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.

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).

6 May 08 - Broad-billed Sandpiper

LOST - one Tilley hat. Could be anywhere between Skala Eresou and Achladeri! Contact Steve at steve at toadsnatcher dot com.

Finsch's and Pied Wheatears
There are reports of both Finsch's and Pied Wheatears each year and those followed up invariably turn out to be black-and-white Black-eared Wheatears. This year seems to be particuarly noteworthy for such reports and all have so far turned out to be BEWs. If anyone has any photographs to support claims of either of these two species please come forward. Email steve at toadsnatcher dot com.

Weather: fine and settled withvirtually no wind. Max temp. c. 28 C.

A fresh influx of waders brought in a Broad-billed Sandpiper this evening. Today's Imperial Eagle sighting, seen by the same observer as last week (at the same location), is now thought to be just one bird accounting for all records (confirmed/probables) over the last week (inc. yesterdays two sightings).

Todays highlights -

Kalloni Bandstand - IMPERIAL EAGLE 1 over mid-morning. It is now thought that one bird accounts for all the sightings on the island this spring.

Kalloni Saltpans - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 in evening, SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2 (turn right at south-west corner bend, birds in little sheep enclosure and field on left), Marsh Sandpiper 1, Collared Pratincole 5, Red-footed Falcon 9, White-winged Black Tern 11, Whiskered Tern 3, Black Tern 2, Black Stork 2, Curlew 2, Temminck's Stint 2, Little Stint 400+, Ruff 220+, Curlew Sandpiper 85+, Montagu's Harrier 1.

Tsiknias River - BONELLI'S EAGLE 1 to west, LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 2 (m&f) to north, Ruppell's Warbler 2 singing males along upper section. River Warbler 1 singing along upper section.

Sigri - European Nightjar 3, Scops Owl 2.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 2 (feeding 3 small young).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch young now hatched (prob. this morning). Just beyond the white building in the car park, look to left for tall pointed tree stump with electric cables coming off either side. Nest in bottom of the gash at the top of the stump. No sign of Long-eared Owls in recent days. Masked Shrike nesting nearby.

Platania - Olive Tree Warbler 6+ now around the 'cattle grid' site.

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.

Mylopotamos River (East East River) - Goshawk imm male chasing Turtle Doves through olive groves.

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

Printed copies of the daily Lesvosbirding.com summaries are also on reception at the Hotel Pasiphae by the bird log. Please do not remove them. Thanks. Anyone wanting a printed copy of any daily summary should ask at the hotel reception.

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.

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.

19 April 08 - Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Weather: thick, black clouds over the higher areas gave way to a sunny, hot day by late morning.
The big news today was the fifth Lesvos record of BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER found at dusk between Skala Kallonis and the Tsiknias River at dusk by Sunbird group led by Ian Lewington and Killian Mullarney.

I started with my Athene/Hotel Pasiphae group at Metochi Lake, but things very slow with only a single Little Crake and flu-over Ruddy Shelduck (2) and Black Stork.

We decided to grill the 'Scops Copse' north of Kalloni by the mini soccer pitch. We weren't alone, but it took an inquisitive local to find us a Scops Owl! He said he didn't know it was there and it was luck. Yes, lucky for us, cos this bird so well hidden, and the tree it is in makes it nine trees I've seen birds using in this copse over the years.

Scops Owl at the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch

We then spent an hour at the Kalloni Bandstand waiting for the clouds to lift from the hills. It wasn't a wasted hour with several Short-toed Eagles (inc a displaying pair), Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Goshawk and several flocks of migrating Spanish Sparrows plus plenty of more expected stuff like Orphean Warbler, buntings, Rock Nuthatch, etc.

We headed north to the Ruppell's Warbler site near Petra where we found 3-4 Ruppell's Warblers singing and chasing one another around the scrubby slopes. Plenty of local breeders and masses of small flocks (totalling several hundred) of Spanish Sparrows moving through.

The north coast track to Skala Sikaminias was very, very quiet apart from a flock of eight fly-over Bee-eaters and plenty of Turtle Doves.
Singing male Subalpine Warbler, north coast track

With time pressing we heading south to the Kalloni Saltpans and headed for the works entrance area. The seasonal pool opposite the entrance is not that high (no where near as much water here than as in 2005). The pools was disappointing with no unusual waders or terns. A ring-tail Montagu's Harrier was quartering the fields, a Quail was calling and up to five Red-throated Pipits fed in the shorter grassyareas.

One the Saltpans held some waders including a Sanderling, 3 Curlew Sands, Little Stints and a couple of Stone-curlew.

The only other bird of noted reported to me today is a Citrine Wagtail at the ford on River Tsiknias.

11-17 April 08 - bird news

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, 14 April 2008, near the River Tsiknias © Bill Baston/http://www.billbaston.com/

We arrived on the island yesterday and Shena & John Maskell were already at our hotel and birding here since the 11th. Here are some of there highlights.

17 April
2 Masked Shrike - Sigri to Eressos track

16 April
1 Whiskered Tern, Ruff, 8 Marsh Sandpiper, 4 Red-throated Pipit - Kalloni Saltpans
Kruper's Nuthatch, Scops Owl calling - Achladeri

15 April
39 Purple Herons - Skala Kallonis Pool
2 Ruppell's Warbler - nr Petra

14 April

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - nr mouth of Tsiknias River (photo above)
Little Crake, Turtle Dove - Parakila Marsh
Cinereous Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Orphean Warbler - Agios Ioannis
2 Lesser Kestrel, 1 Long-legged Buzzard - Apothika to Makara

13 April
1 Green Sandpiper - River Christou
Purple Heron, Crag Martin, Long-legged Buzzard - Potamia

12 April
3 Squacco Heron , 2 Glossy Ibis - Skala Kallonis Pool
Hoopoe, Collared Fly - Upper River Tsiknias
9 Garganey, 30 Ruddy Shelduck, 130 Avocet, 16 Black-winged Stilt - Kalloni Saltpans

11 April
Little Bittern - Tsiknias River