10 May - Rosy Starlings are comin!

My last day and I'd like to thank all those who have shared their bird news with and contributed to these daily updates. 

Thanks too the Pasiphae Hotel staff for their usual warm hospitality and providing me with a home from home again for my stay. I'd also like to thank all the tavernas who have catered for my groups over the last three weeks - Dionysos (Skala Kallonis), Australia (Sigri), Soulatsou (Skala Eresou) and Achille's Well (Petri), and to Tsalis rentals for looking after me so well.

See you all again next spring!

BIRD NEWS

An overcast day with some light rain in places and the first Rose-coloured Starlings were seen today out west. No sign of the robins or the Griffon Vulture today

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.

Skala Eresou

Rose-coloured Starling 3 (they're coming!)

Kallon Saltpans & Alykes Wetlands

Caspian Tern 1

Slender-billed Gull 1

Little Gull 1

Gull-billed Tern 4

White-winged Tern 55

Whiskered Tern 11

Eurasian Curlew 2

Grey Plover 3

Zitting Cisticola 3

Potamia

Olive-tree Warbler 6

Levant Sparrowhawk 3

Eleanora's Falcon 1

Kalami Marsh

Squacco Heron 6

Spotted Redshank 1

Water Rail 1

Purple Heron 1

Petrified Forest

Red-footed Falcon fem

Meladia Valley

Red-footed Falcon 1

Lesser Grey Shrike 1

Bee-eater 2

Metochi Lake

Little Crake fem (at north end)

Little Bittern 3

Night-heron 26

Tsiknias River

Little Bittern 3

Squacco Heron 6

Whiskered Tern 1

Temminck's Stint 2

Bee-eater 20

Alikoudi Pool

White-tinged Tern 2

Whiskered Tern 1

Temminck's Stint 2

Limnos Monastery

Middle Spotted Woodpecker - pair nesting near the taverna. Park by the taverna and look back up the access road and on the right there is a double telegraph post. The nest is low down in the left hand post (the one with all the wires) facing the taverna. Adults feedings young. Please view/photo from the park car area and don't stand in the middle of the road expecting the parents to ignore you!

Achalderi

Kruper's Nuthatch - birds now feeding recently hatched young

Kavaki

Ruppell's Warbler showing very well

Papiana

Scops Owl 

Long-eared Owl - the young have left the nest, no sign of them or adults

Soumouria 'Scops Copse'

Scops Owl. Please do not harass the birds!

September 2009 - sightings summary

A summary of sightings for September. Observers are given for more significant sightings. Unless otherwise stated, records from Polichnitos Saltpans are from resident Terry Robinson.

If you have any records from September (or any other time in 2009) please send them to me (link on left) for inclusion on the website and the 2009 annual report currently in prep. Thanks.

Chukar

A covey of 18+ birds in Meladia Valley on 23 September (Steve Dudley et al).

Ruddy Shelduck

Max. 10 Mesa Wetland 21 September (Colin Gittins).

Mallard

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 5 September.

Shoveler

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 13-20 September.

Pintail

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 13-20 September.

Garganey

Up to 7 Polichnitos Saltpans 9-13 September.

Red-necked Grebe

1 off Skala Kallonis 11-24 September at least (Roger Lawrence et al). Only the sixth record for the island.

Red-necked Grebe, Skala Kallonis, September 2009 © Steve Dudley.

Scopoli’s Shearwaters

Small numbers (no double figure count) seen around the island throughout.

Yelkouan Shearwaters

Small numbers seen around the island throughout.

Greater Flamingo

Up to 800 Kalloni Saltpans.

Black Stork

Recorded at both Kalloni (max. 8) and Polichnitos (max. 21) saltpans throughout. Also 13 Christou River 30 Sept (Colin Gittins).

Glossy Ibis

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 10 September (Terry Robinson).

Little Bittern

1 Metochi Lake 12-24 Sept at least (MO).

Night-heron

2 imm over Skala Kallonis 18 September (Colin Gittins).

Squacco Heron

3 Polichnitos Saltpans 11 September (Terry Robinson). 1 Metochi Lake 23 Sept.

Grey Heron

Recorded at both Kalloni (max. 9) and Polichnitos (max. 56) saltpans throughout. Also recorded at Metochi Lake, Mesa, Vouvaris River Mouth.

Purple Heron

One Metochi Lake 19 September (Steve Dudley et al).

Great White Egret

Recorded at both Kalloni (max. 5) and Polichnitos (max. 8) saltpans throughout.

Little Egret

Recorded at both Kalloni (max. 11) and Polichnitos (max. 40) saltpans throughout.

White Pelican

1 Kallonis Saltpans 21-22 September (Mike Snelling et al).

2 Polichnitos Saltpans, one 21-24 September and a second bird 30 September into October (both Terry Robinson et al).

White Pelican, Kalloni Saltpans, 22 September 2009 © Steve Dudley.

White Pelican, Polichnitos Saltpans, 30 September 2009 © Terry Robinson. The second bird of the month to be found at the site.

Osprey

1 Christou River 30 September (Colin Gittins).

Honey-buzzard

Birds seen on several days. Max. count 17south over Skala Kallonis 13 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

Short-toed Eagle

Birds seen across the island throughout the month. No distinct passage noted.

Marsh Harrier

Birds seen most days. Max. counts 55+ south over Skala Kallonis 13 September and 10+ nr Sikaminias 20 September (both Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

Pallid Harrier

An adult male nr Sikaminias 20 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

Montagu’s Harrier

Singles recorded on many days. No noted passage.

Long-legged Buzzard

1-2 Kalloni area throughout.

1 Petrified Forest 15 September.

1 Pithariou Reservoir 23 September.

Booted Eagle

1 south down Napi Valley 19 September (Steve Dudley et al).

Lesser Kestrel

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20-24 September.

Up to 3 Kalloni Saltpans area 20-24 September.

2 Sigri/Meladia Valley area 15-22 September.

Red-footed Falcon

Birds seen around Kalloni Saltpans on 11 September (3) and 21-24 September (max. 7).

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 16 September.

Eleonora’s Falcon

Birds regularly seen across the west and north of the island throughout the month.

Black-winged Stilt

Max. count 34 Polichnitos Saltpans 7 September.

Stone-curlew

3 Christou River 30 (Sept) was the only report (Colin Gittins).

Avocet

Max. count 149 Polichnitos Saltpans 8 September.

Lapwing

1 Potamia Reservoir 20 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

Little Ringed Plover

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 25 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River.

Ringed Plover

1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout the month.

Kentish Plover

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 68 on 2 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans.

Common Snipe

2 Metochi Lake & Christou River 18-30 September.

Curlew

Up to 4 Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River Mouth 18-23 September.

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 18 September.

Spotted Redshank

1 Kalloni Saltpans 23 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

6 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 September (Colin Gittins).

Common Redshank

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 139 on 25 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans.

Marsh Sandpiper

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans 5-20 September.

2 Kalloni Saltpans 19-22 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire et al).

4 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 September (Colin Gittins).

Common Greenshank

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 23 on 19 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans (max. 8).

Green Sandpiper

2 Metochi Lake & Christou River 18-30 September (MO).

Wood Sandpiper

1-4 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout the month.

Common Sandpiper

1-3 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout the month.

Little Stint

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 113 on 14 September. Kalloni Saltpans max. 37 11 September.

Temminck's Stint

4 Polichnitos Saltpans 26 September (Colin Gittins).

Curlew Sandpiper

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 2 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans.

Dunlin

1-7 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout the month.

Broad-billed Sandpiper

1 Kalloni Saltpans 1 September (Philip Walsh)

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 14 September (Terry Robinson).

Ruff

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 9 on 18 September. Also recorded at Kalloni Saltpans.

Slender-billed Gull

1-5 Polichnitos Saltpans throughout the month.

1 Kalloni Saltpans 23 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire).

Little Gull

Adult Polichnitos Saltpans 22-24 September (Terry Robinson et al).

Mediterranean Gull

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 44 on 6 September. Also recorded at Skala Vasilikon.

Common Gull

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 12 September (Roger Lawrence et al) is only around the sixth record for the island. An adult also report at the Tsiknias River Mouth on 22 September.

Caspian Tern

2 Polichnitos Saltpans 11 September (John & Anne Humphreys).

Caspian Terns, Polichnitos Saltpans, September 2009 © John & Anne Humphreys

Sandwich Tern

Polichnitos Saltpans max. 13 on 8 September. Also recorded at Tsiknias River Mouth.

Whiskered Tern

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 20-21 September (Steve Dudley, Terry Robinson et al).

Black Tern

1 Polichnitos Saltpans 3-6 September (Terry Robinson).

Alpine Swift

Small numbers seen throughout the month. 80+ south over Skala Kallonis on 13 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire) and 80+ south over Tsiknias River Mouth on 18 September (Steve Dudley et al).

Roller

1 Apothika 18 September (Colin Gittins) is a rare autumn record.

Common Kingfisher

1-2 seen at many sites throughout the month inc. Kalloni Saltpans, Polichnitos Saltpans, Tsiknias River, Vouvaris River, Vergias River, Metochi Lake.

White-throated Kingfisher

One reportedly seen on rocks below Sigri Castle on 11 September. Awaiting further details. This would be the first record for the island if accepted (one record from 2007 also under consideration by HRC).

Hoopoe

1-3 seen at many sites throughout the month.

Wryneck

1 Meladia Valley fig grove 21 September (Steve Dudley).

Red-backed Shrike

Low numbers across the island throughout.

Lesser Grey Shrike

Seen at Polichnitos Saltpans (max. 7), Kalloni Saltpans area (max. 3) and Tsiknias River (max. 3). Odd birds reported from other sites across the island.

‘Large’ Grey Shrike

One bird reported from the Christou River on 18 September was either a Great Grey Shrike (fewer than 10 records, but these all pre-date formal recording on the island and I suspect some/many were Steppe Grey Shrike) or Steppe Grey Shrike (only one previous record). Awaiting further details.

Woodchat Shrike

1-2 Polichnitos Saltpans early mont; 1 nr Skamnioudi and 1 Metochi Lake 20 September.

Masked Shrike

None reported.

Golden Oriole

1 Parakila 21 September (Colin Gittins).

Red-rumped Swallow

Small numbers reported from across the island.

Crag Martin

30+ Lardia Valley 15 September (Stuart & Claire Darbyshire). Also reported from Potamia Valley and Metochi Lake.

Willow Warblers

Good numbers across the island inc. 55+ feeding in a cut field nr Skamnioudi on 20 September.

Chiffchaff

Small numbers across the island.

Common Whitethroat

Small numbers reported across the island. Max. 8+ Meladia Valley 23 September.

Lesser Whitethroat

Reported in reasonable numbers from sites in the centre and west of the island. Max. 15+ Meladia Valley 22 September.

Blackcap

Small numbers at central and western sites.

Sardinian Warbler

Singles Christou River 18 September, Metochi Lake 23 September and Achladeri (Kofinas) 26 September (all Colin Gittins).

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

1 Meladia Valley 22-23 September.

Common Redstart

Max. 6+ Achladeri Forest (Kofinas) 21 September (Colin Gittins).

Whinchat

Small numbers seen across the island.

Northern Wheatear

Good numbers seen across the island.

Isabelline Wheatear

Singles Tsiknias River 18 September and Meladia Valley 23 September.

Black-eared Wheatear

Good numbers seen across the island.

Spotted Flycatcher

Small numbers seen across the island.

White Wagtail

Small numbers seen across the island.

Yellow Wagtail

Small numbers seen across the island.

Tree Pipit

Rported from many localities. Max. of 50+ Tsiknias River 28 September (Colin Gittins).

Red-throated Pipit

1-2 Tsiknias River 28-29 September (Colin Gittins).

Tawny Pipit

3-4 Polichnitos Saltpans and surrounding fields 20-21 September. 1-2 Tsiaknias River 21-28 September.

House Sparrow

A roost numbering thousands near the inland river bridge in Potamia Valley 18-30 September (Pat & Judy Hayes).

Spanish Sparrow

3 reported from Tsiknias River 28 September (Colin Gittins).

Rock Sparrow

2 Ipsilou Monastery 25 Sept (Colin Gittins) were the only ones reports.

Black-headed Bunting

A handful reported during the third week.

24 April - pipits, harriers, ibis and a Levant Sparrowhawk

Red-throated Pipit © Steve Dudley

Tsiknias River - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1, PALLID HARRIER 1 fem, CITRINE WAGTAIL 1, Slender-billed Gull 2, Common Starling 1.

Sigri - CASPIAN TERN 1.

Pasiphae Hotel - Wryneck 1.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3 fem, Little Bittern m&f, Great Reed Warbler.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch - Scops Owl. Once inside the car park, the bird is in the fifth tree from right hand (northern) entrance/exit. On the right hand side of the trunk just below the main trunk fork.

Achladeri - Kruper's Nuthatch - male using last years nest just beyond and of the white building (shattered trunk with wire across top). Male appears unpairs. Long-eared Owl reportedly still breeding here but couldnt find today.

Mesa Wetland - Ruddy Shelduck 7, Osprey 1 (later on saltpans), Great White Egret 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - Gull-billed Tern 12+, Spotted Redshank, Stone-curlew 2, Temmincks Stint 3.

Fields around saltpans (inc. flooded fields opp saltworks entrance) - Spur-winged Plover (SW of pans) seen in morning only. Glossy Ibis 80+, Whiskered Tern 33, White-winged Black Tern 5, Collared Pratincole 11, Montagu's Harrier 3+, Long-legged Buzzard 1.

Alykes Wetlands - Ruddy Shelduck 11, Black Stork 3, Raven 20 over to east, Collared Pratincole 8 (prob part of above 11), Short-toed Lark 6+, Short-eared Owl 1, Tawny Pipit 1, Ringed Plover 2, Kentish Plover 2, Wood Sandpiper 50+, Red-throated Pipit 100+(1).

Faneromeni - Black-headed Bunting 1 male.

Meladia River - Great Spotted Cuckoo 1.

Christou (Kamares) River - Temminck's Stint 1, Wood Sandpiper 20+, Stone-curlew 2, Little Ringed Plover 2, Kentish Plover 1, Squacco Heron 6, White Stork 2 over, Glossy Ibis 18 over, Black Stork 2 over, Short-toed Eagle 2, Hobby 1, Peregrine 1, Red-throated Pipit 10+.

Kavacki (laybys nr Petra) - Rupell's Warbler 1, Blue Rock Thrush 2, Peregrine 1.

Skala Kallonis Pool - Great Bittern 1, Song Thrush 1, Great Reed Warber 1.

30 April 08 - Eagles and Blue-cheeked Bees

Spur-winged Plover, nr Kalloni Saltworks entrance.

Despite fine weather and clear skies, the southerly winds keep bring stuff in. Two Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters today make it four this year (only four records before this year!) following ones at Tsiknias River and Meladia River Ford last week.

Apart from one report the other day, still no sign of Rufous Scrub Robin on any of the usual territories which are being checked daily.

Weather: fine and sunny with scattered high cloud and light southerly winds. Max. temp c.27 C.

Today’s highlights -

Skala Kalloni Pool – BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1 07.30-07.45 am, FERRUGINOUS DUCK 1 (f).

Vatera - BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER 1 east of town near ‘large hotel’. Large movement of Alpine and Common Swifts in Vatera area during the afternoon.

Kalloni Bandstand – IMPERIAL EAGLE 1 over c. 12 noon (ninth record). Raptor watching from c.09.30 – 10.00 am – Montagu’s Harrier 1 (m), Goshawk 1 (f), Short-toed Eagle 6+, Long-legged Buzzard 4+, Common Buzzard 2, Peregrine 1, Common Sparrowhawk 1.

Anciant Antissa – GOLDEN EAGLE 1, LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 1.

Kalloni Saltworks entrance (pool and fields opp) - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Red-footed Falcon 4, Collared Pratincole 14, Red-throated Pipit 4, Short-toed Lark 3, Ruddy Shelduck 3, Black Stork 1.

Platania – LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 (m), OLIVE TREE WARBLER 1 still, Bee-eaters lots moving over, many heard and not seen but flocks of 4, 11, 13 and 18 seen’ large movement of Alpine and Common Swifts.

Kalloni Saltpans – CASPIAN TERN 1, PALLID HARRIER 1 first-year, White-winged Black Tern 21, Whiskered Tern 2, Mediterranean Gull 4, Curlew Sandpiper 70+, Grey Plover 24, Squacco Heron 1, Stone-curlew 2, Grey Heron 11, Little Stone 230+, Ruff 80+.

Metochi Lake – BAILLON’S CRAKE 2, Spotted Crake 1, Little Crake 7.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch and Long-eared Owls showing well.

Faneromeni area – Marsh Warbler 1, Little Bittern 1, Squacco Heron 1.

Meladia River Ford – Marsh Warbler 1, Collared Flycatcher 2 (m&f), Little Bittern 2, Barred Warbler 1.

Tsiknias River – Eleanora’s Falcon 1, Gull-billed Tern 27+, White-winged Black Tern 2, Whiskered Tern 1, Bar-tailed Godwit 1 (this is a very long-billed female and almost certainly accounts for all recent reports of Black-tailed Godwit), Curlew 1, Great Crested Grebe.

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.

Napi Valley – (just north of Napi 12.15 – 13.15 pm) Red-footed Falcon 1 (m), Goshawk 1 (m).

Vourkou River Mouth – Little Bittern 1.

Skamnioudi Coast Pool – Temminck’s Stint 2.

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