Barmy weather

Greater Flamingos and Black Storks at Kalloni Saltpans, 27 Nov 2010 © Eleni Galinou

Eleni Galinou and her family have recently moved back to Lesvos and I hope to be able to feature more news from her from now on.

Eleni reports that the weather on the island is unseasonably warm with temperatures up to 28C - shorts and t-shirt weather! Maybe this weather has contributed to the high counts for some species including 110 Ruddy Shelducks, 1800 Greater Flamingos and 5 Black Storks at Kalloni Saltpans in recent days. The 8 Dalmatian Pelicans were also still present on the 27 Nov.

Plain Tigers in 2010

Plain Tiger (

Danaus c

hrysippus)

, Vatera, 14 Nov 2010

© Terry Robinson

This Plain Tiger was found at Vatera on Sunday by Terry Robinson. Terry managed to do what I didn't with my butterfly at Faneromeni in September - get a photograph!

The only other records this year are all from Faneromeni with singles there on 13 Sept (Steve Dudley et al) an 15 Sept (John Bowers) and four there on 16 Sept (John Bowers).

The only other Lesvos record I am aware of is one at Kalloni Saltpans in July 2007 (David Griffiths).

I'm still trying to find out about Lesvos records prior to this year and also whether they have been recorded elsewhere in the Aegean/North Med area this year. If you have info in either please get in touch.

Lesvos - 2011 flight info

Update 23 February 2011

As ever, for UK birders there are two different routes and several different carriers to choose from for your flight out to Lesvos.

DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHTS

Fly direct from Gatwick or Manchester by charter flight with Thomson/First Choice.

Last year was a bit of a debacle with flight only deals hard to come by at a reasonable price. The first flight of the season (15 April) was cancelled (again), so I would strongly advise anyone wishing to travel to Lesvos before 21 April this year to use the Athens route (below).

As at 09 Feb 11 I've been Thomson have lowered there prices, e.g. c.£229 (+ add ons such as suitcase at £25 each) from Manchester departing 14 April. I've also been told that the 14 April outbound flight only has 9 seats left. I don't know about prices for other departure dates. If you do, then please let me know and we can share with others.

Book Thomsonfly flights online or via your local travel agent.

FLIGHTS VIA ATHENS

Aegean Airlines (tel. 0871 200 0040)

23/02/11 - Aegean have just rescheduled many of their routes, including London Heathrow to Athens and Athens to Mytilini. It is no longer possible to fly to Lesvos via Athens on the same day (other than going via Munich).

Check out Aegean flights here.

Olympic Air (tel. 0870 6060 460)

23/02/11 - Olympic have just rescheduled many of their routes, including London Heathrow to Athens and Athens to Mytilini. It is no longer possible to fly to Lesvos via Athens on the same day.

Check out Olympic flights here.

British Airways (tel. 0844 493 0787)

British Airways have a regular schedule of flights to/from Athens that will link up with your Aegean or Olympic flight to/from Mytilini.

Book BA flights here.

EasyJet

EasyJet offer flights to Athens from Gatwick and Manchester to connect with your onward flight to Mytilini with Aegean or Olympic.

Book EasyJet flights here.

European birders will have to contact your local travel operator for flight options.

Car hire

And don't forget to book your car hire! 15% off TSALIS vehicles when you mention Lesvos Birding - see here.

Pygmy Cormorants

Two Pygmy Cormorants found today (09/11/10) by Wulf Kappes in the reeds at the mouth of the Almiropotamos River at Vatera. These are the first birds seen since the one at the Vouvaris River mouth in September 2008. They probably occur each winter on the island in very small numbers but the lack of observers means they certainly go undetected. Several of the island river mouths have similar cover that hold Pygmy Cormorants. They just need checking and there aren't enough eyes out there during the winter to do it!

Pygmy Cormorants, Almiropotamos River, 9 Nov 10 © Terry Robinson

High winds and waves in the Gulf of Kalloni meant the Pygmy Cormorant's were forced to sit it out in the reeds today! Photo © Terry Robinson

Dalmatian Pelicans

Dalmatian Pelican, Kalloni Saltpans, 3 Nov 10 © Terry Robinson

On 23 October Eleni Galinou found a flock of 21 Dalmatian Pelicans at Kalloni Saltpans. This is the largest confirmed flock since 2000. At least eight were still present on 3 Nov when Terry Robinson paid a visit and took these photos. Eight pelicans still present on 14 Nov.

Dalmatian Pelicans, Kalloni Saltpans, 3 Nov 10 © Terry Robinson

Grey Phalarope - new for Lesvos

Grey Phalarope, 1 Nov 2011, Polichnitos Saltpans © Terry Robinson

The first Grey Phalarope for Lesvos was found yesterday, 31 Oct, and was still present today, keeping to the middle of the pans. Terry did great to get these record shots.

October bird news

Recent news -

27/10/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Slender-billed Gull 2, Spoonbill 2, Common Shelduck 7, Skylark 1 (Terry Robinson).

26/10/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Water Pipit 1, Yellow Wagtail 1, Sandwich Tern 6, Grey Plover 2, Greater Flamingo 200. Ring Ouzel reported. No sign of yesterday's Rock Bunting (Terry Robinson).

25/10/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Rock Bunting 1 (Terry Robinson).

Rock Bunting, Polichnitos Saltpans, 25 Oct 2010 © Terry Robinson

24/10/10

Mesa - Osprey 1, Black Stork 3, Grey Heron 11, Great White Egret 2, Little Egret 6 (Eleni Galinou).

23/10/10

Kalloni Saltpans - Dalmatian Pelican 21 (present until 24th with 8 to 3 Nov at least), Black Stork 7, Greater Flamingo 970, Great White Egret 115, Grey Heron 53, Little Egret 12, Ruddy Shelduck 14, Common Teal 13, Great Cormorant 101, Avocet 325, Redshank 10, Greenshank 1 (Eleni Galinou).

Skala Polichnitou - Red-breasted Flycatcher 1 (trapped and ringed - Terry Robinson).

22/10/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Dalmatian Pelican 1 (Terry Robinson).

Dalmatian Pelican, Polichnitos Saltpans, 22 Oct 2010 © Terry Robinson

03/10/10

Efthalou - Black Kite 1 (to S), Hen Harrier 1 (to S).

Perasma Reservoir - Pintail 1, Black Stork 1, Kingfisher 1.

02/10/10

Efthalou - White Pelican 1 (to S) (Albert Vrielink)

White Pelican south over Efthalou 2 Oct 2010 © Albert Vrielink

01/10/10

Perasma Reservoir - Black Stork 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Black Stork 2.

September bird news

It seems that they might be working the saltpans at Polichnitos after all which is good news for autumn wader watching.

Recent news -

29/09/10

Kallonis Saltpans - Osprey 1, Eleonora's Falcon 4.

28/09/10

Palia Vigla Chapel - Red-footed Falcon 2 to south.

27/09/10

Kallonis Saltpans - RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 1 (Rob Lucking).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Eleonora's Falcon 2, Common Swift 2, plus Bee-eaters and hirundines moving through.

Vatera - Red-footed Falcon 1

Sigri - Lesser Kestrel 2.

Efthalou - BOOTED EAGLE 1 (to S), Eleonora's Falcon (1 to S), Black Kite 1 (to S), Marsh Harrier 1 (to S) (Albert Vrielink).

26/09/10

Kallonis Saltpans - RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 1 (& 27/09) (Rob Lucking), Marsh Sandpiper 2.

25/09/10

Prof Ilias - Lesser Spotted Eagle 1, Booted Eagle 1, Honey-buzzard 25, Marsh Harrier 1, Hobby 1, Common Kestrel 1, European Sparrowhawk 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Eleonora's Falcon 3, Red-footed Falcon 1, Great White Egret 36, Spoonbill 6.

24/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Whiskered Tern 22.

23/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Spoonbill 3, Black Stork 20.

22/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Spoonbill 3, Great White Egret 2, Turnstone 1.

21/09/10

Almyropotamos River, Vatera - Honey-buzzard 4.

Teparia - Quail 1.

Skala Polichnitou - Garden Warbler 8 ringed at garden site in last week.

18/09/10

Btwn Achladeri and Skala Vasilikon - DOTTEREL 1 (if accepted only the third record for Lesvos).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Montagu's Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Spoonbill 2, Slender-billed Gull 2, Garden Warbler 2.

17/09/10

Lotzaria (btwn Tsiknias R and saltpans) - Roller 1, Common Cuckoo 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Great Reed Warbler 1, yellow wagtails 500+, Chiffchaff 2, plus lots of Northern Wheatears, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatchers, Willow Warblers.

Makara - Hoopoe 1, Chukar 12.

16/09/10

Vafios - btwn 1100-1230 - Lesser Spotted Eagle 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Black Kite 4, European Sparrowhawk 1, Long-legged Buzzard 8, Short-toed Eagle 3, Black Stork 6.

Perasma Reservoir - Garganey 1, Mallard 4, Black Stork 5, Common Snipe 1, Little Grebe 103, Coot 18, Short-toed Eagle 1 - no sign of Red-necked Grebe.

Lotzaria (btwn Tsiknias R and saltpans) - Roller 1, Common Cuckoo 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Whiskered Tern 1 ad, Ruff 1, Greenshank 6, Redshank 11, Little Stint 9, Avocet 230+.

15/09/10

Lardia Valley - Crag Martin 14.

Pithariou Reservoir - Crag Martin 8, Black Stork 1.

Ipsilou - Common Redstart 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Common Whitethroat 1, Rock Sparrow 4, Chukar 10.

Molivos - Black Kite 3 (to S).

14/09/10

Perasma Reservoir - RED-NECKED GREBE 1 adult (7th record) (Adam Dudley), Garganey 1.

Molivos - Black Kite 3 (to S).

Lotzaria (btwn Tsiknias R and saltpans) - Roller 1, Common Cuckoo 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, tree Pipit 1 (plus lots of common migrants).

Achladri Forest - Kruper's Nuthatch heard at the picnic site but not seen, Short-toed Treecreeper, Short-toed Eagle 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Stone-curlew 2.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Spoonbill 2, Marsh Sandpiper 12, Curlew Sandpiper 4, Dunlin 5, Little Stint 7, Turnstone 1, Ruff 1, Black-winged Stilt 3, Greater Flamingo 7, Sandwich Tern 6, Mediterranean Gull 43.

Fields north of Polichnitos Saltpans - Ortolan Bunting 1, 'yellow' wagtails 500+, Tawny Pipit 1, plus lots of Northern Wheatears, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatchers.

13/09/10

Faneromeni - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY 1 (Steve Dudley, Lu Carbyn, Jaynne Carre), Lesser Grey Shrike 3.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Whiskered Tern 2, Slender-billed Gull 2.

Petrified Forest area - Rock Sparrow 4, Goshawk 1 (to S), Marsh Harrier 4 (to S).

Ipsilou - Golden Oriole 1, Rock Sparrow 21, Lesser Kestrel 1, Common Nightingale 1, Pied Flycatcher 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Avocet 600+.

12/09/10

Lotzaria (btwn Tsiknias R and saltpans) - Roller 1, Common Cuckoo 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 2 (plus lots of common migrants).

Skoutaros - Booted Eagle 2, Honey-buzzard 1.

Tsiknias River - Purple Heron 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Tawny Pipit 1.

Skala Kallonis - Night-heron 21 roosting behind Pasiphae Hotel, Honey-buzzard 1 (to S).

Christou (Kameras) River - Black Stork 1, Marsh Harrier 1 (to S), Common Buzzard 6 (to S) (lots of common migrants).

Metochi - Tawny Pipit 2, Common Buzzard 8 (to S), Masked Shrike 1, Alpine Swift 6, Hoopoe 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Stone-curlew 3, Black Stork 7, White-winged Black Tern 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Turnstone 1.

11/09/10

Prof Ilias - Lesser Spotted Eagle 1.

Nifida - Black Kite 10 (to S), Honey-buzzard 8 (to S), Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

10/09/10 - Polichnitos Saltpans

Black Kite 3 over, Common Buzzard 2, Short-toed Eagle 2, Bee-eater 10, Alpine Swift 3.

09/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Black Kite 6 over, Green Sandpiper 1.

Nifida - Bee-eater 10

08/09/10

Metochi Lake - Night-heron 1.

Tsiknias River - Sandwich Tern 9.

07/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Spoonbill 2, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Tsiknias River - Gull-billed Tern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Garganey 2.

06/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Golden Plover 1.

05/09/10

Polichnitos Saltpans - Marsh Sandpiper 1, Spotted Redshank 3, Mediterranean Gull 1.

03/09/10

Tsiknias River - Gull-billed Tern 1.