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

Yellow-browed Warbler!

Terry Robinson isn't the only birder on the island. I received an email this evening from Jean-Phillipe Siblet saying that he and his son today found a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER along the Vergias River at Skala Eresou. If accepted this would be the first record for the island and only the eighth record for Greece.

Other birds reported by Jean-Philippe are GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE and Merlin (no further details) and at Metochi Lake up to 4 Little Crakes and a Spotted Crake.

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.

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 Lake and Potamia 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+).

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

Lesvos 2010 flights - update

The flight chaos continues. Here is a summary as of this afternoon.

THOMSON/FIRST CHOICE CHARTER FLIGHTS

It's been very difficult obtaining flight only deals this spring until this last week, but today I have heard that the 15 April and 22 April flights out to Lesvos are being cancelled (nothing on their website for 15th flight; flight on 22nd still on their website but at £419 pp) . This is still to be confirmed, but if you have bookings for these dates I advise you to check with your booking agent.

UPDATE - 29/03/10 - 15 April flight appears to have been dropped. The 22 Apr Manchester-Gatwick-Mytilini flight looks OK with FC reporting only a couple of seats left and many folk in receipt of their tickets.

FLIGHTS VIA ATHENS

British Airways (tel. 0844 493 0787)

Although no changes to their flight schedule, the treat of strike action remains high so I advise you contact BA or your booking agent as and when industrial action dates are announced to check if your flight is running. BA have carried detailed information on their website during the industrial action last week and this coming week, so this should also be a good source of information.

Aegean Airlines (tel. 0871 200 0040)

Nearly all Aegean flights from Heathrow to Athens and to and from Athens and Mytilini have been changed. I advise you check with Aegean or your booking agent re. your booking.

Note, that there is no longer a mid-afternoon direct return flight from Mytilini to Athens, only morning (0730) and evening (1850) flights now available. The 1335 flight advertised on their website is via Thessaloniki (changing planes).

I've not heard of problems with other carriers (inc. EasyJet and Olympic).

Previous flight info on 2010 flights here.

Lesvos orchid site guide

Lesvos is also well-known for its orchids and thats why I included a checklist of orchids found on the island in my book, A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, including local flowering periods.

Paul Manning (Wildlife of Lesvos) has now built an orchid site guide using Google Maps. He has annotated a map of the island to show key sites. This includes lists of species found at each site with some notes on flowering periods for rarer or sought-after species, and species' names within the site lists linked to his own photos on his online flickr album. Its a great resource and one I'm sure that anyone interested in orchids will want to use when on the island. The online Google Map is best viewed in map mode.

You can view a list of species here (no flowering periods).

Photo: Lesbos Orchid Ophrys lesbis, endemic to the island, near Andissa, April 2009 © Steve Dudley

Lesvos Birds 2009

LESVOS BIRDS 2009

written and compiled by Steve Dudley

The first annual report for the island and covers all species recorded on the island in 2009 and details of many rare and scarce species records from previous years.

50 pages covering 257 species, many colour photographs.

As well as accounts of commoner species, records covered also include many notable scarce and rare species including details of the first Lesvos records of Steppe Eagle, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, Little Swift, White-throated Dipper and Bluethroat; the second Caspian Plover; the fourth Whooper Swan; the fourth and fifth Terek Sandpipers; the fifth White-tailed Eagle; the eighth Common Pochard; and tenth Egyptian Vulture. In addition, the report includes the first recorded winter records of Black Kite, Turtle Dove sp. and Short-toed Lark.

Click here for low res PDF (3Mb) web version.

Siberian Stonechat - first record for Lesvos

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

The Hellenic Rarities Committee as accepted this bird as the first record of Siberian Stonechat Saxicola torquata maurus for Lesvos and Greece.

The Birds of Greece (Handrinos & Akriotis, 1997) lists a single 'Eastern Stonechat' S. t. maurus/variegatus 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).

This record is the first to be accepted by HRC as maurus.

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

Lesvos Bird Records Committee - 2009 decisions announced

The Lesvos Bird Records Committee (LBRC) was formed in 2009 and it has just announced its first decisions relating to records from 2009 and previous years, including the first Lesvos record of White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus. For full details see the LBRC website.

Detailed in this announcment are the details of records which still require details. There also remain many unsupported claims of many species from 2008 and earlier which the LBRC and Hellenic Rarities Committee would welcome details for. These are detailed here on the Lesvos Birding website and within the species accounts in A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos (Dudley, 2009).