9 May - Great Snipe, Caspian Tern and rain!

We woke to overcast skies and by lunchtime the threat of rain out west and by late afternoon it arrived and continued to increase during the evening. But is it too late?

A Great Snipe (Kalami) and Caspian Tern (Kalloni pans) were new in and the Griffon Vulture still out west, and another Lesser Spotted Eagle today. Apart from a few sites out west, virtually no passage migrant passerines reported. No news of the robins.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

No news today.

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.

Kalami Marsh

GREAT SNIPE 1
Spotted Redshank 1

Petrified Forest

GRIFFON VULTURE 1

Platania

Lesser Spotted Eagle 1
Levant Sparrowhawk 2 males
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Bee-eater 2

Sigri & Faneromeni

Purple Heron 1

Golden Oriole 4

Red-backed Shrike 50

Lesser Grey Shrike 3

Sigri Old Sanatorium

Golden Oriole 3

Red-backed Shrike 50

Lesser Grey Shrike 3

Woodchat Shrike 10

Meladia Valley

Roller 1
Red-footed Falcon 1
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Bee-eater 2

Red-backed Shrike 100
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Woodchat Shrike 6
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 (chapel)

Skala Eresou

Barred Warbler 1

Vigla (near Ipsilou)

Barred Warbler 1

Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Caspian Tern 1
Slender-billed Gull 1
Little Gull 1
Black Tern 1
Gull-billed Tern 1
Collared Pratincole 3

Voulgaris River

Marsh Warbler 1

Moni Mirsiniotissus

Ortolan Bunting 1

Lardia Valley

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 1
Squacco Heron 5
Whiskered Tern 4

Podaras

Little Bittern 2

Makara

Little Bittern 1
Alpine Swift 80

Limnos Monastery

Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1 - nesting near the taverna. Park by the taverna and look back up the access road and on the right there is a double telegraph post. The nest is low down in the left hand post (the one with all the wires) facing the taverna. Adults feedings young 7/5.

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana

Scops Owl 
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl. Please do not harass the birds!

3 May - now two Great Snipes!

Great Snipe, Nr Achladeri, 3 May 2013 
(Gallinago media) Διπλομπεκάτσινο 
© Anna Thompson

Two Great Snipes today, yesterday's bird still at Faneromeni and a new bird found near Achladeri. Griffon Vulture still out west. No news of either the White-throated Robins. Fewer shrikes out west but a cracking evening at Kalloni Saltpans with marsh terns and pratincoles.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

No news today.

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.

Sigri & Faneromeni area

GREAT SNIPE 1 (lower ford)
Spotted Crake 1 (lower ford)
Red-backed Shrike 30+

Beach road between Achladeri and Skala Vasilikon

GREAT SNIPE 1 on first pool travelling south
Eleonora's Falcon 1

Nr Antissa

GRIFFON VULTURE 1

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Rufous Bush-robin 2 in beach tamarisks (view from shoreline, please don't walk through bushes)
Black Stork 24
White-winged Tern 38
Whiskered Tern 41
Sandwich Tern 2
Gull-billed Tern 5
Little Gull1 
Spoonbill 1
Ruddy Shelduck 4
Red-throated Pipit 6
Short-toed Lark 5
Collared Pratincole 12
Ruff 330
Temminck's Stint 2
Curlew Sandpiper 21
Mallard 1
Purple Heron 4
Mediterranean Gull 6
Grey Plover 4
Turnstone 3
Red-footed Falcon 10

Molivos

Great Spotted Cuckoo 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1

South of Vatousa

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 3 singing males

Lardia Valley

Eleonora's Falcon 1

Gavathas

Scopoli's Shearwater 3
Alpine Swift 30
Bee-eater 12

Alikoudi

White-winged Tern 9
Whiskered Tern 1
Temminck's Stint 2
Greenshank 1

Kalloni Raptor Watchpint

Honey-buzzard 1
Hobby 2

Stipsi

Honey-buzzard 1

Agriosikos (east track)

Hawfinch 1

Metochi Lake

Little Bittern 3
Bee-eater 6
Purple Heron 1

Nr Skamioudi

Olive-tree Warbler 2

Potamia Valley

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana

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

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!

2 May - Calandra Lark and Great Snipe

Calandra Lark, Alykes Weltands, 2 May 2013 
(Melanocorypha calandra) (Κοινή) Γαλιάντρα © Bob Buckler

A much better day with significantly more birds arriving including star bird, Calandra Lark (11th record for Lesvos), seen by quite a few this evening. Lots of waders and terns at Kalloni Saltpans plus a large arrival of Red-backed Shrikes and other passerines out west including two Red-breasted Flycatchers. Also a Great Snipe (unfortunately flushed by a photographer) and Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture and Black Kite all seen out west.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

One male seen 06.30 briefly and again 07.25 - 07.35. No news for rest of day.

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.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

CALANDRA LARK 1 - 17.30 - 18.30 in sheep fields of Alykes Wetlands east of race track

Rufous Bush-robin 2 in beach tamarisks (view from shoreline, please don't walk through bushes)

White-winged Tern 47

Whiskered Tern 32

Sandwich Tern 2

Gull-billed Tern 5

Little Gull1 

Spoonbill 1

Glossy Ibis 2

Quail 1

Ruddy Shelduck 2

Red-throated Pipit 23

Tawny Pipit 2

Short-toed Lark 5

Collared Pratincole 2

Ruff 520

Temminck's Stint 3

Black-tailed Godwit 13

Curlew Sandpiper 21

Grey Plover 4

Spotted Redshank 2

Turnstone 1

Mallard 1

Common Starling 1

Sigri & Faneromeni area

GREAT SNIPE 1 lower ford (unfortunately flushed by a photographer so many people failed to see it)

Black Kite 2

Spotted Crake 1 (lower ford)

Wryneck 1

Citrine Wagtail 1

Roller 1

Red-backed Shrike 70+

Lesser Grey Shrike 4

Masked Shrike 1

Temminck's Stint 2

Wood Warbler 1

Bee-eater 5

Eleanora's Falcon 1

Nightjar 1 - same roosting branch for third day

Mt Ordimnos

GRIFFON VULTURE 1

Apothika

Booted Eagle 1

Meladia Valley

Red-breasted Flycatcher 2 (fem + 2CY male)

Ortolan Bunting 4

Roller 1

Purple Heron 1

Collared Flycatcher 1

Red-backed Shrike 30+

Spotted Flycatcher 40+

Ruddy Shelduck 1

Sigri Old Sanotroium

Great Spotted Cuckoo 1

Lesser Grey Shrike 3

Golden Oriole 2

Common Redstart 1

North Coast Track

Great Spotted Cuckoo 2

Molivos castle

Great Spotted Cuckoo 2

Collared Flycatcher 1

Ipsilou

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Red-footed Falcon 4

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2

Wood Warbler 1

Golden Oriole 2

Napi Valley

Honey-buzzard 1

Hawfinch 1 (Mavria)

Red-footed Falcon 1 (Mavria)

Metochi Lake

Night-heron 11

Little Crake 2

Little Bittern 9

Nr Skamioudi

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Konditsia Valley

Bee-eater 36 (20 over, 18 

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Track very poor in places - drive down with care!

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana

Scops Owl 

Long-eared Owl adult by nest with 3 young (same site as 2012)

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!

6 May 2012

Bee-eater, Faneromeni © Steve Dudley

Far fewer birders around this week so news is going to be a lot thinner. But first day for the new arrivals is a good one with Broad-billed Sandpiper and Great Snipe found on the seasonal pools at the Kalloni Saltpans.

Faneromeni - please do not drive up and down the river here. It is selfish as all it does is flush everything off the river for others to enjoy. I witnessed two birder/photographers cars today and photographed them both and will pass the images on to their respective hire companies. If you see anyone driving down the rivers please photo them and send me the photos (photos must show registration and tell me who the hire company is).

Weather - Blue skies, light to moderate southerly breeze, 26C 

NEW - news on day trips (those with spaces remaining), events and other info (like what new cafes/tavenras might be worth trying) for the 2012 birding weeks - see here.

BIRD NEWS

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch

One pair feeding young near last years nest site along the top. Park your car by the white building building, walk up the main track through the forest, bear left at the fork, then follow the track left past the rubbish pile on the next corner and up the straight section of track. After c200m look for a thick black pine tree with a sap scar and a pile of 4 sandy-coloured rocks at the base. From this tree look in to the forest at 90 degrees from the track and look for a sheep/rams skull at base. Nest is in this tree on left hand side between two very short broken branch stumps.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Great Snipe 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Lapwing 1

Collared Pratincole 4

Curlew 1

White-winged Tern 4

Gull-billed Tern 1

Black Tern 1

Garganey

Rufous Bush-robin

Tawny Pipit 1

Lotzaria

Montagu's / Pallid Harrier fem - reported as both species, but if its the same bird as the other day (and the description suggests it is) then this is a Montagu's Harrier

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Honey-buzzard 1

Goshawk 1

Short-toed Eagle 4

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 2

Squacco Heron 1

Red-throated Pipit 1

Filia mast

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 6+ on territory

Perasma

Lanner 1
Thrush Nightingale 1

Common Pochard 1

Ipsilou

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Montagu's Harrier 1

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 on territory still

Red-backed Shrike 1

Lesser Kestrel 2

Long-legged Buzzard 2

Short-toed Eagle 1

Usual buntings, wheatears, Rock Sparrow, etc. No migrants.

Meladia Valley

Lesser Grey Shrike 2

Common Cuckoo 2

Red-backed Shrike 4

Ruddy Shelduck 4

Purple Heron 1

Bee-eater 2

Spotted Flycatcher 10

Sigri & Feneromeni

Eleonora's Falcon 2

Bee-eater 50+

Golden Oriole

Red-backed Shrike 4

Curlew Sandpiper 1

Efthalou

Audouin's Gull 2

Yelkouan Shearwater 100

Scopoli's Shearwater 15

5 May 2010 - Rock Bunting reported

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - ROCK BUNTING reported at the Isabelline Wheatear lay-by. Follows belated reports of Rock Bunting at Achladeri on 2 May and near Molivos in late April.

Skala Kallonis - GREAT SNIPE 1 in culvert and field edge near bakery, Red-footed Falcon 1, Squacco Heron 10.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT pr still nesting up east track of river from village road bridge. Night-heron 31 in off sea.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood opposite saltworks entrance) - Spoonbill 4, Collared Pratincole 3, Little Gull 1, Gull-billed Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 20, Temminck's Stint 4+, Little Stint 104+, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Ringed Plover 4, Red-footed Falcon 3, Bee-eater 1, Garganey 1, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 1, Common Redshank 1, Pintail 1, Mallard 3.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Goshawk 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 3, Peregrine 1, Hobby 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Black Stork 3.

Mesa Wetlands - Montagu's Harrier 1.

Napi Valley - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler still up east side of river from river bridge by the blue container.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 5+ at the cattle grid site, Red-footed Falcon 3.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Night-heron 1.

Tsiknias River - Temminck's Stint 2, Sanderling 1.

Ipsilou - Icterine Warbler 1, Red-footed Falcon 2, Golden Oriole 2, Spotted Flycatcher 20+.

Skala Kallonis, Hotel Pasiphae garden - Collared Flycatcher 1.

Meladia Valley - Rufous Bush Robin 2, Collared Flycatcher 4, Goshawk 1, Little Bittern 7, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron, Common Redstart 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3.

Sigri - Roller, Little Bittern, Little Crake 6, Bee-eater 50+, Little Stint.

Madaros - Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Faneromeni - Collared Flycatcher 4, Roller 1. No sign of Spur-winged Plover.

North Coast - Audouin's Gull 1.

3 May 2010 - Moustached Warbler

Sigri / Faneromeni - MOUSTACHED WARBLER 1, SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Icterine Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Bee-eater 24, Montagu's Harrier 1, Alpine Swift 3.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - report of a FINSCH'S WHEATEAR c.0.75km south of the sanatorium.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - still nesting c.100m north of village end road bridge. Little Crake 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 7.

Tsiknias River - GREAT SNIPE 1 (between main road bridge and first rough rough ford to south), Marsh Warbler (near Great Snipe), Temminck's Stint 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance) - GREAT SNIPE 1, White-winged Black Tern 45+, Whiskered Tern 35+, Sanderling 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Little Stint 80+.

Meladia Valley - River Warbler 2, Savi's Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Little Bittern 5, Purple Heron 3, Squacco Heron 6, Red-backed Shrike 20.

Christou River - Quail 1, Stone-curlew 2.

Potamia Valley - Night-heron 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Eleanora's Falcon 3.

Nr Eresos - Roller.

Lardia Valley - Golden Oriole, Goshawk, Alpine Swift 3.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Eleanora's Falcon 3, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 1, Lesser Kestrel 1.

Perasma - White-winged Black Tern 1, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Squacco Heron 3, Alpine Swift 11.

2 May 2010 - Black-winged Pratincole

Baillon's Crake, Metochi Lake, 2 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Lotzaria - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2 (near Tsiknias River mouth) (MO)

Faneromeni - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (MO), Night-heron 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 2, Bee-eater 70, Little Crake 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood opposite the saltworks entrance) - BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE 1 (Heatherlea group), CATTLE EGRET 1 (MO) (4 reported Mesa yday), GREAT SNIPE 1 (MO), Rufous Bush Robin 1 (compound in SW corner), Gull-billed Tern 5, Grey Plover 1, Turnstone 1, Bee-eater 1, Sandwich Tern 1, Pintail.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (MO), Little Crake 5, Little Bittern 7, Night-heron 1,

Agra - Sideras - LANNER 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Eleanora's Falcon 3, Cinereous Bunting 5+.

Efthalou - Skala Sikaminias - Red-breasted Merganser (good spring record), Honey-buzzard, Orphean Warbler, Long-legged Buzzard, Woodpigeon (good spring record).

Meladia Valley - Red-breasted Flycatcher female at chapel.

Kavaki - Eleanora's Falcon 2, Ruppell's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blue Rock-thrush.

Ipsilou - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Red-footed Falcon 5, Wood Warbler 5.

Sideras - Eleanora's Falcon 3.

Soumouria (Kalloni Soccer Mini Pitch) - Scops Owl 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Spoonbill 11 to north, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 3, Red-footed Falcon 1, Goshawk.

Perasma - Eleanora's Falcon 2, Ruddy Shelduck 5, Hobby.

Petri - Kalloni - Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Pandeleimonas (pools east of Eresos) - Roller 1, Little Crake 1 (Little Bittern 1 dead on road).

1 May 2010 - Semi-collared Flys

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male (photo - Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd), RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH 1 (Jeff & Helen Bailey), Levant Sparrowhawk male, Honey-buzzard 4+, Lesser Kestrel 20+, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 4, Collared Flycatcher 4, Icterine Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 10, Wood Warbler 30+, Cinereous Bunting 11+, Wood Nuthatch 1, Black-headed Bunting 3.

Meladia Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 female (John Glendinning & Jon Burton), Rufous Bush Robin 1, Pallid Harrier 1 (2CY male), Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shike 2, Red-backed Shrike 100+, Woodchat Shrike 10, Common Kingfisher 1, Cinereous Bunting 3, Golden Oriole 10, Lesser Kestrel 1, Orphean Warbler 2, Woodpigeon 1 (good record!), Serin 1, Common Cuckoo 3.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (MO), Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 4, Purple Heron 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - LANNER 1 (Dave & Jackie Nurney, Steve Chalmers), Eleanora's Falcon 1, Goshawk 1.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still at nest c. 100m north of the village end road bridge up the east track. Little Bittern 5, Common Kingfisher 1, Purple Heron 4, Squacco Heron 4.

Sigri Fields / Faneromeni area - GREAT SNIPE 1 (photo), Roller 1, Citrine Wagtail 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temmick's Stint, White-winged Black Tern 40, Whiskered Tern 10, Red-backed Shrike 10, Masked Shrike 2, Little Bittern 1, Garganey 1, Bee-eater 30+.

Nr Eresos - Marsh Warbler 1, Little Bittern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans / Tsiknias River - Rufous Bush Robin 1 (compound in SW corner), Mediterranean Gull 7, Collared Pratincole 3, Red-throated Pipit 4, Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 8.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Red-footed Falcon 27, Lesser Kestrel 1, Isabelline Wheatear 5+.

Agra - Mesotopos - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Isabelline Wheatear 2, Orphean Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 4, Cinereous Bunting 2.

Skalochori to Filia - Roller 1.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler - still performing - DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES - they private fields. The birds are seen regularly from the track if you stay out of the fields. Entering the fields will not help!

30 April 2010 - birds, birds, birds!

Christou River - RED KNOT 1 at 7am (third record for Lesvos if accepted).

Kalloni Saltpans - GREAT SNIPE 1 in flood opposite saltworks entrance (also Common Snipe), LANNER 1 at 1pm, Osprey (first report for this spring), Spoonbill 6, Gull-billed Tern 40+ in off sea 12.10pm - 5 on flood throughout afternoon/evening, White-wing Black Tern 75+, Whiskered Tern 10+, Temminck's Stint 1, Garganey 9, Collared Pratincole 4, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Rufous Bush Robin (compound in SW corner), Red-footed Falcon 1.

Faneromeni Upper Ford - GREAT SNIPE 1 50m upstream of ford.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - LANNER 1 at 10.45am and 3pm, Whiskered Tern 100+, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 8, Shoveler 4, Black Stork 6.

Makara - LANNER 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 11, Hobby 2.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler still 150m north of bridge by blue plastic drum. DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES!

Meladia Valley - Red-breasted Flycatcher male at chapel.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Icterine 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Wood Warbler 20.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Pallid Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Honey-buzzard 3, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Orphean Warbler 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Night-heron 15 north at 6.15am, Purple Heron 2

Alykes Wetlands - Red-throated Pipit 3, Tawny Pipit 1, Short-toed Lark 25.

Tsiknias River - River Warbler 1 singing 200m north of ford

Mesa - Temmick's Stint 1.

Dimitrios - Middle-spotted Woodpecker pair actively feeding young. Park by bridge, cross road, walk through chapel along footpath to right and view nest in top of dead poplar. Grey Wagtail. Odalisque dragonfly.

Griffon Vulture - third day running

Cyprus Warbler update below.

Madaros - GRIFFON VULTURE again between 1140-1220h at least and for the third day running on the island. On Sunday it was seen at both Eresos and Agiasos, and the last two days at this site.

Tsiknias River - GREAT SNIPE 1 500m north of the Kalloni road bridge. Slender-billed Gull 4, Mediterranean Gull 2, Sandwich Tern 1, Black-headed Buntings, Red-footed Falcon 4. Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Squacco Heron 2.

Skala Kallonis Pool - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Great Bittern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - CITRINE WAGTAIL female, Purple Heron 23 (flock) north at 1800h, Pallid Harrier female, White-winged Black Tern 33, Whiskered Tern 6, Black-tailed Godwit 6.

Kavacki (nr Petra) - Ruppell's Warbler 2, Icterine Warbler 1, Subalpine and Orphean Warblers.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3.

Ipsilou - Eleonora's Falcon 2, Hobby 1, Short-toed Eagle 5+, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Wood Warbler 20+, Collared Flycatcher male, Pied Flycatcher 10+, Redstart 2, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Golden Oriole.

Sigri Old Sanitorium - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1 in dry river bed, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Great Reed Warbler 3.

Petrified Forest Road - Montagu's Harrier male, Lesser Kestrel, Chukar.

Meladia River Ford/Plain - Icterine Warbler 3, Red-footed Falcon 3, Montagu's Harrier female, Lesser Kestrel, Orphean Warbler, Mallard 4 (!).

Christou River - Marsh Sandpiper 2.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2 (see earlier dates

Vouvaris River Bridge - Blue Rock Thrush 2 on crag above bridge.

Passerine movement still slow. A clear arrival of Great Reed and Icterine Warblers today. Wind now moved to SW so at least we've got rid of the northerly winds - but for how long?

CYPRUS WARBLER - no further sightings since the 25/4 sighting. The observers not believe they have photographs of a male and a female! More news as and when I get it.

29 April 08 - still trickling through

Baillon's Crake, Metochi Lake © Bob Buckler Wingspan Bird Tours

Kalloni Saltpans – SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 along east channel c.1 km from road. Red-footed Falcon 5, Gull-billed Tern 2, Red-throated Pipit 3, Short-toied Lark 4.

Faneromeni area – PENDULINE TIT 4 (200 m up track from the ford in willows), GREAT SNIPE 1, LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (m), Little Bittern 3, Squacco Heron 2, Purple Heron 1.
Great Snipe, Faneromeni Upper Ford © Bob Buckler Wingspan Bird Tours

Meladia River Ford – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 (f), OLIVE TREE WARBLER 1, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Icterine Warbler 6, Barred Warbler 2, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 1, Temminck’s Stont 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Golden Oriole 2, Common Redstart 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, 1000+ Yelkouan Shearwater. Very few common migrants – handful of flycatchers, loads of Black-headed Buntings, Bee-eaters.

Ipsilou - SCARLET ROSEFINCH 1 (6th record for island). Very few migrants. Handful of flycatchers and a Wood Warbler.

Metochi Lake – BAILLON’S CRAKE 1, Hobby 1, Purple Heron 1, Little Bittern 3.
Baillon's Crake, Metochi Lake © Bob Buckler Wingspan Bird Tours

Skala Kallonis Pools – CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (m).

Tsiknias River – CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (f).

Sigri/Eresos road junction – ROLLER 1.

Sigri Fields – Collared Flycatcher 1 (m), White-winged Black Tern 1 and Whiskered Tern 1 feeding over fields.

Alykes Wetlands – Collared Pratincole 16.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1.

Skala Sikaminias – Audouin’s Gull 4.

Petrified Forest Road – Red-footed Falcon 2.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter theirs in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

28 April 08 - calm after the storm

After yesterday's bonanza, a more steady day with lost to see wherever folk went on the island. The west proved worthwhile again with plenty of yesterday’s fall still present plus some new finds.

Weather: largely sunny with some scattered cloud. Light to moderate north-westerly winds. Max. temp c. 23 C.

Ipsilou – still plenty of common migrants such as Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat and Wood Warblers. SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, THRUSH NIGHTINGALE 1, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1.

Sigri Fields – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (f), ROLLER 1, Red-footed Falcon 6 (5f, 1m), Bee-eater 8.

Faneromeni Ford – PENDULINE TIT 2 (by track-side pool), GREAT SNIPE 1, Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 1, Little Bittern 2, Spotted Redshank 1.

Meladia River Mouth – unconfirmed reports of GREAT SNIPE 4, CITRINE WAGTAIL 3, RUFOUS BUSH CHAT 1, Eatern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, Corncrake 1, Temminck’s Stint 1. Lots of Lesser and Red-backed Shrikes, Black-headed Buntings, etc.

Skala Kallonis Pool – FERRUGINOUS DUCK 1, Mediterranean Gull 3.

Kalloni Saltpans – CITRINE WAGTAIL fem (opp. Saltworks entrance), Gull-billed Tern 4, Whiskered Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 1, Red-throated Pipit 5 (opp. Saltworks entrance), Black Stork 2, Grey Plover 2 Stone-curlew 1.

Metochi Lake – BAILLON’S CRAKE 2, Little Crake 7, Little Bittern 2 (m&f), Whiskered Tern 11.

Between Mandamados and Napi Valley – GOLDEN EAGLE 1 sub-adult, Mistle Thrush 2.

Tsiknias Ri ver – Savi’s Warbler 1, Red-footed Falcon 1 (fem), Little Bittern 1, Collared Pratincole 3 (same as Alykes Wetlands?), Black-tailed Godwit 1, Sanderling 3, Dunlin 2.

Alykes Wetlands – Collared Pratincole 3, Tawny Pipit 1, Red-throated Pipit 10, Short-toed Lark 8, Montagu's Harrier 1 (m), Spotted Redshank 1, Common Snipe 2, Green Sandpiper.

Polichinitos Saltpans – Whiskered Tern 1, Temmick’s Stint 4, Purple Heron 2, Black Stork 1.

Petra – Ruppell’s Warbler 4 showing well, Orphean Warbler.

North Coast Track – Audouin’s Gull 4, Scopoli’s (Cory’s) Shearwater 5+, Yelkouan Shearwater 20+.

Skala Kallonis – Eleanora’s Falcon 1 over Hotel Pasiphae.

Thanks to everyone who passed on info or entered their records in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

27 April 08 - Migrants galore!

At last! Passerine migrants have been like hen's teeth this last week. yesterday provided some promise, and those who went west today were well rewarded for their efforts with the biggest spring fall I have ever witnessed on the island.

Weather: overcast with occasional sunny periods (overcast in the mountains all day). Moderate north-westerly wind. Max. temp c.20 C.

Tsiknias River - BONELLI'S EAGLE one north at c.6pm, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Whiskered Tern 2, Little Bittern 1, Night-heron 4, Savi's Warbler 1, Roller 3, Mediterranean Gull 3, Turnstone 2, Temminck's Stint 2.

Ipsilou - a huge fall of migrants included hundreds of Blackaps (500+) and Lesser Whitethroats and numerous Wood Warblers and Golden Orioles, and absolutely hoochin with warblers, flycatchers etc. Main highlights - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Collared Flycatcher 4 (3m, 1f), Red-breasted Flycatcher 4 (ad m, 1st yr m 2, f), Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Barred Warbler 4 (3m, 1f), Icterine Warbler 1, Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Thrush Nightingale 2.

Faneromeni - GREAT SNIPE 1, LAVENT SPARROWHAWK 1, Nightjar 1.

Sigri Fields - PALLID HARRIER 1 (f), Red-footed Falcon 15+, Lesser Kestrel 15+, Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 2, ROLLER 2, Little Crake 2, Whiskered Tern 11, Bee-eater 20.

Kalloni Saltpans - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (f), White-winged Black Tern 100+, Whiskered Tern 5, Marsh Sandpiper 3+.

Aghias Ioannis - ROLLER 1.

Parakila - ROLLER 1.

Petra - ROLLER 3.

Petra Reservoir - Ortolan Bunting 1.

Meladia River Ford - again, hoochin with migrants. Red-backed Shrike 40+, Lesser Grey Shrike 10+, Black-headed Bunting 40+, Little Bittern 2 (m&f), Collared Flycatcher 1, Thrush Nightingale 1, Great Reed Warbler 3, Barred Warbler 1, Red-throated Pipit 1, Redstart 1, Hen Harrier 1 (r/t), flava wagtail 100+, Marsh Warbler 1, Bee-eater 2. Petra Reservoir - Roller 3, Great Reed Warbler 5, Ortolan Bunting 6.

Alykes Wetlands - Collared Pratincoles 7, Short-eared Owl 1.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch - Scops Owl 1.

Also Rollers at Aghia Ioannis and nr Parakila.