4 May 2012

Ruppell's Warbler, Kavaki (c) Steve Dudley

Another slightly cooler day but the wind got up during the afternoon and seem to suppress evening bird activity in many areas. A Lesser Spotted Eagle was today's highlight, along with three Great Spotted Cuckoos which were enjoyed by many.

Petrol/Deisel - the cheapest stations are just after EKO the Plomari (Dipi Larisos) turn c.13km out of Mytilini and at Petra. So those collecting cars from the airport might want to fill up as you drive west. Those collecting cars at the hotels are best to use Petra.

Weather - Blue skies, light to moderate southerly breeze, 27C 

NEW - news on day trips (those with spaces remaining), events and other info (like what new cafes/tavenras might be worth trying) for the 2012 birding weeks - see here.

Don't forget Lesvos Birding is on Twitter and Facebook too.

BIRD NEWS

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch

One pair feeding young near last years nest site along the top. Park your car by the white building building, walk up the main track through the forest, bear left at the fork, then follow the track left past the rubbish pile on the next corner and up the straight section of track. After c200m look for a thick black pine tree with a sap scar and a pile of 4 sandy-coloured rocks at the base. From this tree look in to the forest at 90 degrees from the track and look for a sheep/rams skull at base. Nest is in this tree on left hand side between two very short broken branch stumps.

Dipi Larisos
PYGMY CORMORANT 1 still present
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 still present

Madaros 

Rufous Bush-robin  1

Koriani (Napi Valley)

Great Spotted Cuckoo 2

Platania

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1

Great Spotted Cuckoo 3 (2 same as Napi Valley)

Olive-tree Warbler 1

usual commoner birds inc. Orphean Warbler, Rock Nuthatch, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Sombre Tit, etc

NOTE - the Platania track is very poor and I suggest parking at the beginning or within first 1km and walking rest of way

Kalloni Saltpans

Rufous Bush-robin  2 (one on beach and one at pumping station)

White-winged Tern 35

Gull-billed Tern 12

Black Tern 1

Slender-billed Gull 1 ad

Little Gull 1

Black-headed Gull 1

Collared Pratincole

Curlew Sandpiper 15

Spotted Redshank 1

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Common Ringed Plover 1

Black Stork 3

Glossy Ibis 21

Short-toed Lark 4

Red-throated Pipit

Zitting Cisticola 1

Perasma

Common Pochard 1

Ruddy Shelduck 2

Tsiknias River

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Squacco Heron 1

Little Bittern 1

Black Stork 11

Metochi Lake
Little Crake 1
Night-heron 1
Little Bittern 1

Filia Masts

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler

Ipsilou

Lanner 1

Honey-buzzard 1

Montagu's Harrier 1

Usual buntings, wheatears, Rock Sparrow, etc. Few migrants.

Kavaki

Audouin's Gull 1

Ruppell's Warbler still showing very well

plus usual other species

Meladia

Rufous Bush-robin 1

Golden Oriole 1

Papiana

Scops Owl