Soumouria (Kalloni mini soccer pitch) - Scops Owl 1, Short-toed Eagle 1.

North coast (between Skala Sikaminias and Loutra Evithalous) - 6000+ Little Gulls between Lesvos and Turkey. Thought to be due to 80km gales overnight which may have pushed the birds in to the sheltered area of the straights. Apparently this is a Greek national record count!

Ipsilou area - Cinereous Bunting (many), Isabelline Wheatear (many), Orphean Warbler, Hoopoe.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Black Stork 4, Short-toed Eagle 4, Marsh Harrier 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Glossy Ibis 40+, Black Stork 2, White Stork 1, Great White Egret 10, Great Heron 8, Little Egret 16, Greater Flamingo 400+, Ruddy Shelduck 41, Garganey 2, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Ringed Plover 17, Kentish Plover 7, Black-winged Stilt 52, Avocet 400+, Marsh Sandpiper 14, Wood Sandpiper 8, Greenshank 9, Ruff 70, Dunlin 5, Little Stint 15, Eurasian Curlew 2, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Stone-curlew 1, Short-toed Lark 15, Black-headed Wagtail 7.

Metochi lake - Reed Warbler 1.

See below for earlier early spring migrant sightings.