23 - 26 May 2010

Paul Manning remains the only birder sending me any news from the island at present. here's what he's seen in recent days.

25 May 2010

Kalloni Saltpans - very little of note; Pallid Swift 2 feeding with up to 150 Common Swifts, Ruff 21.

Nr Haramida - a few birds moving off the headland here inc. Lesser Kestrel, Common tern 22, Bee-eaters.

24 May 2010

Kalloni Saltpans - Black Tern 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 1.

Napi Valley - Red-footed Falcon 1, Goshawk.

23 May 2010

Thunderstorm late morning!

Napi Valley - Lesser Spotted Eagle 1 ahead of the storm.

Perasma - Eleonora's Falcon 2, Roller 1, Ruddy Shelduck with young.

Tsiknias River - Rose-coloured Starling.

21 - 22 May 2010 - lots more Rosy Starlings

Rose-coloured Starling - c.350+ around Tsiknias River Ford on 22nd! (Paul Manning)

Common Crossbills - seen around Panaghia Amalia (mountain area south of Mytilini) on 21st (Paul Manning).

Little Crake - still at least 2 at Metochi Lake.

Paul also mentions reports of another Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (third report this spring - anyone going to claim any of them?) and the near annual claim of Caspian Plover (no further details re. either of these).

Thank you . . .

. . . for sharing your bird news this spring

Firstly, the Lesvos Birding log at the Hotel Pasiphae was again supported by many birders (hotel residents and non-residents). It was of course used by many more birders than those of us who contribute to it, but slowly more and more people contribute.

A plea - please contribute your sightings in the future!

I would like to pay particular thanks to Bob Buckler (Wingspan), Andy Swash and Mike Hodgson (Naturetrek), Shena Maskell, Neil Glenn and Bernie Forbes (Avian Adventures), Roger Lawrence and Colin Bushell (Ornitholodays), Ian Ford (Heatherlea), Priscille & Neil Preston, Howard Vaughan, Mark Hawkes, John Glendinning and John Buxton, Ralph & Brenda Todd, Dave & Jackie Nurney, Steve Chalmers, Jeff & Helen Bailey, Merv Jones - sorry if I missed anyone off here but I don’t have the log here (its still in Lesvos until the end of the year) but all contributors will be listed in the 2010 annual report. Thank you everyone.

Several folk texted or emailed me their news most days during their stay on the island to add to the log and daily web updates. So again, particular thanks to Paul Manning, Steven Wytema, Hein Prinsen, Will Bowell, Lee Amery, Mark Hawkes, Paul Doherty, Ian Ford, Killian Mullarney and Terry Robinson.

. . . and for your comments about my book

I would just like to thank the numerous people who came up and thanked me for writing the book! Whilst I have been happy with the magazine/web reviews, I was on tenterhooks leading up to this spring when I knew the book would be used in anger and scrutinised by the people that matter most - you lot! Thankfully I received largely praise and only a few minor criticisms which I will take on board for the next edition. I've posted a particularly nice email from a couple I met in Achladeri here!

Thank you everyone. See many of you next spring.

20 May 2010 - Rose-coloured Starlings

Rose-coloured Starlings seen today inc. 7 by the Tsiknias River ford and 2 between Metochi Lake and Potamia Valley.

Hawfinch nr Alikoudi Pool.

Fledged Black Storks seen along the Tsiknias River.

19 May 2010 - late arrivals

Kalloni Saltpans - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (Peter Coe, Mark Hawkes) in fields west of pans and later in NW corner of pans. Whiskered Tern 25+, Black Tern 2, Gull-billed Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 1, Curlew Sandpiper 10, Pallid Swift 2.

Tsiknias River - Rose-coloured Starling 2 in Mulberry tree by ford.

18 May 2010 - Red-necked Phalaropes

Kalloni Saltpans - RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 2 in pan in south-west corner of pans at 0530h but later moved in to central pans with c.40 Curlew Sandpipers (Mark Hawkes). 11th record for the island. Also, Black and Whiskered Terns, Eurasian Curlew, Garganey.

Napi Valley - pr of Great Spotted Cuckoos reported c.1 km north of Napi (per Phil Ward).

Tsiknias River - first Rose-coloured Starlings reported today.

Tsiknias River mouth - Sandwich Tern 4.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 2.

17 May 2010 - Booted Eagle

The expected storm wasn't quite as forecast but plenty of rain on Saturday and windy yesterday.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Booted Eagle 1 dark phase north at 0945h, Eleonora's Falcon 2, Honey-buzzard 2, Goshawk, Short-toed Eagle (Mark Hawkes).

Platania - Red-footed Falcon 5, Olive-tree Warbler 3+ still performing well at cattle grid site plus active Middle Spotted Woodpecker nest site (Paul Manning).

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos - thanks for the thanks!

This spring saw A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos used in anger for the time. Whilst I've been more than happy with the reviews of the book, I was on tenterhooks leading up to this spring cos its what you guys, those using it on Lesvos, think about my book that matters to me most. You are the folk I wrote it for and yours are the views that matter most to me.

So, for the last month I've been overwhelmed by the number of you who came up to me, texted or emailed me, to say how much you were enjoying using my book and thanking me for writing it.

This email below, from a couple I met at Achladeri on their last day (they were on the way to the airport), epitomises the reaction I got from birders this spring.

Dear Steve,

It was such a pleasure to meet you yesterday in the forest - and to be able to tell you personally what an outstanding book you have written. We used it all the time during our short trip to Lesvos this week and were amazed at how accurate a book could be! The birds were where you said they would be and the descriptions of how to get to the various spots easy and clear to follow.

The promo blurb says it's the only book you need for Lesvos as you have included recommendations for tavernas as well - I didn't really think that could be so, but was proved wrong as we (and many others!) followed your suggestions and ate very well.

Thank you so much for the excellent resource you have produced - if only we cold find similar for other locations!!

Very best wishes,

Pim & Stuart (New Zealand)

So thank you Pim & Stuart, and thank you everyone. I've been blown away by your comments.

For more comments and reviews see here.

Update 13 - 16 May 2010

From Paul Manning and Mark Hawkes -

16 May 2010

Kalloni Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 1, Whiskered Tern, Great White Egret 2.

Mesa - Great White Egret 5, Black Stork 4.

15 May 2010

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. remaining flooded field opp works entrance) - Gull-billed Tern 2, Red-footed Falcon 3, Great White Egret 5, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Glossy Ibis 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Rufous Bush Robin 3, Short-toed Lark (in song on territory).

Anaxos - Alpine Swift 15 over offshore island.

Weather forecast overnight is for storm, rain, high winds and sea already pushed up high. Below, the Christou River estuary is already flooded.

Christou River © Paul Manning

14 May 2010

Tsiknias River - Citrine Wagtail 1.

Kalloni Saltpans area (inc. remaining flooded field opp works entrance) - Citrine Wagtail 1 (same as above), Whiskered Tern 1, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Glossy Ibis 2, White Stork 6.

Christou River - Gull-billed Tern 2.

Agiasos Sanatorium area - Kruper's Nuthatch, Komper's Orchid 12 spikes, Holmboel's Orchid.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Eleonora's Falcon 5, Goshawk displaying, Short-toed Eagle 4, Long-legged Buzzard 6.

13 May 2010

Metochi Lake - Little Bittern 2.

Tsiknias River - Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. remaining flooded field opp works entrance) - Great White Egret 5, Black Stork 2, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Glossy Ibis 4, Ruddy Shelduck 20.

12 May 2010 - Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush

My last daily update as I leave for home tomorrow. Its not been a classic year. The fine, settled weather has seen fewer falls of birds and overall lower numbers of many species. Its never been dull though, and even in high heat of this week (highest ever temps I've experienced) birds are still to be found if you go looking for them.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to the log at the Hotel Pasiphae or have texted or emailed their bird news these last three weeks. Thanks also the Hotel Pasiphae staff for their usual warm hospitality.

Ipsilou - report of a female RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH at the bottom of the roads. Icterine Warbler 1.

Alikoudi Pool - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 5, Curlew Sandpiper 6, Kentish Plover 15, Grey plover 4, Little Stint 32, Ringed Plover 1.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - male visiting nest every 10-15 minutes. Night-heron 1, Little Bittern 1.

nr Skala Vasilikon - 1st sum male Citrine Wagtail on stream c.1km east of village. Lesser Grey Shrike c.0.5km east of village.

Tsiknias River - Turnstone 6, Sanderling 6.

11 May 2010 - more Broad-billed Sandpipers

Broad-billed Sandpipers, Alikoudi Pool, 11 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Five of the six Broad-billed Sandpipers at Alikoudi Pool, 11 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Alikoudi Pool – BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 6 (Steve & Liz Dudley), Curlew Sandpiper 10, Little Stint 31, Grey Plover 3, Ringed Plover 3, Kentish Plover 18, Ruff 3, Little Egret 4, Grey Heron 1.

!! The water levels here are fine and the pool is still being fed by a stream so this pool looks good for coming days/week(s).

Kalloni Saltpans Flood – Whiskered Tern 2, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Little Stint 13, Ruff 2, Glossy Ibis 1, Squacco Heron 1, Ruddy Shelduck 14, Black Stork 1, Collared Pratincole 2.

!! Water levels dropping fast. The trackside pool is the only standing water and I suspect this will continue to drop rapidly.

Tsiknias River – Ortolan Bunting 1.

Molivos - Bee-eater 120+ over to north late pm.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2 singing males, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-backed Shrike.

Sigri Sanatorium - Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Faneromeni - Nightjar 3 churring and one seen, Rufous Bush Robin 5 singing males, Golden Oriole, Night-heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Yelkouan Shearwater 2000+ per hour, Scopoli's Shearwater 3.

Vouvaris River Mouth - Black Stork 2.

Vafios - Scops Owl 3 calling.

10 May 2010 - Black Kite and bits and bobs

Ipsilou - BLACK KITE 1 (only record this spring), Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Eleanora's Falcon 4, Wood Warbler 6+, Spotted Flycatcher 12+, Cinereous Bunting 6+, Red-footed Falcon 1, Red-backed Shrike 4, Lesser Kestrel 1, Rock Sparrow 2.

Petri - Laicona Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Honey-buzzard 1, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Aghias Taxiarchis - Olive-tree Warbler 1, Masked Shrike 2, Golden Oriole 3.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 3+, Golden Oriole 3+, Masked Shrike, Hoopoe, Sombre Tit, etc.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood) - flood drying out fast - Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 3, Little Stint 12, Wood Sandpiper 39.

Tsiknias River - Sandwich Tern 1, Bee-eater 20+, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Great Reed Warbler, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole, Great Reed Warbler 5, Bee-eater 40+.

Faneromeni - Icterine Warbler 1, Little Bittern 6+, Squacco Heron 2, Night-heron 1, Common Snipe 1, Bee-eater 30+.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Lesser Kestrel 1, Red-backed Shrike 3.

Meladia Valley - Icterine Warbler 1, Little Bittern 6+, Purple Heron 2, Peregrine 1, Wood Warbler 1, Spotted Flycatcher 20+, Red-backed Shrike 8+, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Alikoudi Pool - Curlew Sandpiper, Grey plover, Little Stint.

Petrified Forest road - Cinereous Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Northern Wheatear 3.

Napi - Northern Wheatear 1.

9 May 2010 - Richard's Pipit

Nr Sigri Old Sanatorium - RICHARD'S PIPIT 1 seen well at 0820h on coastal track between the petrified forest enclosure on headland and the sanatorium (Paul Manning, Vera Manning). No accepted records, but one record currently with HRC, so if confirmed, this will be the second record for Lesvos.

Above Mesotopos - BONELLI'S EAGLE 1, Red-footed Falcon 21, Long-legged Buzzard 3 (inc. nest), Rock Sparrows, Crag Martin, etc (Paul Manning, Vera Manning).

Kalloni Saltpans - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Whiskered Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 1, Black Tern 2.

Nr Molivos - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 2 (Robin Chittenden et al)

Vouvaris River Mouth - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 4+ singing and showing on and off at the cattle grid site, Golden Oriole 3+, Long-legged Buzzard 6+, Short-toed Eagle 1, usual Masked Shrike, Sombre Tit, Woodlark, etc. Common Swift 600+.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 2, Hobby.

Alikoudi Pool - Curlew Sandpiper 6, Little Stint 45+, Grey Plover 3, Wood Sandpiper 10+, Greater Flamingo 2.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleanora's Falcon 4, Honey-buzzard 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Common Buzzard 4, Bee-eater 60+, Common Swift 300+.

Skala Kallonis - Red-footed Falcon 1, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Napi - Little Bittern 1.

Out west - following yesterday's shower out west fall of Spotted Flycatchers and Red-backed Shrikes.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher 40+.

Meladia Valley - Lesser Grey Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Rufous Bush Robin 3, Little Bittern 5, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Spotted Flycatcher 50+, Red-backed Shrike 20+.

8 May 2010 - Eleonora's Falcons return

Kalloni Saltpans flood - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 on and off in morning but no sign late evening, Whiskered Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 1, Little Stint 70+, Ringed Plover 11, Bee-eater 10+, Rufous Bush Robin 2 in field between SW compound and hide showing very well late afternoon/evening inc. dislaying and collecting nest material.

Metochi Lake - Spotted Crake 1, Little Crake 4, Little Bittern 3, Red-footed Falcon 1.

Ipsilou - Eleonora's Falcon 6, Golden Oriole plus usual Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, etc.

Parakila Marsh - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1.

Kavaki - Eleonora' Falcon 2. Ruppell's Warbler showing well in afternoon.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleonora's Falcon 1+, Short-toed Eagle 3+, Long-legged Buzzard.

Skala Kallonis - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

North Coast - Barred Warbler 1 (no further details).

Faneromeni - Honey-buzzard 2, Sardinian Warbler 2, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Night-heron 2, Little Bittern 4.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 1, Squacco Heron 2, Little Egret 9.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 18, Great White Egret 7, Little Egret 35, Black Stork 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 2+ showing well at cattle grid site.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2prs active, one pr in tree stump beyond white building and one par above the fork/ford; Short-toed Treecreeper, Masked Shrike nest just beyond first nuthatch site and birds showing well.

Molivos - Bee-eater 50+ - other flocks of 40-50 seen across north of the island today.

7 May - Broad-billed Sandpiper

Kalloni Saltpans flood - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 on and off all day, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 1, Collared Pratincole 7, Little Stint 110+, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Ringed Plover 7, Gull-billed Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 2, Mediterranean Gull 11, Bee-eater 100+, Rufous Bush Robin 1 in SW compound, Mallard 3.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT male seen well on and off near nest site 100m north of village bridge along east side track.

Tsiknias River - Curlew Sandpiper 6, Grey Plover 2, Turnstone 2.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 5.

Faneromeni - 2 Ottoman Vipers seen very close mating! Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Little Bittern 2, Bee-eater 50+.

Nr Eresos (Meladia Valley track) - Isabelline Wheatear 2 displaying males.

Meladia Valley - poss. 2CY Caspian Gull with Yellow-leggs Gulls at river mouth (no previous Lesvos records); Tawny Pipit 1, Purple Heron 5, Icterine Warbler 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Hoopoe 2, Bee-eater 24+.

Nr Vafios - Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Hen Harrier fem, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard.

6 May 2010 - White Pelican

Airport beach - WHITE PELICAN 1 seen by those waiting for their flights home around midday (Bob Buckler et al). Also 23 Scopoli's and 6 Yelkouan Shearwaters at 6.00pm.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT still nesting c.100 m north of the village road bridge (Goldfinch stealing material from nest!). Collared Flycatcher 2, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Coot 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood opposite saltworks entrance) - Citrine Wagtail 1 (male), Gull-billed Tern 1, Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 120+, Ringed Plover 4, Collared Pratincole 4, Little Gull 1.

Faneromeni - Roller 2, Scopoli's Shearwater 2, Yelkouan Shearwaters 100+, Night-heron 1, Bee-eater max. 46, Little Egret 20+, Little Bittern 5+, Squacco Heron 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Turtle Dove 6, Red-throated Pipit 1, Golden Oriole 1, Rufous Bush Robin ('upper valley').

Meladia Valley - Golden Oriole 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Woodlark 8.

North Coast - River Warbler 1 singing, Audouin's Gull 1.

Petrified Forest road - Lesser Kestrel 12.

Skala Kallonis - Purple Heron 1, Night-heron 7, Squacco Heron 2 (all over at dusk), Barn Owl in village.

5 May 2010 - Rock Bunting reported

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - ROCK BUNTING reported at the Isabelline Wheatear lay-by. Follows belated reports of Rock Bunting at Achladeri on 2 May and near Molivos in late April.

Skala Kallonis - GREAT SNIPE 1 in culvert and field edge near bakery, Red-footed Falcon 1, Squacco Heron 10.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT pr still nesting up east track of river from village road bridge. Night-heron 31 in off sea.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood opposite saltworks entrance) - Spoonbill 4, Collared Pratincole 3, Little Gull 1, Gull-billed Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 20, Temminck's Stint 4+, Little Stint 104+, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Ringed Plover 4, Red-footed Falcon 3, Bee-eater 1, Garganey 1, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 1, Common Redshank 1, Pintail 1, Mallard 3.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Goshawk 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 3, Peregrine 1, Hobby 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Black Stork 3.

Mesa Wetlands - Montagu's Harrier 1.

Napi Valley - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler still up east side of river from river bridge by the blue container.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 5+ at the cattle grid site, Red-footed Falcon 3.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Night-heron 1.

Tsiknias River - Temminck's Stint 2, Sanderling 1.

Ipsilou - Icterine Warbler 1, Red-footed Falcon 2, Golden Oriole 2, Spotted Flycatcher 20+.

Skala Kallonis, Hotel Pasiphae garden - Collared Flycatcher 1.

Meladia Valley - Rufous Bush Robin 2, Collared Flycatcher 4, Goshawk 1, Little Bittern 7, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron, Common Redstart 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3.

Sigri - Roller, Little Bittern, Little Crake 6, Bee-eater 50+, Little Stint.

Madaros - Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Faneromeni - Collared Flycatcher 4, Roller 1. No sign of Spur-winged Plover.

North Coast - Audouin's Gull 1.

4 May 2010 - slowing down

Continuous high pressure has meant wall to wall sunshine and increasing daily temperatures. More birds have shipped out than shipped in, but there is still enough to keep us happy.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, River Warbler 1, Little Crake 3.

Skala Eresou – PENDULINE TIT still nesting c.100 nest north of the village end road bridge. park at bridge and walk up track along east side.

Sigri Fields / Faneromeni area – SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Hawfinch 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Collared Pratincole 1, Whiskered Tern 2, Purple Heron 1, Little Bittern 4, Squacco Heron 1, Bee-eater 4+, Alpine Swift 6, Yelkouan Shearwater 1000+, Scopoli's Shearwater 2, Ringed Plover 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 3 singing.

Meladia Valley – Rufous Bush Robin 2, Collared Flycatcher 4, Icterine Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 1, Redstart 1, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Little Bittern 7, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 2, Little Crake 1.

Sigri Old Sanatorium – Collared Flycatcher 1, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Woodchat Shrike 3, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Perivolis Monastery - Ortolan Bunting, Cinereous Bunting, Serin, Alpine Swifts 2, Golden Oriole, Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting, Montagu's Harrier, Short-toed Eagle 2, Goshawk 2, Black Stork.

Agios Fokas – Audouin’s Gull 1, Grey Plover 2, Turnstone 12, Ringed Plover 1, dead Leatherjacket Turtle.

Parakila Marsh - Purple Heron 10.

Hotel Pasiphae garden, Skala Kallonis - Collared Flycatcher 1.

Soumouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl still in tree by bins.

Pandeleimonas - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Common Redshank 1.

Ipsilou - Collared Flycatcher 2.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance, etc) - Garganey 2, Turnstone 1, Curlew Sandpiper 4, Ringed Plover 5.

Vouvaris River bridge - Collared Flycatcher 1, Serin 1.

Mavria (Napi Valley - to masts at top of valley) - Olive-tree Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 3, Long-legged Buzzard 4, Orphean Warbler, Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

3 May 2010 - Moustached Warbler

Sigri / Faneromeni - MOUSTACHED WARBLER 1, SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Icterine Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Bee-eater 24, Montagu's Harrier 1, Alpine Swift 3.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - report of a FINSCH'S WHEATEAR c.0.75km south of the sanatorium.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - still nesting c.100m north of village end road bridge. Little Crake 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 7.

Tsiknias River - GREAT SNIPE 1 (between main road bridge and first rough rough ford to south), Marsh Warbler (near Great Snipe), Temminck's Stint 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance) - GREAT SNIPE 1, White-winged Black Tern 45+, Whiskered Tern 35+, Sanderling 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Little Stint 80+.

Meladia Valley - River Warbler 2, Savi's Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Little Bittern 5, Purple Heron 3, Squacco Heron 6, Red-backed Shrike 20.

Christou River - Quail 1, Stone-curlew 2.

Potamia Valley - Night-heron 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Eleanora's Falcon 3.

Nr Eresos - Roller.

Lardia Valley - Golden Oriole, Goshawk, Alpine Swift 3.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Eleanora's Falcon 3, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 1, Lesser Kestrel 1.

Perasma - White-winged Black Tern 1, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Squacco Heron 3, Alpine Swift 11.

2 May 2010 - Black-winged Pratincole

Baillon's Crake, Metochi Lake, 2 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Lotzaria - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2 (near Tsiknias River mouth) (MO)

Faneromeni - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (MO), Night-heron 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 2, Bee-eater 70, Little Crake 1.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood opposite the saltworks entrance) - BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE 1 (Heatherlea group), CATTLE EGRET 1 (MO) (4 reported Mesa yday), GREAT SNIPE 1 (MO), Rufous Bush Robin 1 (compound in SW corner), Gull-billed Tern 5, Grey Plover 1, Turnstone 1, Bee-eater 1, Sandwich Tern 1, Pintail.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (MO), Little Crake 5, Little Bittern 7, Night-heron 1,

Agra - Sideras - LANNER 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Eleanora's Falcon 3, Cinereous Bunting 5+.

Efthalou - Skala Sikaminias - Red-breasted Merganser (good spring record), Honey-buzzard, Orphean Warbler, Long-legged Buzzard, Woodpigeon (good spring record).

Meladia Valley - Red-breasted Flycatcher female at chapel.

Kavaki - Eleanora's Falcon 2, Ruppell's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blue Rock-thrush.

Ipsilou - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Red-footed Falcon 5, Wood Warbler 5.

Sideras - Eleanora's Falcon 3.

Soumouria (Kalloni Soccer Mini Pitch) - Scops Owl 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Spoonbill 11 to north, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 3, Red-footed Falcon 1, Goshawk.

Perasma - Eleanora's Falcon 2, Ruddy Shelduck 5, Hobby.

Petri - Kalloni - Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Pandeleimonas (pools east of Eresos) - Roller 1, Little Crake 1 (Little Bittern 1 dead on road).

1 May 2010 - Semi-collared Flys

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male (photo - Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd), RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH 1 (Jeff & Helen Bailey), Levant Sparrowhawk male, Honey-buzzard 4+, Lesser Kestrel 20+, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 4, Collared Flycatcher 4, Icterine Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 10, Wood Warbler 30+, Cinereous Bunting 11+, Wood Nuthatch 1, Black-headed Bunting 3.

Meladia Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 female (John Glendinning & Jon Burton), Rufous Bush Robin 1, Pallid Harrier 1 (2CY male), Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shike 2, Red-backed Shrike 100+, Woodchat Shrike 10, Common Kingfisher 1, Cinereous Bunting 3, Golden Oriole 10, Lesser Kestrel 1, Orphean Warbler 2, Woodpigeon 1 (good record!), Serin 1, Common Cuckoo 3.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (MO), Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 4, Purple Heron 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - LANNER 1 (Dave & Jackie Nurney, Steve Chalmers), Eleanora's Falcon 1, Goshawk 1.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still at nest c. 100m north of the village end road bridge up the east track. Little Bittern 5, Common Kingfisher 1, Purple Heron 4, Squacco Heron 4.

Sigri Fields / Faneromeni area - GREAT SNIPE 1 (photo), Roller 1, Citrine Wagtail 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temmick's Stint, White-winged Black Tern 40, Whiskered Tern 10, Red-backed Shrike 10, Masked Shrike 2, Little Bittern 1, Garganey 1, Bee-eater 30+.

Nr Eresos - Marsh Warbler 1, Little Bittern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans / Tsiknias River - Rufous Bush Robin 1 (compound in SW corner), Mediterranean Gull 7, Collared Pratincole 3, Red-throated Pipit 4, Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 8.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Red-footed Falcon 27, Lesser Kestrel 1, Isabelline Wheatear 5+.

Agra - Mesotopos - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Isabelline Wheatear 2, Orphean Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 4, Cinereous Bunting 2.

Skalochori to Filia - Roller 1.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler - still performing - DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES - they private fields. The birds are seen regularly from the track if you stay out of the fields. Entering the fields will not help!