22 April 2011 - Ring Ouzel steals the day

Wall to wall sunshine! Very warm but tempered by the cool north-easterly wind. Some small pools immediately starting to evaporate with all-day sun!

Two clear nights has seen a considerable clear out of warblers and flycatchers in particular. Still some Collared and Pied Flys around, and at least one Semi-collared remains.

Semi-collared flycatchers – really? See here.

Ipsilou - RING OUZEL female.

Vouvaris River area - RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK-THRUSH male (reported to be on wires 1.5km north of Achladeri which equals the fields near Vouvaris River bridge), Kruper's Nuthatch 2, Serin 3.

Kalloni Raptor Saltpans - SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1 (in pans just in from saltworks entrance), Citrine Wagtail male, Red-footed Falcon 2, Lesser Kestrel 1, Glossy Ibis 110+, Temminck's Stint 3, Gull-billed Tern 40, Little Stint 20, Dunlin 1, Hen Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1. Alykes Wetlands Short-toed Lark 8, Red-throated Pipit 3, Tawny Pipit 2.

Achladeri - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male in pines and on wires opp white building with Collared and Pied Flys; Wood Warbler 5, Masked Shrike.

Dipi Larisos Reedbed - FAN-TAILED WARBLER 1.

Lotzaria beach pools - Collared Pratincole 20+, Spotted Redshank 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Dunlin 2, Marsh Sandpiper 5, Little Stint 45, Greenshank 2, Quail 1, Chukar 1.

Christou River - Slender-billed Gull 2, Caspian Tern 1, Red-throated Pipit 2, Gull-billed Tern 17, Squacco Heron 3, Meadow Pipit, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 7, Purple Heron 3, Squacco Heron 3, Night-heron 1, Little Bittern 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Savi's Warbler 2.

Potamia Valley - Ortolan Bunting 2, Collared Flycatcher 1, Long-legged Buzzard 2.

Molivos - Merlin 1.

Tsiknias River - Savi's Warbler 2, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler.

Kalami Marsh - White-winged Black Tern 3, Whiskered Tern 1, Little Crake fem.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler showing well, Orphean Warbler, many flocks of migrating Spanish Sparrows.

Hotel Pasiphae, Skala Kallonis - Garganey (on pool behind hotel), Long-eared Owl pr calling behind hotel.

Napi Valley - Red-footed Falcon 3.

Efthalou - Scopoli's Sherwater 8, Yelkouan Sherwater 80.

Dimitrios - Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 1, Wood Warbler 2.

4 May 2010 - slowing down

Continuous high pressure has meant wall to wall sunshine and increasing daily temperatures. More birds have shipped out than shipped in, but there is still enough to keep us happy.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1, River Warbler 1, Little Crake 3.

Skala Eresou – PENDULINE TIT still nesting c.100 nest north of the village end road bridge. park at bridge and walk up track along east side.

Sigri Fields / Faneromeni area – SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 1, Hawfinch 1, Collared Flycatcher 1, Collared Pratincole 1, Whiskered Tern 2, Purple Heron 1, Little Bittern 4, Squacco Heron 1, Bee-eater 4+, Alpine Swift 6, Yelkouan Shearwater 1000+, Scopoli's Shearwater 2, Ringed Plover 1.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler 3 singing.

Meladia Valley – Rufous Bush Robin 2, Collared Flycatcher 4, Icterine Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 1, Redstart 1, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Little Bittern 7, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 2, Little Crake 1.

Sigri Old Sanatorium – Collared Flycatcher 1, Rufous Bush Robin 1, Woodchat Shrike 3, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Perivolis Monastery - Ortolan Bunting, Cinereous Bunting, Serin, Alpine Swifts 2, Golden Oriole, Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - Ortolan Bunting, Montagu's Harrier, Short-toed Eagle 2, Goshawk 2, Black Stork.

Agios Fokas – Audouin’s Gull 1, Grey Plover 2, Turnstone 12, Ringed Plover 1, dead Leatherjacket Turtle.

Parakila Marsh - Purple Heron 10.

Hotel Pasiphae garden, Skala Kallonis - Collared Flycatcher 1.

Soumouria (Scops Copse) - Scops Owl still in tree by bins.

Pandeleimonas - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Common Redshank 1.

Ipsilou - Collared Flycatcher 2.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields opposite saltworks entrance, etc) - Garganey 2, Turnstone 1, Curlew Sandpiper 4, Ringed Plover 5.

Vouvaris River bridge - Collared Flycatcher 1, Serin 1.

Mavria (Napi Valley - to masts at top of valley) - Olive-tree Warbler, Red-footed Falcon 3, Long-legged Buzzard 4, Orphean Warbler, Middle Spotted Woodpecker.

1 May 2010 - Semi-collared Flys

Ipsilou - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER male (photo - Andy & Gill Swash, Ralph & Brenda Todd), RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK THRUSH 1 (Jeff & Helen Bailey), Levant Sparrowhawk male, Honey-buzzard 4+, Lesser Kestrel 20+, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 4, Collared Flycatcher 4, Icterine Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 10, Wood Warbler 30+, Cinereous Bunting 11+, Wood Nuthatch 1, Black-headed Bunting 3.

Meladia Valley - SEMI-COLLARED FLYCATCHER 1 female (John Glendinning & Jon Burton), Rufous Bush Robin 1, Pallid Harrier 1 (2CY male), Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shike 2, Red-backed Shrike 100+, Woodchat Shrike 10, Common Kingfisher 1, Cinereous Bunting 3, Golden Oriole 10, Lesser Kestrel 1, Orphean Warbler 2, Woodpigeon 1 (good record!), Serin 1, Common Cuckoo 3.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (MO), Little Crake 2, Little Bittern 4, Purple Heron 1.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint - LANNER 1 (Dave & Jackie Nurney, Steve Chalmers), Eleanora's Falcon 1, Goshawk 1.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still at nest c. 100m north of the village end road bridge up the east track. Little Bittern 5, Common Kingfisher 1, Purple Heron 4, Squacco Heron 4.

Sigri Fields / Faneromeni area - GREAT SNIPE 1 (photo), Roller 1, Citrine Wagtail 2, Collared Pratincole 3, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temmick's Stint, White-winged Black Tern 40, Whiskered Tern 10, Red-backed Shrike 10, Masked Shrike 2, Little Bittern 1, Garganey 1, Bee-eater 30+.

Nr Eresos - Marsh Warbler 1, Little Bittern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans / Tsiknias River - Rufous Bush Robin 1 (compound in SW corner), Mediterranean Gull 7, Collared Pratincole 3, Red-throated Pipit 4, Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 8.

Vigla (nr Ipsilou) - Red-footed Falcon 27, Lesser Kestrel 1, Isabelline Wheatear 5+.

Agra - Mesotopos - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler 1, Isabelline Wheatear 2, Orphean Warbler 1, Golden Oriole 4, Cinereous Bunting 2.

Skalochori to Filia - Roller 1.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler - still performing - DO NOT ENTER THE OLIVE GROVES - they private fields. The birds are seen regularly from the track if you stay out of the fields. Entering the fields will not help!

28 April 2010 - marsh terns galore

A few new biggies found today, but the main spectacle was an influx of marsh terns to the Kalloni area.

Alykes Wetlands - WHITE PELICAN 1, Gull-billed Tern 2, Tawny Pipit 2, red-throated Pipit 12, Short-toed Lark 6, Montagu's Harrier 1 (same as saltpans).

Metochi Lake BAILLON'S CRAKE 1 (possibly since 24/4), Little Bittern 4, Little Crake 3, Purple Heron 1.

Mikri Limni - LANNER 1.

Tsiknias River - CITRINE WAGTAIL 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 4.

Kalloni Saltpans (inc. flooded fields) - Rufous Bush Robin 1 (by the electricity/pumping compound in SW corner), Whiskered Tern 130+, White-winged Black Tern 35+, Black Tern 1, Montagu's Harrier 1.

Kalami Marsh (Mesa) - Whiskered Tern 60+, White-winged Black Tern 11, Shoveler 4, Squacco Heron 10, Collared Pratincole 3.

Lotzaria - Red-footed Falcon 2, Red-backed Shrike 3, Marsh Harrier 5.

Mirsinia (near Mesa) - Thrush Nightingale.

Meladia Valley - Roller 2, Collared Flycatcher 2, Red-backed Shrike 30, Purple Heron 8, Squacco Heron 4, Little Bittern 2, Night-heron 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Bee-eater 13, Golden Oriole 9.

Sigri Fields - Roller 2, Gull-billed Tern 1, Lesser Kestrel 20, Whiskered Tern 18.

Faneromeni Fords - Collared Flycatcher 1, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Ortolan 1, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Hen Harrier 1, Montagu's Harrier 1, Common Starling 1.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Scopoli's Shearwater 2 offshore (unusual in the Gulf of Kalloni), Red-footed Falcon 1, Squacco Heron 1, Red-throated Pipit 1, Tawny Pipit 1.

Dimitrios - Middle Spotted Woodpecker nest. Park by bridge. View the poplars on opposite side of the road from car or from the chapel. The nest is in the top of the poplar with the dead top, about 2m down from top. The nest hole cannot be seen but the male returns frequently to feed the sitting female.

27 April 2010 - migrants galore out west

The west did it again. Those of us who ventured across to Sigri had another one of those mad migrant days - everywhere you looked, Turtles Doves, Red-backed Shrikes, Rollers, flycatchers - mad!

Nr Molivos - ROCK BUNTING 2 reported.

Meladia Valley - Pallid Harrier 1, Roller 6, Red-backed Shrike 30+, Golden Oriole 20+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Red-footed Falcon 1, Montagu's Harrier 3, Hen Harrier 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Crake 1, Little Bittern 2, Squacco Heron 1, Night-heron 1, Purple Heron 2, Collared Flycatcher 3, Common Kingfisher 1 (late record), Turtle Dove (dozens), Lesser Kestrel 2, Short-toed Eagle 2.

Faneromeni Fords - Citrine Wagtail male, Roller 1, Collared Flycatcher 3, Great Bittern 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Temminck's Stint 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Common Snipe 1, Little Bittern 3, Squacco Heron 1, Purple Heron 1.

Faneromeni Fields - Turtle Dove 2-300 inc. a flock of 120+ in one olive grove! Goshawk 1, Red-backed Shrike (many), Black-headed Bunting.

Sigri Fields - Collared Flycatcher 2, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-backed Shrike (many), Masked Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Purple Heron, White-winged Black Tern 1, Collared Pratincole 2, Black-headed Bunting.

Petrified Forest Museum, Sigri - Collared Flycatcher 1, Orphean Warbler 3, Common Cuckoo.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - White-winged Black Tern 10, Roller 2, Golden Oriole 6, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-backed Shrike 10+, Black-headed Bunting 12+.

Skala Eresou - PENDULINE TIT - pr still building nest. Bee-eater 30+. 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.

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 1 (singing 150m NW of bridge).

Kalimi Marsh (Mesa) - White-winged Black Tern 9, Shoveler 4, Mallard 2.

Kalloni Saltpans - Rufous Bush Robin (in pumping station compound in SW corner of pans), Rose-coloured Starling 1, White-winged Black Tern 2, Black Tern 1, Whiskered Tern 1, Gull-billed Tern 3, Marsh Sandpiper 2, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Common Shelduck 26.

Alykes Wetlands - Rufous Bush Robin 1, Whiskered Tern 50+, White-winged Black 20+, Red-footed Falcon 4, Ruddy Shelduck 20, Squacco Heron 6, Teminck's Stint 8, Red-throated Pipit 4, Black-headed Buntings.

Mesa - Ruddy Shelduck 26.

Petrified Forest road - Rufous Bush Robin, Chukar.

Christou River - Roller 1.

Pessa Waterfall Trail (Achladeri Forest) - Grey Wagtail (pr), Woodlark.

Metochi Lake - Little Crake 3, Golden Oriole.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Red-footed Falcon 42, White-winged Black 1, Bee-eater 17, Black-headed Bunting 50+, Lesser Grey Shrike, Tawny Pipit.

Tsiknias River - Quail 1.

14 May - Spur-winged Plover and stranded holiday makers!

Squacco Heron, Kalloni Saltpans Flood © Steve Dudley

Well, the Greek civil servants are at it again and a nationwide 24hr lightning strike meant that airports were closed and all those many holiday makers due off the island today couldn’t leave and get an extra days holiday and all those coming out lose a day.

Scops Copse - work continues on pollarding the trees - do not visit!

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER – an adult found this morning on the flood opposite the saltworks entrance and present until mid-afternoon at least.

Also on the flood, Whiskered Tern 22, Black Stork 10, Squacco Heron 9, White Stork 1, Ruddy Shelduck 4, Garganey 2.

Also a RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN around the water pumping station in the south-west corner of the saltpan complex.

Tsiknias River Ford – CITRINE WAGTAIL female.

Potamia Valley - up to 5 Olive-tree Warblers and 2 Icterine Warblers between the main road and the river bridge.

Petra Reservoir - Ruddy Shelduck pr with 2 young.

Kavaki - Ruppell's Warbler showing well this evening plus usual Blue Rock Thrush.

12 May - Olive-trees arrive at last!

Cretzschmar's Bunting, Ipsilou © Steve Dudley

Potamia Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 2 singing and showing well c.1.4km from the main road turn. Also Icterine Warbler 1.

Ipsilou - Olive-tree Warbler 1 singing from oaks by top of first section of old monastery path from road. Wood Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-backed Shrike 2, Spotted Flyactcher sev.

Aghias Taxiarchis (nr Skalachori) - Olive-tree Warbler 2 singing east of chapel. Eleonora's Falcon 1 dark phase feeding over road west of chapel for 10-15 mins c.0915h.

Platania - Olive-tree Warbler, at least 2 in at the cattlegrid site.

Nr Parakila - ROLLER 1 c.3 km south.

Skala Eresou - Little Bittern 2, Alpine Swift 2.

Tsiknias River - at ford - CITRINE WAGTAIL male & female (male also on flood area), Little Bittern 1, Great Reed Warbler 1. River mouth - Sandwich Tern 1.

Kalloni Saltpans area - Alykes Wetlands - no sign of yesterday's Broad-billed Sandpiper. Temminck's Stint 2, Ringed Plover 12, Red-throated Pipit 4. Flood opp. saltworks entrance - Whiskered Terns 2, White-winged Black Tern 2, Collared Pratincole 2, Black Stork 6, Great White Egret 3, Squacco Heron 8+, Curlew Sandpiper 6, Ruff 110+, Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard 3. Saltpans Little Stint 30+.

Agiasos - Chiffchaff 1.

RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN - birds reported from Madaros, Chrousos beach and Polichnitos Saltpans in recent days.

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.

9 May - slowing down under the sun

We've got high pressure with light winds and increasing temperatures. Birds are shipping out rather than shipping in, and many birders are flagging in the heat. The number of birders is also down and news is beginning to slow.

Late news from recent days first -

7-8 May - Great Spotted Cuckoo along the Petra Reservoir Road with two singing River Warblers there on the 7th.

Todays news -

Madaros (north of Kalloni) - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1, Honey-buzzard 2, Black Stork 3, Chukar, Orphean Warbler.

Tsiknias River (Upper) - Ortolan Bunting 1 (only record this spring?).

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint 1100-1215h - Short-toed Eagle 5+, Goshawk 4, Long-legged Buzzard 1, Hobby 1, Black Stork 1.

Faneromeni fords - Little Bittern 7, Bee-eater 40+.

Kalloni Saltpans - Glossy Ibis 2, Ruddy Shelduck 2, Squacco Heron 9 on floods opposite sltworks entrance. Ruff 110+, Little Stont 70+ on pans and moat. RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1 still in tamerisks west of beach cafe.

Ipsilou/Sigri area - migrant numbers greatly reduced. Expected breeding birds present.

Tsiknias River - Little Bittern 1, Sandwich Tern 9.

Scops Owl - not seen at the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch since being flushed by a photographer who got his wife to use a stick to move branches out of his field of view!

8 May - slow as migrant numbers decline

Ipsilou – Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler 1, reduced numbers of migrants.

Skoutaros – Eleonora’s Falcon 10.

Meladia Valley – far fewer migrants than in recent days, Spotted Flycatcher numbers now heavily reduced but lots of female Red-backed Shrikes and female Black-headed Buntings arriving. RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN male in scrub north-east of ford, Collared Flycatcher fem by wet flash c.300m west of ford, Thrush Nightingale singing from small building north of fig grove, Sardinian Warbler fem, Icterine Warbler 5+, Orphean Warbler 4, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Great Reed Warbler 3+, Pied Flycatcher 4+, Little Bittern 3, Lesser Kestrel 2, Alpine Swift 2, Bee-eater 5. Family party of Sombre Tits at the chapel, 15+ Woodlarks dust-bathing on track east of ford late evening. Several parties of Rock Nuthatch.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrels.

Faneromeni area – ROLLER 2, Night-heron 2 (imm at lower ford, adult at upper ford), Little Bittern 6+ (both fords), Squacco Heron 1 (lower ford), Little Egret 11 (north of upper ford), Lesser Grey Shrike, Golden Oriole, Orphean Warbler 2, Lesser Kestrel 20+, Pied Flycatcher 2+.

Liminos Monastery – Short-toed Eagle 4, Red-backed Shrike.

Kalloni Saltpans – Collared Pratincole 1 over flood opposite saltworks entrance, Whiskered Tern 1+. Usual herons, storks etc on flood.

Tsiknias River – Great Bittern 1, Sandwich Tern.

Metochi Lake - Great Bittern 1 (likely same as Tsiknias).

6 May - Booted Eagle and migrants galore part II

Barred Warbler, Meladia Valley © Steve Dudley

Olive-tree Warbler update
Birds still showing at the barrier site in upper Napi valley (west side of the Napi valley road below the mast at top of valley) and above here from the main road about half way up to the track to the masts. Birds are however very difficult. At least one bird reported from 'near' the Platania cattle grid site (c.5km east of the Napi valley road at top end of valley).

Kalloni Saltpans – CITRINE WAGTAIL male along east pans track. Marsh Sandpiper 1, Black Tern 18, Grey Plover 10+, Turnstone 2. RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN male still in tamarisks west of beach café (please do not harass the bird!). Quail 2 birds calling in fields c.1 km east of Kalloni pans. Usual herons etc.

Kalloni Raptor Watchpoint – BOOTED EAGLE 1 over at c.1430h. Eleonora’s Falcon 3+, Hobby 2, Peregrine, Goshawk male, Short-toed Eagle 5+, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Stork 4.

Mesa - BOOTED EAGLE 1 (see above). Ruddy Shelduck 26, Black Stork 4.

Metochi Lake - BAILLON'S CRAKE 2 birds reported. Moustached Warbler reported again in bushes alongside the main eastern track along the lake. BEWARE! Sedge Warblers can be very dark crowned and care needed to ID 'eastern' Moustached Warbler here.

Achladeri – Kruper’s Nuthatch 2 (along track between Vouvaris River and main Kruper’s site. Eleonora's Falcon 1 over the main Kruper's site.

Vouvaris river track – Tree Pipit.

Potamia – Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Crag Martin, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Coal Tit.

Meladia Valley – ROLLER 2, COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN male singing, Honey-buzzard 1, River Warbler 1, Barred Warbler 1, Icterine Warbler 15, Red-backed Shrike 20+, Lesser Grey Shrike 10+, Great Reed Warbler 15+, Spotted Flycatcher 200+, Golden Oriole 6, plus other common migrants. No sign of the Rose-coloured Starling.

Sigri – Red-footed Falcon 12.

Sigri Old Sanatorium - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN male singing and showing well late evening, Chukar.

Skala Eresou – Purple Heron 3, Little Bittern 1, Great Reed Warbler 2.

Tsiknias River – Temminck’s Stint 1, Marsh Harrier.

Nr Eresos (along Sigri track) - Collared Flycatcher female, Golden Oriole.

Polichnitos Saltpans - CITRINE WAGTAIL female in field (was flooded) with Red-throated Pipits. Lesser Grey Shrike, Curlew Sandpipers (lots), Sanderling 5, Ruff, Ringed Plover 3.

5 May - migrants galore part I

Rufous Bush Robin, Sigri Old Sanitorium © Steve Dudley

CYPRUS WARBLER UPDATE
The birds reported as Cyprus Warbler have been identified as Barred Warblers. For photos see the BirdForum thread at
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=140543.

Meladia Valley - BLACK KITE 2, one early morning and one arrived at 1955h headed inland at 2005), Gull-billed Tern 2 (feeding along valley track moving west, Rose-coloured Starling (in hedge immediately west of chapel), Icterine Warbler 11, Lesser Grey Shrike 12, Red-backed Shrike 50++, Orphean Warbler 8, Common Redstart, Little Bittern 3, Montagu's Harrier fem, Rufous Bush Robin 1 singing west of ford at dusk. Lots of common migrants.

Ipsilou - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 1 male, Icterine Warbler 4, Masked Shrike 2, Hobby 1. Lots of common migrants.

Faneromeni - LEVANT SPARROWHAWK 5+, ROLLER 8+, CITRINE WAGTAIL male, COLLARED FLYCATCHER fem, Red-footed Falcon 6, usual herons, etc.

Sigri Old Sanotorium - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1, Red-breasted Flycatcher male, European Nightjar roosting on rock in field, Barred Warbler 1, Black-headed Bunting 30 (single flock), Golden Oriole 10, Red-backed Shrike 20+.

Polichnitos Saltpans - CITRINE WAGTAIL fem.

Lardia Valley - EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER 1 still by second lay-by from Vatousa end.

Petra Reservoir (Perasma) - Thrush Nightingale, Lesser Grey Shrike 6.

Petra - Savi's Warbler, Thrush Nightingale.

Napi Valley - Olive-tree Warbler 2 (barrier site in upper valley), Icterine Warbler 1.

Kalloni Saltpans - LANNER 1 imm. RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN still in tamarisks west of beach cafe. Marsh Sandpiper 1, Little Gull 1st sum, Grey Plover. Usual herons, ibis, storks and waders on flood opposite saltworks entrance.

Molivos - Eleonora's Falcon 2. Yelkouan and Scopoli's Shearwaters offshore.

Aghias Fokas - Gull-billed Tern 2, Eleonora's Falcon 1.

2 May - reigning raptors

Rose-coloured Starling, Meladia Valley © Steve Dudley

Heavy showers in the morning in the Kalloni area eventually cleared and gave way to blue skies and followed by a string of raptors moving across the island. I wonder what we missed?!

General - arrival of Black-headed Buntings continues and they are all over the place. Bee-eaters everywhere. Large arrival of Sedge Warblers and Great Reed continues and large movement of swifts today inc. several Pallid.

Tsiknias River - WHITE-TAILED EAGLE subadult north at 1020h (fifth record for the island). Pallid Swift 1, Red-backed Shrike 2.

Vouvaris River Mouth - EGYPTIAN VULTURE subadult seen perched then flew north at 1800h (11th island record).

Agiasos - Large eagle sp. north at c. 1300h.

Makara - BLACK KITE 2 on off sea to north, Barred Warbler 1.

Meladia Valley - Rose-coloured Starling 1 (first report of the spring, and early), Pallid Swift sev, Alpine Swift 200+, Common Swift 400+.

Metochi Lake - Moustached Warbler reported for third day, Little Bittern 3.

Kalloni Saltpans area - RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN 1 in seaside tamerisks west of the beach cafe. Barred and Sardinian Warblers along the south road near hide. LANNER FALCON juv down the east pans track. White-winged Black Tern 1, Green Sandpiper 1 on pans. Gull-billed Tern 1, Black Stork 1, Glossy Ibis 10+, Squacco Heron 6+, Purple Heron 2, Great White Egret, Ruddy Shelduck and Garganey on flooded fields opposite the saltworks entrance. Collared Pratincole 2 in Alykes Wetlands (sheepfields).

Achladeri - ELEONORA'S FALCON 3 hawking insects over the car park for c.1/2 hour. Kruper's Nuthatch the male near the white building has managed to attract a mate at long last and both birds showed brilliantly today as they continued to excavate the nest hole. Night-heron 2 roosting in pine trees.

Farmakies Pool (Skala Vasilikon Harbour) - Citrine Wagtail female, Serin 2.

Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch - Scops Owl 2. IMPORTANT NOTICE - please do not view either bird from the road. The Police have said they will book anyone doing so for obstructing the road.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Green Sandpiper 1, Red-throated Pipit 2, Bee-eater 100+ in area.

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.

7 May 08 - Egyptian Vultures!

Weather
heavy rain overnight continued until mid morning and the overcast sky eventually cleared to give a sunny laste afternoon and evening.

Today's highlights -

Nr Ipsilou - EGYPTIAN VULTURE 2 together to north c. noon.

Kalloni Saltpans - PALLID HARRIER 1 (1st sum fem), SPUR-WINGED PLOVER 2, Osprey 1, Gull-billed Tern 1, White-winged Black Tern 22, Black Tern 2, Red-footed Falcon 12, Little Stint 210+, Ruff 230+, Curlew Sandpiper 60+.

Nr Eressos - BLACK KITE 1.

Ipsilou - Rock Sparrow 5.

Faneromeni - Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Bee-eater 40.

Old Sigri Sanatorium - Rufous Bush Chat 2, Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

Alykes Wetlands - Citrine Wagtail 1, Collared Pratincole 7, Ringed Plover 15, Spotted Redshank 1.

Skamnioudi Pool - Temminck's Stint 1, Little Stint 24, Ruff 36, Wood Sandpiper 70+, Goshawk imm male.

Polichnitos Saltpans - Eleanora's Falcon 1, Little Stint 160+, Curlew Sandpiper 52, Grey Plover 1, Black Stork 1.

Almiropodamos River - Little Bittern 1, Ortolan Bunting 1, Serin 1.

Tsiknias River - Slender-billed Gull 3, Temminck's Stint 5, Black Stork 2, Grey Plover 4.

Nr Polichnitos Saltpans - Roller 2.

Meladia River Ford - Roller 1, Marsh Warbler 2, Icterine Warbler 2, Rufous Bush Chat 2.

Metochi - Little Bittern 6+, Hobby 1.

Reporting your sightings
I leave the island tomorrow 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 -
steve at toadsnatcher dot com
00447767787287

Thanks to everyone who has supplied reocrds over the last three weeks. I know from feedback from birders coming out here the updates have been greatly appreciated by many.

I've been told of some of the funny bird names that have crept in over the weeks. Its sometimes hard typing anf holding three converdations at once!

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.