Barmy weather

Greater Flamingos and Black Storks at Kalloni Saltpans, 27 Nov 2010 © Eleni Galinou

Eleni Galinou and her family have recently moved back to Lesvos and I hope to be able to feature more news from her from now on.

Eleni reports that the weather on the island is unseasonably warm with temperatures up to 28C - shorts and t-shirt weather! Maybe this weather has contributed to the high counts for some species including 110 Ruddy Shelducks, 1800 Greater Flamingos and 5 Black Storks at Kalloni Saltpans in recent days. The 8 Dalmatian Pelicans were also still present on the 27 Nov.

Early spring migrants (2)

Migrant news from Terry Robinson at Skala Polichnitou (also inc. birds at nearby Polichnitos Saltpans).

Fri, 13 March (following a day of heavy rain yesterday)
Hoopoe 6
Northern Wheatear 2
Yellow Wagtail 2
White Wagtail 24
Skylark 60+
Spoonbill 2
Ruff 7
Lapwing 1
Pintail 2

Weds, 11 March
Alpine Swift 3
Common Swift 2
House Martin 4
Swallow 1
Spoonbill 2
Ruddy Shelduck 2

12 May 08 - another Blue-cheeked Bee-eater!

Duncan Walbridge has texted to say there is a BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER, for its second day, between the Tsiknias River and the Kalloni Saltpans.

Tsiknias River - River Warbler 1 (lower), Rufous Bush Chat 1 (upper).

Kalloni Saltpans - Gull-billed Tern 7.

Meladia River Ford - Little Bittern 1, Ruddy Shelduck pr with 5 young.

Platania - Eleanora's Falcon 2.

Thanks to Duncan Walbridge and those entering their records in the Hotel Pasiphae bird log, and to Hotel Pasiphae for forwarding me the records each evening.

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 the HRC website if you think you have seen a nationally rare species requiring a description. A rarity description form can also be download from the site.