3 May - now two Great Snipes!

Great Snipe, Nr Achladeri, 3 May 2013 
(Gallinago media) Διπλομπεκάτσινο 
© Anna Thompson

Two Great Snipes today, yesterday's bird still at Faneromeni and a new bird found near Achladeri. Griffon Vulture still out west. No news of either the White-throated Robins. Fewer shrikes out west but a cracking evening at Kalloni Saltpans with marsh terns and pratincoles.

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.

Sigri & Faneromeni area

GREAT SNIPE 1 (lower ford)
Spotted Crake 1 (lower ford)
Red-backed Shrike 30+

Beach road between Achladeri and Skala Vasilikon

GREAT SNIPE 1 on first pool travelling south
Eleonora's Falcon 1

Nr Antissa

GRIFFON VULTURE 1

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Rufous Bush-robin 2 in beach tamarisks (view from shoreline, please don't walk through bushes)
Black Stork 24
White-winged Tern 38
Whiskered Tern 41
Sandwich Tern 2
Gull-billed Tern 5
Little Gull1 
Spoonbill 1
Ruddy Shelduck 4
Red-throated Pipit 6
Short-toed Lark 5
Collared Pratincole 12
Ruff 330
Temminck's Stint 2
Curlew Sandpiper 21
Mallard 1
Purple Heron 4
Mediterranean Gull 6
Grey Plover 4
Turnstone 3
Red-footed Falcon 10

Molivos

Great Spotted Cuckoo 1
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1

South of Vatousa

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 3 singing males

Lardia Valley

Eleonora's Falcon 1

Gavathas

Scopoli's Shearwater 3
Alpine Swift 30
Bee-eater 12

Alikoudi

White-winged Tern 9
Whiskered Tern 1
Temminck's Stint 2
Greenshank 1

Kalloni Raptor Watchpint

Honey-buzzard 1
Hobby 2

Stipsi

Honey-buzzard 1

Agriosikos (east track)

Hawfinch 1

Metochi Lake

Little Bittern 3
Bee-eater 6
Purple Heron 1

Nr Skamioudi

Olive-tree Warbler 2

Potamia Valley

Olive-tree Warbler 1

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 adult by nest with 3 young (same site as 2012)

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 5l. Please do not harass the birds!

1 May 2012

Black-headed Bunting, Meladia Valley (c) Steve Dudley

They're in!

A frustrating day with temperatures reaching 30C for the first time making birding even harder. It seems more birds have left than have arrived, bit a handful of Barred Warblers today may indicate some birds are dropping in.

Weather - Blue skies, light to moderate N breeze, 30C

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.

Molivos
Levant Sparrowhawk 3

Kalloni Saltpans 

BAILLON'S CRAKE - still present along reeded channel in SW corner near pumping station

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Collared Pratincole 2

Spotted Redshank 1

Ruff 70

Garganey 3

Whiskered Tern 2

White-winged Tern 8

Glossy Ibis 9

Greenshank 2

Curlew 1

Grey Plover 1

Lotzaria 

Montagu's Harrier 1 ad fem

Tsiknias River

Red-footed Falcon 8

Collared Pratincole 2

Soumouria Scops Copse

Scops Owl 1 - the bird is in the second eucalyptus on the right of the Kalloni end entrance

Nr Agra

Hobby 1

Sigri & Faneromeni 

Barred Warbler 1

Eleonora's Falcon 3

Meladia Valley

Roller 2

Icterine Warbler 2

Citrine Wagtail 1

Ashy-headed Wagtail 1

Barred Warbler 3

Collared Flycatcher 2

Lesser Grey Shrike 1

Masked Shrike 1

Red-backed Shrike 6

Woodchat Shrike 4

Purple Heron 1

Ipsilou

Eleonora's Falcon 2

Icterine Warbler 1

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blue Rock-thrush, etc

Platania

Olive-tree Warbler 3

NOTE - the Platania track is very rough in places and should only be attempted with extreme caution. I would advise parking after 1km from the road then walk in

Dipi Larisos 

Pygmy Cormorant 2 still, ranging widely from river mouth, upstream (inc. getting in reeds up from the bridge) and bot hflew off and went down by the Mytilini road

White-winged Black Tern 1

Meladia Valley 

Roller 2

Filia mast 

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 6

Hawfinch 1

North Coast Track 

Barred Warbler 1

Mesotopos
Eleonora's Falcon 1
Hobby 1

26 April 2011 - Lesser Spotted Eagles

Wryneck, Faneromeni. One of at least five found this spring, this bird fed out in the open in a freshly ploughed (with hundreds of other birds) for several hours and was enjoyed by manor birders - the first mass-viewed Wryneck on Lesvos © Steve Dudley

Warm and sunny for most part, with some cloud cover during the afternoon leading to spots of rain ut past erly evening.

Black-headed Buntings at least appear to be reading the script and more birds seen today (inc. one flock of 25) Bee-eaters tomorrow? A single field in Faneromeni fields (along the beach road) held a staggering amount of birds (25+ species seen in or over it) including over 1000 flava wagtails, a very obliging Wryneck (feeing in the open field for several hours). See below for more details.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Common Nightingales are not Bush-robins - lots of birds seen feeding in open areas being reported as Rufous Bush-robin. Please check birds carefully - not all rufous-coloured birds feeding around rocks and in fields etc are Bush-robins (in fact, none of them are so far!).

Collared Pratincoles - there are lots of reports of exhausted birds (birds falling over, birds with pronounced sternums, etc). Please do not harass any birds, this is aimed especially to photographers who were observed climbing fences and entering fields around the saltpans today and stalking one exhausted individual.

Tsiknias River - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 2, Common Kingfisher 1, Night-heron 6, Purple Heron 3, Montagu's Harrier 1, Pallid Swift 1, Black-headed Bunting 1, Stone-curlew 3.

Metochi area - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 3, BLACK KITE 1, Black-headed Bunting 2, Little Crake 8, Water Rail 1, Little Bittern 2, Night-heron 2, Common Starling (breeding).

Skala Kallonis Pool - BLACK KITE 1, Eleonora's Falcon 1, Great Bittern, Squacco Heron 1.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1, Barred Warbler 1, Gull-billed Tern 10 (seen earlier in Meladia Valley), Lesser Kestrel 3.

Ipsilou - THRUSH NIGHTINGALE 1, Marsh Warbler 1, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Wood Warbler 2, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler. Still lots of flycatchers, many Nightingales feeding in open areas. No bush-robins!

Polichnitos Saltpans - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Red-footed Falcon 13.

Lardia Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 on territory.

Faneromeni - beach road Wryneck 1, Rufous Bush-robin 1, Yellow Wagtail 1000+ (inc. flava,feldegg and thunbergi) Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 4, Northern Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Nightingale, Great Reed Warbler, White-winged Black Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 4, Purple Heron 1, Collared Pratincole 3. Lower Ford Little Crake 4, Green Sandpiper. Upper Ford Little Bittern 1, Black-headed Bunting 30+ (inc. flock of 25), Lesser Kestrel 34 (in one tree!).

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush-robin 1 in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans; Collared Pratincole 36, Red-footed Falcon 5, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 150, Dunlin 1, Curlew Sandpiper 16, White-winged Black Tern 30, Whiskered Tern 42, Temminck's Stint 3, Eurasian Curlew 1, Common Greenshank. Alykes Wetlands Stone-curlew 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Red-throated Pipit 15, Tawny Pipit 2, Short-toed Lark 30, Ruff 300, Black-tailed Godwit 5, Montagu's Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 2, Purple Heron 3, Alpine Swift 10. Barn Swallowtransitiva 1 (none accepted to Greek List - same bird reported yesterday).

Molivos - Nightjar (on beach), Sandwich Tern, Short-eared Owl, Bee-eater, Masked Shrike.

Aghios Ioannis - Ortolan Bunting 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1.

Parakoila Marsh - Great Bittern 1.

Pandeleimonas Pools (nr Eresos) - Honey-buzzard 1, Barred Warbler male, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 1.

Sigri - estuary inlet Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 1. Fields Golden Oriole 10, Hoopoe 5, lots of flycatchers still.

Lotzaria - Montagu's Harrier fem.

Meladia Valley - Red-backed Shrike male (first of year), Ortolan Bunting 1, Black-headed Bunting 2, Gull-billed Tern 10 (seen later at Sigri Old Sanatorium), Rock Sparrow (pr feeding young at 'old Rock Nuthatch nest' - yes I know, there are several in the valley!), Tawny Pipit 2.

Perasma - Black-headed Bunting 1, Audouin's Gull 1.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - the pr at the stump tree nr the white building appear to have deserted the site. If you know different please let me know.

Agiasos - Kruper's Nuthatch 7 males on territory. Chiffchaff on territory.

25 April 2011 - Booted Eagle and Cattle Egret

Wood Sandpiper, Tsiknias River. Common at most freshwater wetlands again this year © Steve Dudley

Another sunny day. Warm in the centre of the island, but bitterly cold out west.

After a trickle of Black-headed Buntings, Bee-eaters and other species in recent days, the expected rush of migrants hasn't happened yet. Hopefully tomorrow. Those leaving on Thursday are running out of time!

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Collared Pratincoles - there are lots of reports of exhausted birds (birds falling over, birds with pronounced sternums, etc). Please do not harass any birds, this is aimed especially to photographers who were observed climbing fences and entering fields around the saltpans today and stalking one exhausted individual.

Kramastes Bridge - BOOTED EAGLE 1 (dark phase).

'nr Kalloni' - CATTLE EGRET 1 in sheep fields (sorry, no further info), Mallard with 6 ducklings (first confirmed breeding?).

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Wood Warbler, Collared Flycatcher, etc.

Kalloni Saltpans (and surrounding fields and wetlands) - Fan-tailed Warbler 1, Collared Pratincole 45+, Slender-billed Gull 3, Spoonbill 1, White-winged Black Tern 8, Whiskered Tern 4, Temminck's Stint 1, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Grey Plover 5, Eurasian Curlew 1, Whimbrel 1, Water Pipit (reported on main road pool), Glossy Ibis 100+, Ruff 250+, Short-toed Lark 6, Red-throated Pipit 6.

Faneromeni - Pallid Harrier 1, Golden Oriole 1, Little Crake 3, White-winged Black Tern 3, Woodchat Shrike 10+, Savi's Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 5+, Masked Shrike 2, Hoopoe 2, Turtle Dove 20+, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 10, Squacco Heron 2.

Sigri Old Sanatorium to Meladia Chapel - Ortolan Bunting 1, Masked Shrike 2, Woodchat Shrike 20+, Wood Warbler 1, Tawy Pipit 3, Lesser Kestrel 2.

Bandstand above Sigri - Ortolan Bunting 2, Cinereous Bunting 1, Lesser Kestrel 5.

Meladia Valley - Montagu's Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Woodchat Shrike 8.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler (2 prs active), Blue Rock-thrush, Peregrine,Crag Martin.

Aghios Ioannis - Alpine Swift, Cinereous and Cretztschmar's Buntings, Golden Oriole.

Lotzaria Pool - Spotted Redshank 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Red-footed Falcon fem, Short-toed Eagle 6, Black Stork 1.

Tsiknias River - Night-heron 6, Little Bittern 2, Purple Heron 1, Hen Harrier fem, Hobby 1.

10 May 2010 - Black Kite and bits and bobs

Ipsilou - BLACK KITE 1 (only record this spring), Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Eleanora's Falcon 4, Wood Warbler 6+, Spotted Flycatcher 12+, Cinereous Bunting 6+, Red-footed Falcon 1, Red-backed Shrike 4, Lesser Kestrel 1, Rock Sparrow 2.

Petri - Laicona Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Honey-buzzard 1, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Aghias Taxiarchis - Olive-tree Warbler 1, Masked Shrike 2, Golden Oriole 3.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 3+, Golden Oriole 3+, Masked Shrike, Hoopoe, Sombre Tit, etc.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flood) - flood drying out fast - Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 3, Little Stint 12, Wood Sandpiper 39.

Tsiknias River - Sandwich Tern 1, Bee-eater 20+, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Great Reed Warbler, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole, Great Reed Warbler 5, Bee-eater 40+.

Faneromeni - Icterine Warbler 1, Little Bittern 6+, Squacco Heron 2, Night-heron 1, Common Snipe 1, Bee-eater 30+.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Lesser Kestrel 1, Red-backed Shrike 3.

Meladia Valley - Icterine Warbler 1, Little Bittern 6+, Purple Heron 2, Peregrine 1, Wood Warbler 1, Spotted Flycatcher 20+, Red-backed Shrike 8+, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Alikoudi Pool - Curlew Sandpiper, Grey plover, Little Stint.

Petrified Forest road - Cinereous Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Northern Wheatear 3.

Napi - Northern Wheatear 1.

9 May 2010 - Richard's Pipit

Nr Sigri Old Sanatorium - RICHARD'S PIPIT 1 seen well at 0820h on coastal track between the petrified forest enclosure on headland and the sanatorium (Paul Manning, Vera Manning). No accepted records, but one record currently with HRC, so if confirmed, this will be the second record for Lesvos.

Above Mesotopos - BONELLI'S EAGLE 1, Red-footed Falcon 21, Long-legged Buzzard 3 (inc. nest), Rock Sparrows, Crag Martin, etc (Paul Manning, Vera Manning).

Kalloni Saltpans - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Whiskered Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 1, Black Tern 2.

Nr Molivos - LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 2 (Robin Chittenden et al)

Vouvaris River Mouth - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 4+ singing and showing on and off at the cattle grid site, Golden Oriole 3+, Long-legged Buzzard 6+, Short-toed Eagle 1, usual Masked Shrike, Sombre Tit, Woodlark, etc. Common Swift 600+.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 2, Hobby.

Alikoudi Pool - Curlew Sandpiper 6, Little Stint 45+, Grey Plover 3, Wood Sandpiper 10+, Greater Flamingo 2.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleanora's Falcon 4, Honey-buzzard 1, Short-toed Eagle 5, Long-legged Buzzard 2, Common Buzzard 4, Bee-eater 60+, Common Swift 300+.

Skala Kallonis - Red-footed Falcon 1, Short-toed Eagle 1.

Napi - Little Bittern 1.

Out west - following yesterday's shower out west fall of Spotted Flycatchers and Red-backed Shrikes.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher 40+.

Meladia Valley - Lesser Grey Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Rufous Bush Robin 3, Little Bittern 5, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 1, Spotted Flycatcher 50+, Red-backed Shrike 20+.

30 April 2010 - birds, birds, birds!

Christou River - RED KNOT 1 at 7am (third record for Lesvos if accepted).

Kalloni Saltpans - GREAT SNIPE 1 in flood opposite saltworks entrance (also Common Snipe), LANNER 1 at 1pm, Osprey (first report for this spring), Spoonbill 6, Gull-billed Tern 40+ in off sea 12.10pm - 5 on flood throughout afternoon/evening, White-wing Black Tern 75+, Whiskered Tern 10+, Temminck's Stint 1, Garganey 9, Collared Pratincole 4, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Rufous Bush Robin (compound in SW corner), Red-footed Falcon 1.

Faneromeni Upper Ford - GREAT SNIPE 1 50m upstream of ford.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - LANNER 1 at 10.45am and 3pm, Whiskered Tern 100+, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 8, Shoveler 4, Black Stork 6.

Makara - LANNER 1, Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 3, Purple Heron 2, Squacco Heron 11, Hobby 2.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler still 150m north of bridge by blue plastic drum. DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES!

Meladia Valley - Red-breasted Flycatcher male at chapel.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2, Icterine 1, Collared Flycatcher 2, Wood Warbler 20.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Pallid Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Honey-buzzard 3, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Orphean Warbler 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Night-heron 15 north at 6.15am, Purple Heron 2

Alykes Wetlands - Red-throated Pipit 3, Tawny Pipit 1, Short-toed Lark 25.

Tsiknias River - River Warbler 1 singing 200m north of ford

Mesa - Temmick's Stint 1.

Dimitrios - Middle-spotted Woodpecker pair actively feeding young. Park by bridge, cross road, walk through chapel along footpath to right and view nest in top of dead poplar. Grey Wagtail. Odalisque dragonfly.

29 April 2010 - its all gone crazy!

Changeover day is always a dangerous day. The groups are busy being ferried to and from airports with limited birding, whilst all the independent birders gad about without the groups getting in their way! And boy did they see some birds today.

TEREK SANDPIPER - 1 Kalloni Saltpans breifly mid-afternoon in SW corner (Will Bowell, Kevin Du Rose et al). Only fifth record for Lesvos.

(RUFOUS-TAILED) ROCK-THRUSH - male Ipsilou in morning (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd).

SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER - male Meladia River Ford (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd).

WHITE PELICAN - 1 Kalloni Saltpans until mid-morning (MO).

Ipsilou - Rock-thrush male, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 7, Collared Flycatcher 20+, Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Wood Warbler 50+, Golden Oriole 30+, Cinereous Bunting 10+.

Maladia Valley Ford - Semi-collared Flycatcher male, Little Crake (taken by Marsh Harrier), Little Bittern 4, Squacco Heron 4, Golden Oriole 6.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Roller 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-backed Shrike 100+, Masked Shrike 10+, Purple Heron 10, Montagu's Harrier 1, Orphean Warbler 2.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 2+ - one still 200m north of river bridge along east track, view from the half blue plastic container; Pallid Harrier 1.

Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 at the barrier site below masts.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 4+ at cattle grid site.

Tsiknias River - Caspian Tern 1 (at mouth), Citrine Wagtail 2 (at ford).

Kalloni Salptans (and surrounding flooded fields) - Terek Sandpiper (SW corner), White Pelican 1 (until mid morning), Citrine Wagtail 1 (flood), Rufous Bush Robin (SW corner compound), Bar-tailed Godwit 1, White-winged Black Tern 100+, Black Tern 5.

Metochi Lake - Ortolan Bunting 1, Little Bittern 2, Little Crake 2, Bee-eater 11.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 68, White-winged Black Tern 2, Water Rail 1, Red-backed Shrike 2, Mallard 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Honey-buzzard 1.

Offshore at airport - Scopoli's Shearwater 110+ following fishing boat 1830.

Haramida - Whiskered Tern 1.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler, Orphean Warbler.

26 April 2010 - Rain and migrants

Late news –

24 April – LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE – 9 NE over Polichnitos Saltpans at 1800h (John Bowers).

25 April – Polichnitos Saltpans area – Roller 1, Collared Pratincole 8, Black-headed Bunting 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper (Terry Robinson).

Today -

BOOTED EAGLE – 1 Lardia Valley (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd)

SAVI’S WARBLER – 1 singing Metochi Lake (Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd), present since 24^th (Jeff & Helen Bailey).

EASTERN BONELLI’S WARLBER – 1 singing Skala Sikaminias.

PENDULINE TIT – a pair still building a nest at Skala Eresou (MO). See Skala Eresou item below.

Skala Eresou – Penduline Tit nest is c.100m north of the road bridge viewable from along the track on the eastern side of the river. Walk up to an irrigation head (orange with round turn handle) on right and then on left look for some blue string in the chainlink fence. View the willows directly opposite from here. The nest is directly opposite on the end of a willow branch at about the height of the tallest tamarisks at this point.

Collared Pratincole 2, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Squacco Heron 20 north, Night-heron 2 north, Little Bittern 1, Yelkouan Shearwater 800+, Scopoli’s Shearwater 15.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance, etc) – Red-footed Falcon 5, Collared Pratincole 7, Marsh Sandpiper 4, Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 50, White-winged Black Tern 4, Garganey 7, Spoonbill 1, Ruddy Shelduck 11, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Greenshank 20.

Alykes Wetlands – Tawny Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 20+, Short-toed Lark 12+, White Stork 8, Ruddy Shelduck 37.

Tsiknias River – Spoonbill 1, Temminck’s Stint 4, Wood Sandpiper 120+. Black-headed Bunting 8+. 13 Squacco Heron between river mouth and Skala Kallonis village.

Metochi Lake – Savi’s Warbler 1, Little Crake 3, Little Bittern 2, Purple Heron 1, Squacco Heron 4.

Kavaki – Ruppell’s Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Sardinian Warbler.

North Coast – Yelkouan Shearwater, Scopoli’s Shearwater, Little Gull 200+, Audouin’s Gull 1.

Kremastes (Bridge) Valley – Red-footed Falcon 40+, Montagu’s Harrier 2, Hobby 1, Purple Heron 1, red-backed Shrike 1.

Napi Valley – Red-footed Falcon 10, Lesser Kestrel 3.

Soumouria (Kalloni Scops Copse) – Scops Owl 1 roosting in tree by the blue bins.

Polichnitos Saltpans – Red-footed Falcon 2, Black Stork 1, Temminck’s Stint 1, Little Stint.

Almiropotamos River (Vatera) – Squacco Heron 20, Little Bittern 1, Purple Heron 1, Sanderling 1.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch 2, Masked Shrike, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Meladia Valley – Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Icterine Warbler 1, Red-backed Shrike 3, Golden Oriole 2.

Ipsilou – Collared Flycatcher 1, Golden Oriole 15, Wood Warbler 20+.

Faneromeni – Collared Flycatcher 1, Eleanora’s Falcon 1, White-winged Black Tern 1, Purple Heron 4, Temminck’s Stint 2.

Sigri Fields – Lesser Kestrel 60, Montagu’s Harrier 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 2.

Voulgaris River (Ancient Antissa) – Purple Heron 2, Night-heron 8, Squacco Heron 2, Golden Oriole 2.

Alikoudi Pool – Whiskered Tern 3, Citrine Wagtail 1.

Upper Tsiknias River - Levant Sparrowhawk 1 (took swallow).

Molivos - Eleanora's Falcon 2.

6 May 08 - Broad-billed Sandpiper

LOST - one Tilley hat. Could be anywhere between Skala Eresou and Achladeri! Contact Steve at steve at toadsnatcher dot com.

Finsch's and Pied Wheatears
There are reports of both Finsch's and Pied Wheatears each year and those followed up invariably turn out to be black-and-white Black-eared Wheatears. This year seems to be particuarly noteworthy for such reports and all have so far turned out to be BEWs. If anyone has any photographs to support claims of either of these two species please come forward. Email steve at toadsnatcher dot com.

Weather: fine and settled withvirtually no wind. Max temp. c. 28 C.

A fresh influx of waders brought in a Broad-billed Sandpiper this evening. Today's Imperial Eagle sighting, seen by the same observer as last week (at the same location), is now thought to be just one bird accounting for all records (confirmed/probables) over the last week (inc. yesterdays two sightings).

Todays highlights -

Kalloni Bandstand - IMPERIAL EAGLE 1 over mid-morning. It is now thought that one bird accounts for all the sightings on the island this spring.

Kalloni Saltpans - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 in evening, SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2 (turn right at south-west corner bend, birds in little sheep enclosure and field on left), Marsh Sandpiper 1, Collared Pratincole 5, Red-footed Falcon 9, White-winged Black Tern 11, Whiskered Tern 3, Black Tern 2, Black Stork 2, Curlew 2, Temminck's Stint 2, Little Stint 400+, Ruff 220+, Curlew Sandpiper 85+, Montagu's Harrier 1.

Tsiknias River - BONELLI'S EAGLE 1 to west, LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 2 (m&f) to north, Ruppell's Warbler 2 singing males along upper section. River Warbler 1 singing along upper section.

Sigri - European Nightjar 3, Scops Owl 2.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 2 (feeding 3 small young).

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch young now hatched (prob. this morning). Just beyond the white building in the car park, look to left for tall pointed tree stump with electric cables coming off either side. Nest in bottom of the gash at the top of the stump. No sign of Long-eared Owls in recent days. Masked Shrike nesting nearby.

Platania - Olive Tree Warbler 6+ now around the 'cattle grid' site.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, holding territory at eastern end. West of Vatousa park at eastern end of valley in ‘chalky’ coloured pull-in on right with small wooden gate. Walk west for three telegraph poles to small pool. Bird is in this area but can get to opposite side of valley. Rock Sparrow nesting in Rock Nuthatch nest on rocky outcrop on right from the pull-in.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

Mylopotamos River (East East River) - Goshawk imm male chasing Turtle Doves through olive groves.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter their records in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

Printed copies of the daily Lesvosbirding.com summaries are also on reception at the Hotel Pasiphae by the bird log. Please do not remove them. Thanks. Anyone wanting a printed copy of any daily summary should ask at the hotel reception.

5 May 08 - Another big bird day

Overnight rain and an overcast morning had most of the birders scampering west this morning. And we weren't disappointed!

Weather: overnight rain gave way to a short-lived overcast morning but fine and sunny by mid-morning with scattered cloud. Moderate north-westerly wind. Max temp. c. 25 C.

Ipsilou - GRIFFON VULTURE 1 mid-morning (8th island record and first since 2002), IMPERIAL EAGLE over mid-afternoon (see Andissa below), Collared Flycatcher 4, Red-breasted Flycatcher 2, Thrush Nightingale 3, Icterine Warbler 2, Honey-buzzard 1, Marsh Warbler 6+, plus loads of common migrants inc. Red-backed Shrikes, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroas, etc.

Polichnitos Saltpans - BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1.

Nr Andissa - IMPERIAL EAGLE being mobbed by 3 Long-legged Buzzards mid-morning.

Meladia River Ford area - PALLID SWIFT 110+, Collared Flycatcher 1, Red-breasted Flycatcher 2, Olive Tree Warbler 1, Thrush Nightingale 1, Citrine Wagtail 2, Tawny Pipit 2, Ortolan Bunting 1, Little Bittern 1, Red-backed Shrike 30+, Lesser Grey Shrike 3.

Faneromeni area - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, ROLLER 2, Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Skala Eresou - CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Eleanora's Falcon 1 pale bird, Garganey 5 on sea, Squacco Heron 2.

Between Efthalou & Skala Sikaminias - LANNER1, Audouin's Gull 4.

Nr Sikaminia - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (fem).

Sigri Old Sanitorium - Rufous Bush Chat 2.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, holding territory at eastern end. West of Vatousa park at eastern end of valley in ‘chalky’ coloured pull-in on right with small wooden gate. Walk west for three telegraph poles to small pool. Bird is in this area but can get to opposite side of valley. Rock Sparrow nesting in Rock Nuthatch nest on rocky outcrop on right from the pull-in.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch still showing well.

Mesotopos - no sign of yesterday's two Olive Tree Warblers just south of the Eko garage.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter their records in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

Printed copies of the daily Lesvosbirding.com summaries are also on reception at the Hotel Pasiphae by the bird log. Please do not remove them. Thanks.

4 May 08 - Olive Tree Warblers back in

Despite fine weather and northerly winds migrants still keep creeping in and the odd long-staying bird is still with us. After yesterday's couple of birds out west, today continued the main arrival of Olive Tree Warblers.

The seasonal pool by the Kalloni Saltworks entrance is now dry and other small pools disappearing fast (not been to or heard about the Alykes Wetlands). River levels still OK.

The Spur-winged Plover was unfortunately flushed by a photographer who entered an enclosed field. A reminder, if an area is fenced DO NOT ENTER. Enter only areas with open gates, keep to field edges and keep out of crops and groves.

Weather: fine and sunny with light northerly wind strengthening during afternoon. Max. temp c. 25 C.

Some additional news for yesterday, a singing Barred Warbler and Thrush Nightingale near Andissa.

Today’s highlights -

Kalloni Saltpans – PALLID HARRIER 1 (fem north c. 4.30 pm), SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (seen to be flushed by a photographer in morning and not seen since), Osprey 1, Red-footed Falcon 6, White-winged Black Tern 11, Whiskered Tern 1, Temminck’s Stint 4, Spotted Redshank 2, Curlew Sandpiper 50+, Little Stint 50+, Ruff 465+.

Napi Valley - OLIVE TREE WARBLER 3 at roadside barrier site below masts at north end of valley.

Platania – OLIVE TREE WARBLER now 5+ at the cattle grid site, Golden Oriole 2. Between Napi Road and cattle grid 09.00 – 11.30 am - Thrush Nightingale 1, Honey-buzzard 1, Black Stork 5, Red-footed Falcon 8, Ortolan Bunting 4, Red-backed Shrike 6+ plus stacks of commons stuff such as Hoopoe, Masked Shrike, Orphean Warbler, Woodlark, etc.

Tsiknias River – RUPPELL’S WARBLER male singing (Upper Valley), Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Black Stork 1 (caught and ate a snake), Mediterranean Gull 2 (ads), White-winged Black Tern 2, Stone-curlew 1.

Meladia River Ford area - PALLID SWIFT 3, RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1, ROLLER 1, Little Bittern 1, Yelkuoun Shearwater c. 3000+ per hour at one point, still lots of migrants inc. Spotted Flycacther, Black-headed Bunting, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Bee-eater, Turtle Dove.

Faneromeni - Red-breasted Flycatcher (along track up from ford).

Parikoila Marsh – Purple Heron 1, Black Stork 1.

Skala Eresou – Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, holding territory at eastern end. West of Vatousa park at eastern end of valley in ‘chalky’ coloured pull-in on right with small wooden gate. Walk west for three telegraph poles to small pool. Bird is in this area but can get to opposite side of valley. Rock Sparrow nesting in Rock Nuthatch nest on rocky outcrop on right from the pull-in.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter theirs in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

3 May 08 - More Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters!

Ruddy Shelduck with 9 (of 10) young on Voulgaris River

An amazing continuation of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater records and the second Imperial Eagle of the spring.

Weather: fine and sunny with strengthening northerly wind during afternoon. Max. temp c.28 C.
Today’s highlights -

Ipsilou – IMPERIAL EAGLE 1 sub-adult over to north in morning.

Kalloni Bandstand – BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1 to west at 10.20am, Goshawk 1.

Meladia River Ford – BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 7 – single flock north at 6.45 pm. Large movement of hirundines through and European Bee-eaters 60+ all to north. Rufous Bush Chat 1 (m), Collared Flycatcher 1 (f at chapel), Icterine Warbler 1, Marsh Warbler 1, Great Reed Warbler 2, Red-backed Shrike 25+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Masked Shrike 1, Hoopoe 1, Golden Oriole 1, Red-footed Falcon 2 (m&f), Lesser Kestrel 1, Black-headed Bunting 40+, Spotted Flycatcher 80+, Little Bittern 1.

Acient Antissa – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (m).

Nr Ipsilou – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (f), Red-footed Falcon 1 (f).

Tsiknias River – CITRINE WAGTAIL 1.

Nr Mesotopos – OLIVE TREE WARBLER 2, Golden Oriole.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1 singing at eastern end. West of Vatousa park in eastern end of valley in ‘chalky’ coloured pull-in on right with small wooden gate. Walk west for three telegraph poles to small pool. Bird in this area but can get to opposite side of valley. Rock Sparrow nesting in Rock Nuthatch nest on rocky outcrop on right from the pull-in. Eleanora’s Falcon 1 pale bird.

Faneromeni River – Little Bittern 1.

Sigri – Eleanora’s Falcon 1, Lesser Kestrel 25+, 1 Stone-curlew.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see. Honey-buzzard 1.

Nr Sigri/Eresos junction – Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Kalloni Saltpans – White-winged Black Tern 67, Whiskered Tern 15, Little Stint 50+, Ruff 80+.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Temminck's Stint 1, Turnstone 3, Tawny Pipit 2, Red-footed Falcon 2, Black Stork 2.

Panagia – Little Bittern 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool – Little Bittern 1, White Stork 1, Squacco Heron 3.

Voulgaris River – Ruddy Shelduck pr with 10 young.

Pasiphae Hotel grounds – Long-eared Owl 2.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter theirs in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

2 May 08 - A right bonny day

Continued fine weather had all the hallmarks of bird going straight through, but today saw a reasonable fresh arrival of migrants across the island. Very little surface water remaining in the seasonal pools of the Alykes Wetlands and Saltpans area (opp. the Saltworks entrance).

Weather: fine and sunny with virtually no wind. Max. temp c. 28 C.

Yesterday, unconfirmed report of the fifth BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER of the spring at Sigri.

Today’s highlights -

Platania – BONELLI’S EAGLE 1 (sub-ad), OLIVE TREE WARBLER 1 still.

Kalloni Bandstand – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (f), Honey-buzzard 1, Goshawk 1 (m), Black Stork 1.

Metochi Lake – BAILLON’S CRAKE 1, Little Crake 4, Little Bittern 4, Squacco Heron 7, Purple Heron 1, Whiskered Tern 3. No sign of the Spotted Crake.

Kalloni Saltpans area - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, Red-footed Falcon 3, Collared Pratincole 5, Red-throated Pipit 3, Short-toed Lark 4, Ruddy Shelduck 16, Black Stork 1, Whiskered Tern 2, White-winged Black Tern 7.

Lardia Valley – Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 singing at eastern end below the Crag Martin outcrop.

Faneromeni area – Red-breasted Flycatcher 1, Collared Flycatcher 1.

Meladia River Ford – River Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 1.

Napi Valley – Thrush Nightingale 1.

Skala Kallonis – Honey-buzzard 1 over Hotel Pasiphae c.8.45 am.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch showing well.

Kalloni Mini Soccer – Scops Owl 1 - bird still in the fifth roadside tree from the mini soccer pitch entrance but can only be seen from along the road or safer(!) from the track opposite the soccer pitch entrance. It is c.7m up the tree and quote difficult to see.

Petra Reservoir area – reservoir now drained with only a puddle of a pool remaining. River Warbler 1 (nr main road), Temminck’s Stint 4, Red-backed Shrike 6+, Bee-eater 40+.

Molivos – River Warbler 1.

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 3.

Skala Kallonis - Long-eared Owl 2 at Hotel Pasiphae.

Thanks to everyone for their records and for those who enter their records in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log.

24 April 08 - Rollers, Olive Trees and wee bonny warblers

Weather: sunny with thin cloud, light north-westerly winds. Max temp. 23 C.

More signs of movement today with Rollers, Olive Tree and Eastern Bonelli's Warblers.

Platania - OLIVE TREE WARBLER (male on territory since 22nd), ROLLER 1, Red-footed Falcon 1, Golden Oriole 10+, Hoopoe 6+.

Messa - ROLLER 3 west of the road junction.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch (female now incubating), Long-eared Owl (female with 3 chicks at nest).

Kalloni Saltpans - White-winged Black Terns 36, Red-footed Falcon 10+, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Lesser Kestrel 2, Collared Pratincole 1, Spotted Redshank 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Squacco Heron 6, Garganey 1.

River Christou - Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 4, Stone-curlew 1, Ruff 1.

Ipsilou - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 2 singing, Isabelline Wheatear 8+, Cinereous Bunting 5, Pied Flycatcher 1, Rock Sparrow 4.

Lardia Valley - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 singing.

Sigri/Faneromeni - Lesser Kestrel 7+, Bee-eater 8+.

Between Filia & Skalochori - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 singing.

Black-headed Buntings around, more Whinchat and yellow wagtails. Raptors still thin in the air.

Lesvos 20 - 27 September 2007

Steve & Liz Dudley (Athene/Toadsnatcher)

Pithariou Reservoir and Monastery

Yes there is standing water on Lesvos in autumn! We spent a terrific week on the island clocking up 119 species and some great records including -

White Pelican - on three dates including a flock of 144!
Bluethroat - at the above Pithariou Reservoir - only about the 3rd/4th island record.
Eastern Bonelli's Warbler

Firecrest

Masked Shrike - 2 different juvs

Raptors included Golden and Booted Eagles, Eleanora's Falcons, Levant Sparrowhawk and Goshawk.

For more details see here.