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Lesvos Birding 5Lesvos Birding 5Lesvos Birding 5Lesvos Birding 5thththth to 19 to 19 to 19 to 19thththth May 2011May 2011May 2011May 2011by Tina & Mick Swayby Tina & Mick Swayby Tina & Mick Swayby Tina & Mick Sway

The Weather can provide the conditions which can make for a successful birding trip. Unfortunately the rains normally expected in the early part of the year had not manifested on Lesvos until mid April, leaving the unsettled conditions including a cold north easterly, to continue until early May. For the first few days from our arrival on the afternoon of 5th May, the weather was pretty cold and windy (from the north east), possibly affecting the chances of our spotting a few normally “easy” Lesvos species and a making few others more confiding. Disappointingly we dipped on many major Lesvos birds this year: Having avoided the Achladeri, Krupper’s site during the first week of our holiday, on account of the shear numbers of birders parked there, later visits (at known breeding locations), unfortunately failed to garner any views of the species at all, during the many hours we were there. We also dipped on spur winged plover, gull billed tern, spoonbill, collared flycatcher, pipits, short toed lark, citrene wagtail, crakes ( 8 visits to Metochi at different times failed to turn up anything much at all) and chukar, all of which have been relatively easy birds for us in the past. (Note: please go to page 14 for the full bird sightings list)

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Good numbers of common Lesvos waders were showing well at the Salt Pans inc; wood and curlew sandpipers, little and temminck’s stint, along with ruff and a few plover were easy ticks and all good value to the photographers.

The Ruppell’s warbler also proved quite elusive for us. Having spent a total of 5 hours in and around Kavaki, the male then briefly appeared near the cliffs on our last visit on May 16. We found warblers in general to be confiding, unlike other years when we have also had excellent views of singing sub alpine and orphean warbler. An exception was the Great Reed which showed well at a number of sites.

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Having tried known olive tree warbler sites at Cremasti and Platania, we got this species on our last visit to Faneromeni on 17 May, thanks mainly to Tina spotting two (singing) birds flitting between the olives. Two new Lesvos birds for us were the griffon vulture and cattle egret. We saw a griffon vulture on 13th May, about 4klm south of Mandamados, on the Mitilene road as it skirted the hillsides, only to be mobbed by a raven and some hooded crows, back across the sea to Turkey. The cattle egret was at Kalloni Salt Pans wetland, on 6th May.

Photos:Photos:Photos:Photos: The cattle egret and griffon vulture, two new Lesvos ticks for us The cattle egret and griffon vulture, two new Lesvos ticks for us The cattle egret and griffon vulture, two new Lesvos ticks for us The cattle egret and griffon vulture, two new Lesvos ticks for us

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Fortunately after several disappointing drives around the Salt Pans on the preceding two days, we were able to add Rose Coloured Starling to our tally, thanks to Steve Gibson spotting them near Mitilene Airport from the transfer coach (photo below).

Another late arrival in the second week of May this year was a pair of Rufous Bush Robins, behind the silos at the goat farm, near the upper Tiskanias River.

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Golden Orioles were singing well during the first week and with a little bit of luck could be seen feeding on the oak tree caterpillars.

Be-eaters started showing in numbers as we arrived and a few roller sightings around Skala Kalloni, kept the birding community happy.

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Squacco Herons were showing extremely well along the Salt Pans Channels.

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Little Bitterns were showing well along the Tiskanias River and Faneromeni Ford.

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We found Red Backed and Masked shrikes more difficult this year.

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Raptors A pair of red footed falcons was long staying at Kalloni Salt Pans and a number of female marsh harrier quartered the surrounding fields. There was a good passage of ellenora’s falcon at Ipsilou on 8th May, where a hobby was also present. Long legged and common buzzard were also an easy tick on the west of the island.

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“New” Locations: We explored three locations new to us: the track near the Skalaochori solar array, the wetland adjacent the Mesa/Kalloni crossroads (where by the 5th May the remnants of glossy ibis had re-located, along with a “rare” mallard and garganey ) and a track near the upper Napi valley, leading to the beautiful “waterfall” gorge. The “Mesa” small wetland area is viewable from the old concrete bridge and a farm track. This area is likely to be under watched and may at the right season hold the more confiding (crake and heron?) species. The track at Skalaochori also deserves more attention, being apparently a breeding site for M.S.Woodpecker and Hoopoe. Below: “Mesa” crossroads Below: “Mesa” crossroads Below: “Mesa” crossroads Below: “Mesa” crossroads wetlands andwetlands andwetlands andwetlands and the trackthe trackthe trackthe track near near near near Skalaochori Skalaochori Skalaochori Skalaochori solar array solar array solar array solar array....

Below: birdwatchersBelow: birdwatchersBelow: birdwatchersBelow: birdwatchers on to Marsh Terns at the Salt Pans on to Marsh Terns at the Salt Pans on to Marsh Terns at the Salt Pans on to Marsh Terns at the Salt Pans

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Good views of Butterflies were scarce, however the beautiful wildflowers which lingered well into mid May, were a bonus. Reptiles: This ring headed dwarf snakering headed dwarf snakering headed dwarf snakering headed dwarf snake at the Anaxos Hotel was no bigger than a Worm.

Glass SnakeGlass SnakeGlass SnakeGlass Snake, Skala Kalloni Salt Pans Balkan Wall lizardBalkan Wall lizardBalkan Wall lizardBalkan Wall lizard,Ipsilou

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Balkan green lizard, Ipsilou

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Lesvos 2011 Birding ListLesvos 2011 Birding ListLesvos 2011 Birding ListLesvos 2011 Birding List Vernacular NVernacular NVernacular NVernacular Nameameameame Where seen (05 May to 19 May 2011)Where seen (05 May to 19 May 2011)Where seen (05 May to 19 May 2011)Where seen (05 May to 19 May 2011) Ruddy Shelduck Common at Skala Kalloni, Sigri Area Shelduck Polichnictos Salt Pans - 2 seen on 10 May Mallard Mesa crossroads, the adjacent wetland - 1 seen 6 May Garganey Mesa crossroads, the adjacent wetland - 2 seen 6 May Little Grebe Metochi -2 with young, also seen at other freshwater pools Med Shearwater Faneromeni – app20 small movement off Faneromeni Beach 07 May Cormorant Faneromeni - 1 off Faneromeni Beach 07 May, also North East Coast Shag Polichnictos Salt Pans - 22 seen on 10 May roosting on rotting causeway Little Bittern Common at rivers, pools and irrigation channels Night-heron Metochi - 1 seen on 06 May Squacco Heron Common at salt pans, rivers, pools and irrigation channels Little Egret Common at salt pans, rivers and wetlands Cattle Egret Skala Kalloni Salt Pans - wetland opp. Salt works - 1 seen 06 May

Great white egret Skala Kalloni Salt Pans - wetland opp. Salt works/Mesa - odd birds seen throughout fortnight

Grey Heron Skala Kalloni Salt Pans+ wetland opp+Polichnictos - odd birds seen throughout fortnight

Purple Heron Meledia Ford 07/05, Ipsilou Xrd+Fan Ford 08/05, Tisk.River 12/05, Achladeri 15/05, 1 seen at each

Black Stork Tiskanias River - odd birds seen at every visit + 1 at Potamia Valley 06/05 White Stork Tiskanias River - odd birds seen at every visit Glossy Ibis Mesa crossroads, the adjacent wetland - 15 seen 6 May Greater Flamingo Skala Kalloni Salt Pans - large numbers, also seen at Alikoudi and PolichnictosLong Legged-buzzard Commonly seen, one or two birds on every visit to the west of the island Short-toed Eagle Platania (Napi) Valley - 3 together on 13 May, Common - one or two birds most days

Marsh Harrier Skala Kalloni Salt Pans fields - odd female bird seen throughout fortnight+ Meledia 07 and 08 May

Montegu's Harrier Skala Kalloni Salt Pans fields - female bird seen 06 May Sparrow hawk Petri - 1 seen 05 May Common Buzzard Common around Anaxos/Petra, also seen most days at other hilly locationsHoney buzzard Cremasti Valley (near bridge) - one seen 18 May Lesser Kestrel Meledia Valley - Up to 15 seen hovering on coastal road 07 & 08 May Common Kestrel Gavathas - I seen in fields 07 May Eleonora’s Falcon Ipsilou - 20 + seen heading north on 08 May Peregrine Kavaki, Skalochri - 1 seen on 13 and 17 May respectively Hobby Ipsilou & Polichnicto - 1 seen on 08 May and 10 May respectively Griffon Vulture Mandamados , approx 4km south on coastal rd, 1 seen (photo)

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Moorhen Odd pairs at pools around Kalloni Coot Kalloni Pool - only one seen this year on 15 May Black-winged Stilt Common at both Salt Pans and Alikoudi pool Avocet Common at both Salt Pans

Stone-curlew Skala Kalloni Salt Pans, Alykes Wetland, Polichnictos-single birds 09/05,12/05,10/05 respectively

Collared Pratincole

Skala Kalloni- wetland opp. Salt works & Polochnicto Salt Pans - seen 06 May & 15 May (respectively)

Ringed Plover Common at Tiskanias River Little Ringed Plover Common at Tiskanias River & wetlands Kentish Plover Common at Salt Pans

Grey Plover Skala Kalloni- wetland opp. Salt works & Polochnicto Salt Pans - seen 06 May & 10 May (respectively)

Little Stint Common at Salt Pans Temminck’s Stint Tiskanias River, Kalloni & Polochnicto Salt Pans - singles seen regularly

Curlew Sandpiper Skala Kalloni & Polochnicto Salt Pans - small flock seen from 06 May & 1 on 10 May (respectively)

Ruff Common at Salt Pans Redshank Polochnicto Salt Pans - 2 each on 10 & 15 May Greenshank Polochnicto Salt Pans - 1 on 10 May Common Sandpiper Tiskanias River - seen regularly Wood Sandpiper Tiskanias River,Alykes Wetlands & Kalloni Salt Pans - common throughout two weeksYellow-legged Gull Common near coastal areas Black headed gull Tiskanias River Mouth - 2 first year on 06/05 Little Tern Skala Kalloni & Polochnicto Salt Pans - common thoughout two weeks Whiskered Tern Skala Kalloni Salt Pans& Wetlands opp.salt works + Mesa - common thoughout two weeksBlack tern Skala Kalloni Salt Pans - 8 seen on 06/05 White-winged Black Tern Skala Kalloni Salt Pans& Wetlands opp.salt works + Mesa - common thoughout two weeks

Common Tern Skala Kalloni Salt Pans& Wetlands opp.salt works + Mesa - common throughoutweeks

Sandwich Tern Polochnicto Salt Pans - 1 juv. seen on 10 May Rock Dove Faneromeni/ Sigri - small flocks seen flying over hillsides on 07/05 & 080)5Feral Pigeon Common in villages Collared Dove Common in villages Turtle Dove Common in woodlands and olive groves Little Owl Common at rural areas with farm buildings. Scops Owl Kalloni , a pair present through the two weeks

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Swift Common during the two weeks

Alpine Swift Anaxos, Skala Kalloni Salt Pans,Metochi, Ipsilou - migrating birds seen frequently over two weeks

Pallid Swift Potamia Valley - small number hawking over the dam on 06 May Bee-eater Seen almost everywhere over the two weeks Middle Spotted Woodpecker Petra, Petri, Faneromeni - several views , one pair feeding young near Petra from 06 MayHoopoe Platania (Napi) Valley - 4 , also seen at Skalachori and Faneromeni on other occasionCrested Lark Seen almost everywhere over the two weeks

Sand Martin Tiskanias, Metochi, Potamia - large numberrs migrating, at least 200 at Tiskanias on 12 May

Crag Martin Kavaki, Larda Valley - breeding on cliffs and rocks Barn Swallow Common House Martin Common Red-rumped Swallow Anaxos - common, also Larda Valley, Potamia, Metochi

Yellow Wagtail Tiskanias, Salt Pans , Alykes, Faneromeni - Feldegg common, only one flava seen at Faneromeni 17/05

Pied Wagtail Kalloni/Polochnicto Salt Pans - one bird seen on each visit Rufous Bush Chat Kaloni Salt Pans "Silo"/goat farm area - 2 on 18/05 Nightingale Common near streams and rivers Whinchat Common at rural areas with open fields during the two weeks Stonechat Common near rocky areas Isabelline Wheatear Ipsilou, Petrified Forest - Common but, by us found to be more confiding than in the pastBlack-eared Wheatear Common near rocky areas Northern wheatear Ipsilou, Petrified Forest - Common but, by us found to be more confiding than in the pastBlue Rock Thrush Kavaki, Ipsilou, Larda Valley - common breeder on cliffs and rocks Blackbird Common but more confiding than UK Cetti’s Warbler Common near streams and rivers Sedge Warbler Common near streams and rivers Reed Warbler Tiskanias River, Metochi - seen flitting on reeds regularly over two weeks Great Reed Warbler

Tiskanias - 2 singing birds were seen regularly , Metochi - seen in open regularly ( 3 siging on 06/05)

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Common in scrub, particularly near water often in open Olive-tree Faneromeni - a seen flitting and singing between olives 17/05

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Warbler Icterine Warbler Sigri sanetorium, Ipsilou - 1 each seen on 07/05 and 08/05 respectively

Blackcap Tiskanias River,Anaxos, Faneromeni, Ipsilou - quite common, both male & female birds seen over two weeks

Garden Warbler Ipsilou - 4 seen feeding on oaks 08/05 Orphean Warbler Kavaki, Platania Valley - common, several seen Whitethroat Ipsilou - 2 on 08/05 Rüppell’s Warbler Kavaki - 1 male seen on 16/05 Subalpine Warbler Common at most elivated woodland areas, found more confiding by us this yearWood Warbler Faneromeni, Ipsilou - at 7 birds seen on 07/05 and 6 on 08/05 Spotted Flycatcher Common throughout two weeks Pied Flycatcher Faneromeni,Ipsilou - 1 each on 07/05 & 08/05 (male) Blue Tit Common at most wooded areas

Sombre Tit Platania (Napi) Valley - 1 together on 13 May,(more confiding than normal at this time of year)

Great Tit Common at most wooded areas Rock Nuthatch Common at rocky outcrops Short toed treecreeper Common at Achladeri pine forest, 2 adults feeding 4 young on 10/05

Golden Oriole Fairly common in west (Ipsilou/Faneromeni) 5 seen on 07/05, 6 seen on 08/05 many hear singing

Red-backed Shrike Petrified Forest,Ipsilou, Faneromeni, Meledia Valley, Polichnicto - seen regularly though not in numbers as other years

Lesser Grey Shrike Kalloni Salt Pans - 1 seen off track near (sheep farm)from Tiskanias on 12/05Woodchat Shrike Fairly common in most wooded areas and near some meadows Masked Shrike Petri,Faneromeni, Achladeri,Potamia - at least 1 seen on every visit Roller Mesa, Tiskanias River, Petra - birds seen on 05/05, 06/05 and 12/05 Rose Coloured Starling Mitilene Airport - approx 20 near airport road 19/05 Jay Common at woodland areas Jackdaw Anaxos - seen everyday, commutes from Rabbit Island Hooded Crow Common Raven Common at cragy areas House Sparrow Common Spanish Sparrow Common at both Salt Pans Rock Sparrow Ipsilou - breeds on rocks near monastery Chaffinch Common at woodland areas Greenfinch Common at woodland areas Goldfinch Common near farmland

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Linnet Common near rocky areas Cirl Bunting Common at woodland areas Cretzschmar’s Bunting Common near rocky areas Cinereous Bunting Ipsilou & Petrified Forest - common breeder, found more confiding by us this yearBlack-headed Bunting Common near farmland Corn Bunting Common near farmland

132 Wren (heard at Achladeri)

Herons at Faneromeni upper Ford.Herons at Faneromeni upper Ford.Herons at Faneromeni upper Ford.Herons at Faneromeni upper Ford.

Antissa taverna, May 2011 Antissa taverna, May 2011 Antissa taverna, May 2011 Antissa taverna, May 2011

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In Memory of David Minshull 1946 In Memory of David Minshull 1946 In Memory of David Minshull 1946 In Memory of David Minshull 1946 ---- 2001 2001 2001 2001 In July 1999 we arrived in Lesvos, for the first time. Tina and I had decided, assuming finances permitted, to try a different Greek Island every year for our annual summer holiday. For the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary, Tina booked with Kosmar for the last two weeks in July, at the beautiful Christina’s Gardens in Anaxos, beginning a life long love affair with the island. For that first Lesvos holiday we were unaware of any connection with bird watching until our friends Teresa and Dave Minshull, flew out to join us as a surprise for the second week. Dave had at the time, been diagnosed with a serious illness and had embarked on a life change, which he decided would take in birding. Interrupting what had been a solid week of “sun bedding”, he arrived at Iggy’s Bar late on a Thursday afternoon, clutching a tatty birding guide, mad keen on getting out and about to nab what species were mad enough to expose themselves in the baking heat. Hiring a cheap banger straight away, he dragged Teresa, Tina and I , in his wake, off to visit exotic locations, like; Sigri, Kaloni, Erresos and “the Derbyshire” (Mesa). The tour involved frequent taverna stops for refreshments (bottles of Amstel), with temperatures close to 40c everyday, we needed them. At Eresos we walked east along the boardwalk to the last Taverna, the Blue Sardine, where we enjoyed some memorable fried prawns served by a local

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fisherman. He was a small guy with a full beard (in the “afro” style) dressed only in a pair of cropped denim shorts and sandals. The Sardine later appeared in one of the rough guides, but unfortunately closed many years ago. Eresos has also since lost some of its rustic charm. Dave insisted on twitching any bird that he could not immediately identify, like a man on a mission. As the sun bore down on us all, one late July afternoon, through the heat haze, at Mesa, we twitched a large bird through his scope for nearly an hour. A local cattle herder on a donkey came across the field, his head wrapped in a towel to protect him from the sun, as he came past he gestured implied madness, whirling a finger around by the side of his head. He was of course correct as the bird turned out to be a common grey heron. Not to be undaunted similar experiences led to our seeing our first little egret and white stork. Kentish plover, juvenile bee-eater and woodchat shrikes soon followed, the star bird being our first short toed eagle. We actually never saw another birder during that week. Sadly Dave left us before he could fully enjoy his birding and next month marks the 10th anniversary of his passing and we all still miss him. Those few days in July 1999 gave us the bug, not just for Lesvos but for birding, along the way we had a whale of a time with him too. Thinking of you and our good times together.