Lesvos 2009/09/17 - Lesvos Birding

7/31/2019 Lesvos 2009/09/17 - Lesvos Birding

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Lesvos | 17 24 September 2009

A Speyside Wildlife Holiday

led by Lesvos Birdings Steve Dudley | www.lesvosbirding.com

Day 1, Thursday, 17 September

WemeetupatGatwickearlyinthemorningandaftertheusualairportprocedures,wearejettingoffLesvos!

WearriveanhourlateatMytilinibutaresoononourwayandsomeofusgetting

ourfirstviewsofLesvosandimmediatelyseejusthowcloseTurkeyis!

OnroutetothehotelwecutbytheKalloniSaltpanswhicharecoveredin

Flamingoswhichlookstunninginthebrightsunlight.WesooncheckintothehotelandwalkintoSkalaKallonisandhaveadelightful

latelightlunchtotideusovertotheevening.WalkingbacktothehotelweseeaRedbackedShrikeand11Beeeatersprpoverhead.

WecollectourthingsandheadofftoMetochiLake.WespyacouplemoreRedbackedShrikesalongthefieldedges,andaWhinchat,beforearrivingatthelake

itself.Anditsfulltothebrim,nottheusualautumnpuddleSteveexpectedto

find.StripedneckedTerrapinsslideoffthebanksintothewaterbeforeresurfacingwithjusttheirsnoutsstickingoutofthewater.SeveralSpotted

FlycatchersmakesortiesfromvarioustreesandreedswhenDavidspotsabirdflittingaroundthebottomofsometamarisksonasmallislandjustinfrontofus.

ItsaCettisWarblerandwegetgreatviewasithopsaroundontheground

beforeflyingoff.AEuropeanPondTerrapinishauleduponalogonthefarshore.ThereareseveralMoorhensinthetamarisksonthefarside,andacouple

ofLittleGrebesstickclosetothefaredgecover.JuneandStevespotaLittleBitternasitlandsinthetamarisksbutcompletelydisappears.Wecheckthefar

endofthelateandfindmoreterrapins,someMarshFrogsandamaleLesser

Emperordragonflyhawkingalongthestagnantchannel.DaphnethanspotsaSnipewhichcrouchesdowntoavoiddetectionbythemaraudingdogwhichis

followingus!

Agentlestarttotheholidayendswithdinnerbackinthevillageandagraceful

retreattoourbeds.Itsbeenalongdayandtheholidaywillbegininearnestinthemorning!

Day 2, Friday, 18 September

Wewaketoabright,cloudlessskyandmeetupfora0730breakfast.Itsalready

warmingupquick,andafterbreakfastwearekeentomakeourwayovertotheTsikniasRiverMouthandgetstuckintosomebirds.Wepullupandaregreeted

byalreadyfamiliarcallofCrestedLarks.ApartyofLinnetsflyoveraswebegintoscantherivermouth.YellowleggedGullsoccupythebestroostingspots


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whilstaGreyHeronpreenssatonasubmergedbranchandaCormorantperches

onapost.StevespotsaCurlewonthemudspit.WebegintoheadupriverwhenafieldfullofLinnetsandGoldfinchesstopsus.Wegrillthefieldbutcanfind

nothingelse.AswedriveslowlyalongtheriveraBlackStorkfliespastandlandsbrieflyinfrontofus.

WetakeaquicklookaroundthefordwherethereareseveralLittleRingedPlovers,WhiteandYellowWagtails,HouseSparrowsandCornBuntingsaround

thepuddlesintheriverbed.Weparktheminibusandwalkouttowardstheriver

mouth.AjuvenileRedbackedShrikepopsuponthefenceaheadofusandthereareNorthernWheatearsonthetrackandintheadjacentfields.TheLesserGrey

Shrikefromearlierisseenagain,thistimemuchclosergivingbetterview.AnIsabellineWheatearisseenbrieflyonthetrackandswallowsandmartinsbuzz

overheadastheyeagerlypushsouthwards.

Wedropofftheriverbankintoanopenareawithscatteredtamerisks.Northern

WheatearsandCrestedLarksareeverywhere.StevepicksupthreeHoopoes

feedingatthebackofthesheepfieldandwegetreasonableviewsthroughthescopes.JustaroundthecornerwehavebriefviewsofayoungmaleLesser

Kestrelbeforetheskyaboveusfillswithhirundinesandthefirstofabout80AlpineSwifts,includingsomeincrediblylowbirdslowenoughtoseethewhite

throat!

Wemoveontotheeasternsideofthesaltpans.OverthehillbehindusDaphne

spiestowbirdscirclingwhichturnouttobeaRavenbeingmobbedbyaSparrowhawk.AcrossthepansthereisadenseflockoffeedingAvocetsand

groupofCommonShelduck.Theflamingosaredistantfromhere,buttheirstrikingpinkisstillvisibleevenatadistance.

WewanderdownthetrackandfindmoreCrestedLarks,CornBuntings,aRed

backedShrikeandaWhinchat.ViewingthepansagainwecannowseeatleastthreeGreenshank,fourCurlewandbothLittleandGreatWhiteEgrets.

It/sgettingwarmnowsomoveoffintotheshadeofAchladeriForest.Nosooner

areweinthetreeswhenStevespotsourfirstKrpersNuthatch.Thereare

plentyofbirdsflittingaroundandmaybeuptofournuthatchesfeedinglowdownontreetrunks,flittingfromtrunktotrunktreecreeperstyle.Woodlark

putsinabriefappearance,asdoesaShorttoedTreecreeperandaCirlBuntingsingsitsrattlesongfromthepinetops.

WehavelunchattheseasideAncientPyrrataverna.Itslovelyhereintheshadewiththecoolbreezecomingoffthesea.Solovelyinfactemakesurewehavea

nice,slowlunchbeforeheadingbackintotheheatoftheday!

Wemakebackintotheforest,thistimewalkingslowlyalongaforesttrack.Its

deathlyquiet.RockandWoodlandGraylingsflitaroundus,buttheplaceislargelybirdfree.WespendsometimeenjoyingapowderblueSmallSkimmer

restingonthetrackbeforeheadingbacktoheminibuswhenStevespotsacoupleofKrpersNuthatchesinthetreerightaboveus.Wegetwonderfulviews


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ofthisdiminutivenuthatch,themaleisparticularlyshowymakingupforthe

poorviewsearlier.Arrivingbackattheminibustwobirdsappearinthecloudlessblueskyabovethetreecoveredhillsidetoourleft.ARavenisbeing

mobbedbyanotherbirdEleonorasFalconexclaimsStevepointingoutthesalientfeatures.Butthesightingistoobriefasthefalcondisappearsoverthe

ridgeofthehill.WemoveonaroundthecornertotheVouvarisRiverMouth.AcoupleofGrey

HeronsaredisturbedfromthepinesbythebridgeandacoupleofKingfishers

chaseeachotherbeforeafemaleSparrowhawkfliesover.AttherivermouththereareseveralCormorantsanduptofourGreyHerons.,butlittleelse.

WemakeourwayaroundtoKalloniSaltpans.Alltheflamingosareinthe

northwestcornerandthelateafternoonlightisfabulouslightingupthewhole

scene.Aquickcountestimatesthereareover800flamingos!Thereisconstantchangingwithintheflamingos.Somearefeedingwiththeirupsidedownhead

busyinthewater.Otherswalkaroundserenely.Occasionallyoneflashesits

underwingsshowingitsvividredarmpits.FourBlackStorksflaplazilybehindtheflamingosbeforealightingonadistancepan.DaphnespiesdistantShorttoed

EaglebeforeStevepointsanotherfalconcomingoverthepanswhichturnsouttobeoursecondEleonorasoftheafternoon!

Itsbeenahotyetthoroughlyrewardingdayasweheadoffbackacrossthefields,fundingoursecondLesserGreyShrikeoftheday,onourwaybacktothehotel.

Afterarestandfreshenupwewalkintothevillageforanotherenjoyableevening.

Lesser Grey Shrike, nr Kalloni Saltpans


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Day 3, Friday, 19 September

Wewaketothenowfamiliarsoundsofsheepbells,cockerelsandbrayingdonkeys!Afterbreakfastweheadoutintoanovercastmorningwhichisbliss,

andheadtowardsMetochilake.WestoptoviewacoupleofWhinchatsonthefencewhenStevespotsatwoTurtleDovesalightonanoverheadwire.Thescope

issoontrainedonthemandwegetexcellentviewsbeforetheyflyofffollowedbythreemore.AhugeflockofGoldfinchesswarmthedeadthistlesinadryfieldandasingleRedbackedShrikeissatinanearbytree.

AtthelakeweseetheusualLittleGrebeandMoorhensandtheCommonSnipefromThursdayisstillhappilyprobingthemudfringe.Wewalkalongthetrack

throughthefieldsandsoonfindacoupleofJaysandgetexcellentviewsoftheirblackcapswhichmarkthemasadifferentracetotheJaysbackhome.Wecan

hereMiddleSpottedWoodpeckersmockingusfromwithintheolivegroves

whichholdonlysparrowsandtheoccasionalWillowWarblerforustoactuallysee.

Wetakeaturnwhichtakesusalongthebottomofarockyhillside.StevepointsouttheconstantcallingofRockNuthatches.Westopintheshadeofatreeto

scantherocks.ThenuthatchescallsarejoinedbythedryrattlesongofaCirlBuntingwecantseeeitheroftheseeither!WedofindourfirstAgamalizard

sittingtypicallyatoparockwhenSteveeventuallyspotsaRockNuthatchonthe

toppermostrockaboveus.AlthoughnotclosethelightisbehindusandperfectforviewingtheRockyNutandwecanseeclearlyhisbanditmaskandbuffy

flanks.Itbouncesroundtherocksalittlewithasecondbirdbeforedisappearing.WemoveononlyafewyardsbeforefindingaCommonWhitethroatandaclose

RedbackedShrikewhichhascaughtagrasshopper.Theshrikesitsstillinalittlebushbeforeeventuallystartingtotearatthegrasshopper.Weviewfromtheshadeofasweetsmellingfigtreebeforeagaintakingtotheopenandthe

increasinglyfiercesun.Wepassthroughanopenareawithfewbirdsandturn

alonganothertrackbyanewallotmentbuilding,itsfreshpaintgleaminginthestrongsunlight.AtthelittlebridgeweseeasecondCommonWhitethroatand

anotherRedbackedShrikebeforefollowingthetrackdownthebackofthelake.TwoLesserWhitethroatsappearandthendisappearassuddenlyastheyhad

appearedandourwalkisaccompaniedwithbytheconstantploppingof

terrapinsdroppingintothechannelunseen.Arrivingbackbythesouthernendofthelake,Daphnespotsaraptorinthesky.Stevegetsontothehigherbirdand

proclaimsitasamaleMontagusHarrierwhilsttheotherisaCommonBuzzard.APurpleHeronthenfliespasttoofastforallourlikings!Alasthegroupmiss

theGreenSandpiperSteveflushesfromtheendofthelake.

WemoveoffnorthtotheKalloniRaptorWatchPoint.Theovercastmorninghas

givenwaytotheexpectedclearblueskiesandincreasinglyhotsun.Thewatch

pointisatblessedwithacoveredpicnictableforsometoenjoytheshade.DavidandStevestickitoutinthesunandinbetweenRockNuthatchappearances

distantRedfootedandEleonorasFalconsareseen.

WearriveatMolivosandheaduptothecastletoenjoytheviewsovertoTurkeyandwestacrossthebaytoIpsilouandthewesternendoftheisland.Wemoveon


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downtotheharbourwhereweenjoyalovelyrelaxinglunchbytheharbourside,

withsomeofeventryingafewnewGreekseafoodspecialtiesforthefirst(andlast!)time.

AfteranequallyrelaxingcoffeeweheadofftoPerasma.Thereservoirholds16

LittleGrebesaswellsasmanydrinkingcrowsandlotsofbathingYellowleggedGulls.AWhiteWagtailfliesaroundnoisily.OurwalkfindsonlysparrowsbeforeDaphnespotsanotherraptor.Stevegetshisscopeontoitanditsnowone,but

twomaleMarshHarriersthatquicklyheadoffsouthintightcircles.Withno

otherbirdsobviousandonlyafewRedveinedDarterstooccupy,wereturntotheminibusandheadoffeastfollowingtheroadbelowMountLepetimnos.The

viewsarestunningaswedrivebelowthehighestmontainontheislandwitheachtwistandturnofthewindingroadgivingusbreathtakingviewafter

breathtakingview.Turkeytoourleftremainseverpresentandahopethatthere

areraptorswingingtherewayacrossthenarrowstraighttowardsus.

Short-toed Eagle, nr Lepetimnos

JustbeforeLepetimnosvillagewepullovertoenjoytheviewacrossthenorthoftheislandandacrosstoTurkey,whichisjustastonesthrowaway.Daphneasks

ifthisisjustagullhoveringnearby.GullsdonthoverthoughtSteveand

swingingroundseesaShorttoedEagleonlyacoupleofhundredyardsawayandalmostatoureyelevel,windhoveringintheincreasingnortherlybreeze.We

watchintentlyforseveralminutesasthebirdhangsintheskywithoutflappingasinglewingbeat!Itturns,glidesandresumesitshover.Afterashorttimeit

drops,hoversagain,thendropsfurtherandoutofsightclearlyafterprey.Wow!

Whatashow.Weheadonalongtheroadandafteracoupleofbendswecomeacrosstheeagleagainaboveus.Wemanagetofindasafeplacetopulloverand

werebackoutthebusandwatchinganequallyabsorbingspectacle,butthis

timefrombelowandabletoenjoyallthebirdsundersidemarkings.WerestillwatchingtheeaglewhenStevespotsasmallerraptorcominginfromtheright.

Goshawk!heshoutsandweallgetgoodviewsasitwheelspastusandoutofsight.AnotherWow!


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ItsgettinglateaswepullintotheNapivalleyandtheresonlytimeforacouple

ofshortstops.ThefirstisatthenorthendandaswegetoutofthebusStevespotsasmalleaglecomingstraightatus.BootedEagle!heexclaimsasitbanks

rightandflapsofrapidlysouthdownthevalley.Damn!Thatwasfartoobriefaview!SeveralCirlBuntingsaresingingbutcanwefindoneno!Frustratedwe

headoffsouthandarestoppedinourtracksjustnorthofNapivillagewhenaBlueRockThrushfliesacrosstheroadinfrontofus.Wequicklyturnofftheroadandaresoonwatchingamalesatatoparockoccasionallysinging.Times

pressingsoweboardthebusasStevespotsaSombreTitbutbythetimethe

othersareoutitsgonebutbothDaphneandStevegetbriefviewsofaBlackearedWheatearbeforewehavetoheadmoveoff.

Wearrivebackatthehoteltofreshenupbeforedinner.Thediningroomhas

beentransformedforaweddingparty.Afterdinnerwearrivebacktofindthe

guestsjustbeginningtoarrivefora10pmstart.Itsgoingtobealong,noisynightinthehotel!

Day 4, Sunday, 20 September

Wewakeandbreakfasttothesoundofthelocalchurchbellscallingthelocalstoprayer.ThismorningweheadsouthlongtheeasternsideoftheGulfofKalloni

takingthebeachtrackfromAchladeritoSkalaVasilikon.Therearefewbirds

otherthanCrestedLarksinthefieldsandalongtrack.ArrivingatthesmallharbourofSkalaVasilikonwefindfourMediterraneanGullsontheharbourwall

twoadultsandtwofirstwinterbirds.ContinuingsouthtoSkamnioudiwecomeacrossseveralfieldsthathavejustbeencutandareteemingwithbirds.Thefirst

isextraordinaryasitscrawlingwithWillowWarblers,ChiffchaffsandGreatTitsallfeedingonthegroundalongthecutrowsintheopenfield!ThesecondfieldismoretypicalbeingfullofYellowWagtailsbobbingbetweentherowsofcut

crop.ContinuingonwegetexcellentviewsofanadultWoodchatShrikefeeding

bytheroadsideformwiresandadeadtree.

Mediterranean Gulls, Skala Vasilikon

WearriveatthePolichnitosSaltpansandareimmediatelyintothebirds.The

windispickingupconsiderablyandhamperingviewing,especiallywiththescope,butthereisplentytolookat.KentishandRingedPloversfeedinthedrier


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pansalongtheroadsidewhilstRedshank,Greenshank,Ruff,Avocet,Ruff,Little

StintandDunlinareallwadingaroundthewaterareasofseveralpans.OverthefieldsoppositethepansweseeaLesserKestrelalltoobrieflybeforeitmakesoff!

BackonthepanstwoduckstakeflightandonceresettledbackonthepansturnouttoaPintailandaShoveler.TwoBlackwingedStiltsareseenandthena

juvenileWhiskeredternappearsamongstthehawkingBlackheadedGulls.ThebundsarefullofroostinggullsanddottedamongthemareLittleandGreatWhiteEgrets,GreyHeronandBlackStorks.Thestorksappeartobeworking

theirwayalongthepanandacoupleofbirdsevenwingtheirwayoffoverthe

nearbyhillsidetotryandfindathermaltoliftthemontheirwaysouth.Somechanceinthisstringwind,andthetwobirdsdisappearlowoverthehills.Intotal

weseeatleast17BlackStorks,includingseveraljuvenilebirds.StevethenmanagestopickoutaSlenderbilledGullfeedingamongtheBlackheaded.Itsa

juvenilebirdandwesoonlocateasecond.Wesoonhavethemscopesand

everyonecansoonseethesubtledifferencebetweentheSlenderbilledandtheBlackheaded.ScopingtherestofthegullsStevethenspotsagleamingadultbird

inthenearestgroupoffeedingbirds.Thisadultisfeedingveryactivelyand

totallydifferenttoalltheBlackheaded.Itstandstalldashingaround,neckoutstretchedconstantlypickingatthewatersurface.Itscleanwhiteheadand

neckandgleaming,longbloodredbillstandsoutamile.SearchingsomemoreSteveeventuallypicksouttwomoreadults,thistimebothinwinterplumage

withthegreyearsmudge.

WemoveoffsouththroughthetownofPolichnitosanddowntowardsthesouth

coast.WebriefstopatariverbridgeseesnobirdsbutplentyofRedveinedDartersandSmallSkimmers.WearriveatVateraandhavealovelylunchbythe

beachattheHotelVateraBeach.HerewehaveoneyeontheseaandmanagetopickouttheoccasionalScopolisShearwaterastheybreakthehorizoninasteeparchastheywheelwestwards.

WeheadonouttoAgiosFokas.TheriverisveryquietbuttheheadlandholdsafewRedbackedShrikes,SpottedFlycatchers,WhinchatandNorthernWheatear.

WegetourfirstviewofaPersianSquirrelinanolivetreeandwespendsomemoretimeenjoyingacoupleofRedveinedDarters,thistimeseeingtheredveins

veryclearlyandStevepointingoutthebluelowerhalfoftheeyeswhichare

diagnosticofthespecies.ArrivingbackattheminibusStevespotsajuvenilesatonthegroundinanolivegrovewhenwehearthediagnosticsoundofBee

eaters.Weeventuallyseeonebirdsweepingacrosstheskynearbyandunfortunatelyforus,outofviewoverthetrees.Damn!

ThewindistillstrongandwedrivethelengthoftheAmbelikoValleywithoutseeingasinglemigrant.WearriveatthePanaghiaChapelundertheeyeofMount

OlympuswerewestakeoutaleakingpipeforKrpersNuthatchandSerin

withoutsuccess.AbonusthoughisbrilliantviewsofoursecondPersianSquirrelwhichcomesdownthetreebythepipetodrink.

Thewindandsungetsthebetterofusandwereturnearlyforarestandfreshen

upbeforeheadingdownintothevillagefordinner.


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Day 5, Monday, 21 September

Afterbreakfastweheadoutwestforthefirsttime.ApproachingIpsilouwestop

towatchawindhoveringShorttoedEaglebeforecomingacrossaflockofRavenscirclingtheroadoveradeaddog!WearriveatIpsilou.Thereissome

cloudpassingoverbutmountisstillinfullsunbutthewindisstrong.TheRavensarenowoverthemounthavingadogfightwithamalePeregrine.

WebeginouraccentandaresoonwatchingaRockNuthatchfeedingnearits

springtimenestsiteaconicalmudstructureunderaoverhangonarockface.NearbyaSombreTitfeedsinabushbutitprovesfrustratingasitflitsaround

anddoesntrealshowitselfproperly.

WecontinueuptheroadandhavegoodviewsofaSparrowhawkandbriefview

oftwoEleonorasFalconsbeforearrivingatthemonastery.WetakeaquicklookaroundthetopseeinganotherSombreTitalittlebetterthanthelastoneanda

femaleCirlBunting.Theviewsfromthetop,likemuchoftheisland,are

breathtaking.Perchedontopofthisconicalmountwecanseeallroundusandacrossthebarrenwestoftheisland.Afterlookinginsidethemonasterywehead

downtheothersidebutseeverylittleonourdescent.

AfterfailingtofindanyChukaralongthePetrifiedForestroadweheadoninto

SigriforlunchandavisittheexcellentPetrifiedForestMuseumabargainatonly5.WethenheadbackeastwardsthroughtheMeladiaValley.Westop

brieflyforthreeLesserKestrelsbeforereachingtheriverfordarea.Herewehavetoolittletimetoenjoytheloadsofbirdspresentifonlywehadgothere

earlier!AftergoodviewsofaTawnyPipitbythetrackweenterthefiggroveareatofindlotsofRedbackShrikes,SpottedFlycatchers,CommonWhitethroat,acoupleofBlackcapsandthestarformany,aroundadozenLesser

Whitethroats.Wegetgreatviewsofallthese,particularlytheLesser

Whitethroats.TheoccasionisdampenedslightlywhentheWryneckSteveseesflyingintothefiggroveislostdeepintothetreesandwithlittletimeorchance

oflocatingitweleave.

ItsalongdrivebackbutStevedoesoneofthoseguidethingsandmanagesto

spotacoupleofRedrumpedSwallowsmilesawaywhilstdriving!Westopandgetgreatviewsastheyfeedoverthevalley.

Wearrivebackatthehotel,freshenupandaresoondowninthevillagefor

anotherfulsomedinnerbeforeeagerlymakingforourbedslookingforwardto

tomorrow!

Day 6, Tuesday, 22 September

Webreakfastedatourusualtimeof0730andthenmadeoutat0830.Wehad

hadatipoffthattherewasaRedneckedGrebeonthenearbyseaandsureenough,withinafewminutesJoanhadspotteditandwewereenjoyingexcellent

views!Agreatstarttotheday.


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Red-necked Grebe, Skala Kallonis

WebumpedalongthetrackbytheTsikniasRiver,acrossthefordandacrossthe

fieldstowardsthesaltpans.Daphnespottedahoveringfalconsowestoppedto

findthreesplendidRedfootFalcons,oneintheairtheothertwosatuponnearbywires.Wehadourfillandcontinuedtobestoppedbymorefalcons,this

timethreeLesserKestrelsandasingleRedfoot.

Wearrivedonthepansandviewsfromthesouthroad.Alltheflamingoswereup

butwecouldntseewhatwasdisturbingthem.Stevecouldseesomebirdersintentlywatchingsomethingonthewestsidesoweshotroundtofindtheyhada

juvenileWhitePelican!Nowthatwouldscarethelivingdaylightsoutofthe

Flamingos!Wewatchedthedarkbirddistantlywhenittooktotheair.UpgotmostoftheFlamingosasitheadedeastandbegantocircle.Afterafewminutesit

changedcourseanddriftedoverwestwardsrightpastusandthencontinuedtoclimbwhilstdriftingoffsouthwestallthetimeandwaslosttoview.Wow!

WedheardtherehadbeenanotherpelicanatPolichnitospansthepreviousdaysoweheadedsouth.OuronlyhighlightonourjourneywasaHobbydogfighting

withagroupofMediterraneanGullsoffSkalaVasilikon,soitwasprettymuchstraighttothepansandwithinminutesofarrivalDaphnehadspottedthe

pelicaninthemiddleofthepans.Wewatchedasitseemedtocatchfishafter

fish,swishingitsenormousbillthroughthewaterandthentossingitsneckbacktomovethefishformitssack.ItwasmuchpalerthantheKallonibirdandthe

flesharoundtheeyewasdecidedlygrey,notpink.Itwaslookingsuspiciously

likeaDalmatianPelicanwhenitdecidedtotakeflightbrieflyshowingthedarkflightfeatherscontrastingwiththeunderwingcoverts.OursecondWhitePelican

oftheday!Thebirdsettlednexttooneofthebundsandwecontinuedtowatchitoffandonasweworkedourwaythroughwhatelsewaspresentmuchasthe

otherdaywithegrets,GreyHeron,BlackStorks,plovers,Avocet,Redshank,

Greenshank,LittleStintandRuff.WemovedonspottingfourMediterraneanGullsbeforepickingupamoultingadultLittleGullfeedinginthecornerofoneof

thepans.AnotherhighlightwasaWeaselfoundbyJuneworkingitswayalong

thesaltpansperimeterfence.Wegetgreatviewswhenitrunsoutontothetrack,stopsbrieflybeforeboltingbackinforcover!


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White Pelican, Polichnitos Saltpans

Wemoveawayfromthepansheadingnorth.NearSkamnioudiwefindarecentlybailedfieldthatiscoveredwithYellowWagtailsandNorthernWheatears

amongstwhichwefindfourTawnyPipitsincludingoneobligingbirdclosetotheminibus.OurlaststopbeforelunchisinolivegrovesnearSkalaVasilikontolook

forMiddleSpottedWoodpecker.Withinafewminuteswecanhearatleastone

birdchatteringaway.AswewalkthroughthegrovesStevespotsawoodpeckerflyingintoanopenolivetreebutitvanishes.Typical.Walkingbackwehear

anotherwoodpeckerlaughingatusandseeaBalkanWallLizardonthetrackbeforefindingadeadfoxunderoneoftheolive(ournosesspotteditfirst!).

Tawny Pipit. Nr Skamnioudi

AfterlunchattheAncientPyrraTavernaweheadupthroughNapiValleyand

downPlatania.WestopwhenSteveseesaSombreTitflyacrossthetrack,butwecanrelocatethebirdbutdogetgoodviewsofRockNuthatch.Westopagaina


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littlefurtheralongthetrackforanotherSombreTit,butagainfailtoseeitbutget

greatviewsofafeedingWoodlark.WeparkupinordertotakeawalktolookforSombreTitwhenSteveimmediatelyspotsoneonthenearbyfence.Weseeiton

offandonasitfeedsaroundtheoakshere.WealsoenjoyacoupleofSpottedFlycatchersflittingaroundthebottomofthetrees,huntingforinsectsforthe

deadbranchesundermostoftheoaks.DrivingbackalongthetrackweseeafabulousCardinalbutterflybaskingatthebaseofawall.

WedrivebackdownNapiValleyandstopatsomelargerocksbytheroadside.

WithinsecondsStevehasfoundourquarryBlueRockthrush.Amaleisperchedatopalargerockpeeringdownatus.Wemoveuptheroadalittleand

scopethebirdinbetterlightandfindasecondclosermaleonawall.Withthebetterlightwecanseetheyarebothclearlyblue!Weenjoythemforafew

minutesandalsogetbriefviewsofanotherSombreTit.

WeheadoffintothePotamiaValleywherewefind34LittleGrebesonthe

reservoirandstandingbytheriverbridgewewitnessaflockafterflockofHouse

Sparrowswhizzingupthevalleypastusandintotheolivegrovetoroost.ASpottedFlycatchersalliesfromthetopofanearbytree,amaleCirlBuntinganda

coupleoffemalescomedowntoapuddleintheotherwisedryriverbedandoursecondHobbyofthedaystreaksthroughthesky.

Withtimegettingonweheadbacktothehotel,stillmanagingtosqueezeinamalePeregrinedashingovertheChristouRiverMouthbeforearrivingbackat

thehotelandheadingintothevillagefordinner.

Day 7, Wednesday, 23 SeptemberForourlastfulldayweheadwestafterbreakfast.OurfirststopisbytheIoannis

ChapeljustwestofParakila.PullingupweimmediatelyfindaSombreTit

drinkingfromthewaterfountainbypullin!Itsonlyafewmetresawayandwegetgreatviews.WecontinuewestandthenheadsouthpastApothikatoMakara.

Thisareaisopenanddesolate.CrestedLarksboundandthereistheoddRockNuthatchhereandthereaswedriveslowlyinoursearchforChukar.Nothing.

Daphnethenspotsabirdonafencebelowus.ItsafabulousmaleBlackeared

Wheatearanditperformsbrilliantlyforusasitfeedsalongthefenceline.ARedbackedShrikeandCommonWhitethroatalsoputinanappearancewhilstwe

enjoythewheatear.AlittlefurtheralongthetrackStevespiesashrikewithwhitewingpatchesflyinguptheslopeLesserGreyShrikeheshoutsasitlands

onafencepostandposesforustowatchit!Furtheralongthetrackwecome

acrossapairofStonechatsandmoreRockNuthatches(theressomanyonthisisland!).Wearrivenearthesouthwardendoftheheadlandoverlookingthe

narrowmouthoftheGulfofKalloni.Wewalkouttotheheadlanditselftoview

acrosstotheeasternheadlandandtheislandofGarbias.TheresaflockofJackdawsnoisilywheelingaroundthesky,butapartfromafewmoreRed

backedShrikestherearenomigrants.ArrivingbackattheminibuswehearaMiddleSpottedWoodpeckermockingusfromanearbyfiggrove.Areweever

goingtoseethem?!


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Rock Nuthatch, Makara

WedrivebackuptothemainroadandcontinuewesttowardsPithariouReservoirnearEresos.ShortofthereservoirSteveyellswoodpeckers!,

screechestoahaltandpointsatanolivetreejustmetresfromtheminibus.

ThereinfullviewaretwoMiddleSpottedWoodpeckers!Theyhoparoundforabout30secondsbeforeflyingoff.Hooray!Wevenailedthematlast!

DrivingupPithariouReservoirbesidesthedryriverbedthereareafewWillow

Warblersflittingfrombushtobush.WeseeanotherStonechatandmoreRedbackedShrikesbeforewearrivebelowthedam.ThereareRedveinedDarterseverywhere.Afteralittlewhilewespytworaptorshighoveroneofthepeaks

ShorttoedEagleandLongleggedBuzzardbuttheyaretoofarawayfordecent

views.WeparkbythefordandgetgreatviewsofapairofCirlBuntingscomingdowntodrink.Thesubmergedfrogsinthefordoccasionallyleapuptryingto

catchoneofthemanypairsofovipositingRedveinedDarters.Weheaduptothetopofthedamntoviewthereservoir.Wow!itsdeepexclaimsSteve.Itstoo

deeptorevealthemuddybaratthefootofthedamandthereislittleexposed

mudaroundtheedges.JoanspotsacoupleofLittleGrebeandWhiteWagtailbelowbeforewemakeourwayuptheeastsidetothemonastery.Weparkto

viewthemonastery.Thewatersurfaceisempty.Steveseessomethingontheshoreline.Whatisit?Hediscernsitsafalconofsomesorthavingadrink.Itturns

torevealawhitefaceanddistinctmoustache.Hobbyhethinksasittakestothe

airitslargesizeandalldarkunderwingsrevealingitasanEleonorasFalcon!Itwheelsaroundrightinfrontofusandbegreatfabulousviewsforacoupleof

minutesbeforeitheadsoffupthevalley.Wow!


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Pithariou Monastery and reservoir

WeheadintoSkalaEresouandhavelunchatthedelightfulSoulatsoFish

Taverna.Itwasallniceandquiet,viewsoverthecalmseawhenthewholeplacesuddenlyfilledupwithenoughGreekstofillthreeofthelocaltavernas!The

noiselevelsquadrupled!Thetavernaownerwasstraightonthephonetocallfor

reinforcementstohelpcopewiththesuddenrush.WeateourlunchleisurelyandenjoyedthechatteroftheGreeksaroundus.Daphneobservedthateach

tablehadonlybeengivenasinglemenueach,toslowthemdownwhenorderingshequipped.

WesaidourfarewelltothetavernaownersandrelocatedtoBarAgua,themainlesbianbar,forcoffeeandicecream.Afteralittlemorerelaxationweresumed

ourbirdingatthenearbyRiverVergias.Fromtheroadbridgeweviewedthe

waterwhichwasteemingwithStripedneckedTerrapinsandfish.TherewereSeveralMoorhensandaKingfisherbrieflyappeared.

WeheadedfurtherwestintotheMeladiaValley.Thisisadesolate,yetstunning,

landscape.Awidevalleyplainsurroundedbyhillswithlittleinthewayof

bushesjustbareground,rocksandtheubiquitouschickenwirebush.WedroveslowlyinsearchofChukaragainnothingbutsawplentyofRedbacked

Shrikes,StonechatandSpottedFlycatchers.Stoppingforonewheatearwhich

wasclearlymobbingasnakewithaCrestedLark,StevefoundhimselflookingatanjuvenileIsabelline!Wegotgreatviewsasthebirdkeptstandingtallerand

openingitswingsandcallingwhilststandingonaboulder.Thesnakewasoutofviewbutthewheatearwashavingmakingitsownthreatclear.

StillwithnoChukarweheadeduptheMeladiaRivertrackand,loandbehold,wesoonflushedacoveyof18+Chukarfromtheroadsideandgotexcellentviewsas

somesatupandlookeddownatusfromtheridgeabove.ThiswasthelargestflockStevehadeverseenonLesvosbeatingtheprevious11whichwasonlya

fewhundredmetresfromhere!

WeturnaroundatafarmwhichwasfullofCornBuntingsandHouseSparrowsandheadedbackdowntothefiggrove.WithinaminuteofparkingupStevehad


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foundaTreePipitfeedingintheshadowofoneofthefigtrees.Wealleventually

greatviews,includingwiththescope,asthepipitcreptaroundslowlypickingattheleaflitter.

Thetrees,astwodaysago,werebusywithwarblers,RedbackedShrikesand

SpottedFlycatchers.NewwasasingleOlivaceousseenbrieflywhenaflockof17RockDovessweptpastus.Weenjoyedthebirdshereforafurther45minutesbeforebiddingfarewelltooneofourfavouritesitesoftheweekandbeganthe

drivebackhome.

Overdinnerweeachvotedforourfavouriteplaceandfavouritebirdandshared

ourholidaymagicmoment.TheMeladiaValleygotmorevotes(DavidandSteve)pippingtheKalloniSaltpans(DaphnefortheFlamingos),PolichnitosSaltpans

(Joan)andAncientPyrra(Junetheseasidetavernaweusedtwice).The

flamingobeingflushedbytheWhitePelicanyesterday,withthemwheelingaroundagainstthedarkhillsideshowingofftheirshapeandcolourbrilliantly

wasaclearfavouritewiththreeofussharingitasourmagicmoment(June,Joan

andSteve)withDavidpickingtodaysbrilliantviewsoftheEleonorasFalconandDaphnegoingfortheamazingShorttoedEagleshefoundonoursecondday

onlyaftershehadfirstidentifieditasagull!Nosinglebirdgottheaccoladeofbirdoftheweek.DavidplumpedfortheeverpresentRockNuthatches;Daphne

fortodaysEleonorasFalcon;JoanforthewindhoveringShorttoedEaglefrom

daytwo;JuneforyesterdaysPolichnitosWhitePelican;whilstStevefelttodaysTreePipitinMeladiasummedupLesvosbrilliantlyitwasfulloflittlesurprises.

Day 8, Thursday, 24 SeptemberWereheadinghometodaysowehavealatebreakfastandafterfarewellstothehotelstaffweheadovertotheTsikniasRiverforalastlook.Neartheriver

mouthwefindaGreyHeronfeedingintheshadeoftheTamariskbushesand

acrossthefieldsasecondheronisperchedatopathinpine!WeheadintothefieldsandfindacutfieldteemingwithYellowWagtails.Westopforascanand

findaCommonKestrelandthere,perchedintopofafigtree,anadultLongleggedBuzzard.Evenwithoutthescopes(whicharepackedfortheflight)wecan

seeitspaleheadandtail.Wedecidetowaittoseeifitfliesandcontinue

watchingthefieldinthemeantime.InadditiontothewagtailswefindsomeCornBuntings,aNorthernWheatearandaLesserGreyShrikehuntingfromoverhead

wiresandanearbyfig.AllthewagtailssuddenlytaketotheaircallinginpanicwhenamalePeregrinesweepspastusjustlowoverthegroundandclose

enoughforustoheretheswooshasitpasses!Itfailstocatchanythingandpulls

upandregainsheightbeforestoopingagainatsomethinginanearbyfield.Wow!Thebuzzardmeanwhilehasntmoved.ALittleOwliscallingfromnearby

buildingsandwegetfabulousviewsofaflybyBlackStork.Stevethennotices

thattheLongleggedBuzzardhasgone!Hespotsitflyingalongthefieldandweallgetontoitasitrisestoperchontopofatelegraphpole.Ittakesflightagain

andwecannowseeitsverylongwingsgivingitaveryunCommonBuzzardlikeshape.


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TimespassingandweheadofftothesaltpanstobidfarewelltotheFlamingos.

Theyareinoneofthemiddlepansandtheirnumbersaregreatlyreduced.

WedriveacrosstheislandtoMytiliniandaresooncheckinginattheairport.Acoupleofhourslaterweareonourwayandinwhatseemslikenexttonotime

wearebiddingeachafondfarewellandgoourseparatewayswiththememoriesofafabulousholidayswimmingaroundinourheads.

BIRDS

LittleGrebeRedneckedGrebe

ScopolisShearwaterCormorant

WhitePelican

LittleEgretGreatWhiteEgret

GreyHeron

PurpleHeronBlackStork

GreaterFlamingoCommonShelduck

Shoveler

PintailShorttoedEagle

BootedEagleMarshHarrier

MontagusHarrierGoshawkEurasianSparrowhawk

CommonBuzzard

LongleggedBuzzardLesserKestrel

CommonKestrelRedfootedFalcon

Hobby

EleonorasFalconPeregrine

ChukarMoorhen

BlackwingedStilt

AvocetLittleRingedPlover

KentishPlover

RingedPloverLittleStint

DunlinRuff

CommonSnipeCurlew

CommonRedshank

GreenshankCommonSandpiper

MediterraneanGullBlackheadedGull

SlenderbilledGull

YellowleggedGullWhiskeredTern

RockDove

WoodpigeonCollaredDove

TurtleDoveLittleOwl(heardonly)

AlpineSwift

KingfisherEuropeanBeeeater

HoopoeMiddleSpottedWoodpecker

CrestedLarkWoodlarkSandMartin

BarnSwallow

RedrumpedSwallowHouseMartin

TawnyPipitTreePipit

YellowWagtail

WhiteWagtailWhinchat

StonechatIsabellineWheatear

NorthernWheatear

BlackearedWheatearBlueRockthrush

Blackbird

CettisWarblerOlivaceousWarbler

LesserWhitethroatCommonWhitethroat

BlackcapChiffchaff


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WillowWarbler

SpottedFlycatcherSombreTit

BlueTitGreatTit

KrpersNutchatchWesternRockNuthatchShorttoedTreecreeper

RedbackedShrike

WoodchatShrikeLesserGreyShrike

JayJackdaw

HoodedCrow

RavenHouseSparrow

Chaffinch

GreenfinchGoldfinch

LinnetCirlBunting

CornBunting

103species

BUTTERFLIESSwallowtailLargeWhite

SouthernSmallWhite

CloudedYellow

SouthernWhiteAdmiralRedAdmiral

PaintedLadyCardinal

WoodlandGraylingEasternRockGraylingCommonMeadowBrown

SmallCopper

HollyBlueCommonBlue

DRAGONFLIES

BlueEmperor

LesserEmperorSmallSkimmer

RedveinedDarter

OTHER WILDLIFE

LesvosCicada(heard)RedFox(RIP)

Weasel

PersianSquirrelMarshFrog

BalkanWallLizardGlassLizard(RIP)

StripeneckedTerrapinEuropeanPondTerrapin

All photos Steve Dudley

Documents

Lesvos 2009/09/17 - Lesvos Birding