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2014 day trips - open for bookings
My full schedule of day trips for 2014 is now fixed. See here.
I've followed the same sell-out schedule as in 2013, offering 18 day trips to the same key areas - Gulf of Kalloni, the west, and the central and northern areas.
The west continues to be the most popular day out and in order to satisfy continued demand I will continue to run three days out to this fabulous area. These days do book up fast, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Gear review - multi-pocket vests
I'm frequently asked about the gear I wear and why I wear it. I buy all my gear so I can give a truly honest, unbiased appraisal of the gear I choose and what makes me part with my money.
I'm a bit of a gear freak and I used to regularly review stuff (clothing, tripods, binoculars, scopes, books, etc) for Bird Watching magazine for many years. I've also been involved in birding kit innovation and development for over 20 years, primarily with Leica, but also with Cragoppers (pre-Risol buy-out and and attempted global nomination) and latterly with Minox. So, apart from being a user I also know a wee bit about product development.
When it comes to clothing I'm a long-time fan of several brands and my birding wardrobe is dominated in particular by Rohan and Páramo.
Multi-pocket Gear Vests
My use of multi-pocket vests (sleeveless
jackets) has blown hot and cold over the years. This is almost certainly due to not yet finding the perfect one. I’ve tried several over the years
(Panoramic, Regatta, Country Innovation) but the closest I’ve come to a usable
vest is the old Rohan Cargo Vest. I’ve had mine for a few years and seem to fall in
and out of love with. Why? Well, to be honest, this might be the best, but its
still some way from being the perfect field vest. To be honest its nearly
perfect. It has oodles of pockets that are bellowed cargo
pockets and fits great. But the front zip is only a ¾ length and the collar is
lousy. I cant wear my binocular strap over the slightly padded short collar,
but have to wear the strap below it which just doesn’t work as well.
I'm a bit of a gear freak and I used to regularly review stuff (clothing, tripods, binoculars, scopes, books, etc) for Bird Watching magazine for many years. I've also been involved in birding kit innovation and development for over 20 years, primarily with Leica, but also with Cragoppers (pre-Risol buy-out and and attempted global nomination) and latterly with Minox. So, apart from being a user I also know a wee bit about product development.
When it comes to clothing I'm a long-time fan of several brands and my birding wardrobe is dominated in particular by Rohan and Páramo.
Multi-pocket Gear Vests
Two recent arrivals to the market, from my two fave brands Rohan and Páramo potentially
offered me something better. Or did they?Right: the old Rohan Cargo Vest. Nearly perfect with Velcro fastened bellow pockets and huge back pocket, but let down by zip and collar. I can carry up to 8kg of gear in this vest!
Rohan Freight Vest
£115
Photo © Rohan | www.rohan.co.uk
Fabric: 100% polyamide with 100% polyester lining.
Pockets: 9 plus two pen slots (2 front chest pockets with Velcro fastener, 2 front waist pockets with
Velcro and popper fasteners; 2 hand pockets; 3 zipped internal security pockets; 2 pen slots)
Zip: Full-length single-way zip with chin guard sat behind stud fastened storm flap
Other features: high collar (unlined)
Weight: 415g
WHAT ROHAN SAY
Rugged, durable and extremely versatile, our Freight Vest is ideal for the travelling professional or adventurous world traveller.It’s made from a lightweight, but very tough, polyamide in a rip-stop construction. It’s highly wind resistant but also very breathable so it’s perfect for both warm-weather and temperate use.It features four external cargo pockets and two hand pockets together with a selection of three internal security pockets and a couple of handy pen slots.The full-length front zip features a stud-secured protective flap.It’s very easy to wash – both in the machine or by hand – and will comfortably dry overnight. Needless to say, it requires no special treatment or ironing.
WHAT I SAY
This vest looks and feels great. A real quality feel as you’d expect from Rohan. I take a medium in Rohan, and this fits like a glove over a couple of other layers.
Front pockets
The four front
pockets are not cargo pockets! They are flat stitched against the jacket – no
bellows or expansion for when you want to store stuff in them. This is fine for maps, slip books, etc. but it makes them
feel tight when being used and once you’ve loaded the vest with gear, it feels lumpy and bulky. For instance, I have no problem in using one of the chest pockets on my old Rohan Cargo Vest for my sunglasses. I wouldn't dream of using the chest pocket on this vest for fear of squashing them because the pocket is so tight when I slip my glasses inside.
But why the stud fasteners?
Gear vests like this are about quick and easy access to your stuff in the
field. Velcro is great as it needs less unfastening and re-fastening than stud
poppers. Leave these stud fasteners unfastened and the pocket flap loose and they clatter, which is just irritating. I know Velcro makes a noise when
you undo it, but that’s a trade-off for easier access and closing and no noise
when moving around and you haven’t snapped a pocket shut. And I for one very rarely need to access a pocket in a situation where noise is such an issue.
The two hand pockets are also
oddly placed behind the lower waist pockets. Your arms aren’t naturally
positioned when your hands are in the pockets, and the pockets are internally Velcro
fastened which just rubs against your hands and wrists as you put your hands in
and out of the pockets. Also, try stuffing your hands in
the pockets when the front waist pockets hold anything bulky – not comfortable.
The collar is
very good. It sits up and around the neck well but is not lined. The top of the
zip is protected and kept hidden from your chin/beard. But what’s with the
single-way zip? Can any serious field jacket not have a two-way zip? I don’t think
so. I do love the 'vine' green colour though - best colour I've seen on any of these jackets.
Compared to my old
Rohan Cargo Vest this vest has two obvious advantages: the full length zip and
collar. But the rest is actually quite disappointing functionally. Stud
fasteners on pockets are a no-no for me, and the cargo pockets are not bellowed/formed
in any way and simply don’t work for anything that isn’t flat – fine for maps, slim
books, Kindle and mobile phones, but lousy for photo equipments, speakers, thick books (like some field or site guides), etc. that I
carry in the field. The name 'freight' suggests a serious gear jacket which is misleading. But in Rohan's own blurb (above - what Rohan say) they refer to it themselves as a 'traveller' jacket and not a gear carrier. As good a travel jacket it is, a gear jacket it ain't.
As a very long-standing (20+ years) Rohan customer I do worry about who designs and test some of their recent items. They sure as hell wear and use things very differently to me thats for sure, as I find fewer and fewer of their garments fitting my needs as a travelling birder-cum-photographer. A test is more than just sticking on a jacket to see if it fits. I often turn up to shops with a bag full of gear to try with garments I buy - its the only way to truly see what you're getting before you purchase.
Páramo Halcon Vest
£100
Photo (right) © Paramo | www.paramo.co.uk
Pockets: 14 (4 front chest cargo pockets with stud fasteners, 2 front waist cargo pockets with stud fasteners; 2 waist hand pockets (behind waist cargo pockets), 2 large zipped pockets (behind chest cargo pockets); 2 zipped internal security pockets; 2 internal ‘drop’ cargo pockets with elasticated tops)
Zip: Full-length two-way zip with chin guard, no storm flap
Other features: cushioned shoulders; high collar with fleece lining; stud fastened side slits; draw cord waist
Weight: 420g
WHAT PARAMO SAY
The Halcon Waistcoat can be worn over a baselayer or outer layer for comfortable load-carrying for all outdoor activities. The Parameta® A Cotton+ fabric is rugged but quick drying, quiet and lightweight. The 14 pockets/ compartments allow a range of equipment to be organised, transported and easily accessible – ideal for wildlife watchers, photographers, fieldworkers and overseas travellers.
WHAT I SAY
Like the Rohan, this vest looks and feels great and is clearly a quality product. The medium was very tight on me but the large fitted brilliantly over a couple of layers.
Front pockets
The four main front pockets are true cargo pockets. They are bellowed and can easily take relatively bulky items such as camera lens extender, a bulky book, hats, scarves, etc - brilliant! Load up the vest and it performs brilliantly. The lumps and bumps are forward pointing and not digging in to you and feeling tight and lumpy like the Rohan. And, compare them to the Rohan pockets and these are cavernous.
But more stud poppers? Yep, not a fan of these front cargo pockets being poppered – Velcro works so much better in the field.
The two hand pockets are perfectly positioned behind the waist cargo pockets, and because the cargo pockets aren’t tight, your hands actually fit behind them. The draw cord for the wasit sits in the top of the pocket entrance and can be a little irritating, especially when its pulled tight so there is more cord end hanging down in to the pocket.
The two large zipped chest pockets are huge – great for maps and travel documents.
Internal pockets: I love the two ‘drop’ pockets. These allow you to have the bottom of the jacket open (thanks to a two-way zip) and access gear instantly. Great when switching between camera lenses, or extenders.
Other features
The collar is excellent. A perfect fit and that fleece lining just makes it so much more comfortable. The top of the zip is well protected and kept hidden from your chin/beard. Draw wasit cord is a nice feature to help improve fit, especially when the vest is loaded with gear.
Verdict - 9/10
Like my old Rohan Cargo Vest this vest is nearly there. If it wasn’t for the poppered front cargo pockets I’d say this would be my perfect field jacket.
I'm also a long-standing Páramo user (15+ years). Over the last ten years I think they've cemented themselves as the number one choice for many birders and quite a few photographers. Their Pajaro and Halcon waterproof jackets and Taiga fleece are all seriously great bits of kit. I don't get on with their shirts/tops (I'm, not a fan of the Parameta A and S fabrics they use for these items). So you could say I have a marmite relationship with them as a brand. This Halcon Vest adds to their range of very usable items for birders and photographers.
Postscript
I'm just back from a three-week birding trip in Peru and the Páramo Halcon vest was worn daily. It performed brilliantly! The only problem, as predicted, was those poppered pockets. They're fiddly and a hassle in the field and on a couple of occasions I didn't popper shut pockets securely only to have things tumbling out when I leaned over. But the cargo-capacity of the pockets, especially the external waist pockets and the inner drop pockets, is seriously good.
Birdfair, 16 - 18 August 2013
I'll be at the Birdfair on Friday and Sunday (sorry, Posh have a home game on the Saturday!), wandering around as usual, so please stop me and say hello if you see me.
I'm also giving a talk on Lesvos on the Sunday, Marquee 2 at 2.30pm. Its pretty much the same talk as previous Birdfairs - so if you've heard it several times already, then I'll forgive you for not showing up!
I'm also giving a talk on Lesvos on the Sunday, Marquee 2 at 2.30pm. Its pretty much the same talk as previous Birdfairs - so if you've heard it several times already, then I'll forgive you for not showing up!
Thomas Cook charters in 2014
Vanessa has confirmed that t hey will be flying, from Gatwick, on the 19 April 2014 and 26 April 2014 (same early weeks as this year).
On the hotel situation, she said all hotels will be coming on line shortly and that ony being offered one hotel is a glitch.
She commented "We have changed over to a new reservation system for 2014 and unfortunately have faced a few problems which resulted initially in only the 26th appearing, hopefully this has now been resolved and the 19th should also be on sale. Again, due to a new system we were only able to put one property on sale (Kalloni Bay being the most popular), however all our additional portfolio [of hotels] in Skala Kalloni should be on sale shortly."
I've just checked online (3 June 13) and whilst the 19 April is now coming up, they still only have the one hotel being offered.
So, lets all be assured they are flying as in recent years, and despite what you see on their website and told by their staff, all hotels will be available in the near future.
10 May - Rosy Starlings are comin!
My last day and I'd like to thank all those who have shared their bird news with and contributed to these daily updates.
Thanks too the Pasiphae Hotel staff for their usual warm hospitality and providing me with a home from home again for my stay. I'd also like to thank all the tavernas who have catered for my groups over the last three weeks - Dionysos (Skala Kallonis), Australia (Sigri), Soulatsou (Skala Eresou) and Achille's Well (Petri), and to Tsalis rentals for looking after me so well.
See you all again next spring!
BIRD NEWS
An overcast day with some light rain in places and the first Rose-coloured Starlings were seen today out west. No sign of the robins or the Griffon Vulture today
Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
No news today.
We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.
I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.
It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.
Skala Eresou
Rose-coloured Starling 3 (they're coming!)
Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Caspian Tern 1
Slender-billed Gull 1
Little Gull 1
Gull-billed Tern 4
White-winged Tern 55
Whiskered Tern 11
Eurasian Curlew 2
Grey Plover 3
Zitting Cisticola 3
Potamia
Olive-tree Warbler 6
Levant Sparrowhawk 3
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Kalami Marsh
Squacco Heron 6
Spotted Redshank 1
Water Rail 1
Purple Heron 1
Petrified Forest
Red-footed Falcon fem
Meladia Valley
Red-footed Falcon 1
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Bee-eater 2
Metochi Lake
Little Crake fem (at north end)
Little Bittern 3
Night-heron 26
Tsiknias River
Little Bittern 3
Squacco Heron 6
Whiskered Tern 1
Temminck's Stint 2
Bee-eater 20
Alikoudi Pool
White-tinged Tern 2
Whiskered Tern 1
Temminck's Stint 2
Limnos Monastery
Middle Spotted Woodpecker - pair nesting near the taverna. Park by the taverna and look back up the access road and on the right there is a double telegraph post. The nest is low down in the left hand post (the one with all the wires) facing the taverna. Adults feedings young. Please view/photo from the park car area and don't stand in the middle of the road expecting the parents to ignore you!
Achalderi
Kruper's Nuthatch - birds now feeding recently hatched young
Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well
Papiana
Scops Owl
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl. Please do not harass the birds!
9 May - Great Snipe, Caspian Tern and rain!
We woke to overcast skies and by lunchtime the threat of rain out west and by late afternoon it arrived and continued to increase during the evening. But is it too late?
A Great Snipe (Kalami) and Caspian Tern (Kalloni pans) were new in and the Griffon Vulture still out west, and another Lesser Spotted Eagle today. Apart from a few sites out west, virtually no passage migrant passerines reported. No news of the robins.
We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.
I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.
It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.
Spotted Redshank 1
Levant Sparrowhawk 2 males
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Bee-eater 2
Meladia Valley
Roller 1
Red-footed Falcon 1
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Bee-eater 2
Red-backed Shrike 100
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Woodchat Shrike 6
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 (chapel)
Slender-billed Gull 1
Little Gull 1
Black Tern 1
Gull-billed Tern 1
Collared Pratincole 3
Squacco Heron 5
Whiskered Tern 4
Alpine Swift 80
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
A Great Snipe (Kalami) and Caspian Tern (Kalloni pans) were new in and the Griffon Vulture still out west, and another Lesser Spotted Eagle today. Apart from a few sites out west, virtually no passage migrant passerines reported. No news of the robins.
Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
No news today.
Kalami Marsh
GREAT SNIPE 1Spotted Redshank 1
Petrified Forest
GRIFFON VULTURE 1
Platania
Lesser Spotted Eagle 1Levant Sparrowhawk 2 males
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Bee-eater 2
Sigri & Faneromeni
Purple Heron 1
Golden Oriole 4
Red-backed Shrike 50
Lesser Grey Shrike 3
Sigri Old Sanatorium
Golden Oriole 3
Red-backed Shrike 50
Lesser Grey Shrike 3
Woodchat Shrike 10
Red-footed Falcon 1
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Bee-eater 2
Red-backed Shrike 100
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Woodchat Shrike 6
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 (chapel)
Skala Eresou
Barred Warbler 1
Vigla (near Ipsilou)
Barred Warbler 1
Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Caspian Tern 1Slender-billed Gull 1
Little Gull 1
Black Tern 1
Gull-billed Tern 1
Collared Pratincole 3
Voulgaris River
Marsh Warbler 1
Moni Mirsiniotissus
Ortolan Bunting 1
Lardia Valley
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Tsiknias River
Little Bittern 1Squacco Heron 5
Whiskered Tern 4
Podaras
Little Bittern 2
Makara
Little Bittern 1Alpine Swift 80
Limnos Monastery
Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1 - nesting near the taverna. Park by the taverna and look back up the access road and on the right there is a double telegraph post. The nest is low down in the left hand post (the one with all the wires) facing the taverna. Adults feedings young 7/5.
Achalderi
Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!
Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well
Papiana
Scops Owl Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl. Please do not harass the birds!
8 May - another Common Rock-thrush
Cirl Bunting, Platania, 8 May 2013
(Emberiza cirlus) Σιρλοτσίχλονο
© Steve Dudley
LOST - MINOX 8x32 BINOCULARS
Last seen in Sigri at the harbourside taverna on 8 May. If you find them please contact David Boyd at the Kalloni Bay Hotel.
BIRD NEWS
The White-throated Robins were looked for in the morning but not seen. Another Lesser Spotted Eagle today and a few Red-breasted Flycatchers out west.
A change in the weather today, with overcast skies turning to thick, low cloud by the end of the day and lower temperatures - 20C by 6pm in Kalloni. Lower temps forecast for tomorrow, but doubtful we will see rain. Rain forecasted for next week which will be good for Rosy Starlings but relatively little else.
Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
No in the morning (don't know if they were looked for at other times). Please view only from the road - entering the park will not increase your chance of seeing them, just disturbing them.
We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.
I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.
It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.
Meladia Valley
COMMON ROCK-THRUSH male (nr ford)
Roller 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1
Rufous Bush-robin 3
Bee-eater 30
Whinchat 20
Little Bittern 1
Sigri & Faneromeni
GREAT SNIPE 1 (flushed by cat and not relocated)
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Marsh Warbler 2
Red-breasted Fltcatcher 1
Levant Sparrowhawk 1
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Red-footed Falcon 2
Lesser Kestrel 2
Golden Oriole 5
Rufous Bush-robin 2
Squacco Heron 1
Agriosikos
Lesser Spotted Eagle 1
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1
Sigri Old Sanatorium
Honey-buzzard 2
Red-breasted Flycatcher 2 fems
Wood Warbler 1
Collared Flycatcher 1
Skala Eresou
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1
Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Slender-billed Gull 1
Little Gull 1
White-winged Tern 80
Whiskered Tern 20
Gull-billed Tern 2
Glossy Ibis 1
Turnstone 10
Grey Plover 4
Temminck's Stint 1
Peregrine 1
Marsh Harrier 1
Platania
Eleanora's Falcon 1
didn't get to main Olive-tree Warbler area, but none along track where they're expected.
Petrified Forest
Honey-buzzard 1
Rock Sparrow
Lesser Kestrel 4
Common Redstart 1
Napi Valley
Osprey 1
Kalami Marsh
Collared Pratincole 2
Glossy Ibis 1
Tsiknias River
Mediterranean Gull 2
Little Bittern 1
Purple Heron 1
Bee-eater 4
Mallard 1
Metochi Lake
Little Bittern 10
Ipsilou
Levant Sparrowhawk fem
Honey-buzzard male
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Perama Reservoir
Gull-billed Tern 3
Ruddy Shelduck 1
Ruddy Shelduck 1
Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1 - nesting near the taverna. Park by the taverna and look back up the access road and on the right there is a double telegraph post. The nest is low down in the left hand post (the one with all the wires) facing the taverna. Adults feedings young 7/5.
Achalderi
Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!
Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well
Papiana
Scops Owl
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!
7 May - shrikes, shrikes and more shrikes
Roller, Sigri Old Sanatorium, 7 May 2013
(Coracias garrulus) (Ευρωπαϊκή) Χαλκοκουρούνα
© Steve Dudley
Meladia Valley was ripping with Red-backed Shrikes today, but seemingly on its own. A Lesser Spotted Eagle and the Griffon Vulture seen again, plus reports of Rock Bunting and Red Knot. Still no news of the robins in recent days.
Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
No news today.
We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.
I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.
It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.
Ipsilou
Rock Bunting - 1 reportedLesser Spotted Eagle 1
Eleanora's Falcon 1
Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Red Knot - 1 adult reportedWhite-winged Tern 100
Whiskered Tern 20
Gull-billed Tern 7
Little Gull 1
Glossy Ibis 1
Black Stork 20
White Stork 6
Red-footed Falcon 1
Turnstone 2
Grey Plover 1
Common Ringed Plover 1
Ruddy Shelduck 17
Peregrine 1
Great Crested Grebe 1 offshore
Sigri & Faneromeni
GRIFFON VULTURE 1Little Bittern 2
Bee-eater 30
Squacco Heron 1
Tsiknias River
Collared Pratincole 4Glossy Ibis 1
Little Bittern 1
Purple Heron 1
Bee-eater 4
Meladia Valley
Eleanora's Falcon 1Red-backed Shrike 340+
Lesser Grey Shrike 4
Rufous Bush-robin 6+
Whinchat 80+
Spotted Flycatcher 60+
Common Whitethroat 1
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Nr Petra
Roller 1
Sigri Old Sanatorium
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Red-backed Shrike 20+
Makara
Eleanora's Falcon 1Alpine Swift 60
Metochi Lake
Night-heron 21Little Bittern 3
Common Sandpiper 1
Nr Anemotia
Tree Pipit 1 (only second record this spring!)
Achalderi
Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!
Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well
Papiana
Scops Owl Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!
6 May - marsh terns bonanza
Did anyone go out west today? No news from any western sites at all. Impressive numbers of marsh terns at Kalloni Saltpans.
Petrified Forest
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
No news today.
We now have confirmation that we have two males and a female robin in the park. The males are holding territory close to one another and a female has been seen with the male near the concrete building. We are now treating this as a breeding attempt. Please therefore view only from the road and not from within the park to avoid disturbing them.
I've been told that the police are aware of misbehaviour here, including the use of recordings (illegal here) and are now going to be making patrols of the area, especially when the park is closed, to ensure that no one is using recordings or harassing the birds now they are presumed to be breeding. Please be sure to pass this message around.
It also means they are expected to hang around! Which is good news to those arriving today and next week.
Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
White-winged Tern 250
Whiskered Tern 18
Gull-billed Tern 3
Black Tern 2
Little Gull 1
Collared Pratincole 4
White Stork 28
Black Stork 8
Black-tailed Godwit 1
Dunlin 1
Ruff 470
Little Stint 45
Rufous Bush-robin 1 on beach
Short-toed Lark 2
Red-throated Pipit 2
Vourkos River mouth
Citrine Wagtail fem
Skala Kallonis
River Warbler 1 (behind Imerti Hotel)
Pallid Swift 1
Pallid Swift 1
Night-heron 2
Little Bittern 1
Napi Valley
Honey-buzzard 1
Potamia Valley
Olive-tree Warbler 1
Tsiknias River
Little Bittern 1
Squacco Heron 8
Bee-eater 6
Achalderi
Levant Sparrowhawk
Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!
Alikoudi Pool
Glossy Ibis 2
White-winged Tern 10
Temminck's Stint 1
Common Ringed Plover 8
Ruff 39
Nr Skamnioudi
Olive-tree Warbler 4+
Polichnitos Saltpans
Curlew Sandpiper 4
Ruff 45
Little Stint 6
Olive-tree Warbler 1 in copse to north
Red-backed Shrike 2
Kavaki
Ruppell's Warbler showing very well
Papiana
Scops Owl
Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults
Soumouria 'Scops Copse'
Scops Owl 5. Please do not harass the birds!
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