30 April 2010 - birds, birds, birds!

Christou River - RED KNOT 1 at 7am (third record for Lesvos if accepted).

Kalloni Saltpans - GREAT SNIPE 1 in flood opposite saltworks entrance (also Common Snipe), LANNER 1 at 1pm, Osprey (first report for this spring), Spoonbill 6, Gull-billed Tern 40+ in off sea 12.10pm - 5 on flood throughout afternoon/evening, White-wing Black Tern 75+, Whiskered Tern 10+, Temminck's Stint 1, Garganey 9, Collared Pratincole 4, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Rufous Bush Robin (compound in SW corner), Red-footed Falcon 1.

Faneromeni Upper Ford - GREAT SNIPE 1 50m upstream of ford.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - LANNER 1 at 10.45am and 3pm, Whiskered Tern 100+, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 8, Shoveler 4, Black Stork 6.

Makara - LANNER 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 11, Hobby 2.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler still 150m north of bridge by blue plastic drum. DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES!

Meladia Valley - Red-breasted Flycatcher male at chapel.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Icterine 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Wood Warbler 20.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Pallid Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Honey-buzzard 3, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Orphean Warbler 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Night-heron 15 north at 6.15am, Purple Heron 2

Alykes Wetlands - Red-throated Pipit 3, Tawny Pipit 1, Short-toed Lark 25.

Tsiknias River - River Warbler 1 singing 200m north of ford

Mesa - Temmick's Stint 1.

Dimitrios - Middle-spotted Woodpecker pair actively feeding young. Park by bridge, cross road, walk through chapel along footpath to right and view nest in top of dead poplar. Grey Wagtail. Odalisque dragonfly.

29 April 2010 - its all gone crazy!

Changeover day is always a dangerous day. The groups are busy being ferried to and from airports with limited birding, whilst all the independent birders gad about without the groups getting in their way! And boy did they see some birds today.

TEREK SANDPIPER - 1 Kalloni Saltpans breifly mid-afternoon in SW corner (Will Bowell, Kevin Du Rose et al). Only fifth record for Lesvos.

(RUFOUS-TAILED) ROCK-THRUSH - male Ipsilou in morning (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd).

SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER - male Meladia River Ford (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd).

WHITE PELICAN - 1 Kalloni Saltpans until mid-morning (MO).

Ipsilou - Rock-thrush male, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 7, Collared Flycatcher 20+, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Wood Warbler 50+, Golden Oriole 30+, Cinereous Bunting 10+.

Maladia Valley Ford - Semi-collared Flycatcher male, Little Crake (taken by Marsh Harrier), Little Bittern 4, Squacco Heron 4, Golden Oriole 6.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Roller 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-backed Shrike 100+, Masked Shrike 10+, Purple Heron 10, Montagu's Harrier 1, Orphean Warbler 2.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 2+ - one still 200m north of river bridge along east track, view from the half blue plastic container; Pallid Harrier 1.

Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 at the barrier site below masts.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 4+ at cattle grid site.

Tsiknias River - Caspian Tern 1 (at mouth), Citrine Wagtail 2 (at ford).

Kalloni Salptans (and surrounding flooded fields) - Terek Sandpiper (SW corner), White Pelican 1 (until mid morning), Citrine Wagtail 1 (flood), Rufous Bush Robin (SW corner compound), Bar-tailed Godwit 1, White-winged Black Tern 100+, Black Tern 5.

Metochi Lake - Ortolan Bunting 1, Little Bittern 2, Little Crake 2, Bee-eater 11.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 68, White-winged Black Tern 2, Water Rail 1, Red-backed Shrike 2, Mallard 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1.

Offshore at airport - Scopoli's Shearwater 110+ following fishing boat 1830.

Haramida - Whiskered Tern 1.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Orphean Warbler.

28 April 2010 - marsh terns galore

A few new biggies found today, but the main spectacle was an influx of marsh terns to the Kalloni area.

Alykes Wetlands - WHITE PELICAN 1, Gull-billed Tern 2, Tawny Pipit 2, red-throated Pipit 12, Short-toed Lark 6, Montagu's Harrier 1 (same as saltpans).

Metochi Lake BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (possibly since 24/4), Little Bittern 4, Little Crake 3, Purple Heron 1.

Mikri Limni - LANNER 1.

Tsiknias River - CITRINE WAGTAIL 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 4.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields) - Rufous Bush Robin 1 (by the electricity/pumping compound in SW corner), Whiskered Tern 130+, White-winged Black Tern 35+, Black Tern 1, Montagu's Harrier 1.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - Whiskered Tern 60+, White-winged Black Tern 11, Shoveler 4, Squacco Heron 10, Collared Pratincole 3.

Lotzaria - Red-footed Falcon 2, Red-backed Shrike 3, Marsh Harrier 5.

Mirsinia (near Mesa) - Thrush Nightingale.

Meladia Valley - Roller 2, Collared Flycatcher 2, Red-backed Shrike 30, Purple Heron 8, Squacco Heron 4, Little Bittern 2, Night-heron 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Bee-eater 13, Golden Oriole 9.

Sigri Fields - Roller 2, Gull-billed Tern 1, Lesser Kestrel 20, Whiskered Tern 18.

Faneromeni Fords - Collared Flycatcher 1, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Ortolan 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Hen Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Common Starling 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Scopoli's Shearwater 2 offshore (unusual in the Gulf of Kalloni), Red-footed Falcon 1, Squacco Heron 1, Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 1.

Dimitrios - Middle Spotted Woodpecker nest. Park by bridge. View the poplars on opposite side of the road from car or from the chapel. The nest is in the top of the poplar with the dead top, about 2m down from top. The nest hole cannot be seen but the male returns frequently to feed the sitting female.

27 April 2010 - migrants galore out west

The west did it again. Those of us who ventured across to Sigri had another one of those mad migrant days - everywhere you looked, Turtles Doves, Red-backed Shrikes, Rollers, flycatchers - mad!

Nr Molivos - ROCK BUNTING 2 reported.

Meladia Valley - Pallid Harrier 1, Roller 6, Red-backed Shrike 30+, Golden Oriole 20+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 3, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Common Kingfisher 1 (late record), Turtle Dove (dozens), Lesser Kestrel 2, Short-toed Eagle 2.

Faneromeni Fords - Citrine Wagtail male, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Great Bittern 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Snipe 1, Little Bittern 3, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1.

Faneromeni Fields - Turtle Dove 2-300 inc. a flock of 120+ in one olive grove! Goshawk 1, Red-backed Shrike (many), Black-headed Bunting.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike (many), Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Purple Heron, White-winged Black Tern 1, Collared Pratincole 2, Black-headed Bunting.

Petrified Forest Museum, Sigri - Collared Flycatcher 1, Orphean Warbler 3, Common Cuckoo.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - White-winged Black Tern 10, Roller 2, Golden Oriole 6, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 10+, Black-headed Bunting 12+.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still building nest. Bee-eater 30+. Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 (singing 150m NW of bridge).

Kalimi Marsh (Mesa) - White-winged Black Tern 9, Shoveler 4, Mallard 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush Robin (in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans), Rose-coloured Starling 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Black Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, Gull-billed Tern 3, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Common Shelduck 26.

Alykes Wetlands - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Whiskered Tern 50+, White-winged Black 20+, Red-footed Falcon 4, Ruddy Shelduck 20, Squacco Heron 6, Teminck's Stint 8, Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Buntings.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 26.

Petrified Forest road - Rufous Bush Robin, Chukar.

Christou River - Roller 1.

Pessa Waterfall Trail (Achladeri Forest) - Grey Wagtail (pr), Woodlark.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 42, White-winged Black 1, Bee-eater 17, Black-headed Bunting 50+, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit.

Tsiknias River - Quail 1.

26 April 2010 - Rain and migrants

Late news –

24 April – LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE – 9 NE over Polichnitos Saltpans at 1800h (John Bowers).

25 April – Polichnitos Saltpans area – Roller 1, Collared Pratincole 8, Black-headed Bunting 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper (Terry Robinson).

Today -

BOOTED EAGLE – 1 Lardia Valley (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd)

SAVI’S WARBLER – 1 singing Metochi Lake (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd), present since 24^th (Jeff & Helen Bailey).

EASTERN BONELLI’S WARLBER – 1 singing Skala Sikaminias.

PENDULINE TIT – a pair still building a nest at Skala Eresou (MO). See Skala Eresou item below.

Skala Eresou – Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Collared Pratincole 2, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Squacco Heron 20 north, Night-heron 2 north, Little Bittern 1, Yelkouan Shearwater 800+, Scopoli’s Shearwater 15.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance, etc) – Red-footed Falcon 5, Collared Pratincole 7, Marsh Sandpiper 4, Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 50, White-winged Black Tern 4, Garganey 7, Spoonbill 1, Ruddy Shelduck 11, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Greenshank 20.

Alykes Wetlands – Tawny Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 20+, Short-toed Lark 12+, White Stork 8, Ruddy Shelduck 37.

Tsiknias River – Spoonbill 1, Temminck’s Stint 4, Wood Sandpiper 120+. Black-headed Bunting 8+. 13 Squacco Heron between river mouth and Skala Kallonis village.

Metochi Lake – Savi’s Warbler 1, Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 2, Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 4.

Kavaki – Ruppell’s Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Sardinian Warbler.

North Coast – Yelkouan Shearwater, Scopoli’s Shearwater, Little Gull 200+, Audouin’s Gull 1.

Kremastes (Bridge) Valley – Red-footed Falcon 40+, Montagu’s Harrier 2, Hobby 1, Purple Heron 1, red-backed Shrike 1.

Napi Valley – Red-footed Falcon 10, Lesser Kestrel 3.

Soumouria (Kalloni Scops Copse) – Scops Owl 1 roosting in tree by the blue bins.

Polichnitos Saltpans – Red-footed Falcon 2, Black Stork 1, Temminck’s Stint 1, Little Stint.

Almiropotamos River (Vatera) – Squacco Heron 20, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 1, Sanderling 1.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch 2, Masked Shrike, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Meladia Valley – Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Red-backed Shrike 3, Golden Oriole 2.

Ipsilou – Collared Flycatcher 1, Golden Oriole 15, Wood Warbler 20+.

Faneromeni – Collared Flycatcher 1, Eleanora’s Falcon 1, White-winged Black Tern 1, Purple Heron 4, Temminck’s Stint 2.

Sigri Fields – Lesser Kestrel 60, Montagu’s Harrier 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 2.

Voulgaris River (Ancient Antissa) – Purple Heron 2, Night-heron 8, Squacco Heron 2, Golden Oriole 2.

Alikoudi Pool – Whiskered Tern 3, Citrine Wagtail 1.

Upper Tsiknias River - Levant Sparrowhawk 1 (took swallow).

Molivos - Eleanora's Falcon 2.

25 April 2010 - breeding Penduline Tits and big eagles

PENDULINE TIT – a pair building a nest at Skala Eresou (MO). See Skala Eresou item below.

GREAT SPOTTED EAGLE – one over Molivos at c.1900h (Steven Wytema et al).

IMPERIAL EAGLE – one Pithariou Reservoir on and off for c. 15 mins between 1635-1650h (Steve Dudley et al).

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE – one between Eresos and Ipsilou mid-afternoon (Steven Wytema et al).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - 2 Faneromeni (Merv Jones).

Skala Eresou – Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Night-heron 48, Purple Heron 2 (inc. a flock of 39 Night-heron and 2 Purple Heron in off the sea at c.1445), Little Bittern 2, Whiskered Tern 11 north, Lesser Kestrel 3.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Perasma - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1.

Ipsilou – Ortolan Bunting 1, Collared Flycatcher male, Red-footed Falcon 2, many Wood Warblers, Cinereous Bunting 15+, several Pied Flycatcher 20+, Spotted Flycatcher 8, Golden Oriole 20+, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Isabelline Wheatear, Chukar, etc.

Skala Kallonis Pool – Great Bittern 1, Common Snipe 1.

Metochi Lake – Spotted Crake, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Little Crake, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, White Stork 8.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields) – Pallid Harrier male, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, Temminck’s Stint 3, Whiskered Tern 40, Tawny Pipit 1, Black-tailed Godwit 1.

Meladia Valley – Roller 1, Icterine 1, Golden Oriole 2.

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 2, Wood Sandpiper 132+, Mediterranean Gull 2, Collared Pratincole 4, White-winged Black Tern 2.

Kavaki – Ruppell’s Warbler 3 prs, Orphean Warbler 2, Sardinian Warbler 2, Yelkouan Shearwater 10+, Scopoli’s Shearwater 3, Bottle-nosed Dolphin 3, MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL 1.

North Coast – Ortolan Bunting 1, Audouin’s Gull 1, Yelkouan Shearwater many, Scopoli’s Shearwater 2.

Sigri area – Lesser Kestrel 18.

Polichnitos Saltpans area – Roller 1, Collared Pratincole 8, Black-headed Bunting 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper.

24 April 2010 - Another eagle day

IMPERIAL EAGLE - sub-adult south over Efthalou @ 14.45h (Bob Buckler, Wingspan).

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE - 9 Polichnitos Saltpans (John Bowers), 1 Napi Valley (David Goodwin & Jenny Jones).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - male SW corner of Kalloni Saltpans (MO).

LANNER - 2CY Perivoli Monastery (Bernie Forbes, John & Shena Maskell, Avian Adventures).

PALLID HARRIER - 1 Tsiknias River (David Goodwin & Jenny Jones).

ROLLER - 1 Achladeri (Roger Lawrence, Chris Bushell, Ornitholidays).

SAVI'S WARBLER - 1 singing Metochi Lake (Jeff & Helen Bailey).

Perivoli Monastery - Collared Flycatcher 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleanora's Falcon, Wood Warbler 4, Night-heron 1.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Collared Flycatcher male, Long-eared owl male calling between 0100-0400h at least.

Ipsilou - Bee-eater 50+, Rock Sparrow 4, Hobby 1, Short-toed Eagle 4, Long-legged Buzzard, Golden Oriole, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar's Bunting, Blue Rock-thrush.

Metochi Lake - Savi's Warbler 1, Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 4.

Kavaki - Ruppell's 2prs active on seaward side of laybys, Sardinian Warbler 3-4 prs, Orphean Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Black-headed Bunting, Crag Martin, Blue Rock-thrush.

North Coast (Efthalou to Skala Sikaminias) - Little Gull 125+ west, Mediterranean Gull 2, red-footed Falcon 1.

Perasma Reservoir - Long-legged Buzzard 3, Russy Shelduck 2, Night-heron 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Black-winged Stilt 6.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - Squacco Heron 6, Purple Heron 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Mallard 2.

Madaros - Black-headed Bunting 1.

Lotzaria - Black-headed Bunting 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Bee-eater 17, Goshawk 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Hobby 2, Short-toed Eagle 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Isabelline Wheatear, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk.

Gavathas - Montagu's Harrier male, Hen Harrier ringtail, Marsh HArrier, Yelkouan Shearwater 40+, Great Reed Warbler, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, Flava wagtails.

Kalloni Saltpans west fields - White Stork 8 (single flock).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch, Masked Shrike, Goshawk.

Mandamados - White Stork on chimney nest, Goshawk circling over with Sparrowhawk.

23 April 2010 - Lesser Spotted Eagle

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1 - sub-adult north at NE corner of Kalloni Saltpans @ 1410 (Bob Buckler, Wingspan).

Madaros - GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO 1 (Roger Lawrence, Colin Bushell, Ornitholodays).

CITRINE WAGTAIL - 2 Faneromeni (Merv Jones).

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. wetlands opposite saltworks entrance) - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Spoonbill 4, White-winged Black Tern 4, Whiskered Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Glossy Ibis 20+, Squacco Heron 3, Black Stork 9+, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Garganey 2, Spotted Redshank 7, Kentish Plover 11+, Eurasian Curlew 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Tawny Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 4, Short-toed Lark 4, Alpine Swift 4.

Tsiknias River - Red-footed Falcon 2, Black-headed Bunting 1, Sandwich Tern 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3+, Little Bittern 6+, Purple Heron 2, Great Reed Warbler 2+.

Mesa - Squacco Heron 3, Ruddy Shelduck 28, Common Shelduck 4.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - male coming coming to nest site (same shattered trunk with electric wire as last two years) appears to be feeding sitting female.

Potamia Valley - Montagu's Harrier 1, Purple Heron 1, Green Sandpiper 2.

Polichnitos - Montagu's Harrier 1.

Christou/Kamares River - Hen Harrier 2 r/t.

22 April 2010 - Spur-winged Plover

Well, we made it! A Thomsonfly flight full of birders and more on the scheduled flights via Athens has livened up the place no end and with immediate birding results.

Mesa - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 on seaward side of road opposite outcrop (Helen & Jeff Bailey).

Skala Kallonis Pool - Great Bittern 1 (Helen & Jeff Bailey).

Kalloni Saltpans - Collared Pratincole 1, White-winged Black Tern 4, Whiskered Tern 1, Glossy Ibis, Garganey 2, Spotted Redshank , Curlew, Sanderling 4, Red-throated Pipit 8, Short-toed Lark, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-headed Bunting.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Golden Oriole.

Haramida - Glossy Ibis 6, Squacco Heron 1, Great Reed Warbler 1, Crag Martin.

Christou/Kamares River marsh - Stone-curlew 2.

Soumouria (Kalloni Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 1.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2 males active, Masked Shrike.

21 April 2010 - more common migrants

Storms overnight and rain and hail this morning wil help with dropping water levels as well as grounding migrants.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Terry Robinson reports lots more common migrants around this morning including Whinchats, Northern Wheatears and Tawny Pipits. Also a Spoonbill on the pans and a Lesser Grey Shrike.

Christou/Kamares River Marsh - Hen Harrier roost 4 ring-tails.

20 April 2010 - migrants trickle through

Mirroring the migrants seen out west yesterday, Terry Robinson reports a trickle of migrants on the east side of the Gulf of Kalloni.

Almiropotamos River (Lisvorio) - Golden Oriole 3, Red-backed Shrike 7, Whinchat 4, Northern Wheatear 4, Black-eared Wheatear 1, Tawny Pipit 2.

19 April 2010 - good out west

Now, this is the point it starts to hurt me. I should have been flying out to Lesvos today, but due to the volcanic ash cloud, I am now a VOV (victim of volcano) and instead of enjoying watching the birds, I'm left to typing up what others have seen still!

Shena and John Maskell and friends Penny & Dave went out west today and had a good migrant day as follows -

Meladia Valley - COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, PALLID HARRIER 3, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Wood Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Golden Oriole, Common Cuckoo, Bee-eater.

Faneromeni Fords - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Purple Heron, Common Snipe.

Sigri - Lesser Kestrel, Short-toed Eagle, Golden Oriole, Alpine Swift, Bee-eater.

Ipsilou - Isabelline & Northern Wheatears, Cinereous Bunting.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Isabelline Wheatear 10 inc. many displaying males.

Lardia Valley - Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Long-legged Buzzard, Wren.

16 - 18 April - Scops Owls perform at the Scops Copse

18 April 2010

Soumouria (Kalloni Scops Copse) - Scops Owl - up to five birds present! Showing on and off and calling at dusk (Shena & John Maskell).

Aghios Taxiarchis - COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Short-toed Eagle, Black Stork, Masked Shrike (Shena & John Maskell).

Parakila Marsh - Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Crake (Shena & John Maskell).

Alikoudi Pool - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (Terry Robinson).

17 April 2010

Soumouria (Kalloni Scops Copse) - Scops Owl - tree with the blue bins (Shena & John Maskell).

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Crag Martin, Blue Rock-thrush (Shena & John Maskell).

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Long-eared Owl at 10pm (Shena & John Maskell).

16 April 2010

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 4, Night-heron 2 (Shena & John Maskell).

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck, Black Stork (Shena & John Maskell).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch, Scops owl (heard), Masked Shrike, Serin (Shena & John Maskell).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Marsh Sandpiper 1 (Shena & John Maskell).

Almiropotamos River (Vatera) - Spanish Sparrow 2000+ by 8pm in reedbed roost - very noisy and spectacular (Shena & John Maskell), Hen Harrier 1 (male) (Shena & John Maskell).

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Long-eared Owl (Shena & John Maskell).

Volcano stops play

The ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano (left: photo courtesy BBC) which started erupting last week, now sits over Europe and has brought much of northern and western Europe's airspace to a close.

Several birders arrived on Lesvos before planes stopped flying on the 15th, but many more got stopped at airports on the 16th and 17th and have been sitting it out since. Some have already packed up and returned home very disappointed at losing their holiday.

I myself was due out in the morning but having been cancelled I am now booked on flights on Weds and Thurs. On Thursday my first group is due out and one of our number is already in Greece. Having been working in the US and unable to get home to the UK, he flew straight to Athens in the hope that we, inc. his wife. will join him on Lesvos on Thursday. Here's hoping!

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos - now available on Lesvos

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos is now available on the island. You will find copies for sale at the Hotel Pasiphae (Skala Kallonis) plus increasing numbers of other hotels and visitor outlets across the island from 20 April 2010.

15 April - Citrine Wagtails arrive

Almyropotamos River (north of Polichnitos Saltpans) - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Turtle Dove 2, Common Whitethroat 1 (Terry Robinson)

Polichnitos Saltpans - Montagu's Harrier 1, Common Tern 1 (Terry Robinson).

Christou (Kamares) River - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1 (Tim van Oerle).

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2, Whinchat, Scopoli's Shearwater 2 offshore (Tim van Oerle).

Tsiknias River mouth - Gull-billed Tern 27, Sandwich Tern 1, Mediterranean Gull 1, Curlew 1, Purple Heron (Shena & John Maskell).

Kalloni Saltpans - Marsh Sandpiper 4, Stone-curlew 2, Glossy Ibis 42, Garganey 9, Little Stint 97 (Shena & John Maskell).

14 April - Calandra Lark

The 12th CALANDRA LARK for Lesvos was found by Terry Robinson near Polichnitos Saltpans in the evening but there was no sign the following morning. Photo © Terry Robinson.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2.

Kalloni Saltpans (floods) - Little Crake 2.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kalloni - Long-eared Owl 2 (Shena & John Maskell)

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck, Purple Heron, Black Stork (Shena & John Maskell)

5 - 13 April update - inc. Finsch's Wheatear

13 April 2010

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2 males on territory, Orphean Warbler 1.

Almiropotamos River – Orphean Warbler 1, Red-rumped Swallow 1, Hen Harrier 3, Cretzschmar's Bunting 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Wagtail 10, SYKE'S WAGTAIL 1, Glossy Ibis 20, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle (Andy Stoddart).

12 April 2010

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 1, Black-headed Wagtail 10, Blue-headed Wagtail, Lesser Kestrel 3 (Andy Stoddart)

11 April 2010

Nifida - Temminck's Stint 1, Marsh Sandpiper 6, Wood Sandpiper 2, Black-eared Wheatear 2, Spanish Sparrow 1, Subalpine Warbler 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Cretzschmar's Bunting 1 (Terry Robinson).

Andissa - Isabelline Wheatear 1, Serin 2 (Andy Stoddart).

10 April 2010

Polichnitos Saltpans – MERLIN 1 ad male, Marsh Sandpiper 42, Ruff 53, Whinchat 1 (Terry Robinson).

Metochi Lake - Night-heron 5, Little Crake 3, Masked Shrike 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 12, Night-heron, Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi), 'Romanian Wagtail (dombrowski) (Andy Stoddart).

9 April 2010

Kalloni Saltpans - Ruddy Shelduck 65, Pintail 3, Garganey 27, Glossy Ibis 155, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Curlew 1, Spotted Redshank 13, Marsh Sandpiper 36, Pallid Swift 1, Short-toed Lark 2, Spanish Sparrow 9 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Almiropotamos River – Orphean Warbler 1, Wood Sandpiper 2 (Terry Robinson).

Meladia Valley - Cinereous Bunting, Orphean Warbler 2, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Lesser Kestrel 2, Northern Wheatear 6, Black Stork, Short-toed Eagle (Andy Stoddart).

Skala Eresou - Garganey 4.

8 April 2010

FINSCH’S WHEATEAR, a male at Ipsilou (Nikos Probonas, Thanos Kastritis, et al). This is only the second confirmed record for Lesvos, and only the third record for Greece (although we are following up several reports from 1998-2001). Photo © Thanos Kastritis

Ipsilou - Long-legged Buzzard 1, Raven 1, Finsch's Wheatear 1 (above), Black-eared Wheatear 1, Isabelline Wheatear 1, Blue Rock-thrush 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Vigla, nr Ipsilou - Isabelline Wheatear 4 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Vergias River, Skala Eresou - Jack Snipe 1, Purple Heron 1, Wood Sandpiper 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Kalloni Saltpans - Ruddy Shelduck 44, Pintail 3, Garganey 28, Glossy Ibis 4, Squacco Heron 2, Pallid Harrier 1, Curlew 1, Spotted Redshank 16, Marsh Sandpiper 29, Short-toed Lark 7, Spanish Sparrow 1 (Nikos Probonas et al).

Eximnos, Mesotopos - Cinereous Bunting 3, Cretzschmar's Bunting 3, Short-toed Eagle 2, Alpine Swift 1, Chukar 2.

Almiropotamos River – Montagu’s Harrier 1, Hen Harrier 3, Kingfisher 1 (Terry Robinson).

Skala Eresou - Little Bittern (Andy Stoddart).

Ipsilou to Sigri - Rock Sparrow, Lesser Kestrel 30, Isabelline Wheatear 2, Gull-billed Tern, Short-toed Eagle, Hen Harrier 3, Chukar, Orphean Warbler, Purple Heron, Western Rock Nuthatch (Andy Stoddart).

7 April 2010

Skala Eresou - Purple Heron 2, Lesser Kestrel, Black-headed Wagtail (feldegg), Blue-headed Wagtail (flava), Grey-headed Wagtail (thunbergi) (Andy Stoddart).

6 April 2010

Almiropotamos River - Little Crake 1, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Woodchat Shrike 2, Northern Wheatear 1, Long-legged Buzzard, Goshawk, Raven (Terry Robinson).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2, Long-tailed Tit 2 (Andy Stoddart).

Kalloni Saltpans - Gull-billed Tern 50, Glossy Ibis 180, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron, Ruddy Shelduck 7, Garganey 10 (Andy Stoddart).

5 April 2010

Meladia Valley - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1, Isabelline Wheatear, Cinereous Bunting, Little Crake, Sombre Tit, 2 Purple Herons, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Orphean Warbler 3, Black-headed Wagtail 10, Chukar 2,Subalpine Warbler (Andy Stoddart).

Polichnitos Saltpans - Great Reed Warbler 1 (Terry Robinson).

Almiropotamos River - Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Northern Wheatear 1, Woodchat Shrike 1, Stone-curlew 2, Hen Harrier 2 (Terry Robinson).

Spring 2010 daily updates

As in recent years I will post daily updates of what is seen across the island each evening here on Lesvos Birding. I know many staying on the island, and more so those due to come out, find these updates both interesting and very useful.

My own daily updates from the island will commence on 20 Apr (through to 12 May), but I rely on people passing on their own sightings to produce the daily summaries. I aim to have the website updated between 11-12pm each evening (local time). If you are on the island earlier or later than me, then I need your records all the more!

Last year quite a lot of folk contributed to these updates. If you're on the island then you can provide your own records of more interesting sightings as follows -

LESVOS BIRDING LOG at the Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis

This is the main birding log on the island and anyone can call into the hotel to read/record their sightings and maybe enjoy a drink too! Please inc. your name and email address or mobile number on at least one of your entries in order for me to contact you if I need to.

Everything passed on to me during the day will be added to log.

I (and other birders) should be around the Hotel Pasiphae bar most evenings from around 10-10.30pm to c.11.30pm for a drink and chat. Failing that I can usually be found at the Dionysos taverna in Skala Kallonis between 8-10pm.

SMS/TEXT

Text me your daily summary on +44 (0) 7 767 787 287. Please inc. your name at the end of the message. Species, numbers, location is really all that is needed. Times for really rare species (e.g. time of a flyover rare raptor helps to track birds across the island) might be useful (please no calls as this just costs me a fortune!).

EMAIL

You can email me your sightings. I'll be updating late evening, so anything arriving in my inbox by 10pm local time will be used.

What info should you include?
Records of all the scarcer and rare species (see checklist), movements of any raptors or herons, large numbers of crakes, large falls of commoner species, etc. are all wanted. Updates on breeding activity of Krupers Nuthatch are also helpful.

Submitting your records for the annual bird report when you've returned home

I know many people keep their own database of records. If you are able to export to an Excel file, then I'm happy to receive any records you want to pass on for inclusion in the Lesvos annual bird report. For further details see here.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Back to homepage.

4 April - another Spotted Eagle!

Spotted Eagle, Meladia Valley, 4 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Sightings from Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet's last day on the island. I'd like to thank them both for their daily updates which have just served to whet the appetite of those of us due out later this month!

Today's highlight was another Spotted Eagle. None for over a decade and then three in a week! I wonder how normal this is, that birds pass through when there are usually no (or very few) visiting birders on the island.

Meladia Valley - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1, Goshawk 1, Marsh Sandpiper 8, Red-throated Pipit 2.

Sigri - COLLARED FLYCATCHER male.

Faneromeni - GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO 1.

Metochi Lake - HAWFINCH 20+ feeding, SAVI'S WARBLER 1, Little Crake 8, Water Rail 1, Common Nightingale 1, Great Reed Warbler 2.

Tsiknias River - Spanish Sparrow 10.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands - Black Stork 1, Pintail 2 (pr), Stone-curlew 2, Black-tailed Godwit 9, Marsh Sandpiper 39, Curlew Sandpiper 5, Short-toed Lark 40+, Red-throated Pipit 2.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Glossy Ibis 21 (Terry Robinson).

Meladia Valley - Cinereous Bunting, Orphean Warbler, Nothern Wheatear, Short-toed Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Hen Harrier 4, Rock Nuthatch (Andy Stoddart).

3 April - Another Spotted Eagle, Savi's Warbler and Sykes' Wagtail

Spotted Eagle, over Kalloni Saltpans, 3 Apr 10 © Sebastien Siblet

Sightings from Jean-Philippe & Sebastien Siblet.

Kalloni Saltpans and Alykes Wetlands - GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE 1 (this weeks two birds are the first records since 1999), SYKES' WAGTAIL (beema) 1, Great White Egret 10, Little Egret 13, Glossy Ibis 125, Grey Heron 22, Purple Heron 20 (in off sea at dusk), Squacco Heron 1, Ruddy Shelduck 41, Common Shelduck 55, Shoveler 15, Pintail 1 (female), Common Teal 2, Garganey 15, Marsh Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 1, Osprey 1, Peregrine 1, Stone-curlew 1, Black-winged Stilt 30+, Avocet 300+, Ringed Plover 2, Little Ringed Plover 3, Kentish Plover 1, Black-tailed Godwit 17, Eurasian Curlew 2, Ruff 80, Marsh Sandpiper 4, Greenshank 26, Common Redshank 1, Wood Sandpiper 20, Green Sandpiper 1, Curlew Sandpiper 3, Little Stint 15, Common Tern 1, Short-toed Lark 40+, Black-headed Wagtail 6, Blue-headed Wagtail 20, Grey-headed Wagtail 1, Tree Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 4, Lesser Whitethroat 6, Common Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 1, Woodchat Shrike 1, Spanish Sparrow 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - SAVI'S WARBLER 1, Purple Heron 1, Sedge Warbler 5, Eurasian Reed Warbler 1.

Metochi Lake - HAWFINCH 30+, Purple Heron 2, Black Stork 1, Garganey 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Little Crake 5, Common Kingfisher 1, Sedge Warbler 4, Eurasian Reed Warbler 2, Great Reed Warbler 1, Masked Shrike 1, Reed Bunting 1.

Mesa - Great White Egret 21, Greater Flamingo 36, Common Shelduck 1, Ruddy Shelduck 4, Little Ringed Plover 12 ,Green Sandpiper 1, Wood Sandpiper 4.

Skala Vasilikon - WRYNECK 1, HAWFINCH 1, Great Crested Grebe 1, Orphean Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Common Whitethroat 1, Eurasian Reed Warbler.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Great White Egret 3, Black Stork 1, Common Shelduck 16, Hen Harrier 1, Black-winged Stilt 3, Avocet 6, Little Ringed Plover 15, Ringed Plover 2, Green Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 1.

Nifida - Glossy Ibis 1, Black-winged Stilt 6, Green Sandpiper 3, Wood Sandpiper 5, Cinereous Bunting 1.

Mikri Limni - Black-winged Stilt 6, Green Sandpiper 3, Common Cuckoo 1, Long-tailed Tit 5, Woodchat Shrike 1.

Eresso to Andissa - Cinereous Bunting 2, Sombre Tit, Subalpine Warbler, Hoopoe, Short-toed Eagle 11, Cretzschmar’s Bunting (many) Black-eared Wheatear (many), Hen Harrier 2, Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Andy Stoddart).

Also, I've been informed that Jean-Philippe's and Sebastien's count of 6000+ Little Gulls is a Greek record count!

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).