Satellite tracked Eleonora's Falcons update

Eleonora's Falcon, Katapetros Valley, May 2009 © Steve Dudley

In October, four Eleonora's Falcons were fitted with satellite trackers and released for their southern migration to east Africa. One of the four birds reach Madagascar around the 8 November with a second bird known to be crossing the straights between Mozambique and Madagascar on 11 Nov. on 11 Nov the other two birds were still way to the north around the Sudan - Central African Republic border.

You can see their progress online here.

A late Wryneck at Poli Pans

Wryneck, Polichnitos Saltpans, 18 Nov 09 © Terry Robinson

Wryneck is an elusive species on the island and this bird is only the third confirmed record this year (Skala Kallonis Apr 09, Meladia Sept 09). This is certainly the latest record for the island. They do occasionally turn up in open areas away from trees such as this bird at Poli Pans.

It is a sedentary resident species in some areas along the North African coast and on Corsica (which lies further north than Lesvos).

Eastern Stonechat

Eastern Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson

Terry Robinson found this Eastern Stonechat near Vatera on 15 November. It is very pale with clean, pale (the belly appears almost white), broad pale fringes visible on the outer tail feathers and an plain, unstreaked rump.

If accepted by the Hellenic Rarities Committee as an Eastern/Siberian Stonechat it will be the first record for the island. The Birds of Greece (Handrinos & Akriotis, 1997) lists only one 'Eastern Stonechat' for Greece from Keri Lagoon, Zakynthus in November 1986 (date fits with this record) and there is a second record from Strogyli, Arta (HRC 08 - due Dec 09). Terry's will therefore be a third for Greece if accepted.

Eastern Stonechat, nr Vatera, 15 November 2009 © Terry Robinson

Slender-billed Gulls - record count!

Slender-billed Gulls, Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Nov 09 © Terry Robinson

Terry Robinson has emailed to let me know he had a flock of 25 Slender-billed Gulls at Polichnitos Saltpans on 7 November. His previous highest count is only seven, and I've never heard of a double-figure flock being reported before, so I make this an island record count! 17 stayed on until the 8 Nov (see photo above).

Satellite tracking Greek Eleonora's Falcons

Eleonora's Falcon, Katapetros Valley, May 2009 © Steve Dudley

Over 12,000 pairs (85% of the world's population) of Eleonora's Falcon breed in Greece. They breed along the long rocky coastline including around the Aegean Sea. Its never been confirmed, but judging by the presence of birds around from late spring, through the summer and autumn, several pairs probably breed on Lesvos.

In October, four Eleonora's Falcons were fitted with satellite trackers and released for their southern migration to east Africa. You can track them online here.

Common Cranes

Terry Robinson had 3 Common Cranes over Polichnitos Saltppans yesterday (04/11) morning. He said it had been heavy rain and thunder all night, the birds came low over him at c.9.50, so they cant have come from too far. This is only the 7th record since 1990 and the first record since 2003.

Terry also reports the arrival of wintering Sardinian Warblers and Reed Buntings around the Poli Pans, plus plenty of waders and herons still, plus a couple of Black Storks.

More pelicans!

As in the UK, November opened with strong winds and rain. This morning Terry Robinson found nine White Pelicans (some above) on the Polichnitos Saltpans. But very little else around!