26 April - Rollers galore!

No news on the White-throated Robins today but a day of Rollers! The Griffon Vulture toured the west again and was enjoyed by many.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

No news today but late news from yesterday, one bird seen late evening.

Faneromeni & SIgri area

SEMICOLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 males

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1

GRIFFON VULTURE 1 (also seen Lardia Valley & Ipsilou)

Eleanora's Falcon 1

Pallid Harrier 2CY

Montagu's Harrier 2CY

Roller 15 - inc. flock of 12

Purple Heron 15

Glossy Ibis 5

Lesser Grey Shrike 4

Golden Oriole 

Spotted Redshank 1

Black-headed Buntings

Ipsilou

GRIFFON VULTURE 1 (also seen Lardia Valley & Sigri)

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler

Lardia Valley

GRIFFON VULTURE 1 (also seen Ipsilou and Sigri)

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Pallid Harrier 2CY

Quail 2

Red-footed Falcon 2

Whiskered Tern 3

Glossy Ibis 33

Red-throated Pipit 32

Black-headed Buntings

Zitting Cisticola 

Oystercatcher 1

Great Crested Grebe 2

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 6

White-winged Black Tern 4

Black-headed Buntings

Meladia Valley

Roller 4

Ortolan Bunting 2

Black-headed Buntings

Napi Valley

Roller 3

Polichnitos Saltpans

Roller 2

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Red-footed Falcon 1

Black-headed Bunting

Meldia Valley

Black-headed Bunting 2

Roller 1

Night-heron 3

Sigri Old Sanotorium

Wood Warbler 1

Metochi Lake

Little Bittern 4

Little Crake 4

Mesa

Garganey 3

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!

21 April 2013 - White-throated Robin (still) and more migrants arriving

Record shot of male White-throated Robin, Petrified Forest, 21 April 2013 

(Irania gutturalis) Λευκόλαιμο Αηδόνι 

© Steve Dudley

White-throated Robin still at the Petrified Forest and certainly more shrikes, flycatchers, etc. and herons today.

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

Male again at the Petrified Forest Park at 12.30pm (very briefly) and then seen very well from 5.30pm today.

The park is closed tomorrow but the bird was viewable fro the main road this evening.

Park at the end of road by centre as normal. Walk back up the road and at c.200m look right in to park and for square concrete building with some tall, thin cyprus firs by it. The robin was feeding on the ground below these firs and bushes either side.

Wryneck 1

Eleanora's Falcon 1

Tawny Pipit 1

Chukar - several

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Slender-billed Gull 3

Pallid Harrier 2CY female

Montagu's Harrier female

Spoonbill 2

Citrine Wagtail 1

Glossy Ibis 80+

Collared Pratincole 15+

Black-tailed Godwit 13

Green Sandpiper 1

Common Ringed Plover 6

Common Snipe 1

Olivaceous Warbler 

Zitting Cisticola 

Faneromeni

Citrine Wagtail m & f - upper ford

Roller - lower ford

Night-heron 1

Collared Flycacther 4+

Pied Flycatcher 2

Sanderling 3 at inlet nr Sigri

Lardia Valley

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2 at first /main east end lay-by 

Metochi Lake

Night-heron 9

Tsiknias River

Pallid Swift 10

Little Crake 1

Little Bittern 1

Purple Heron 1

Night-heron 2

Skala Kallonis Pool

River Warbler between pool and Imerti Hotel

Little Bittern male 'barking' in evening

Purple Heron 9 over

Gull-billed Tern 33 over

Red-footed Falcon 5 over

Ipsilou

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 3

Wood Warbler 2

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Audouin's Gull 1

North Coast Track

Pallid Harrier 2CY

Hen Harrier fem

Perasma Reservoir

Eleanora's Falcon 1

Christou River

Pallid Harrier 2CY

Makara

Alpine Swift 50+

Great Reed Warbler 

Short-toed Lark

Glossy Ibis 2

Mesa Wetlands

Squacco Heron 2

Purple Heron 1

Glossy Ibis 2

Papiana

Scops Owl 4+

Long-eared Owl 1 adult on nest (same site as 2012)

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

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

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!

27 April 2010 - migrants galore out west

The west did it again. Those of us who ventured across to Sigri had another one of those mad migrant days - everywhere you looked, Turtles Doves, Red-backed Shrikes, Rollers, flycatchers - mad!

Nr Molivos - ROCK BUNTING 2 reported.

Meladia Valley - Pallid Harrier 1, Roller 6, Red-backed Shrike 30+, Golden Oriole 20+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 3, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Common Kingfisher 1 (late record), Turtle Dove (dozens), Lesser Kestrel 2, Short-toed Eagle 2.

Faneromeni Fords - Citrine Wagtail male, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Great Bittern 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Snipe 1, Little Bittern 3, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1.

Faneromeni Fields - Turtle Dove 2-300 inc. a flock of 120+ in one olive grove! Goshawk 1, Red-backed Shrike (many), Black-headed Bunting.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike (many), Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Purple Heron, White-winged Black Tern 1, Collared Pratincole 2, Black-headed Bunting.

Petrified Forest Museum, Sigri - Collared Flycatcher 1, Orphean Warbler 3, Common Cuckoo.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - White-winged Black Tern 10, Roller 2, Golden Oriole 6, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 10+, Black-headed Bunting 12+.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still building nest. Bee-eater 30+. Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 (singing 150m NW of bridge).

Kalimi Marsh (Mesa) - White-winged Black Tern 9, Shoveler 4, Mallard 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush Robin (in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans), Rose-coloured Starling 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Black Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, Gull-billed Tern 3, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Common Shelduck 26.

Alykes Wetlands - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Whiskered Tern 50+, White-winged Black 20+, Red-footed Falcon 4, Ruddy Shelduck 20, Squacco Heron 6, Teminck's Stint 8, Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Buntings.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 26.

Petrified Forest road - Rufous Bush Robin, Chukar.

Christou River - Roller 1.

Pessa Waterfall Trail (Achladeri Forest) - Grey Wagtail (pr), Woodlark.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 42, White-winged Black 1, Bee-eater 17, Black-headed Bunting 50+, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit.

Tsiknias River - Quail 1.

25 April 2010 - breeding Penduline Tits and big eagles

PENDULINE TIT – a pair building a nest at Skala Eresou (MO). See Skala Eresou item below.

GREAT SPOTTED EAGLE – one over Molivos at c.1900h (Steven Wytema et al).

IMPERIAL EAGLE – one Pithariou Reservoir on and off for c. 15 mins between 1635-1650h (Steve Dudley et al).

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE – one between Eresos and Ipsilou mid-afternoon (Steven Wytema et al).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - 2 Faneromeni (Merv Jones).

Skala Eresou – Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Night-heron 48, Purple Heron 2 (inc. a flock of 39 Night-heron and 2 Purple Heron in off the sea at c.1445), Little Bittern 2, Whiskered Tern 11 north, Lesser Kestrel 3.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Perasma - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1.

Ipsilou – Ortolan Bunting 1, Collared Flycatcher male, Red-footed Falcon 2, many Wood Warblers, Cinereous Bunting 15+, several Pied Flycatcher 20+, Spotted Flycatcher 8, Golden Oriole 20+, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Isabelline Wheatear, Chukar, etc.

Skala Kallonis Pool – Great Bittern 1, Common Snipe 1.

Metochi Lake – Spotted Crake, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Little Crake, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, White Stork 8.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields) – Pallid Harrier male, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, Temminck’s Stint 3, Whiskered Tern 40, Tawny Pipit 1, Black-tailed Godwit 1.

Meladia Valley – Roller 1, Icterine 1, Golden Oriole 2.

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 2, Wood Sandpiper 132+, Mediterranean Gull 2, Collared Pratincole 4, White-winged Black Tern 2.

Kavaki – Ruppell’s Warbler 3 prs, Orphean Warbler 2, Sardinian Warbler 2, Yelkouan Shearwater 10+, Scopoli’s Shearwater 3, Bottle-nosed Dolphin 3, MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL 1.

North Coast – Ortolan Bunting 1, Audouin’s Gull 1, Yelkouan Shearwater many, Scopoli’s Shearwater 2.

Sigri area – Lesser Kestrel 18.

Polichnitos Saltpans area – Roller 1, Collared Pratincole 8, Black-headed Bunting 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper.

24 April 2010 - Another eagle day

IMPERIAL EAGLE - sub-adult south over Efthalou @ 14.45h (Bob Buckler, Wingspan).

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE - 9 Polichnitos Saltpans (John Bowers), 1 Napi Valley (David Goodwin & Jenny Jones).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - male SW corner of Kalloni Saltpans (MO).

LANNER - 2CY Perivoli Monastery (Bernie Forbes, John & Shena Maskell, Avian Adventures).

PALLID HARRIER - 1 Tsiknias River (David Goodwin & Jenny Jones).

ROLLER - 1 Achladeri (Roger Lawrence, Chris Bushell, Ornitholidays).

SAVI'S WARBLER - 1 singing Metochi Lake (Jeff & Helen Bailey).

Perivoli Monastery - Collared Flycatcher 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleanora's Falcon, Wood Warbler 4, Night-heron 1.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Collared Flycatcher male, Long-eared owl male calling between 0100-0400h at least.

Ipsilou - Bee-eater 50+, Rock Sparrow 4, Hobby 1, Short-toed Eagle 4, Long-legged Buzzard, Golden Oriole, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Blue Rock-thrush.

Metochi Lake - Savi's Warbler 1, Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 4.

Kavaki - Ruppell's 2prs active on seaward side of laybys, Sardinian Warbler 3-4 prs, Orphean Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Black-headed Bunting, Crag Martin, Blue Rock-thrush.

North Coast (Efthalou to Skala Sikaminias) - Little Gull 125+ west, Mediterranean Gull 2, red-footed Falcon 1.

Perasma Reservoir - Long-legged Buzzard 3, Russy Shelduck 2, Night-heron 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Black-winged Stilt 6.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - Squacco Heron 6, Purple Heron 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Mallard 2.

Madaros - Black-headed Bunting 1.

Lotzaria - Black-headed Bunting 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Bee-eater 17, Goshawk 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Hobby 2, Short-toed Eagle 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Isabelline Wheatear, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk.

Gavathas - Montagu's Harrier male, Hen Harrier ringtail, Marsh HArrier, Yelkouan Shearwater 40+, Great Reed Warbler, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Flava wagtails.

Kalloni Saltpans west fields - White Stork 8 (single flock).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch, Masked Shrike, Goshawk.

Mandamados - White Stork on chimney nest, Goshawk circling over with Sparrowhawk.

19 April 2010 - good out west

Now, this is the point it starts to hurt me. I should have been flying out to Lesvos today, but due to the volcanic ash cloud, I am now a VOV (victim of volcano) and instead of enjoying watching the birds, I'm left to typing up what others have seen still!

Shena and John Maskell and friends Penny & Dave went out west today and had a good migrant day as follows -

Meladia Valley - COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, PALLID HARRIER 3, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Wood Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Golden Oriole, Common Cuckoo, Bee-eater.

Faneromeni Fords - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Purple Heron, Common Snipe.

Sigri - Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle, Golden Oriole, Alpine Swift, Bee-eater.

Ipsilou - Isabelline & Northern Wheatears, Cinereous Bunting.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Isabelline Wheatear 10 inc. many displaying males.

Lardia Valley - Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Long-legged Buzzard, Wren.

Early spring migrants

Terry Robinson has started to report the first migrants arriving at/passing through Polichnitos Saltpans and surrounding area. I'll post updates every few day or so. Items in bold are first records for the year. All records Terry Robinson unless stated.

31 March 10

Kalloni Saltpans - Glossy Ibis 30+, Squacco Heron 1, Great White Egret 6, Greater Flamingo 300+, Ruddy Shelduck 38, Common Shelduk 2, Shoveler 20, Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Ringed Plover 1, Kentish Plover 4, Black-winged Stilt 41, Avocet 510, Marsh Sandpiper 16, Wood Sandpiper 6, Greenshank 27, Ruff 90, Dunlin 18, Little Stint 30, Eurasian Curlew 1, Stone-curlew 1, Mediterranean Gull 12, Short-toed Lark 12, Black-headed Wagtail 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Black Stork 5, Greater Flamingo 70, Hen Harrier 2, Common Shelduck 22, Common Redshank 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

30 March 10

Male Ferruginous Duck, Meladia Valley, 30 Mar 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Meladia Valley ford - male FERRUGINOUS DUCK (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet) - only the ninth confirmed record for Lesvos.

Faneromeni - male Pallid Harrier (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Male Pallid Harrier, Faneromeni, 30 Mar 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Chrousos - Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Masked Shrike 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Kalloni Saltpans - Marsh Sandpiper 5, Spotted Redshank 1, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Greenshank 10, Black-winged Stilt 25, Ruff 150, Dunlin 75, Avocet 500+ (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Parakila Marsh - Shoveler 2, Black-winged Stilt 15 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

29 March 10
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER - 1 along the Vergias River, Skala Eresou between the road bridge and the river mouth (Jean-Philippe Siblet). This will be the first record for Lesvos if accepted by HRC.

Skala Polichnitou - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 1 in Terry's garden!

Metochi Lake - Spotted Crake 1, Little Crake 4 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Common Swift 1, Northern Wheatear 2, lots of Barn Swallows and House Martins, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Ruff 9, Wood Sandpiper 5.

28 March 10

Kalloni Saltpans - Greater Spotted Eagle 1 (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet)

27 March 10

Terry gave me an update on water levels today. Despite heavy winter rains, rains have abated in the last week or so so some areas already beginning to drop. Both Metochi LakeandPotamia Reservoir overflowing, the Christou (Kameras) River runnning well but the marsh quite dry, Tsiknias River flowing OK, the Skala Kallonis Pool is already drying out.Alykes Wetlands and fields around the Kalloni Saltpans are very wet. All main drains have been opened to the sea so unless we see some spring rains in coming weeks, then all areas will be dropping by the time the first of arrive in mid-April.

With Terry venturing up to the Kalloni area today, he struck on a few new migrants for the year.

Kalloni Saltpans, Alykes Wetlands and nearby flooded fields - Glossy Ibis (86), Gull-billed Tern (2), Garganey (5), Ruff (50+).

Plus Merlin (below) just north of the pans (Jean-Philippe & Sebastian Siblet).

Male Merlin nr Kalloni Saltpans, 27 Mar 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Skala Kallonis Pool - Garganey (5).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Red-rumped Swallow (1)

26 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Short-toed Lark (4), Woodchat Shrike (1), Hoopoe (1), Northern Wheater (1), Spotted Redshank (1), Kingfisher (1), Hen Harrier (1).

Vrisa - Common Swift (10).

25 March 10 - Polichnitos Saltpans

House Martin (5), Barn Swallow (11), 'Yellow' Wagtail (8), Little Ringed Plover (6), Hen Harrier (1), Ruff (1), Black-winged Stilt (2).

24 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Woodchat Shrike (1), House Martin (2), Barn Swallow (3), Willow Warbler (1), Little Ringed Plover (1), Curlew (1), Marsh Harrier (1).

23 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Black-eared Wheatear (1), Northern Wheatear (1), Barn Swallow (1), Little Ringed Plover (1).

21 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Tawny Pipit (2), Barn Swallow (2), Hoopoe (1), Little Ringed Plover (19), Black-winged Stilt (1), Greenshank (1).

Almiropotamos River (Vatera) - Short-toed Eagle (1), Long-legged Buzzard (1), Marsh Harrier (1)

Vourkou River - Crag Martin (2)

Polchnitos town - White Stork back on nest

20 March 10

Almiropotamos River (Lisvorio) - Isabelline Wheatear (1),House Martin (4), Barn Swallow (6), Black-headed Wagtail (3), Green Sandpiper (4), Ruff (1), Hen Harrier (1)

16 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Lesser Whitethroat (1), Barn Swallow (2), Black-headed Wagtail (1), Black-winged Stilt (1), Ruff (1). Little Ringed Plover (39), Green Sandpiper (1), Skylark (9), Hen Harrier (1).

15 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - After two dead days, a few more birds this morning: Black-headed Wagtail (3), Willow Warbler 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Ringed Plover 29.

12 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Willow Warbler 1, Northern Wheatear 5, Black-winged Stilt 1, Little Ringed Plover 6, Hen Harrier 3.

10 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Northern Wheatear (4),Hoopoe, Green Sandpiper and a Ruff.

09 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Barn Swallow (1), Hoopoe (1), Black-tailed Godwit (3) andLittle Ringed Plover (8).

Almyropotamos River, Vatera - Garganey, Hoopoe,Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier and Sombre Tit (2).

08 March 10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Northern Wheatear, 3 Green Sandpipers and a Long-legged Buzzard.

07 March 10

Skala Vasilikon - Marsh Harrier

4 May - more eagles and Levant Sparrowhawks

Roller, Faneromeni © Steve Dudley

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint (bandstand) – BONELLI’S EAGLE 1 to north c.1400h.

Between Ipsilou and Sigri – LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1.

South of Petra – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 high north at c.1000h.

Faneromeni – CITRINE WAGTAIL 2 (m&f) on both lower and upper fords. COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 (m&f) and Icterine Warbler 2 at upper ford, ROLLER and COLLARED FLYCATCHER north-east of upper ford.

Lardia Valley – EASTERN BONELLI’S WARBLER 1 singing by second lay-by from Vatousa end.

Ipsilou – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (m), Icterine Warbler 5, loads of Spotted Flycatchers and Wood Warblers, Golden Oriole and other common migrants. Barred Warbler c.1km east of monastery.

Sigri Old Sanatorium – ROLLER 4 (together) at c.1830h. Red-backed Shrike.

Meladia Valley – ROLLER 1, CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (fem), Rose-coloured Starling 1, Icterine Warbler 3, Common Starling 1, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler. Rufous Bush Robin 1 nr chapel.

Kalloni Saltpans area – PALLID HARRIER 1 1st sum male, Glossy Ibis 8, Black Stork 3, White Stork 1, Squacco Heron 7, Purple Heron 1, Grey Heron 11, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Mallard 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2 plus good numbers of Wood Sandpipers and Ruff (all on flood opposite the saltworks entrance). Temminck’s Stint 1, Ringed Plover 11, Short-toed Lark 4, Red-throated Pipit 3 plus good numbers of Wood Sandpipers and Kentish Plovers (Alykes Wetlands sheepfields). RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN male still west of beach cafe. NOTE - please do not harrass this bird!

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 4.

Between Tsiknias River and Saltpans – Red-footed Falcon 1st sum fem, Lesser Grey Shrike 3, Red-backed Shrike 1, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Agias Fokas – plenty of Yelkouan Shearwaters west between 1500-1600, Black-headed Bunting 20 in flock on headland.

Dimitrios – Middle Spotted Woodpecker nesting in one of poplars by the chapel, Grey Wagtail, Serin, Long-eared Owl.

Kavaki (nr Petra) - Ruppell's Warbler 3prs active. Please refrain from walking through the scrub to the north of the road as birds are now feeding young and should be easily seen from the laybys, pavement and track up the southern hillside. Also Orphean Warbler.

Nr Agra – Eleonora’s Falcon 1.

Olive-tree Warbler - two birds still at the barrier site in the upper Napi valley. Also two birds on west of road between here and the track to the masts. Still no birds in the Platania cattle grid site.

29 April - Rock Thrush and Olive-tree Warblers

Olive-tree Warbler - at least two birds in at the Upper Napi Valley crash barrier site (just below masts at top of valley). Apparently present for third day. No birds yet at the Platania cattle grid site.

Griffon Vulture - no news today.

Ipsilou - ROCK THRUSH male (on north slope between track up to monastery and the Sigri road).

Faneromeni area - ROLLER 1, Spotted Crake 1, Night-heron, Little Bittern 1, Icterine Warbler, Red-backed Shrike 2, Redstart 1.

Sigri Old Sanitorium - Icterine Warbler, Chukar (no news of Rufous Bush Robin).

Meladia Valley - ROLLER 1, Montagu's Harrier 4, Red-footed Falcon 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Redstart 1, Orphean Warbler 1, Chukar 2, Chiffchaff 1, Golden Oriole.

Kavacki (nr Petra) - Rupell's Warbler 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Audouin's Gull 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (and surrounding fields) - CITRINE WAGTAIL 2 (male & female in flooded field down east track), PALLID HARRIER 2, Tawny Pipit 2, Spoonbill 3, Black Tern 3, Red-footed Falcon 5, Whiskered Tern 25, Little Gull 1, Pintail 1.

Tsiknias River - Gull-billed Tern 5, Slender-billed Gull 4, Mediterranean 3, Whiskered Tern 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Purple Heron 1, Garganey 3.

Skala Eresou - Eleonora's Falcon 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - ROLLER 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Bittern 2, Little Crake 2 (m&f).

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.

27 April - Griffon Vulture again

Cinereous Bunting, Ipsilou © Steve Dudley

Madaros - GRIFFON VULTURE 1 over the old dead goat pit. With only nine previous records its more likely that this is yesterday's bird hanging around than two different birds on consecutive birds.

Kalloni Town - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 over

Tsiknias River - ROLLER 1, Black-headed Bunting 1, Red-backed Shrike male, Masked Shrike 2, Little Bittern 2, Slender-billed Gull 4, Mediterranean Gull 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - PALLID HARRIER 1 fem, Whiskered Tern 5, White-winged Black Tern 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Curlew Sandpiper 40+, Eurasian Curlew 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 1 male, Little Stint 50+, Wood Sandpiper 70+, Green Sandpiper 1, White Wagtail 4, Tawny Pipit 2. No sign of recent days Great Snipe despite extensive searching.

Alikoudi Pool - White-winged Black Tern 1, Black Stork 2.

Makara - Tawny Pipit 2.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch - Scops Owl (see directions on 24 Apr).

Metochi Lake - Little Bittern 2.

Mesa Pool - Black Stork 6, Ruddy Shelduck 4.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Great Bittern 1.

Black-headed Buntings beginning to trickle in with at least half a dozen scattered across the island today. Seems ot be fewer and fewer birds arriving though!

25 April - Cyprus Warbler!

A female found by Jamie MacArthur (http://www.ornithography.com/) late evening along the track to the beach cafe near the Kalloni Saltpans saltworks entrance. Jamie apparantly has great photos of this first for Lesvos which many of us will be keen to see and even keener to see if the bird is still present in the morning!

Collared Flycatcher, Faneromeni Ford © Steve Dudley

Otherwise, its been a relatively quiet day for passerine migrants with nothing of particular note reported. A few good raptors reported in the morning as the wind dropped overnight and we had only a nlight northerly and clear blue skies for the whole day.

Kalloni Saltpans - White-winged Black Tern 19, Whiskered Tern 1. Usual waders (fewer than yesterday though).

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint (bandstand) - Goshawk 1 male, Short-toed Eagle 5+, Long-legged Buzzard 2.

Potamia - GOLDEN EAGLE 1 reported near Anetomia.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl, still in fifth roadside tree from right hand entrance/exit.

Fields around Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opp. saltoworks entrance) - PALLID HARRIER 1 fem enjoyed by many birders this evening. Glossy Ibis 70+, Purple Heron 2, Great White Egret 3, Garganey 3, White Stork 1, Common Snipe 1, Marsh Harrier 5+, Montagu's Harrier 3+.

Kavaki (nr Petra) - Eleanora's Falcon 1 dark bird, Ruppell's Warbler 3+ males seen today bewteen layby by disco and upper layby, Orphean Warblers 5+, Blue Rock Thrush. Chukar.

Petra Reservoir - now full again after repairs over the winter. Bee-eater 100+, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Tree Pipit 1 (one of few migrants seen on north coast today).

Eftalou to Skala Sikaminias - very quiet. Black-headed Bunting 1, lots of Turtle Doves, a few Whinchat then no other migrants apart form breeding birds. Very few Cretzcshmar's Buntings. Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Great Bittern 1, Garganey 4.

Tsiknias River - Citrine Wagtail 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Bittern 5, Little Crake 4, Short-toed Eagle 7+.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Great Snipe 1, Citrine Wagtail 1, Tawny Pipit 2.

Meladia Valley - Great Spotted Cuckoo (nr chapel nr ford), Collared Flycatcher 1.

Possibly more news to follow for today as most birders avoiding the hotel tonight due to a big, fat, Greek wedding party going on to the wee hours! Check back for more news from today, tomorrow night.

24 April - pipits, harriers, ibis and a Levant Sparrowhawk

Red-throated Pipit © Steve Dudley

Tsiknias River - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1, PALLID HARRIER 1 fem, CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Slender-billed Gull 2, Common Starling 1.

Sigri - CASPIAN TERN 1.

Pasiphae Hotel - Wryneck 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3 fem, Little Bittern m&f, Great Reed Warbler.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch - Scops Owl. Once inside the car park, the bird is in the fifth tree from right hand (northern) entrance/exit. On the right hand side of the trunk just below the main trunk fork.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - male using last years nest just beyond and of the white building (shattered trunk with wire across top). Male appears unpairs. Long-eared Owl reportedly still breeding here but couldnt find today.

Mesa Wetland - Ruddy Shelduck 7, Osprey 1 (later on saltpans), Great White Egret 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Gull-billed Tern 12+, Spotted Redshank, Stone-curlew 2, Temmincks Stint 3.

Fields around saltpans (inc. flooded fields opp saltworks entrance) - Spur-winged Plover (SW of pans) seen in morning only. Glossy Ibis 80+, Whiskered Tern 33, White-winged Black Tern 5, Collared Pratincole 11, Montagu's Harrier 3+, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Alykes Wetlands - Ruddy Shelduck 11, Black Stork 3, Raven 20 over to east, Collared Pratincole 8 (prob part of above 11), Short-toed Lark 6+, Short-eared Owl 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Ringed Plover 2, Kentish Plover 2, Wood Sandpiper 50+, Red-throated Pipit 100+(1).

Faneromeni - Black-headed Bunting 1 male.

Meladia River - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1.

Christou (Kamares) River - Temminck's Stint 1, Wood Sandpiper 20+, Stone-curlew 2, Little Ringed Plover 2, Kentish Plover 1, Squacco Heron 6, White Stork 2 over, Glossy Ibis 18 over, Black Stork 2 over, Short-toed Eagle 2, Hobby 1, Peregrine 1, Red-throated Pipit 10+.

Kavacki (laybys nr Petra) - Rupell's Warbler 1, Blue Rock Thrush 2, Peregrine 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Great Bittern 1, Song Thrush 1, Great Reed Warber 1.

20 April - Pallid Harrier and Great Spotted Cuckoo

Some news from Donald & Jennifer Rhodes and Christine Jung & Mathias Schäf (welcome guys!).

Weather overcast but warm, sunshine from mid-afternoon onwards.

Polichnitos Saltpans - PALLID HARRIER 1 adult female, Stone-curlew 1, Black Stork 1, Hoopoe 2, Pall, Montagu's Harrier 1 femalem Yellow Wagtails 200+.

Meladia Valley - Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Red-breasted Flycatcher (both near the Chapel), Cinereous Bunting. Lots of Spotted and Pied Flycatchers.

Potamia Valley - Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard and two poss. Booted Eagles.

Ancient Antissa - Barred Warbler, White Wagtail.

Alykes Wetlands - Glossy Ibis c.35, Spotted crake 1

The Hotel Pasiphae bird log has the usual things, but Bee-eaters and a Red-backed Shrike at Sigri [for 19/4]. No reports of Black-headed Buntings yet [too early] and no Little Bittern.

Late news for Sunday 19/4, 6 Red-footed falcons hawking around the River Tsiknias ford.

7 May 08 - Egyptian Vultures!

Weather
heavy rain overnight continued until mid morning and the overcast sky eventually cleared to give a sunny laste afternoon and evening.

Today's highlights -

Nr Ipsilou - EGYPTIAN VULTURE 2 together to north c. noon.

Kalloni Saltpans - PALLID HARRIER 1 (1st sum fem), SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2, Osprey 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, White-winged Black Tern 22, Black Tern 2, Red-footed Falcon 12, Little Stint 210+, Ruff 230+, Curlew Sandpiper 60+.

Nr Eressos - BLACK KITE 1.

Ipsilou - Rock Sparrow 5.

Faneromeni - Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Bee-eater 40.

Old Sigri Sanatorium - Rufous Bush Chat 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Alykes Wetlands - Citrine Wagtail 1, Collared Pratincole 7, Ringed Plover 15, Spotted Redshank 1.

Skamnioudi Pool - Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 24, Ruff 36, Wood Sandpiper 70+, Goshawk imm male.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Little Stint 160+, Curlew Sandpiper 52, Grey Plover 1, Black Stork 1.

Almiropodamos River - Little Bittern 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Serin 1.

Tsiknias River - Slender-billed Gull 3, Temminck's Stint 5, Black Stork 2, Grey Plover 4.

Nr Polichnitos Saltpans - Roller 2.

Meladia River Ford - Roller 1, Marsh Warbler 2, Icterine Warbler 2, Rufous Bush Chat 2.

Metochi - Little Bittern 6+, Hobby 1.

Reporting your sightings
I leave the island tomorrow and it would be great to keep the records coming in and keep these daily summaries as complete and as interesting as possible. Please send me your records direct to -
steve at toadsnatcher dot com
00447767787287

Thanks to everyone who has supplied reocrds over the last three weeks. I know from feedback from birders coming out here the updates have been greatly appreciated by many.

I've been told of some of the funny bird names that have crept in over the weeks. Its sometimes hard typing anf holding three converdations at once!

4 May 08 - Olive Tree Warblers back in

Despite fine weather and northerly winds migrants still keep creeping in and the odd long-staying bird is still with us. After yesterday's couple of birds out west, today continued the main arrival of Olive Tree Warblers.

The seasonal pool by the Kalloni Saltworks entrance is now dry and other small pools disappearing fast (not been to or heard about the Alykes Wetlands). River levels still OK.

The Spur-winged Plover was unfortunately flushed by a photographer who entered an enclosed field. A reminder, if an area is fenced DO NOT ENTER. Enter only areas with open gates, keep to field edges and keep out of crops and groves.

Weather: fine and sunny with light northerly wind strengthening during afternoon. Max. temp c. 25 C.

Some additional news for yesterday, a singing Barred Warbler and Thrush Nightingale near Andissa.

Today’s highlights -

Kalloni Saltpans – PALLID HARRIER 1 (fem north c. 4.30 pm), SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (seen to be flushed by a photographer in morning and not seen since), Osprey 1, Red-footed Falcon 6, White-winged Black Tern 11, Whiskered Tern 1, Temminck’s Stint 4, Spotted Redshank 2, Curlew Sandpiper 50+, Little Stint 50+, Ruff 465+.

Napi Valley - OLIVE TREE WARBLER 3 at roadside barrier site below masts at north end of valley.

Platania – OLIVE TREE WARBLER now 5+ at the cattle grid site, Golden Oriole 2. Between Napi Road and cattle grid 09.00 – 11.30 am - Thrush Nightingale 1, Honey-buzzard 1, Black Stork 5, Red-footed Falcon 8, Ortolan Bunting 4, Red-backed Shrike 6+ plus stacks of commons stuff such as Hoopoe, Masked Shrike, Orphean Warbler, Woodlark, etc.

Tsiknias River – RUPPELL’S WARBLER male singing (Upper Valley), Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Black Stork 1 (caught and ate a snake), Mediterranean Gull 2 (ads), White-winged Black Tern 2, Stone-curlew 1.

Meladia River Ford area - PALLID SWIFT 3, RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1, ROLLER 1, Little Bittern 1, Yelkuoun Shearwater c. 3000+ per hour at one point, still lots of migrants inc. Spotted Flycacther, Black-headed Bunting, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Bee-eater, Turtle Dove.

Faneromeni - Red-breasted Flycatcher (along track up from ford).

Parikoila Marsh – Purple Heron 1, Black Stork 1.

Skala Eresou – Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, holding territory at eastern end. West of Vatousa park at eastern end of valley in ‘chalky’ coloured pull-in on right with small wooden gate. Walk west for three telegraph poles to small pool. Bird is in this area but can get to opposite side of valley. Rock Sparrow nesting in Rock Nuthatch nest on rocky outcrop on right from the pull-in.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

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

30 April 08 - Eagles and Blue-cheeked Bees

Spur-winged Plover, nr Kalloni Saltworks entrance.

Despite fine weather and clear skies, the southerly winds keep bring stuff in. Two Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters today make it four this year (only four records before this year!) following ones at Tsiknias River and Meladia River Ford last week.

Apart from one report the other day, still no sign of Rufous Scrub Robin on any of the usual territories which are being checked daily.

Weather: fine and sunny with scattered high cloud and light southerly winds. Max. temp c.27 C.

Today’s highlights -

Skala Kalloni Pool – BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1 07.30-07.45 am, FERRUGINOUS DUCK 1 (f).

Vatera - BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1 east of town near ‘large hotel’. Large movement of Alpine and Common Swifts in Vatera area during the afternoon.

Kalloni Bandstand – IMPERIAL EAGLE 1 over c. 12 noon (ninth record). Raptor watching from c.09.30 – 10.00 am – Montagu’s Harrier 1 (m), Goshawk 1 (f), Short-toed Eagle 6+, Long-legged Buzzard 4+, Common Buzzard 2, Peregrine 1, Common Sparrowhawk 1.

Anciant Antissa – GOLDEN EAGLE 1, LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1.

Kalloni Saltworks entrance (pool and fields opp) - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Red-footed Falcon 4, Collared Pratincole 14, Red-throated Pipit 4, Short-toed Lark 3, Ruddy Shelduck 3, Black Stork 1.

Platania – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (m), OLIVE TREE WARBLER 1 still, Bee-eaters lots moving over, many heard and not seen but flocks of 4, 11, 13 and 18 seen’ large movement of Alpine and Common Swifts.

Kalloni Saltpans – CASPIAN TERN 1, PALLID HARRIER 1 first-year, White-winged Black Tern 21, Whiskered Tern 2, Mediterranean Gull 4, Curlew Sandpiper 70+, Grey Plover 24, Squacco Heron 1, Stone-curlew 2, Grey Heron 11, Little Stone 230+, Ruff 80+.

Metochi Lake – BAILLON’S CRAKE 2, Spotted Crake 1, Little Crake 7.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch and Long-eared Owls showing well.

Faneromeni area – Marsh Warbler 1, Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 1.

Meladia River Ford – Marsh Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2 (m&f), Little Bittern 2, Barred Warbler 1.

Tsiknias River – Eleanora’s Falcon 1, Gull-billed Tern 27+, White-winged Black Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 1 (this is a very long-billed female and almost certainly accounts for all recent reports of Black-tailed Godwit), Curlew 1, Great Crested Grebe.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1. Bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

Napi Valley – (just north of Napi 12.15 – 13.15 pm) Red-footed Falcon 1 (m), Goshawk 1 (m).

Vourkou River Mouth – Little Bittern 1.

Skamnioudi Coast Pool – Temminck’s Stint 2.

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