9 May 2012

White-throated Robin, nr Efthalou © Colin & Christine Stephens

White-throated Robin! What a cracker. Here's hoping it stays and more get to enjoy this fabulous bird. It will be looked for tomorrow.

Weather - Blue skies, scattered cloud increasing by evening, light to moderate north-westerly breeze becoming strong in evening, 28C and humid

Day trips - see here.

Don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deisel - see here.

Other news - 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.

The young are close to fledging - I expect them to leave the nest the next day or so.

North coast track east of Efthalou

WHITE-THROATED ROBIN - male in a gulley by little bridge (9th record for Lesvos)

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Broad-billed Sandpiper 2 reported this evening on pools opp saltworks

Osprey 1

Rufous Bush-robin 2 (1 at beach and 1 at pumping station)

Gull-billed Tern 3

Whiskered Tern

Great White Egret 2

Little Egret 17

Purple Heron 1

Grey Heron 5

Squacco Heron 2

Black Stork 3

White Stork 2

Ruddy Shelduck 8

Collared Pratincole 1

Ruff 86

Little Stint 21

Curlew Sandpiper 2

Greenshank 1

Grey Plover 2

Ringed Plover 15

Gargeney 1

Great Crested Grebe 1

Tsiknias River

Temminck's Stint 1

Squacco Heron 2

Little Bittern 3

Black Stork 1

Metochi Lake

Little Crake 4

Little Bittern 2

Night-heron 2

Nr Mandamados

Eleonora's Falcon 1

Faneromeni

Roller 1

Rufous Bush-robin 1

Meladia Valley

Icterine Warbler 1

Golden Oriole 1

Little Bittern 1

Potamia Valley

Night-heron 1

Papiana

Scops Owl 2

Long-eared Owl (nest with 2 young in the largest eucalyptus tree near school)

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 1 - in 3rd tree on right as you enter from the Kalloni end

8 May 2012

Balkan Green Lizard, Madaros © Steve Dudley

Another warm, sunny day. Birding was again hard, particularly out west, and apart from the Broad-billed Sandpiper, nothing of real note reported today. A few Slender-billed Gulls were seen at two Gulf of Kalloni sites and the expected Eleonora's Falcons out west.

Weather - Blue skies, scattered cloud, light to moderate north-westerly breeze, 28C 

Day trips - see here.

Don't drive down the rivers - see here.

Petrol/Deisel - see here.

Other news - 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.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Slender-billed Gull 1

Nothing else reported, but I presume the usual waders and egrets, etc are still there!

Ipsilou

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1

Eleonora's Falcon 3

Red-backed Shrike 1

Blackcap 1

Alikoudi Pool

Slender-billed Gull 3

Btwn Skala Vasilikon & Skamnioudi

Olive-tree Warbler 1

Madaros

Rufous Bush-robin 2

Tsiknias River

Rufous Bush-robin 5

Temminck's Stint 1

Faneromeni

Eleonora's Falcon 1

Honey-buzzard 1

Rufous Bush-robin 1

Polichnitos Saltpans

Common Ringed Plover 1

Greenshank 1

Little Stint 11

Curlew Sandpiper 3

Ruff 5

Tawny Pipit 1

Pithariou Reservoir

Ruff 26

Common Sandpiper 3

Little Egret 3

Short-toed Eagle 1

Long-legged Buzzard 2

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 1 - in 2nd tree on right as you enter from the Kalloni end

Papiana

Scops Owl 1 - in 4th eucalyptus down from the green and blue waste bins past the school (and on opposite side from school)

7 May 2012

Scops Owl, Soumouria 'Scops Copse', Kalloni 

© Steve Dudley

The Broad-billed Sandpiper by the saltworks entrance performed well most of the day and was watched until dusk. A Common Snipe present at the same site, and said to be present yesterday too, casts a shadow over yesterday's claimed Great Snipe from these pools. A Lesser Spotted Eagle was seen near Molivos and Scops Owls remain in the Soumouria Scops Copse and at Papiana.

Faneromeni - please do not drive up and down the river here. It is selfish as all it does is flush everything off the river for others to enjoy. I witnessed two birder/photographers cars today and photographed them both and will pass the images on to their respective hire companies. If you see anyone driving down the rivers please photo them and send me the photos (photos must show registration and tell me who the hire company is).

Petrol/Deisel - the cheapest stations are just after EKO the Plomari (Dipi Larisos) turn c.13km out of Mytilini and at Petra. So those collecting cars from the airport might want to fill up as you drive west. Those collecting cars at the hotels are best to use Petra.

Weather - Blue skies, light to moderate southerly breeze, 28C, turning overcast mid-afternoon providing a pleasant cooler 20C for the evening 

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.

Nr Molivos

Lesser Spotted Eagle 1 north at 1620

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Common Snipe 1 - on pools opp saltworks - if you have any photos of yday's reported Great Snipe I'd appreciate them. Thanks

Lapwing 1

Curlew Sandpiper 4

Ruff 64

Little Stint 41

Temminck's Stint 1

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Greenshank 1

Gull-billed Tern 1

Garganey 1

Ruddy Shelduck 8

Squacco Heron 6

Great White Egret 3

Little Egret 14

Grey Heron 4

White Stork 1

Rufous Bush-robin 1 along beach
Greater Flamingo - 100+ landed in Alykes Wetland sheepfields at back of pans at c. 1630

NOTE - on no account must you enter the saltworks! Today I found one of the pieces of metal fencing by the gate had been untied and birders were entering the site. This is private property.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint

Red-footed Falcon 1

Goshawk 3 inc. 2 displaying birds

Short-toed Eagle 4

Long-legged Buzzard 2

Common Buzzard 2

Hobby 1

Peregrine 1

Madaros

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 1

Temminck's Stint 1

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl 1 - in 2nd tree on right as you enter from the Kalloni end

Papiana

Scops Owl 1 - in 4th eucalyptus down from the green and blue waste bins past the school (and on opposite side from school)

Long-eared Owl 1

Faneromeni

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Ipsilou

Montagu's Harrier 1

Eleonora's Falcon 3

Lardia Valley

Honey-buzzard 1

Polichnitos Saltpans

Curlew Sandpiper 18

6 May 2012

Bee-eater, Faneromeni © Steve Dudley

Far fewer birders around this week so news is going to be a lot thinner. But first day for the new arrivals is a good one with Broad-billed Sandpiper and Great Snipe found on the seasonal pools at the Kalloni Saltpans.

Faneromeni - please do not drive up and down the river here. It is selfish as all it does is flush everything off the river for others to enjoy. I witnessed two birder/photographers cars today and photographed them both and will pass the images on to their respective hire companies. If you see anyone driving down the rivers please photo them and send me the photos (photos must show registration and tell me who the hire company is).

Weather - Blue skies, light to moderate southerly breeze, 26C 

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.

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Great Snipe 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 - on pools opp saltworks

Lapwing 1

Collared Pratincole 4

Curlew 1

White-winged Tern 4

Gull-billed Tern 1

Black Tern 1

Garganey

Rufous Bush-robin

Tawny Pipit 1

Lotzaria

Montagu's / Pallid Harrier fem - reported as both species, but if its the same bird as the other day (and the description suggests it is) then this is a Montagu's Harrier

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Honey-buzzard 1

Goshawk 1

Short-toed Eagle 4

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 2

Squacco Heron 1

Red-throated Pipit 1

Filia mast

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 6+ on territory

Perasma

Lanner 1
Thrush Nightingale 1

Common Pochard 1

Ipsilou

Levant Sparrowhawk 1

Montagu's Harrier 1

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1 on territory still

Red-backed Shrike 1

Lesser Kestrel 2

Long-legged Buzzard 2

Short-toed Eagle 1

Usual buntings, wheatears, Rock Sparrow, etc. No migrants.

Meladia Valley

Lesser Grey Shrike 2

Common Cuckoo 2

Red-backed Shrike 4

Ruddy Shelduck 4

Purple Heron 1

Bee-eater 2

Spotted Flycatcher 10

Sigri & Feneromeni

Eleonora's Falcon 2

Bee-eater 50+

Golden Oriole

Red-backed Shrike 4

Curlew Sandpiper 1

Efthalou

Audouin's Gull 2

Yelkouan Shearwater 100

Scopoli's Shearwater 15

2 May 2012

Black Stork, Tsiknias River (c) Steve Dudley

Still too settled and too hot but birds still arriving. A Spur-winged Plover and Broad-billed Sandpiper are sure signs of birds arriving. But where are the Bush-robins?

Weather - Blue skies, light W breeze, 29C (too settle and too hot!)

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.

Dipi Larisos 

Spur-winged Plover 1 at river mouth

Purple Heron 1

Pygmy Cormorant  - no sign today

Agiasos

Booted Eagle 1

Kalloni Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 (Alykes Wetlands sheep field pools)

Marsh Sandpiper 5

Curlew Sandpiper 41

Ruff 215

Garganey 3

Whiskered Tern 7

White-winged Tern 21

Gull-billed Tern 17

Sandwich Tern 2

Mediterranean Gull 6 (all 2CY)

Marsh Sandpiper 1

Red-footed Falcon 5

Fan-tailed Warbler 1

Squacco Heron 9

Lotzaria 

Montagu's Harrier 2 (ad fem & 1st sum male)

Lesser Grey Shrike 2

Tsiknias River

Spotted Crake 1

Little Bittern 4

Squacco Heron 4

Temminck's Stint 6

Greenshank 4

Oystercatcher 2

Turnstone 1

Metochi Lake 

Night-heron 2

Little Bittern 3

Masked Shrike 1

Kalami Marsh 

Great Bittern 1

Purple Heron 3

Squacco Heron 3

Platania

Black Kite 1

Red-footed Falcon 1

Papiana

Scops Owl 4

Long-eared Owl 1

Soumouria Scops Copse

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

Madaros

Roller 1

Ipsilou

Collared Flycatcher 1

Wood Warbler 3

plus usual buntings, wheatears, etc.

Lardia Valley

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1

Sigri Sanatorium

Roller 1

Icterine Warbler 1

Red-backed Shrike 6

Nightjar 1

Meladia Valley

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1

Icterine Warbler 1

Lesser Grey Shrike 1

Collared Flycatcher 5

Wood Warbler 2

Red-backed Shrike 2

Song Thrush 1 (very late record)

Kavaki

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

Platania

Olive-tree Warbler  - none seen/heard today

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

Almyropotamos River (Vatera)

Citrine Wagtail 1

Skala Kalloni

Scops Owl 2 calling at Hotel Pasiphae for most of the night (outside my bloody room!)

Achladeri

Osprey 1

12 May 2010 - Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush

My last daily update as I leave for home tomorrow. Its not been a classic year. The fine, settled weather has seen fewer falls of birds and overall lower numbers of many species. Its never been dull though, and even in high heat of this week (highest ever temps I've experienced) birds are still to be found if you go looking for them.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to the log at the Hotel Pasiphae or have texted or emailed their bird news these last three weeks. Thanks also the Hotel Pasiphae staff for their usual warm hospitality.

Ipsilou - report of a female RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH at the bottom of the roads. Icterine Warbler 1.

Alikoudi Pool - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 5, Curlew Sandpiper 6, Kentish Plover 15, Grey plover 4, Little Stint 32, Ringed Plover 1.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - male visiting nest every 10-15 minutes. Night-heron 1, Little Bittern 1.

nr Skala Vasilikon - 1st sum male Citrine Wagtail on stream c.1km east of village. Lesser Grey Shrike c.0.5km east of village.

Tsiknias River - Turnstone 6, Sanderling 6.

11 May 2010 - more Broad-billed Sandpipers

Broad-billed Sandpipers, Alikoudi Pool, 11 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Five of the six Broad-billed Sandpipers at Alikoudi Pool, 11 May 2010 © Steve Dudley

Alikoudi Pool – BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 6 (Steve & Liz Dudley), Curlew Sandpiper 10, Little Stint 31, Grey Plover 3, Ringed Plover 3, Kentish Plover 18, Ruff 3, Little Egret 4, Grey Heron 1.

!! The water levels here are fine and the pool is still being fed by a stream so this pool looks good for coming days/week(s).

Kalloni Saltpans Flood – Whiskered Tern 2, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Little Stint 13, Ruff 2, Glossy Ibis 1, Squacco Heron 1, Ruddy Shelduck 14, Black Stork 1, Collared Pratincole 2.

!! Water levels dropping fast. The trackside pool is the only standing water and I suspect this will continue to drop rapidly.

Tsiknias River – Ortolan Bunting 1.

Molivos - Bee-eater 120+ over to north late pm.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler 2 singing males, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-backed Shrike.

Sigri Sanatorium - Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Faneromeni - Nightjar 3 churring and one seen, Rufous Bush Robin 5 singing males, Golden Oriole, Night-heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Yelkouan Shearwater 2000+ per hour, Scopoli's Shearwater 3.

Vouvaris River Mouth - Black Stork 2.

Vafios - Scops Owl 3 calling.

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+.

8 May 2010 - Eleonora's Falcons return

Kalloni Saltpans flood - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 on and off in morning but no sign late evening, Whiskered Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 1, Little Stint 70+, Ringed Plover 11, Bee-eater 10+, Rufous Bush Robin 2 in field between SW compound and hide showing very well late afternoon/evening inc. dislaying and collecting nest material.

Metochi Lake - Spotted Crake 1, Little Crake 4, Little Bittern 3, Red-footed Falcon 1.

Ipsilou - Eleonora's Falcon 6, Golden Oriole plus usual Cinereous Bunting, Isabelline Wheatear, etc.

Parakila Marsh - Eleonora's Falcon 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1.

Kavaki - Eleonora' Falcon 2. Ruppell's Warbler showing well in afternoon.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting 1, Eleonora's Falcon 1+, Short-toed Eagle 3+, Long-legged Buzzard.

Skala Kallonis - Levant Sparrowhawk 1.

North Coast - Barred Warbler 1 (no further details).

Faneromeni - Honey-buzzard 2, Sardinian Warbler 2, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Night-heron 2, Little Bittern 4.

Kalami Marsh - Whiskered Tern 1, Squacco Heron 2, Little Egret 9.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 18, Great White Egret 7, Little Egret 35, Black Stork 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 2+ showing well at cattle grid site.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch 2prs active, one pr in tree stump beyond white building and one par above the fork/ford; Short-toed Treecreeper, Masked Shrike nest just beyond first nuthatch site and birds showing well.

Molivos - Bee-eater 50+ - other flocks of 40-50 seen across north of the island today.

7 May - Broad-billed Sandpiper

Kalloni Saltpans flood - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 on and off all day, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 1, Collared Pratincole 7, Little Stint 110+, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Ringed Plover 7, Gull-billed Tern 1, Sandwich Tern 2, Mediterranean Gull 11, Bee-eater 100+, Rufous Bush Robin 1 in SW compound, Mallard 3.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT male seen well on and off near nest site 100m north of village bridge along east side track.

Tsiknias River - Curlew Sandpiper 6, Grey Plover 2, Turnstone 2.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 5.

Faneromeni - 2 Ottoman Vipers seen very close mating! Levant Sparrowhawk 1, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Little Bittern 2, Bee-eater 50+.

Nr Eresos (Meladia Valley track) - Isabelline Wheatear 2 displaying males.

Meladia Valley - poss. 2CY Caspian Gull with Yellow-leggs Gulls at river mouth (no previous Lesvos records); Tawny Pipit 1, Purple Heron 5, Icterine Warbler 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Hoopoe 2, Bee-eater 24+.

Nr Vafios - Eleanora's Falcon 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Hen Harrier fem, Eleanora's Falcon 1, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard.

Polichnitos Saltpans - bird news

Broad-billed Sandpiper, Polichnitos Saltpans © Terry Robinson

What I hope will be the first of regular reports from Terry Robinson covers the last few days. Whilst many of us were enjoying Birdfair 2009, Terry was getting stuck into a saltpans full of all things water-loving – nice! His highlights are as follows –

Squacco Heron 1
Lettle Egret 33
Grey Heron 9
Spoonbill 2
Black Stork 6
White Stork 1
Greater Flamingo 2
Mallard 1
Garganey 8
Avocet 80+
Black-winged Stilt 60+
Stone-curlew 1
Ringed Plover 1
Little Ringed Plover 2
Kentish Plover 50+
Little Stint 30+
Curlew Sandpiper 5
Broad-billed Sandpiper 1 (above)
Redshank 80+
Greenshank 10+
Green Sandpiper 2
Black-headed Gull 150+
Mediterranean Gull 25+
Slender-billed Gull 1
Yellow-legged Gull 700+
Sandwich Tern 10+
Common Tern 20+
Little Tern 20+

Migrant passerines inc.
Yellow Wagtail 10+
White Wagtail 7
Whinchat 1
Northern Wheatear 2
Isabelline Wheatear 1
Black-eared Wheatear 2
Red-backed Shrike 1
Woodchat Shrike 3
Lesser Grey Shrike 2

11 May - Broad-billed Sandpiper

No news on yesterday's reported Finsch's Wheatear.

Nr Petra - GOLDEN EAGLE 1.

Kalloni Saltpans area - Alykes Wetlands: BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1, Little Stint 40+, Kentish Plover 16+, Little Ringed Plover 4, Ringed Plover 8, Marsh Harrier 2, Red-throated Pipit 10+, Short-toed Lark 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1. Flood opp. saltworks entrance: Red-footed Falcon male, Whiskered Tern 2, Black Stork 13, White Stork 1, Great White Egret 3, Squacco Heron 11, Glossy Ibis 3, Ruff 70+, Ruddy Shelduck 4, Garganey 1, Mallard 5. Saltpans: Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Little Stint 110+. On Sea: Great Crested Grebe 1, Cormorant.

Petra - ROLLER 1.

Christou River - Slender-billed Gull 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 4.

Metochi Lake - Little Bittern 5+, Little Grebe 2 on nests and pr with 3 young.

Tsiknias River - Little Bittern 3, Little Egret 37.

Faneromeni - Little Bittern 5.

Lardia Valley - Eleonora's Falcon 3, Rock Sparrow.

10 May - Broad-billed Sandpiper day

Fine weather, blue skies and light winds and more photographers than birders!

Napi Valley - FINSCH'S WHEATEAR 1 reported at the north end of the valley. No further details. Note - only one accepted record and ALL those followed up in recent years have turned out to be black and white melanoleuca Black-eared Wheatears (now known to be a Black-eared Wheatear see here). LANNER FALCON 1.

Kalloni Saltpans area - reports of a 'large' pratincole movement this morning c.0730h inc. reported Black-winged Pratincole. Flood opposite saltworks entrance - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1 reported, Black Stork 5, Great White Egret 3, Squacco Heron 9, Glossy Ibis 3, Garganey 2, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Mallard 3, Red-backed Shrike 2. Alykes Wetlands - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 2 reported with Little Stints late evening, Collared Pratincole 5, Black Stork 3, White Stork 1, Ruddy Shelduck 6, Grey Plover 1, Ringed Plover 1. Pans - Stone-curlew 5, Little Stint 60+, Ruff 20+. Beach - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN still in tamerisks west of beach cafe. SW Corner - CITRINE WAGTAIL female.

Mesa - Black Stork 10, Ruddy Shelduck 26.

Skala Vasilikon - Little Bittern 1.

Tsiknias River - Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 2, Green Sandpiper 1.

Wind of change

Resident Lesvos birder Terry Robinson reports that the wind turned to the SW today and with it a near stop in raptor movement.

Palia Vigla (prof ilios), Vatera
Booted Eagle 1
Honey-buzzard 1
Marsh Harrier 2

Polichnitos Saltpans
Broad-billed Sandpiper 1
Marsh Sandpiper 1
Tawny Pipit 3

15 May 08 - more Roses

Skala Eresou - BONELLI'S EAGLE 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER 1, Glossy Ibis 5, Red-footed Falcon 11, Gull-billed Tern 2, Mediterranen Gull 1, Grey Plover 4, Curlew 1, Turnstone 1.

Metochi Lake - Rose-coloured Starling 12.

Thanks to Duncan Walbridge and Hotel Pasiphae for sending me copies of their bird log.

Reporting your sightings
I left the island last week and it would be great to keep the records coming in and keep these daily summaries as complete and as interesting as possible. Please send me your records direct to -
Email steve at toadsnatcher dot com
Text 00447767787287

Reporting nationally rare birds seen on Lesvos

Like BBRC in Britain, Greece has the Hellenic Rarities Committee. Records of all nationally rare species need to be submitted to the HRC. From this years bag full of goodies, this includes all records of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, Great Snipe, Cattle Egret, Steppe Eagle, Scarlet (Common) Rosefinch, etc. See here for further information.

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.