29 April - White-throated Robin performs again!

The White-throated Robin performed well this evening much to the delight of many. Two potential firsts for the island reported today - a sandplover species and Red-throated Diver. Another Booted Eagle, the wandering Griffon and an arrival of bush-robins complete what was otherwise a hard, hot day. Day time temperatures now daily in high 20Cs and already 30C recorded. Water levels dropping very quickly with the Alykes Wetlands now holding very little water and virtually not birds!

Petrified Forest

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN

One male seen well this morning c.07.30 - 08.00. No sign of any birds throughout day, but one male again 18.00 onwards. 

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.

Petrified Forest (cont)

GRIFFON VULTURE 1

Montagu's Harrier r/t

Ortolan Bunting 1

Skala Kallonis

Sandplover sp - adult reported on beach 100m east of harbour side tavernas and cafes. Flew on to marsh between Environmental Centre and Tsiknias River. No previous accepted records of any sand plover species on Lesvos.

Red-throated Diver 2 reported off Christou River mouth. No previous accepted records.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint

Booted Eagle 1

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Ipsilou

Levant Sparrowhawk 2

Red-footed Falcon 7

Golden Oriole 3

Sigri & Faneromeni area

Semicollared Flycatcher 1 (lower ford)

Thrush Nightingale (upper ford)

Honey-buzzard 2

Collared Flycatcher 12

Pied Flycatcher 4

Lesser Grey Shrike 1

Red-backed Shrike 10

Woodchat Shrike 8

Little Bittern 1

Night-heron 1

Yelkouan Shearwater 300+

Tavari

Roller 1

Konditsia Valley

Bee-eater 12

Scopoli's Shearwater 30+

Makara

Bee-eater 6

Temminck's Stint 3

Golden Oriole several

Mt Ordimnos

Montagu's Harrier ad fem

Bee-eater 2

Lardia

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - female incubating and male visiting infrequently, expect to wait!

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Rufous Bush-robin 2 in bech tamarisks (view from shoreline, please don't walk through bushes)

Collared Pratincole 5

Red-footed Falcon 2

Garganey 1

Curlew Sandpiper

Eurasian Curlew 3

Oystercatcher 1

Tsiknias River

Squacco Heron 2

Metochi Lake

Squacco Heron 35

Night-heron 23

Little Crake 5

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Bee-eater 6

Papiana

Scops Owl 

Long-eared Owl  nest with 3 young (same site as 2012) - adult not seen today.

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl - several. Please do not harass the birds!