Recent bird sightings

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NOVEMBER 2013

Some recent reports. All Terry Robinson unless stated.

Great Crested Grebe

1-3 off Polichnitos Saltpans from 23 Nov

Black-necked Grebe

1 off Polichnitos Saltpans from 29 Nov

Greater Flamingo

max. 247 Polichnitos Saltpans 3- Nov

Black Stork

max. 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 16 Nov

Great Egret

max. 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Nov

Hen Harrier

1 Petrified Forest 23 Nov (Jelle Devalez)

Long-legged Buzzard

1 Kalloni Saltpans 29 Nov (Dimitris Fotiou)

Merlin

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Nov (Petros Tsakmakis)

Avocet

max. 142 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Nov

Kentish Plover

max. 36 Polichnitos Saltpans 13 Nov

Curlew

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 7-11 Nov

1 Kalloni Saltpans 29 Nov (Dimitris Fotiou)

Spotted Redshank

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 4-11 Nov

Little Stint

max. 45 Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Nov

Dunlin

max. 85 Polichnitos Saltpans 22 Nov

Mediterranean Gull

up to 5 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout Nov

Sandwich Tern

max. 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Nov

Red-backed Shrike

1 Pagani 13 Nov (Petros Tsakmakis)

Skylark

max. 48 Polichnitos Saltpans from 20 Nov

Woodlark

Petrified Forest 24 Nov (Jelle Devalez)

Common Chiffchaff

singles Polichnitos Saltpans 3 & 15 Nov

Blackcap

max. 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 Nov

Sardinian Warbler

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout Nov

Song Thrush

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14-26 Nov

1 Pagani 16 Nov (Petros Tsakmakis)

Black Redstart

up to 5 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout Nov

Meadow Pipit 

up to 9 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout Nov

Serin

max. 95 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Nov

Reed Bunting

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Nov

OCTOBER 2013

Some recent reports. All Terry Robinson unless stated.

Ruddy Shelduck

8 Polichnitos Saltpans 30 Oct

Dalmatian Pelican

1 Kalloni Saltpans 1 Oct (Dimitris Fotiou)

16 Mesa 28 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Greater Flamingo

max. 700 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Oct (Eef Zwang)

max. 256 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Oct

Black Stork

max. 19 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Oct

1-3 Kalloni Saltpans throughout Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Spoonbill

50 Kallonis Saltpans 2 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Great Egret

max. 11 Polichnitos Saltpans 13-14 Oct

Pygmy Cormorant

1 Tsiknias river to 28 Oct at least (Pantelis Thomaidis)

1 Vouvaris River mouth to 28 Oct at least (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Osprey

1 Vouvaris River mouth 12 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Montagu's Harrier

1 Kalloni Saltpans 2 Oct (Tony Swann)

Red-footed Falcon 

1 Kalloni Saltpans 2 Oct (Tony Swann)

Stone-curlew

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 31 Oct

Avocet

max. 202 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Oct

Common Ringed Plover

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 10-19 Oct

Little Ringed Plover

max. 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Oct

Kentish Plover

max. 33 Polichnitos Saltpans 31 Oct

Curlew

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughoutt Oct

1 Kalloni Saltpans 12 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Spotted Redshank

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 16-27 Oct

Marsh Sandpiper

1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans 1-23 Oct

Sanderling

1 Polichnitos Saltpans to 16 Oct

Little Stint

max. 78 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Oct

Dunlin

max. 100 Polichnitos Saltpans 30 Oct

Curlew Sandpiper

max. 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3-4 Oct

Slender-billed Gull

6 Polichnitos Saltpans 20 Oct

Mediterranean Gull

max. 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 16 Oct

Sandwich Tern

max. 23 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Oct

Alpine Swift

30 Anaxos 1 Oct (Eef Zwang)

Common Kingfisher

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Oct

1 Vouvaris River mouth from 21 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Red-backed Shrike

1 Larisos 12 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans to 27 Oct

Barn Swallow

Polichnitos Saltpans to 10 Oct

Crag Martin

1 Vourkous River 6 Oct

Skylark

Polichnitos Saltpans from 14 Oct

Woodlark

present Mytilini 24 Oct at a least (Jelle Devalez)

Willow Warbler

Polichnitos Saltpans to 27 Oct

Common Chiffchaff

Polichnitos Saltpans from 5 Oct

Blackcap

Polichnitos Saltpans from 6 Oct

Sardinian Warbler

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout Oct

Black Redstart

1 Pagani 17 Oct (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Polichnitos Saltpans from 21 Oct

Mytilini from 24 Oct (Jelle Devalez)

Common Redstart

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 6 Oct

1 Mytilini 6 Oct (Jelle Devalez)

Whinchat

Polichnitos Saltpans to 7 Oct

Spotted Flycatcher

Polichnitos Saltpans to 10 Oct
Mytilini to 6 Oct (Jelle Devalez)

Black-eared Wheatear 

1 Skala Kallonis 3 Oct

Yellow Wagtail

Polichnitos Saltpans to 8 Oct

Meadow Pipit 

Polichnitos Saltpans from 10 Oct

RICHARD's PIPIT

1 reported Kalloni Saltpans 2 Oct (Reg Thorpe, Tony Swann)

SEPTEMBER 2013

Some recent reports. All Terry Robinson unless stated.

Garganey
3 Polichnitos Saltpans 6 Sep

Pygmy Cormorant
1 Tsiknias River and Potamia Reservoir 10 - 18 Sept (Christian Nielsen et al)
1 also reported Vouvarus River mouth (no date but may be same bird as above)

Dalmatian Pelican
1 Potamia Res and Kalloni Saltpans/Bay 5 Sep onwards (Christopher Plummer et al)

Greater Flamingo
max. 1274 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Sep

Black Stork
max. 3 Polichnitos Saltpans several dates

Spoonbill
4 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Purple Heron
1 Tsiknias River 18 Sep (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Honey-buzzard
200 Potamia Valley 17 Sep (Leon Berthou)
Largest count ever recorded for Lesvos

Small numbers on other days

Short-toed Eagle
3 Polichnitos 9 Sep

Osprey
1 Vouvaris River mouth 6 Sep (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Lesser Spotted Eagle
1 Potamia Valley 17 Sep (Leon Berthou)

Montagu's Harrier
1 south Palia Vigla 17 Sep (Paul Aubrey)

Long-legged Buzzard

15 south Palia Vigla 17 Sep (Paul Aubrey)

Levant Sparrowhawk
1 Mytilini 9 Sep (Jelle Devalez/Observado)

Stone-curlew
12 Christou (Kamares) River 17 Sept (Paul Aubrey)
3 Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Sep

Black-winged Stilt
max. 12 Polichnitos Saltpans several dates

Black-tailed Godwit

3 Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Sep

Eurasian Curlew
max. 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Sep

Spotted Redshank

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 2-3 Sep

Marsh Sandpiper

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Greenshank

max. 19 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Sep

Wood Sandpiper

max. 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Sep

Common Sandpiper

2-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Turnstone
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 1-3 Sep

Little Stint
max. 64 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Dunlin
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Curlew Sandpiper

max. 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 7-8 Sep

Ruff
1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Mediterranean Gull
max. 11 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Sep
30 Kalloni Saltpans 17 Sep (Leon Berthou)

Slender-billed Gull
2 Kalloni Saltpans 17 Sep (Leon Berthou)

Sandwich Tern 

max. 45 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Sep

Nightjar
1 Polichnitos 2-9 Sep

Alpine Swift
8 Polichnitos 7 Sep

Bee-eater
17 Andissa 16 Sep (Benny Voorm/Observado)

Hoopoe
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Red-backed Shrike
max. 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Lesser Grey Shrike
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Woodchat Shrike
1 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Barn Swallow
max. 49 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Sep

Red-rumped Swallow
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Sep

House Martin
max. 16 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Sep

Short-toed Lark
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Sep

Willow Warbler
max. 21 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Sep

Common Whitethroat
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3-5 Sep

Lesser Whitethroat
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Sep

Whinchat
max. 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Northern Wheatear
max. 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Sep

Spotted Flycatcher
max. 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Sep

Yellow Wagtail
max. 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Sep

Tawny Pipit
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Sep

Cretzschmar's Bunting

max. 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 6 Sep

AUGUST 2013

White Stork
500-600 Meladia Valley 17-18 Aug (per Don Matthews)
500 Mytilini area 20 Aug (Pantelis Thomaidis, Petros Tsakmakis)

These are the largest counts ever recorded for the island.

Purple Heron
1 Tsiknias River 24 Aug (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Montagu's Harrier
max. 6 Alykes Wetlands 28 Aug (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Steppe Buzzard
1 Kedro 12 Aug (Petros Tsakmakis)

Eleonora's Falcon
1 Haramida 11 Aug (Petros Tsakmakis)

Stone-curlew

67+ Kalloni Saltpans 21 Aug (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Broad-billed Sandpiper

1 Sigri 8 Aug (Wim Heylen)

Terek Sandpiper
1 Sigri 8 Aug (Wim Heylen)

Masked Shrike

1 Kalloni Saltpans 25 Aug (Petros Tsakmakis)

Lesser Grey Shrike
1 Mistegna 25 Aug (Petros Tsakmakis)

Rose-coloured Starling

1 juvenile Petra 9 Aug (Wim Heylen)
1 juvenile Nisiopi 12 Aug (Nikos Probonas)

These are the first ever autumn records for Lesvos

SPRING 2013

If your going to Lesvos this spring then see here about getting and sharing bird news before and during your stay.

First dates of summer migrants are also listed here.

I'll start posting daily summaries of sightings from Sunday 21 April.

Male White-throated Robin, Petrified Forest, 17 April 2013 
(Irania gutturalis) Λευκόλαιμο Αηδόνι 
© Franke Balde


APRIL 2013
Up to and including 17 April
Records from Terry Robinson via OrnithoTopos unless stated.

Ruddy Shelduck
Max. 4 Kalloni Saltpans 7 Apr

Common Shelduck
Max. 26 Pollichnitos Saltpans 15 Apr

Yelkouan Shearwater
max. 270 off Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Greater Flamingo
max. 167 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Apr

Squacco Heron
1 Mesa 6 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis)
1 Alykes Weltands 13 Apr (Dimitris Fotiou)

Grey Heron
max. 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Apr

Little Egret
max. 54 Kalloni Saltpans 7 Apr
max. 26 Mesa 8 Apr

Glossy Ibis
Max. 60 Alykes Wetlands 16 Apr (Dimitris Fotiou)

Spoonbill
1 Kalloni Saltpans 12 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis)

Black-throated Diver
3 off Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Apr

Short-toed Eagle
1 Pagani 6 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis)

Hen Harrier
2 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Apr

Pallid Harrier
1 Alykes Wetlands 10-11 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis, Dimitris Fotiou) and 1 17 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Montagu's Harrier
2 Alykes Wetlands 10 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis)

Red-footed Falcon
4 Alykes Wetlands (nr pumping station in SW corner 16 Apr (Pantelis Thomaides) and 1 on 17 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Stone-curlew
1 Kalloni Saltpans 6 Apr (Pantelis Thomaides)

Black-winged Stilt
max. 70 Polichnitos Saltpans 12 Apr
max. 41 Kalloni Saltpans 7 Apr

Avocet
max. 54 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr
max. 250 Kalloni Saltpans 7 Apr

Little Ringed Plover
Max. 20 Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Apr

Spur-winged Plover
1 Kalloni Saltpans 13-16 Apr (Dimitris Fotiou et al)

Spotted Redshank
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3-4 Apr, 2 there 16 Apr
1 Alykes Wetlands 14 Apr (Pantelis Thomadies), 2 on 16 Apr (Luc de Graaf), 3 on 17 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Marsh Sandpiper
max. 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Apr

Green Sandpiper
1 Polichnitos Saltpans to at least 5 Apr

Wood Sandpiper
max. 56 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr

Common Sandpiper
1 Kalloni Saltpans 7 Apr

Little Stint
max. 29 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Dunlin
max. 14 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Curlew Sandpiper
max. 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Apr

Ruff
max. 28 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Apr

Common Tern
8 Kalloni Saltpans 8Apr

Whiskered Tern
16 Alykes Wetlands 16 Apr (Luc de Graaf/Observado) and 6 there on 17 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Common Swift
18 Polichnitos Saltpans 8Apr

Woodchat Shrike
2 Polichnitos Saltpans 2 Apr

Woodchat Shrike
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Apr
1 Metochi 8 Apr (Petros Tsakmakis)

Greater Short-toed Lark
1 Alykes Weltands 16 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Sand Martin
2 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Olivaceous Warbler
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Apr

Common Whitethroat
Singles Polichnitos Saltpans 8 & 10 Apr

Subalpine Warbler
3 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Apr

Kruper's Nuthatch
Pr breeding at the Achladeri picnic site in the old tree stump with the electric cables near the white building (the stump used for several years up to 2010)

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN
Singing male, Petrified Forest, 17 Apr (photo: Franke Balde)
Take the road between Ipsilou and Sigri to the park entrance. Follow the trail and the bird was between the 6th and 10th petrified trees, near the first shaded bench.

Whinchat
Max. 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 1 Apr

Northern Wheatear
Daily Polichnitos Saltpans 1-4 Apr

Spanish Sparrow
7 Kalloni Saltpans 16 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Yellow Wagtail
max. 41 Polichnitos Saltpans 4 Apr

Tawny Pipit
max. 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Apr
1 Alykes Wetlands 17 Apr (Luc de Graaf)

Red-throated Pipit
Singles Polichnitos Saltpans 14 & 17 Apr

MARCH 2013
Records from Terry Robinson via OrnithoTopos unless stated.

Common Shelduck
max. 45 Polichntios Saltpans 20 Mar

Ruddy Shelduck
19 Mesa 11 Mar

Pintail
1 Kalloni Saltpans 13 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Mallard
3 Kalloni Saltpans 13 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Teal
2 Kalloni Saltpans 13 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Scopoli's Shearwater
1 off Mytilini 2 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).
5 off Vatera 21 Mar.

Yelkouan Shearwater
Seen daily off Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 4700 on 6 Mar.

Black-throated Diver
4 off Polichnitos Saltpans 29 Mar.

Great Crested Grebe
Seen daily off Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 338 on 7 Mar.

Black-necked Grebe
1 off Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Mar.

Greater Flamingo
Seen daily Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 77 on 20 Mar.
Alikoudi Pool max. 90 on 11 Mar.

Black Stork
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 8 Mar.

White Stork
First: 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar.
1 Kalloni Saltpans 27 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou)

Glossy Ibis
First record 1 Kalloni Saltpans 23 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou) with max. 14 on 29 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Great White Egret
Seen daily Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 7 on 4 Mar.

Hen Harrier
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Mar.
1 Kalloni Saltpans 12 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Marsh Harrier
1-2 Kalloni Saltpans throughout (Pantelis Thomaidis).

STEPPE BUZZARD
1 Larisos 18 Mar (photo: Petros Tsakmakis).

Avocet
Seen daily Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 82 on 25 Mar.

Black-winged Stilt
Polichnitos Saltpans max. 29 on 25 Mar.
Kalloni Saltpans max. 22 on 22 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou).

Northern Lapwing
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Mar.

Grey Plover
1-2 daily Polichnitos Saltpans.

Little Ringed Plover
Recorded Polichnitos Saltpans from 2 Mar.  Max. 38 on 27 Mar.

Kentish Plover
Max. 39 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 Mar

Black-tailed Godwit
10 Kalloni Saltpans 22 Mar (Dimitris Fotiou).

5 Polichnitos Saltpans 29 Mar.

Common Redshank
Max. 22 Polichnitos Saltpans 23 Mar

Spotted Redshank
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 18-30 Mar

Marsh Sandpiper
Singles Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Mar and 18 Mar.

Greenshank
Max. 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 28 Mar

Green Sandpiper
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout.
1 Kalloni Saltpans 12 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).
1 Alikoudi Pool 11 Mar.

Wood Sandpiper
Singles Polichnitos Saltpans 3 Mar and 11 Mar with 3 on 30 Mar. 
Recorded from Kalloni Saltpans 10 Mar (P Thomaddis)

Little Stint
Max. 69 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 Mar.

Dunlin
Max. 140 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Mar.

Curlew Sandpiper
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar.

Ruff
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 28-29 Mar, with 3 on 30 Mar.

CASPIAN GULL
1 Alikoudi Pool 17 Mar (photo: Petros Tsakmakis). Second record for Lesvos if accepted.

Mediterranean Gull
14 Mytilini 8 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar.

Common Tern
First record 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar.

Sandwich Tern
Max. 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 6 Mar.

Long-eared Owl
1 Mytilini 5 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Scops Owl
1 Mytilini 5 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Common Swift
1 Mytilini 24 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Hoopoe
1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Mar (P Thomaidis).
Large arrival on 22 Mar inc. 30+ Kalloni Saltpans area (Petros Taskmakis)

Woodchat Shrike
1 Kalloni 23 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Barn Swallow
Recorded from Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Mar. Max. 38 on 23 Mar.

House Martin
Recorded from Mytilini 22 Feb (J Delavez/Observado).
Recorded from Polichnitos Saltpans from 9 Mar.

Red-rumped Swallow
Singles Mytiilini 26 & 29Mar (J Devalez).

Chiffchaff
1 Mytilini 5 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Willow Warbler
Recorded from Polichnitos Saltpans from 8 Mar.

Blackcap
1 Mytilini 5 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 9 Mar and 22 Mar.

Lesser Whitethroat
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 31 Mar.

Sardinian Warbler
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans.

Subapline Warbler
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 12 Mar.

Goldcrest
1 Mytilini 6 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Song Thrush
1-4 Polichnitos Saltpans.

Black Redstart
up to 5 Polichnitos Saltpans.

Whinchat
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 Mar with 6 on 29 Mar.

Common Stonechat
up to 5 Polichnitos Saltpans.

Common Nightingale
1 Mytilini 26 Mar (J Delavez/Observado).

Northern Wheatear
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 Mar max. 9 on 22 Mar.
1 Kalloni Saltpans 10 Mar (P Thomaddis)

Isabelline Wheatear
First record 1 Kalloni Saltpans 28 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).

Black-eared Wheatear
Singles Polichnitos Saltpans 18, 26 & 29 Mar.

Yellow Wagtail
Polichnitos Saltpans from 14 Mar with max. 16 there 30 Mar

Meadow Pipit
Max. 14 Polichnitos Saltpans 25 Mar.

Tree Pipit
2 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 Mar.

Serin
Max. 56 Polichnitos Saltpans 11 Mar.
20 Mesa 10 Mar (P Thomaddis)

Corn Bunting
Max. 20 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 Mar.


Cretzschmar's Bunting
First: record 1 Eresos 23 Mar (Petros Tsakmakis).


FEBRUARY 2013
I'll do the summary for Feb in species order (makes it a bit easier for me!). Rcords from Terry Robinson via OrnithoTopos unless stated.

Ruddy Shelduck
Polichnitos Saltpans 1 on three dates to 17th
Achladeri 4 on 3rd (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Common Shelduck
Up to 50 at Polichnitos Saltpans.

Shoveler
1 Nifida 2nd (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Red-breasted Merganser
2 off Polichnitos Saltpans on 9th.

Yelkouan Shearwater
Seen near daily off Polichnitos Saltpans with max. 139 on 4th.

Great Crested Grebe
Max. 893 off Polichnitos Saltpans on 1st

Black-necked Grebe
1 off Polichnitos Saltpans throughout. 1 off Vouvaris River mouth on 2nd.

Great Cormorant
1200+ off Parakila 3rd (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Greater Flamingo
Max. 118 Polichnitos Saltpans on 1st

Black Stork
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 27th
1 Skala Vasilikon 2nd
Up to 4 Christou (Kamares) River throughout (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Great White Egret
Max. 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 3rd.
3 Mesa Wetlands 2nd

Marsh Harrier
1-2 Kalloni Saltpans area throughout (Pantelis Thomaidis)

Hen Harrier
1 Alykes Wetlands 2nd (Petros Tsakmakis)

Long-legged Buzzard
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 2nd and 11th

Avocet
Max. 51 Polichnitos Saltpans 26th

Grey Plover
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Kentish Plover
Max. 24 Polichnitos Saltpans 24th

Spotted Redshank
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 12th - 20th

Common Redshank
Max. 31 Polichnitos Saltpans 29th

Greenshank
Max. 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 25th

Little Stint
Max. 23 Polichnitos Saltpans 6th

Dunlin
Max. 158 Polichnitos Saltpans 20th

Sandwich Tern
Max. 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 7th

Scops Owl
1 University Hill, Mytilini 27th (J Devalex, Observado)

Skylark
Max. 44 Polichnitos Saltpans 2nd

Common Chiffchaff
1 University Hill, Mytilini 27th (J Devalex, Observado)

Blackcap
1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout
1 University Hill, Mytilini 27th (J Devalex, Observado)

Sardinian Warbler
1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Common Starling
Max. 37 Polichnitos Saltpans 21st
1000+ Tsiknias River 2nd (Dimitris Fotiou)

Song Thrush
1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Black Redstart
1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Common Stonechat
up to 6 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout

Meadow Pipit
Max. 18 Polichnitos Saltpans several dates

Serin
Max. 45 Polichnitos Saltpans 23rd

Hawfinch
1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3rd & 15th

Corn Bunting
Max. 143 Polichnitos Saltpans 14th

JANUARY 2013

31 January 13
Yelkouan Shearwater 6 off Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Long-legged Buzzard 1Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Grey Plover 2 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Sandwich Tern 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

30 January 13
Hen Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great Crested Grebe 143 off Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Greater Flamingo 144 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great White Egret 7 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Dunlin 147 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

28 January 13
Hawfinch 1 Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Black Stork 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

27 January 13
Ruddy Shelduck 48 Achladeri Dimitris Fotiou
Common Shelduck 39 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Greater Flamingo 137 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great White Egret 3 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)Greenshank 1 Polichnitos
Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Little Stint 53 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Meadow Pipit 13  Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

26 January 13
Black-necked Grebe 1 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Skylark 75 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Reed Bunting 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Common Stonechat 3 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

25 January 13
Common Redshank 24 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Dunlin 123 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

24 January 13
Sardinian Warbler 5 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Linnet 9 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

23 January 13
Yelkouan Shearwater 7 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great Crested Grebe 273 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Greater Flamingo 145 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great White Egret 6 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

24 January 13
Serin 73 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

21 January 13
Yelkouan Shearwater 8 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Great Crested Grebe 94 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Grey Plover 2 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Little Stint 16 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Dunlin 86 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Sandwich Tern 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

20 January 13
Greater Flamingo 168 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Blackcap 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Black Redstart 3 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Meadow Pipit 7 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

19 January 13
Dalmatian Pelican 1 Vouvaris River - photo (Petros Tsakmakis/Lesvos Birders Facebook Group)
Sardinian Warbler 2 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

18 January 13
Great White Egret 8 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

14 January 13
Black Kite 1 at Mesa Wetlands (Terry Robinson)

13 January 13
Black-necked Grebe 1 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE an immature for 20 minutes at Mesa (Lefteris Kakalis, Lina Grimpylakou and Fotis Psarros) - only the 7th record for Lesvos.

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) Θαλασσαετός 

Mesa Wetlands, 13 January 2013

Photo by Fotis Psarros

10 January 13
Greater Flamingo 80 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
STEPPE BUZZARD 1  nr Kedro, Mytilini - view photo (Petros Tsakmakis/Lesvos Birders Facebook Group)
Grey Plover 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (since 2 Jan) (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Dunlin 89 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

9 January 13
Little Stint 43 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Blackcap up to 4 Polichnitos Saltpans in recent days (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

8 January 13
STEPPE BUZZARD 1  Molivos - view photo (Petros Tsakmakis/Lesvos Birders Facebook Group)

6 January 13
Hen Harrier 1 Petrified Forest (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Rock Sparrow 1  Petrified Forest (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Dunnock singles  Petrified Forest and Sigri (good records for the west!) (Jelle Devalez/Observado)

5 January 13
Greater Flamingo 500 Kalloni Saltpans (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Great White Egret 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
STEPPE BUZZARD 1  Molivos (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Hen Harrier 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Common Ringed Plover 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Common Snipe 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Common Greenshank 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Green Sandpiper 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Eurasian Curlew 1 Alykes Wetlands (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Common Kingfisher 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Jelle Devalez/Observado)
Water Pipit 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Jelle Devalez/Observado)

4 January 13
Mediterranean Gull 1 Mytilini (Jelle Devalez/Observado)

10 January 13
Common Greenshank 4 Polichnitos Saltpans (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

2 January 13
STEPPE BUZZARD 1  near Nifida - view photo (Petros Tsakmakis/Lesvos Birders Facebook Group)
Great Crested Grebe 140 off Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)

1 January 13
Ruddy Shelduck 4 Mesa (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Grey Plover 1 Tsiknias River (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Eurasian Curlew 2 Tsiknias River (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)
Common Sandpiper 1 Tsiknias River (Terry Robinson/OrnithoTopos)


STEPPE BUZZARDS
We have the first confirmed records of this subspecies of Common Buzzard this winter thanks to several photographs posted on the Lesvos Birders Facebook Group. For photos of the first bird seen near Kedro on the eastern outskirts of Mytilini from 17 Nov - 31 Dec 2012 see here and one seen over Pappados on 29 Nov 2012 see here. For 2013 sightings and photos see below.