30 April 2011 - Bonelli's Eagle and tern fest!

Purple Herons, Metochi Lake. Recent days have seen small flocks heading north over the island. These birds were part of a flock of 11 seen coming in from the south and then circling the lake before attracting three birds up from the lake area and all the birds then heading off together to the north. Another three birds were seen leaving the lake to the north too © Steve Dudley

Warm and sunny - Lesvos back to normal!

Slightly more birds around today with what appears to be a new arrival of flycatchers in the west. Bee-eaters and Red-backed Shrikes still thin on the ground but trickling in. Despite reports, still no bush robins actually on territory and where now are the lesser Grey Shrikes? What a topsy-turvy year this is.

Late news - 2 Laughing Doves reported in Loutra 29 April. No further details (one previous record May 1994).

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas are being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Environment Centre - please visit the centre. Apart from fascinating displays about the Kalloni area and its wildlife, geology etc, they need our support. The centre is on the edge of Skala Kallonis. Walk down the side of the bakery by the mini soccer pitch, along the the track with the channel on your left and houses on your right towards the Tsiknias River. The centre is the last building (pink - you cant miss it!). Only a small sign on the gate (the main sign blew away in the winter!). Open hours are 0900-1300 and 1800-2100. Thanks.

North of Mesotopos - BONELLI'S EAGLE adult or nr adult. Seen in the same area last year and late news of a bird over Lardia Valley (nr Vatousa) around the 19 April, suggests there may well be a pair in the Vatousa area which shoulk be looked for when in the Vatousa area.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Levant Sparrowhawk male, Eleonora's Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 2m 1f, Goshawk 1, Hobby 1, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, European Sparrowhawk, Peregrine.

Kalloni Saltpans (east side) - Caspian Tern 1, Black Tern 10, Whiskered Tern 30, White-winged Black Tern 15, Gull-billed Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 5, Slender-billed Gull 8, Mediterranean Gull 18, Spotted Redshank 4, Grey Plover 8, Shoveler 5 (4m, 1f), Glossy Ibis 27, Greater Flamingo 1080, Temminck's Stint 3.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Citrine Wagtail 2CY male (pool closed to village).

Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler (1 at barrier site below Mavria - park carefully and tale care on this road), Hobby 1, Masked Shrike (many), Golden Oriole.

Makara - Barred Warbler 1, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Little Gull 1, Scopoli's Shearwater 3, Yelkouan Shearwater 1000+.

Metochi Lake - Purple Heron 17, Little Bittern 3, Night-heron 2, Squacco Heron, Little Crake 5+, Golden Oriole 1, Savi's Warbler.

Ipsilou - Red-footed Falcon 1, Collared Flycatcher 5, Wood Warbler 2, Cinereous Bunting and Isabelline Wheatear.

Sigri / Faneromeni - Barred Warbler 5, Icterine Warbler 2, Montagu's Harrier male, Red-footed Falcon 1, Collared Flycatcher 15, Pied Flycatcher 10, Spotted Flycatcher 20, Whinchat 50, Wood Warbler 3, Golden Oriole 2, Red-backed Shrike 1, Tree Pipit, Bee-eater, Short-toed Lark 8, Black-headed Bunting (many).

Kavaki - Barred Warbler 2, Ruppell's Warbler.

Skala Sikaminias - Audouin's Gull 1, Scopoli's Shearwater 1, Yalkouan Shearwater.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - Icterine Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Quail 2, Night-heron 1.

Almyropotamos River (nr Polichnitos pans) - Golden Oriole 20, Red-backed Shrike 1, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 2.

Meladia Valley - Icterine Warbler 3, Golden Oriole 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Wood Warbler, Tawny Pipit 1, Rock Sparrow 1, Purple Heron 7.

Aghios Ioannis - Montagu's Harrier male.

Soumouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 1 - in tree to right of taverna - blue plastic bag under stone at base of tree - look up right hand side of tree, bird is difficult to see behind leaves.

29 April 2011 - Imperial Eagle

Little Bittern, Tsiknias River. Very few seen up until the last few days but more birds now coming in © Steve Dudley

Back to more settled weather with the early morning low cloud soon lifting to give a pleasantly warm day of sun and scattered cloud for most areas.

The large hirundine movement of recent days continued, with more Common and Alpine Swifts also seen today. The west continued to prove fruitful, but Polichnitos Saltpans have eventually started to deliver. Still very few Red-backed Shrikes, Bee-eaters, no Lesser Grey Shrikes, but the first Roller!

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas are being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Environment Centre - please visit the centre. Apart from fascinating displays about the Kalloni area and its wildlife, geology etc, they need our support. The centre is on the edge of Skala Kallonis. Walk down the side of the bakery by the mini soccer pitch, along the the track with the channel on your left and houses on your right towards the Tsiknias River. The centre is the last building (pink - you cant miss it!). Only a small sign on the gate (the main sign blew away in the winter!). Open hours are 0900-1300 and 1800-2100. Thanks.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - IMPERIAL EAGLE sub-adult at c. 1050 (also seen Metochi area 1105), Levant Sparrowhawk male.

Metochi Lake - IMPERIAL EAGLE sub-adult at c. 1105 (also seen Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint 1050), Little Crake 2, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Nr (few km in hills south of) Vatousa - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Honey-buzzardmale, Goshawk 2, Short-toed Eagle 6+, Long-legged Buzzard 6+, Lesser Kestrel 2, Black Stork 1, Barred Warbler male.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Nightjar 1.

Skala Eresou - Wryneck 1.

Ipsilou - Black Kite 2.

Christou (Kamares) River - Slender-billed Gull 1, Caspian Tern 1, Little Bittern, Red-throated Pipit 1, Marsh Harrier 1.

Skala Kallonis - Village Eleonora's Falcon 1, Hobby 1. Pool Squacco Heron 5, Little Bittern 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans area - Roller 1, Citrine Wagtail male, Honey-buzzard male, Red-footed Falcon 5, Hobby 1, Montagu's Harrier fem, Hen Harrier fem, Bee-eater 10, Spoonbill 1, Golden Oriole 19, Icterine Warbler 1, Garden Warbler 3, Wood Warbler 40, Red-backed Shrike 1, Black-headed Bunting 29, Common Kingfisher 1, Common Redshank 2 (also Spur-thighed Tortoise, Glass Snake and Ottoman Viper).

Sigri Fields - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Icterine Warbler 4, Barred Warbler 3, Collared Flycatcher 4, Pied Flycatcher 15, Lesser Kestrel 18, Montagu's Harrier male.

Tsiknias River - Mediterranean Gull 2, Red-footed Falcon 3, Little Bittern 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Whimbrel 1, Eurasian Curlew 1, Masked Shrike 1.

Skala Vasilikon - Purple Heron 1, Short-toed Lark 16, Tawny Pipit 1.

Alikoudi Pool - Garganey 1.

Lotzaria - Whiskered Tern 40, Collared Pratincole 20.

Maledia Valley - Red-backed Shrike 2, Icterine Warbler 2.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch one pr up in wood to left of original nest stump, Golden Oriole 2, Wood Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Pied Flycatcher 3.

28 April 2011 - Ring Ouzel (again) and more birds!

Night-herons, Tsiknias River. 14 fresh arrivals to join the six already in-situ © Steve Dudley

Another night of rain gave way to a damp morning. Things soon improved with blue sky being sighted by mid-morning and glorious full sunshine by noon. A few scattered showers in the centre, but more rain in the west and east, but I recorded 30C in the hills above Haramida this afternoon and looking across the Gulf of Gera couldn't even see Mt Olympus due to the sheet rain coming down over there!

A distinct increase in migrants this morning. A large hirundine movement in many areas, lost of warblers fresh in, Golden Orioles, more Black-headed Buntings and a few Bee-eaters. Where are the Red-backed Shrikes?

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas are being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Environment Centre - please visit the centre. Apart from fascinating displays about the Kalloni area and its wildlife, geology etc, they need our support. The centre is on the edge of Skala Kallonis. Walk down the side of the bakery by the mini soccer pitch, along the the track with the channel on your left and houses on your right towards the Tsiknias River. The centre is the last building (pink - you cant miss it!). Only a small sign on the gate (the main sign blew away in the winter!). Open hours are 0900-1300 and 1800-2100. Thanks.

Ipsilou - RING OUZEL 1, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 6.

Haramida - River Warbler 1, Barred Warbler 2, Savi's Warbler 2. Vegetation here too tall to see the pools I could see form the hills above here!

Metochi Lake - Wryneck 1, Little Crake 4.

Perasma Reservoir - Ortolan Bunting 2, Black-headed Bunting 5, Purple Heron 2.

Sigri and faneromeni area - Great Bittern 1, Spotted Crake 1, Osprey 1, Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 1, small numbers of Bee-eaters and Golden Orioles, Icterine Warbler 2, Barred Warbler 4, Garden Warbler 1 (5 there yday), Ortolan Bunting 4, Collared Pratincole 4, Sardinian Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 3, Lesser Kestrel 38 (in one tree), Stone-curlew, Black-headed Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Wood Warblers and large numbers of warblers and flycatchers, Montagu's Harrier, 'yellow' wgtails (hundreds inc. 1 cinereocapilla), Red-throated Pipits, Tawny Pipits, Short-toed Larks, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 1, Water Rail. Old Sanatorium Ortolan Bunting 4, Black-headed Bunting 40, Tawny Pipit 2, Quail 1.

Platania Valley - Honey-buzzard 2, Hobby 1, Masked Shrike 5, Barred Warbler 2.

Christou (Kamares) River - Slender-billed Gull 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Turnstone 1, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Black-haed Gull 10, Gull-billed Tern 1, Purple Heron 13, Goshawk 1.

Apothika to Maraka - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Red-backed Shrike, Purple Heron 3, Night-heron 2, Lesser Kestrel 6, Wood Warbler 1.

Tsiknias River - Night-heron 22 (inc. 14 birds seen arriving), Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 2, Red-footed Falcon 35, Lesser Kestrel 1, Black-headed Bunting 8+, Short-toed Lark, Marsh Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 1. fuscus Reed Warbler? See below.

Hills inland of Haramida - Barred Warbler 3, large numbers of Cretzschmar's Buntings, Sardinian Warblers and Black-eared Wheatears.

Skala Kallonis - Hotel Pasiphae Barred Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2+, Black-headed Bunting, Blue Rock-thrush.

Kalloni Saltpans - Collared Pratincole 40+ hawking fields late morning; Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Black-tailed Godwit 1, White-winged Black Tern, Whiskered Tern.

Kalami Marsh - Glossy Ibis 80+.

Sourmouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 2.

fuscus Reed Warbler? Tsiknias River. Reed Warblers are very variable on here and this bird shows just how white and cold birds can be. To me this looks like a fuscus-type but without catching them, who knows? © Steve Dudley

27 April 2011 - Penduline Tit and rain (lots!)

First, an apology for all those missing pictures from this beautiful island! I'm sorry, but I don't have time to take many photos when I am working with groups, and I don't have time in the evenings to process those I do take and prepare for the web. It gets tiring working days from 0615-0030h most days! Also, no one sends me any photos either! So here is a photo of a very obliging Black Stork at the Kalloni Saltpans taken this evening. Photo © Steve Dudley

Following a thunderous night with torrential rain, today was cool with very low cloud and rain most of the day, sometimes torrential.

Unfortunately, the expected mass downing of migrants with the rain didn't happen. The central area was very, very quiet but the west faired a little better with more Black-headed Buntings, Hoopoes and Red-back-shrikes (the first now belatedly reported for yesterday). Still waiting for Bee-eaters and many go home tomorrow afternoon! Flycatcher numbers greatly down and first day for some time that no Semi-collared Flys have been reported (see here).

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Complaints - alas, more complaints about several photographers who appear to care very little for the birds, their habitats and the rest of us on the island. More reports of fences being climbed, entering areas where they shouldn't be, harassing tired pratincoles, blocking tracks with their cars - I could go on. Lets hope these individuals are going home tomorrow and fingers crossed we don't get any more like them next week. Its not just photographers, one minibus of birders were seen walking through fields to view one pool in Lotzaria, going where they shouldn't be and flushing birds from the pool in the process. There's little we can do other than make our feelings plain and hope they won't continue their bad habits.

What many may not realise is that many of these areas are protected sites (Natura 2000 sites). Hunting has recently been banned here and the hunters are less than happy and are looking at excuses to prove that birders and photographers do as much disturbance as they do and because of this they should be allowed to resume their hunting. Please don't be ignorant enough to give them the ammunition they need to press their case for resumption of hunting.

Environment Centre - please visit the centre. Apart from fascinating displays about the Kalloni area and its wildlife, geology etc, they need our support. The centre is on the edge of Skala Kallonis. Walk down the side of the bakery by the mini soccer pitch, along the the track with the channel on your left and houses on your right towards the Tsiknias River. The centre is the last building (pink - you cant miss it!). Only a small sign on the gate (the main sign blew away in the winter!). Open hours are 0900-1300 and 1800-2100. Thanks.

To the birds!

Tsiknias River - PENDULINE TIT fem (opposite the canopy at river mouth), Little Bittern 3, Night-heron 3, Whiskered Tern 2, Grey Plover 6, Whimbrel 1, Eurasian Curlew 1, Golden Oriole 1, Bee-eater 1, Hen Harrier 1.

Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler pr present at the barrier site below Mavria. Please park sensibly in this area and take care when viewing the site from the road by the barriers.

Upper Tsiknias River - Eleonora's falcon 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Black-headed Bunting.

Mesa Wetlands - Ortolan Bunting 2, Tawny Pipit 4.

Faneromeni - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Black Kite 1, Red-backed Shrike 2, Black-headed Bunting.

Meladia Valley - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1 (nr small chapel at Eresos end of track).

Sigri Old Sanatorium - Black-headed Bunting 15.

Kalloni Saltpans (and area) - Barred Warbler 1 (by south hide), Whiskered Tern 86, White-winged Black Tern 30+, Gull-billed Tern 1, Red-footed Falcon 2 males, Teminck's Stint 3, Little Stint 130, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Ruddy Shelduck 35. Alykes Wetlands Pallid Harrier 1, Red-throated Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 2, Ruff 100+.

Lotzaria - Red-footed Falcon male, Curlew Sandpiper 7, Dunlin 66.

Parakoila Marsh - Little Bittern male.

Makara - Squacco Heron 1, Lesser Kestrel 3, Alpine Swift 6 (around Garbias Island). Sadly, the beach pool has been completely filled in here.

Kalami Marsh - Glossy Ibis 90+, Purple Heron 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 5, Little Bittern 2, Golden Oriole 1, Masked Shrike 1.

Achladeri - confirmation that the pr nr the white building have deserted the stump used for the last three years. Birds still present in the forest here. Short-toed Treecreeper, Red-backed Shrike 1, Masked Shrike 8 (between Achladeri and Vouvaris River).

Soumouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl 1 in tree by green wheelie bin.

26 April 2011 - Lesser Spotted Eagles

Wryneck, Faneromeni. One of at least five found this spring, this bird fed out in the open in a freshly ploughed (with hundreds of other birds) for several hours and was enjoyed by manor birders - the first mass-viewed Wryneck on Lesvos © Steve Dudley

Warm and sunny for most part, with some cloud cover during the afternoon leading to spots of rain ut past erly evening.

Black-headed Buntings at least appear to be reading the script and more birds seen today (inc. one flock of 25) Bee-eaters tomorrow? A single field in Faneromeni fields (along the beach road) held a staggering amount of birds (25+ species seen in or over it) including over 1000 flava wagtails, a very obliging Wryneck (feeing in the open field for several hours). See below for more details.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Collared Pratincoles - there are lots of reports of exhausted birds (birds falling over, birds with pronounced sternums, etc). Please do not harass any birds, this is aimed especially to photographers who were observed climbing fences and entering fields around the saltpans today and stalking one exhausted individual.

Tsiknias River - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 2, Common Kingfisher 1, Night-heron 6, Purple Heron 3, Montagu's Harrier 1, Pallid Swift 1, Black-headed Bunting 1, Stone-curlew 3.

Metochi area - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 3, BLACK KITE 1, Black-headed Bunting 2, Little Crake 8, Water Rail 1, Little Bittern 2, Night-heron 2, Common Starling (breeding).

Skala Kallonis Pool - BLACK KITE 1, Eleonora's Falcon 1, Great Bittern, Squacco Heron 1.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Barred Warbler 1, Gull-billed Tern 10 (seen earlier in Meladia Valley), Lesser Kestrel 3.

Ipsilou - THRUSH NIGHTINGALE 1, Marsh Warbler 1, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Wood Warbler 2, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. Still lots of flycatchers, many Nightingales feeding in open areas. No bush-robins!

Polichnitos Saltpans - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Red-footed Falcon 13.

Lardia Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 on territory.

Faneromeni - beach road Wryneck 1, Rufous Bush-robin 1, Yellow Wagtail 1000+ (inc. flava,feldegg and thunbergi) Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 4, Northern Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Nightingale, Great Reed Warbler, White-winged Black Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 4, Purple Heron 1, Collared Pratincole 3. Lower Ford Little Crake 4, Green Sandpiper. Upper Ford Little Bittern 1, Black-headed Bunting 30+ (inc. flock of 25), Lesser Kestrel 34 (in one tree!).

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush-robin 1 in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans; Collared Pratincole 36, Red-footed Falcon 5, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 150, Dunlin 1, Curlew Sandpiper 16, White-winged Black Tern 30, Whiskered Tern 42, Temminck's Stint 3, Eurasian Curlew 1, Common Greenshank. Alykes Wetlands Stone-curlew 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Red-throated Pipit 15, Tawny Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 30, Ruff 300, Black-tailed Godwit 5, Montagu's Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 2, Purple Heron 3, Alpine Swift 10. Barn Swallowtransitiva 1 (none accepted to Greek List - same bird reported yesterday).

Molivos - Nightjar (on beach), Sandwich Tern, Short-eared Owl, Bee-eater, Masked Shrike.

Aghios Ioannis - Ortolan Bunting 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1.

Parakoila Marsh - Great Bittern 1.

Pandeleimonas Pools (nr Eresos) - Honey-buzzard 1, Barred Warbler male, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 1.

Sigri - estuary inlet Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 1. Fields Golden Oriole 10, Hoopoe 5, lots of flycatchers still.

Lotzaria - Montagu's Harrier fem.

Meladia Valley - Red-backed Shrike male (first of year), Ortolan Bunting 1, Black-headed Bunting 2, Gull-billed Tern 10 (seen later at Sigri Old Sanatorium), Rock Sparrow (pr feeding young at 'old Rock Nuthatch nest' - yes I know, there are several in the valley!), Tawny Pipit 2.

Perasma - Black-headed Bunting 1, Audouin's Gull 1.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - the pr at the stump tree nr the white building appear to have deserted the site. If you know different please let me know.

Agiasos - Kruper's Nuthatch 7 males on territory. Chiffchaff on territory.

25 April 2011 - Booted Eagle and Cattle Egret

Wood Sandpiper, Tsiknias River. Common at most freshwater wetlands again this year © Steve Dudley

Another sunny day. Warm in the centre of the island, but bitterly cold out west.

After a trickle of Black-headed Buntings, Bee-eaters and other species in recent days, the expected rush of migrants hasn't happened yet. Hopefully tomorrow. Those leaving on Thursday are running out of time!

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Collared Pratincoles - there are lots of reports of exhausted birds (birds falling over, birds with pronounced sternums, etc). Please do not harass any birds, this is aimed especially to photographers who were observed climbing fences and entering fields around the saltpans today and stalking one exhausted individual.

Kramastes Bridge - BOOTED EAGLE 1 (dark phase).

'nr Kalloni' - CATTLE EGRET 1 in sheep fields (sorry, no further info), Mallard with 6 ducklings (first confirmed breeding?).

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Wood Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, etc.

Kalloni Saltpans (and surrounding fields and wetlands) - Fan-tailed Warbler 1, Collared Pratincole 45+, Slender-billed Gull 3, Spoonbill 1, White-winged Black Tern 8, Whiskered Tern 4, Temminck's Stint 1, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Grey Plover 5, Eurasian Curlew 1, Whimbrel 1, Water Pipit (reported on main road pool), Glossy Ibis 100+, Ruff 250+, Short-toed Lark 6, Red-throated Pipit 6.

Faneromeni - Pallid Harrier 1, Golden Oriole 1, Little Crake 3, White-winged Black Tern 3, Woodchat Shrike 10+, Savi's Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 5+, Masked Shrike 2, Hoopoe 2, Turtle Dove 20+, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 10, Squacco Heron 2.

Sigri Old Sanatorium to Meladia Chapel - Ortolan Bunting 1, Masked Shrike 2, Woodchat Shrike 20+, Wood Warbler 1, Tawy Pipit 3, Lesser Kestrel 2.

Bandstand above Sigri - Ortolan Bunting 2, Cinereous Bunting 1, Lesser Kestrel 5.

Meladia Valley - Montagu's Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Woodchat Shrike 8.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler (2 prs active), Blue Rock-thrush, Peregrine,Crag Martin.

Aghios Ioannis - Alpine Swift, Cinereous and Cretztschmar's Buntings, Golden Oriole.

Lotzaria Pool - Spotted Redshank 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Red-footed Falcon fem, Short-toed Eagle 6, Black Stork 1.

Tsiknias River - Night-heron 6, Little Bittern 2, Purple Heron 1, Hen Harrier fem, Hobby 1.

24 April 2011 - Finsch's Wheatear & Calandra Lark

Scops Owl, Soumouria. One of three birds found at the traditional 'Scops Copse' Site © Steve Dudley

Another day of wall to wall sunshine with only a light northerly wind for company. A couple of very rare finds (Finsch's Wheatear and Calandra Lark), and still lots of flycatchers around, especially in the west, and new birds arriving including the first wave of Black-headed Buntings.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

FINSCH'S WHEATEAR - an adult male was found today at 1055h on the approach to Ipsilou. The bird was on the hillside in the last of the Isabelline Wheatear lay-bys at Vigla (above the Eresos road juntion). It was seen by four birders briefly but lost on the open hillside. If accepted this will be the third record for Lesvos and Greece.

Kalloni Saltpans (and surrounding fields and wetlands) - CALANDRA LARK 1 at 0945h (by beach cafe when flew in to fields towards Tsiknias River), Black-headed Bunting 1 at 0830h,Honey-buzzard 1, Montagu's Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 2, White-winged Black Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 29, Purple Heron 1, Spoonbill 1, Gull-billed Tern 52, Pallid Swift 1, Alpine Swift 20, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 30, Dunlin 1, Oystercatcher 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 2 (?), Mediterranean Gull 3, Red-throated Pipit. East track Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Whiskered Tern 3, Slender-billed Gull 1. Pool on main road by turn to pans Citrine Wagtail 1, Water Pipit 1, Temminck's Stint 1. On sea Black-necked Grebe 2.

Tsiknias River - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Audouin's Gull (at mouth), Little Bittern 2, Purple Heron 4, Squacco Heron 4, Common Kingfisher 2.

Konditsia Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Lesser Kestrel 22, Montagu's Harrier fem, Cinereous Bunting 4.

Napi Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1.

Sigri/Faneromeni - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Barred Warbler 2, Bee-eater 6, Little Bittern 4, Night-heron 1, Little Crake, 1 Purple Heron 3, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail 1, Whisker Tern 1, Pallid Harrier fem, Hen Harrier fem, Common Cuckoo 3, lots of Collared Flys, Woodchats and Turtle Doves; Yelkouan and Scopoli's Shearwaters offshore.

Meladia Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Barred Warbler 2, Purple Heron 1, Hen Harrier fem, Marsh Harrier male, Woodchat (lots).

Pithariou Reservoir - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Purple Heron 1, Little Bittern 1.

Skala Eresou - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (since 22/4), Collared Pratincole 3.

Ipsilou - Ring Ouzel fem (since 22/4), Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1.

Agra Towers - Wryneck 1.

Lardia - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 (singing c.50m west of layby with wooden gate).

Christou (Kamares) River - Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Fan-tailed Warbler 1, Pallid Swift 1, Slender-billed Gull 3.

Skala Kallonis - Black-headed Bunting 1. Hotel Pasiphae Gargeney 2 (on pool behind hotel), Long-eared Owl 1. Beach Mediterranean Gull 2. Pool Savi's Warbler 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting, Common Cuckoo.

Vigla (Isabelline Wheatear lay-bys) - Ortolan Bunting 2, Cinereous and Cretzschmar's Buntings.

Kavaki - Barred Warbler 1, Rufous Bush-robin, Ruppell's Warbler, Blue Rock-thrush.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 10, Purple Heron 1, Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 1, Hen Harrier 1, Common Starling 2.

Lotzaria - Marsh Sandpiper 5, Spotted Redshank 2, Curlew Sandpiper 7, Dunlin 73, Little Stint 120, Greenshank 4, White-winged Black Tern 11, Stone-curlew 1 (plus Spur-thighed Tortoise - first reported of the year).

Efthalou - Golden Oriole 1, Yelkouan and Scopoli's Shearwaters.

Perasma - Ruddy Shelduck 2.

Makara - Purple Heron 8 (flock), Little Bittern 1, Lesser Kestrel, Alpine Swift, Little Stint.

Late news for yesterday -

BLUETHROAT (second record for island) and Black-headed Bunting at Upper Tsiknias River.

23 April 2011 - Dalmatian Pelican

Wall to wall sunshine for second day running! Very warm with light cool north-easterly wind, so everyone smiling in the sun and many red faces at the end of the day!

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

DALMATIAN PELICAN - an adult was found yday at 1700h at the Polichnitos Saltpans (only heard about this late today). This morning around 0800h what we presume to be the same bird was sat in the middle of Kalloni Saltpans but couldn't be relocated between 0830-0930. At 1010 it was seen circling over a hill just to the west of Tsiknias River road bridge slowly drifting north. At 1050 it was then seen high over Platania heading north.

Skala Kallonis - Hotel Pasiphae SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Golden Oriole 1, Long-eared Owl 2, Night-heron 1, Collared Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit. Beach Little Gull 1. Pool Great Bittern 1, Savis' Warbler 1, Little Crake 1, Purple Heron 3, Common Snipe 2, Great Reed Warbler.

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER m&f, Collared Flycatcher 20, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Black Redstart 2, Common Redstart 4.

Achladeri - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Ortolan Bunting 1.

Sideras - BLACK KITE 1, Rock Sparrow.

Christou River - Slender-billed Gull 2CY.

Meladia Valley - Marsh Warbler 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Hen Harrier 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Citrine Wagtail 3 (2m, 1f - all roadside pool opp turn down west side of pans), Red-footed Falcon fem.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Ortolan Bunting 1, Isabelline Wheatear 4.

Platania - Ortolan Bunting 1, Barred Warbler, fem.

Perasma Reservoir - River Warbler 1, Audouin's Gull 3 2CYs, Mediterranean Gull 1, Ruddy Shelduck 2.

Vergias (Chalandra) River - Collared Pratincole 5, Short-toed Lark 3.

Agiasos - Siskin singing on territory! Kruper's Nuthatch 2 (nr sanatorium).

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 9, Purple Heron 5, Little Bittern 2, Squacco Heron 4, Savi's Warbler 1.

Potamia Valley - Little Bittern 1, Collared Flycatcher, Masked Shrike.

Sigri/Faneromeni - Barred Warbler (nr chapel), Golden Oriole 1, Little Bittern 2, Collared Flycatchers.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 3+ males now showing well on and off, Red-footed Falcon 1.

Parakila Marsh - Golden Oriole 2.

Aghios Ioannis - Golden Oriole 3.

Agra - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1.

22 April 2011 - Ring Ouzel steals the day

Wall to wall sunshine! Very warm but tempered by the cool north-easterly wind. Some small pools immediately starting to evaporate with all-day sun!

Two clear nights has seen a considerable clear out of warblers and flycatchers in particular. Still some Collared and Pied Flys around, and at least one Semi-collared remains.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Ipsilou - RING OUZEL female.

Vouvaris River area - RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK-THRUSH male (reported to be on wires 1.5km north of Achladeri which equals the fields near Vouvaris River bridge), Kruper's Nuthatch 2, Serin 3.

Kalloni Raptor Saltpans - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (in pans just in from saltworks entrance), Citrine Wagtail male, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1, Glossy Ibis 110+, Temminck's Stint 3, Gull-billed Tern 40, Little Stint 20, Dunlin 1, Hen Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1. Alykes Wetlands Short-toed Lark 8, Red-throated Pipit 3, Tawny Pipit 2.

Achladeri - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male in pines and on wires opp white building with Collared and Pied Flys; Wood Warbler 5, Masked Shrike.

Dipi Larisos Reedbed - FAN-TAILED WARBLER 1.

Lotzaria beach pools - Collared Pratincole 20+, Spotted Redshank 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Dunlin 2, Marsh Sandpiper 5, Little Stint 45, Greenshank 2, Quail 1, Chukar 1.

Christou River - Slender-billed Gull 2, Caspian Tern 1, Red-throated Pipit 2, Gull-billed Tern 17, Squacco Heron 3, Meadow Pipit, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 7, Purple Heron 3, Squacco Heron 3, Night-heron 1, Little Bittern 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Savi's Warbler 2.

Potamia Valley - Ortolan Bunting 2, Collared Flycatcher 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2.

Molivos - Merlin 1.

Tsiknias River - Savi's Warbler 2, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.

Kalami Marsh - White-winged Black Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 1, Little Crake fem.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler showing well, Orphean Warbler, many flocks of migrating Spanish Sparrows.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Garganey (on pool behind hotel), Long-eared Owl pr calling behind hotel.

Napi Valley - Red-footed Falcon 3.

Efthalou - Scopoli's Sherwater 8, Yelkouan Sherwater 80.

Dimitrios - Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 1, Wood Warbler 2.

21 April 2011 - sun sighted over Lesvos!

After a week of grey skies the sun burst out in full glory. Shame about the northerly gale though, took the temperature right back down.

Sun does mean more warmth and that means raptors, and several new birds seen today.

Changeover day here with the first week folk departing and even more arriving. Hopefully more eyes will mean even more birds found.

A clear clear out of warblers in the west, but the island still dripping with flycatchers.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1, Pallid Harrier fem.

Skala Kallonis – Hotel Pasphae SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 fem, Thrush Nightingale 1, Great Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 2, Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit 2, plus other flycatchers and warblers. Long-eared Owl - pr calling at back of hotel most nights.

Potamia Valley – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2 singing; small reservoir west of track (not the main reservoir east of track) Savi's Warbler 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 2, Little Crake 1.

Metochi Lake – Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Little Crake 8, Savi's Warbler.

Kalloni Saltpans – Collared Pratincole 38 (some in poor condition (pronounced sternumshowing)please try not to flush them), Gull-billed Tern 11, Whiskered Tern 11, Temminck's Stint 3, Little Stint 31, Marsh Sandpiper 8, Black-tailed Godwit 8, Greenshank 10, Montagu's Harrier fem, Marsh Harrier 3, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 2, Tawny Pipit 2, Glossy Ibis 170+.

Dipi Larisos Reedbed – Fan-tailed Warbler 1, Black-tailed Godwit 2.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) – Ortolan Bunting 2, Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, Tree Pipit.

Faneromeni – Ortolan Bunting 2, Red-footed Falcon male, Barred Warbler 1, Purple Heron 1, Common Redstart 6, Masked Shrike, Montagu's Harrier 1, Short-toed Eagle; Rufous Bush-robin reported from Upper Fields. Apart from flycatchers, a general clear-out of warblers and other migrants.

Ipsilou – Eleonora's Falcon 1.

Meladia Valley – Great Spotted Cuckoo 1, Rufous Bush-robin 2, Collared Pratincole 1 (looking ill), Purple Heron 2, Tawny Pipit 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Lesser Kestrel 1.

Sigri Fields – Squacoo Heron 3, Red-throated Pipit 1.

Off Airport – Scopoli's and Yelkouan Shearwaters showing well mid-afternoon.

Kalami Marsh – White-winged Black Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 1, Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 1, Little Crake 1.

20 April 2011 - Another Spectacled Warbler

Cold and windy with torrential rain in the west for most of the day and scattered showers elsewhere. Low of 5C plus windchill – still very cold! But the sun did come out this evening - fingers crossed it comes out tomorrow.

Still lots of passerine migrants inc. Collared Flycatcher, Orphean Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Blackcap

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Konditsia valley – SPECTACLED WARBLER male, SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Thrush Nightingale1, Barred Warbler 1, plus lots of migrants.

Skala Kallonis – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 fems, Whiskered Tern (pool), Common Kingfisher (Environmental Centre), Night-heron (over Hotel Pasiphae).

Achladeri – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Collared Flycatcher 2+, Kruper's Nuthatch pr using the shattered stump on left just up from the white building. Bee-eater 6.

Dimitrios - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Collared Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Wagtail, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Robi, Crag Martin, Serin.

Lambou Mill – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 (m&f), Collared Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart.

Metochi Lake – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Savi’s Warbler 2+, Little Crake 9, Night-heron 3, Purple Heron 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull (with Yellow-legged Gulls in field between lake Christou River).

Faneromeni – SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (on road to beach). Wryneck (up track on right before upper ford) Fords Citrine Wagtail 3 (2 males and one fem – upper), Little Crake 2 (lower), Little Bittern 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Green Sandpiper 1, plus many common migrants.

Sigri – Estuary inlet Great Bittern, Spotted Crake, Purple Heron 3, Squacco Heron 3, Glossy Ibis 4, Citrine Wagtail 2 (males),

Meladia Valley – chapel Wryneck 1, Firecrest 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Barred Warbler fem, Wood Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Sombre Tit; ford area and fields Tawny Pipit 15, Great Reed Warbler (many), Quail 2 calling, plus lots of migrants.

Kalloni Saltpans (and surrounding area) – Red-footed Falcon 3, Collared Pratincole 38, Gull-billed Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 2, Glossy Ibis 150+, Black-tailed Godwit 23, Ruddy Shelduck 23, Montagu's Harrier 2, Marsh Harrier 2, Little Stint, Ruff.

Mesa & Kalami Marsh – Red-footed Falcon male, White-winged Black Tern 4, Whiskered Tern 1, Gull-billed Tern 16, Ruddy Shelduck 6, Tawny Pipit 5, Ortolan Bunting 2, Siskin 1,

Polichnitos Saltpans – Hen Harrier male, Meadow Pipit 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Marsh Sandpiper 5.

Tsiknias River – Caspian Tern 1, Hen Harrier 2 ring-tails, Little Bittern male, Night-heron 3, Red-footed Falcon male, Squacco Heron 12, Gull-billed Tern 9, Black Stork 2, Whiskered Tern 1, Montagu's Harrier 5 (2m, 2f plus one melanastic bird)

Agios Fokas – Yalkouan Shearwater 50+, Scopoli's Shearwater 5+, Ortolan Bunting 1, Common Cuckoo 1.

Vatera – Tawny Pipit 1, Whimbrel 2, Sardinian Warbler.

Ambeliko Valley – Ortolan Bunting 3, Tree Pipit, Short-toed Eagle.

nr Efthalou – Audouin's Gull 1.

Perasma – Whiskered Tern 1.

19 April 2011 - Spectacled Warbler in large arrival of migrants

Cold and windy and occasionally wet. Low of 5C plus the windchill – its cold!

Loads of passerine migrants. Collared Flycatchers still everywhere from the other days arrival, but today saw a huge influx of warblers (mainly Sylvia), Nightingales, Turtle Doves, Whinchats, Common Redstarts and other species.

A Spectacled Warbler found today is, if accepted, the first record for Lesvos!

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Sigri Fields – SPECTACLED WARBLER male in sheltered fig grove with many other migrants (Common Whitethroats, Blackaps, Collared Flys, Nightingales); Citrine Wagtail 4 (inc. 2 males), Gull-billed Tern 1, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 4, Golden Oriole 2, Common Kingfisher 1.

Skala Kallonis – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 fems, Golden Oriole, Long-eared Owl (all Hotel Pasiphae garden).

Perasma Reservoir – SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Whiskered Tern 1, Hobby 1.

Napi Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 2 (m&f), Ortolan Bunting 1, Red-footed Falcon fem.

Konditsia Valley- SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1.

Faneromeni – SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (on road to beach), Yelkouan and Scolopoli’s Shearwaters offshore. Fords Citrine Wagtail 2 (m&f – upper), Little Crake 2 (lower), Little Bittern 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Green Sandpiper 1, plus many common migrants – Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Orphean Warbler, Common Redstart, Collared Flycatcher.

Metochi Lake – PENDULINE TIT fem, Savi’s Warbler 1, Honey-buzzard 1 (first reported), Little Crake 4.

Sigri Old Sanitorium – Barred Warbler 2 (m&f) – loads of commoner migrants.

Meladia Valley – Wryneck 1 (on track to river mouth), Wood Warbler (chapel), Purple Heron 2, Glossy Ibis 1, Montagu's Harrier 5 (2 males, 3 r/t), Marsh Harrier 2, Hen Harrier 2, Great Reed Warbler 10+.

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 2, Common Ringed Plover 1, Green Sandpiper 2, Sandwich Tern 3, Squacco Heron 5.

Christou (Kamares) River – Gull-billed Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 1, Dunlin 20, Mediterranean Gull 1.

Petrified Forest Park – Red-footed Falcon male.

Soumouria (Scops Copse) – Scops Owl 2.

Kalloni Saltpans – Glossy Ibis 200+ on flood opp saltworks entrance, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1.

Lotzaria – Montagu’s Harrier 4.

Polichnitos Saltpans – Whiskered Tern 1, Black-tailed Godwit 8.

Ipsilou – completely shrouded in cloud – no news.

Black Kite 1-2 Antissa - Sigi.