Autumn waders

Mixed waders, Kalloni Saltpans moat, August 2009 © Phillip Walsh

Phillip and Eleanor Walsh were on the island from 27 August to 3 September and report that wader numbers were building up nicely at the Kalloni Saltpans towards the end of their stay incl. a Broad billed sandpiper there.

Lesser Grey Shrikes were everywhere and 100s of yellow wagtails around the saltpan fields.

Metochi Lake was, amazingly, full of water and held Little Bittern, Night-heron and Kingfisher.

And Lesvos resident Terry Robinson has emailed me to say that the first autumn rains have been responsible for the increase in waders. Around the Polichnitos Saltpans he reports Little Stint (40+), Curlew Sandpiper (3), Dunline (4), Greenshank (20+), Redshank (100+), Avocet (144 - moulting flock) plus Riff, Black-winged Stilt and Glossy Ibis. Also around the Poli Pans, Peregrine, Willow Warblers, Whinchats, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher.

Last weekend Terry had a Marsh Sandpiper, 17 Black Storks, 36 Little Egrets, 10 Curlew Sandpipers plus the usual other waders, Black Tern, Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes around Poli Pans. He also had his first Sparrowhawk of the 'winter'. He also caught and ringed a Thrush Nightingale in his Skala Polichnitou garden on the 1 Sept.