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Posts
Rufous Bush-robin, Madaros © Steve Dudley
Change over day for many and fewer birders out in the field. Late news of a Dalmatian Pelican arriving at the Kalloni Pans at 1900 last night saw some down the pans early morning to find the bird on the sea. Other than that, nothing major reported and I enjoyed a day of Cinereous Buntings, Eastern Bonelli's Warblers and Bush-robins on my day off.
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, 25C
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.
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.
Kalloni Saltpans
Dalmatian Pelican - 1 on sea off pans early morning
Rufous Bush-robin 2 (one on beach and one at pumping station)
Madaros
Rufous Bush-robin 1
Tsiknias River
River Warbler - singing by third mown field on left (from which end I don't know!)
Spotted Crake - 1 c.100m south of the upper (pebble) ford
Temminck's Stint 2
Little Bittern 2
Metochi Lake
Night-heron 4
Skala Kallonis Pool
Purple Heron 1
Ipsilou
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 on territory still
Usual buntings, wheatears, Rock Sparrow, etc. No migrants.
Filia mast
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 6+ on territory
Lardia Valley
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 3 on territory
Dipi Larisos
Spur-winged Plover 1 on pool along track north of the road bridge
Roller 1
no sign of Pygmy Cormorant
Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint
Honey-buzzard 1
Goshawk 1
Short-toed Eagle 4
Long-legged Buzzard 4
Long-legged Buzzard, Ipsilou © Steve Dudley
