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.