Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012. Show all posts

Lesvos Birds 2012




































LESVOS BIRDS 2012
written and compiled by Steve Dudley


This, the fourth annual bird report for Lesvos, covering all species recorded on the island in 2012 plus some additional records from earlier years.

Running to 147 pages it includes species accounts for all 323 species ever recorded from Lesvos and detailed accounts for those recorded during 2012. species and includes many colour photographs and various updates on birding sites on the island and more general birding and visitor information.

As well as accounts for commoner species, records include details of the first Lesvos records of Caspian Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake; the second record of Spectacled Warbler; the fourth record of Finsch’s Wheatear; the fourth confirmed breeding record of Penduline Tit; the sixth record of Black-winged Pratincole; the third successive year to record Red-necked Phalarope; a male White-throated Robin; plus much, much more. Also the first ever confirmed breeding of Mallard and Common Starling, and much, much more.

Previous annual reports

Lesvos Birds 2011 - Click here for PDF web version (via Scribd)

Lesvos Birds 2010 - Click here for PDF web version (via Scribd)

Lesvos Birds 2009 - Click here for PDF web version (via Scribd)

August - latest news

Records from Polichnitos Saltpans and Skala Polichnitou from Terry Robinson (via Ornithotopos). All other records from Pierre Stassin. Earlier August records here

Things hotting up with a Knot (4th record for Lesvos) and two Wrynecks on 23rd.

31/08
Garganey 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greater Flamingo 155 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Stork 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Egret 7 Polichnitos Saltpans
Black-winged Stilt 49 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Avocet 124 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Ringed Plover 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Ringed Plover 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Kentish Plover 14 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Redshank 70 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Marsh Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greenshank 15 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Wood Sandpiper 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Stint 3 Polichnitos Saltpans
Mediterranean Gull 21 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Hoopoe 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 20 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Tawny Pipit 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 

30/08
Garganey 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greater Flamingo 91 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Stork 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Great White Egret 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Egret 7 Polichnitos Saltpans
Montagu's Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Peregrine 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black-winged Stilt 43 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Avocet 123 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Ringed Plover 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Kentish Plover 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Redshank 29 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greenshank 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Stint 3 Polichnitos Saltpans
Mediterranean Gull 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 17 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Tern 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Tern 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 14 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 22 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Tawny Pipit 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Cretzschmar's Bunting 2 Polichnitos Saltpans


29/08
Black Stork 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Kite 4 south over Christou River (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Redshank 69 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Marsh Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greenshank 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Red-necked Phalarope adult (presumed male) at Kalloni Saltpans present since Monday 27/8 (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Slender-billed Gull 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Mediterranean Gull 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Red-backed Shrike 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Woodchat Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 22 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black-eared Wheatear 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Spotted Flycatcher 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Tawny Pipit 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 

28/08
Black Stork 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Redshank 44 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greenshank 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Stint 14 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Mediterranean Gull 27 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 13 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Tern 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Woodchat Shrike 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Yellow Wagtail 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 

27/08
Black Stork 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Levant Sparrowhawk male Platania (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Marsh Sandpiper 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Greenshank 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Stint 22 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Curlew Sandpiper 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Broad-billed Sandpiper 2 Kalloni Saltpans &amp (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria) 
Black-tailed Godwit 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Mediterranean Gull 43 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 16 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Tern 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Roller 1 Kalloni Saltpans (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria)
Red-backed Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Woodchat Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Spotted Flycatcher 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Yellow Wagtail 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 


26/08
Garganey 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Griffon Vulture 1 Ipsilou (Heinrich Frotscher)
Little Stint 34 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Broad-billed Sandpiper 3 Kalloni Saltpans & 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Ruff 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Mediterranean Gull 52 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Tern 18 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Nightjar 1 Skala Polichnitou  
Turtle Dove 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Kingfisher 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Woodchat Shrike 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Red-rumped Swallow 1Polichnitos Saltpans 
House Martin 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Stonechat 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Masked Shrike 1 Potamia Valley
Cretzschmar's Bunting 4 Potamia Valley 


25/08
Garganey 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Teal 15 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Stork 17 Metochi 
Little Egret 33 Metochi 
Great White Egret 2 Metochi 
Marsh Harrier 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Common Ringed Plover 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Broad-billed Sandpiper 3 Kalloni Saltpans &amp (Graham Tebb/BirdLife Austria) 
Dunlin 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Curlew 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Nightjar 2 Skala Polichnitou  
Common Nightingale 1 Skala Polichnitou  
Orphean Warbler 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Yellow Wagtail 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Cretzschmar's Bunting 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 


24/08
Garganey 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Stork 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Greater Flamingo 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Black Kite 1 Ipsilou
Marsh Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Montagu's Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans & 1 Ipsilou
Lesser Kestrel 3 Ipsilou
Common Redshank 51 Polichnitos Saltpans
Marsh Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Greenshank 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 
KNOT 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (only 4th record for Lesvos)
Little Stint 19 Polichnitos Saltpans
Curlew Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Ruff 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Mediterranean Gull 28 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 27 Polichnitos Saltpans
Turtle Dove 3 Polichnitos Saltpans
Lesser Grey Shrike 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Willow Warbler 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Isabelline Wheatear 3 Ipsilou
Black-eared Wheatear 10+ Ipsilou
Whinchat 1 Ipsilou
Spotted Flycatcher 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Yellow Waghtail 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Cretzschmar's Bunting 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 

23/08
Black Stork 16 Metochi Lake
Little Egret 27 Metochi Lake
Great White Egret 1 Metochi Lake & Kalloni Saltpans
Little Bittern 1 adult Metochi Lake
Greater Flamingo 6 coulour ringed read Kalloni Saltpans
White Pelican 1 first calendar year Kalloni Saltpans
Stone-curlew 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Pied Avocet 1350 Kalloni Saltpans
Common Redshank 50+ Kalloni Saltpans
Wood Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Stint 33 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Black Stork 14 Kalloni Saltpans
Eurasian Curlew 1 Kalloni Saltpans
Dunlin 1 adult intermediate Kalloni Saltpans
Mediterranean Gull 41 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Nightjar 2 Skala Polichnitou 
Wryneck 2 caught and ringed at Skala Polichnitou (Terry Robinson) - photos here
Lesser Grey Shrike 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Tawny Pipit 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 

22/08
Slender-billed Gull 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whiskered Tern 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Red-backed Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 10 Polichnitos Saltpans 

21/08
Garganey 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Montagu's Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Sandwich Tern 14 Polichnitos Saltpans (Pierre Stassin)
Dunlin 1 Polichnitos Saltpans (Pierre Stassin)
Common Sandpiper 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whiskered Tern 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Red-backed Shrike 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Lesser Grey Shrike 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Whinchat 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Northern Wheatear 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Cretzschmar's Bunting 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 

20/08
Garganey 12 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Teal 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Montagu's Harrier 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Marsh Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Sandpiper 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Barn Owl 1 heard in Skala Kallonis
Common Swift 4 Gavathas
Alpine Swift 1 Gavathas
Short-toed Eagle 5 Gavathas
Whinchat 1 Gavathas
Willow Warbler 4 Gavathas
Eleonora's Falcon 1 dark phase Gavathas
Turtle Dove 22 Gavathas
Long-legged Buzzard 1 Gavathas
Great White Egret 4 Kalloni salt pans
Common Tern 9 Tsiknias river 

19/08
Garganey 6 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Teal 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Green Sandpiper 3 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Alpine Swift 1 Skala Kallonis

18/08
Garganey 5 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Common Teal 4 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Scopoli's Shearwater 1 off shore Molivos
Yelkouan Shearwater 1 off shore Molivos
Short-toed Eagle 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Crag Martin 5 Molivos
Black Stork 28 Metochi Lake
Great White Egret 1 Metochi Lake
Night-heron 5 Metochi Lake
Bee-eater at least 60 Metochi Lake
Little Grebe 19 Potamia reservoir

17/08
Garganey 8 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Little Tern 1 Tsiknias river
Sandwich Tern 28 (max count for month) Polichnitos Saltpans 
Great White Egret 1 Kalloni salt pans
Flamingo at least 740 Kalloni salt pans
Corn Bunting at least 50 Kalloni salt pans
Little Stint at least 30 Kalloni salt pans
Eurasian Curlew 1 Kalloni salt pans
Cretzschmar's Bunting 25 (max count for month) Polichnitos Saltpans 

16/08
Garganey 9 Polichnitos Saltpans 
Wood Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans
Mediterranean Gull 57 (max count for month) Polichnitos Saltpans 
Scops Owl 1 Soumouria (Kalloni mini soccer pitch)
Long-tailed Tit +/- 15 Ag. Taxiarchis
Sombre Tit 1 Ag. Taxiarchis
Red-rumped Swallow 5-6 Ag. Taxiarchis
Short-toed Eagle 1 Ag. Taxiarchis
Rock Nuthatch 2 Ag. Taxiarchis
Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1 Ag. Taxiarchis

15/08
Green Sandpiper 2 Polichnitos Saltpans 




Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 Polichnitos Saltpans 



Long-legged Buzzard 1 Kalloni salt pans
Krupers Nuthatch 1 Achladeri forest
Cinereous Bunting 1 adult feeding 1 young Ag. Ioannis
Blue Rock-thrush 1 pair 
Ag. Ioannis
Rock Nuthatch 2 
Ag. Ioannis
Sombre Tit 1 adult feeding 1 young 
Ag. Ioannis
Stonechat 1 Ag. Ioannis
Black-eared Wheatear 2 
Ag. Ioannis

14/08
Great White Egret 1 Kalloni salt pans
Dalmatian Pelican 1 imm Kalloni salt pans
Stone-curlew 2 Christou river
Temminck Stint  1 Kalloni salt pans Bee-eater 5 Metochi lake



18 May 2012


Well, it was the last day for many of us but some of us went out on a high connecting with a mobile flock of 33 Rose-coloured Starlings. The Spotted Crake reappeared on the Tsiknias River and there was a large passage of hirundines and swifts.

And its the last night of daily sightings here on Lesvos Birding. Thanks to all who have shared their news with me by whatever means. See you next year!

Weather - Overnight thunderstorms, heavy rain until c.0900 with dark skies with occasional sunny intervals until c.1800, then rain again. 21C.

Please don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deisel - see here.

Other news - see here.


BIRD NEWS

Rose-coloured Starlings
33 present around Lotzaria and Tsiknias River area for much of the day

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch
Two birds showing well high in the forest. Cross the stream at the fork and take the immediate left. Birds feeding at top of this uphill section of track. Still no calling so hard to locate.
Lotzaria
Rose-coloured Starling 33 around the Mulberry trees
Marsh Harrier 1
Long-legged Buzzard 1
Tsiknias River
Spotted Crake 1 still just north of the upper ford
Night-heron 8
Black Stork 3
White Stork 1
Little BIttern 3

Kalloni Saltpans
Red Knot 1 (seen Christou River 14th & Saltpans 15th)
Gull-billed Tern 4
Whiskered Tern 1
Curlew Sandpiper 31
Little Stint 26
Ruff 2
White Stork 9
Marsh Warbler 1
Zitting Cisticola 2

Christou River
Dunlin 30

Platania
Eleonora's Falcon 2
Red-footed Falcon 2
Alpine Swift 30+
Olive-tree Warbler 1

17 May 2012

Another thin day with again very little reported. A few more Rosy Starling and Eleonora's Falcons but not a lot else in a thunderstorm hit day. Same forecast for tomorrow too.

Weather - A mixed bag of blue skies and thuderstorms over much of the island with torrential downpours and very strong SE winds. 22C.

Please don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deisel - see here.

Other news - see here.


BIRD NEWS

Rose-coloured Starlings
4 Makara this morning but no other reports.

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch
Birds reportedly present but still elusive, still not calling.
Makara
Rose-coloured Starling 4
Eleonora's Falcon 1
Scopoli's Shearwater 2
Squacco Heron 1
Alpine Swift 10
Metochi
Little Bittern 2
no sign of any crakes but water level very high again

Tsiknias River
Night-heron 2 (both 3CY birds, different to yday's 4 birds)
Black Stork 1
White Stork 1

Christou River
Curlew Sandpiper 5

Platania
Eleonora's Falcon 1
Red-footed Falcon 3
Alpine Swift 6

Mt Ordimnos nr Andissa
Eleonora's Falcon 1
a great new site for upland birds such as wheatears, buntings, raptors, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Nuthatch, etc. Access track to wind farm c.600m south of the Eresos-Sigri road junction.

16 May 2012

Another thin day with little reported. A Booted Eagle at Metochi takes star prize and more Eleonora's Falcons seen today and a handful of Marsh Warblers going through. But where are the Rosy Starlings?

Weather - Bright blue skies with scatter cloud and fresh southerly breeze. 25C.

Please don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deisel - see here.

Other news - see here.


BIRD NEWS

Rose-coloured Starlings
No news received today? Have you seen any?

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch
Birds reportedly present but still elusive, still not calling.
Metochi
Booted Eagle 1
Agriosikos (track by the Filia mast)
Eleonora's Falcon 5 viewed from track 1.5 km from mast overlooking the Metochi area. Seen in this area two days ago.

North coast track
Scopoli's Shearwater 20+ inc. several birds feeding down to 50m offshore at the spring halfway between Efthalou and Skala Sikaminias
Yelkouan Shearwater 4 (only!) all heading west
Audouin's Gull 3 adults at the hot springs area
Marsh Warbler 1 singing in dry river mouth of one of the gullies

Potamia Valley
Olive-tree Warbler 2 singing north of the weir (one bird c.200m and the second c.800m from the weir).
Tsiknias River
Audouin's Gull 1 at river mouth
Night-heron 4
Little Bittern 4
Black Stork 1
Oystercatcher 2


Petri quarry
Eleonora's Falcon 8


Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands
Whiskered Tern 5
Black Stork 3
White Stork 6

Vigla (nr Ipsilou)
Olive-tree Warbler 1

Napi Valley
Marsh Warbler 3

Faneromeni
Lesser Grey Shrike 1
Curlew Sandpiper 2

Christou River
Curlew Sandpiper 1

15 May 2012


A very thin day with no reports of anything other than what I saw with my group out west! 

The Spur-winged Plover appears to have moved on, as do all the shrikes around Faneromeni in  recent days. A very windy (but at least dry) day out west meant many things were hunkered down in the morning at least.

Weather - Thick cloud, strong winds and heavy rain in central areas during the morning. Out west dry and soon clearing to bright sunshine and scatter clouds. strong southerly moderating during day to light by evening. 28C out west mid-afternoon. 

Please don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deiselsee here.

Other newssee here.


BIRD NEWS

Rose-coloured Starlings
No news received today. Have you seen any?

Achladeri & Kruper's Nuthatch
Birds reported very elusive yesterday, still not calling.
Faneromeni
No sign of the Spur-winged Plover and all the Red-backed Shrikes and other migrants appear to have cleared out
Red-throated Pipit 1

Ipsilou
Eleonora's Falcon 1
Eastern Bonelli's Eagle 1
Golden Oriole 1+
Lardia Valley
Eleonora's Falcon 4

Nr Sigri
Eleonora's Falcon 1
Red-footed Falcon 2

Papiana
Scops Owl 1 - in eucalyptus tree by black gates on other side of road from the school (up towards the green and blue waste bins). 
Long-eared Owl - adult by nest with 3 chicks in largest eucalyptus tree by field with the black horse (on school side of road)
NOTE - this is a residential area. Please park with care, respect the privacy of local residents and beware traffic on the road - one birders was knocked over here last week!