Lesvos Birds 2009

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LESVOS BIRDS

writtenandcompiledby

stevedudley


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Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding 2010 1

INTRODUCTION

Formybook,A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos,Iworkedcloselywithseveralkeybirdwatchers,namelyLesvosresident

TerryRobinson,EleniGalinou(aLesviotcurrentlyresidingonSamos)andNikosProbonas(SecretaryoftheHellenic

RaritiesCommittee),tocompileanofficiallistofbirdsforLesvos.InordertokeeptheLesvosList,andthespecies

recorded,uptodate,IdecidedthatIwouldattempttoproduceanannualbirdreportfrom2009(overlappingwith

mybook).Thispublicationistheresult.AnotherresultofthiscollaborationwastheHRCinvitingthefourofusto

formtheLesvosBirdRecordsCommittee(LBRC)tooverseetheassessmentandrecordingofthescarceroccurring

species(includingbreedingspecies)ontheisland.

Bird records used for this report

ThisreportisbasedonthedatabasebuiltupbymyselffromavarietyofsourcesincludingOrnithoTopos,theLesvos

BirdingPasiphaeBirdLogandrecordssubmitteddirecttomyself.

Over13,000recordsmakeupthe2009Lesvosbirdrecordsdatabase.11,000(85%)ofthesewerecontributedby

LesvosresidentTerryRobinson.Quitesimply,withoutthisamazingcontributionthereportwouldbeverymuch

thinnerandourunderstandingoftheislandsbirdswouldbemuchpoorer.Terrysactivitiesarelargelycentredon

thePolichnitosSaltpanssomanyaccountsarethereforeheavilyweightedtothisarea,andinsomecases,noother

recordswerereceived.Thiscoveragedoeshoweverprovideasnapshotformanyspeciespresentontheisland.Of

theremainingrecordsonthedatabase,Icontributedaround1500(11%)frommyvisitsinspringandautumn.The

remainingrecords(4%)werecontributedbythoselistedintheacknowledgements.Itwouldbeamajorachievement

ifforfuturereportswecanincreasetheamountofrecordsfromvisitingbirdersandchipawayatTerrysmonopoly!

Submitting your bird records

Iwillcontinuetocollaterecords(asdetailedabove)forfutureyears.Allrecordsofrareandscarcespecies(seekeytotheSystematicListbelow)willbefollowedupandpassedontotheLesvosBirdsRecordsCommittee(LBRC)orfor

Greeknationalrarities,theHellenicRaritiesCommittee(HRC).Youcansubmityourrecordsasfollows

1. Directtomelists,includingdateandlocationofobservationstomyselfviatheLesvosBirdingwebsite(www.lesvosbirding.com).Please no trip reports. I dont have the time to extract records from extensive

accounts.

2. Whenontheisland,byenteringyourrecordsintheLesvosBirdingBirdLogsituatedinthereceptionoftheHotelPasiphaeinSkalaKallonis.CouldIpleaseurgeallcontributorstothebirdlogtowritelegibly,give

yournameandifpossible,leaveanemailcontactaddressformetofollowanysightingsupwithyou.

3. ForLesvosrarities,viatheLBRCwebsite( http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com/).4. ForGreeknationalrarities,viaHRC( http://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/eaop/form.htm).

OtherhotelshavebirdlogsbutIdontalwayshavethetimetogetroundtheseandextractrecords.SotoensureI

haveyourrecords,pleaseuseoneofthefourwaysabovetosubmitthem.

Bird information when on the island

TheLesvosBirdingBirdLogattheHotelPasiphaeistheprimesourceofbirdinformation.Duringthemainspringand

autumnweeksmanybirderscontributeandIkeepituptodateeacheveningaddingrecordsIvebeeninformedof

whilstinthefieldeachday.Inaddition,forthosestayinginaccommodationwithinternetaccess(andthoseathome

viewingbeforecomingouttotheisland),IaimtoupdatethesightingsforeachdayontheLesvosBirdingwebsite

(www.lesvosbirding.com)bymidnightatthelatest(oftenearlier).


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Ifyouseesomethingofnote,pleasepassonthenewstellotherbirdersyouseeontheday,entertherecordinthe

LesvosBirdingBirdLogatthe HotelPasiphae.Youcaneventextmeyournotablerecordseachdayon00447767

787287andIwillentertheseinthelogandonthewebsite.

NOTES ON BIRDING SITES

IneachreportIwillaimtoprovideanysignificantupdatestothemainbirdingsitesmajorchangesinhabitat,access

restrictions,etc.AsstatedinA Birdwatching Guide to LesvosItryandfollowthenamesusedontheblueRoad

Editionsmapoftheisland(whichIrecommendyougettouseonyourvisit).Pagenumbersrefertothesitepages

withinA Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos .

Skala Kallonis Pool(p.97)

Inspring2009thepoolwasagainovergrownandfullofwaterfollowingoneofthewettestwintersinrecenttimes.

TheresultwaslimitedopenwaterandvirtuallynomuddymarginsvisibleuntillateMaywhenthewaterlevelbegan

todrop.ThepoolstillattractedafewheronsincludingGreatandLittleBitternsandPurpleHeron,andisalways

worthalooknomatterwhatstateitisinevenevenwhentinderdryinautumnbirdsarestilldrawntothearea.

DuringtheyearImetwithNikosPetrou, HellenicSocietyfortheProtectionofNature,aboutthelongtermfuture

ofthispoolandotherconservationissuesonLesvos(e.g.decliningpopulationofRppellsWarbler).The

ownershipoftheSkalaKallonisPoolandsurroundinglandiscomplicatedandanimmediatesolutionto

preservingthissiteisunlikely.ButwithNikoshelp,wewillcontinuetolookforasolutionthatwillhopefully

safeguardthesite.Wehopetobeabletogetmorepeopleinvolved,bothonandofftheisland,andIwill

reportanynewsonmywebsiteandinthesereports.

Christou(Kamares)River(p.98)ThisriverisnamedasChristouRiverontheRoadEditionsmap,butisknownlocallyastheKamaresRiver(andis

calledthisonthenewinformationboardbytheroadbridge).Iusetheabovepresentationthroughoutthisreport.

Kalloni Saltpans area(p.108)

Viewthesaltpansonlyfromtheperimeterroad(inc.thenewsouthhidejustwestofthesaltworksentrance),the

northwestcornerhide,theeasttrackandtheAlykesWetlands(seebelow).ViewingfromthemainKalloniMytilini

roadcanbedangerousandthereisnoaccesstothefieldsalongthisroad.

ThoseaccessingthebeachpastthebeachcafareremindedthatgroundnestingspeciessuchasStonecurlewoccurhereandbirdersareaskedtotakecaution.RufousBushRobincanoftenbefoundinthetamarisksalongthebeach

here,andyouareaskednottoharassbirdsbypushingthemfrombushtobush.Stayatasensibledistanceandthe

bird(s)willusuallycomeoutandperform.

Alykes Wetlands (p.112)

Thefieldsandmarshesthatlietotheeastofthesaltworksshouldbeaccessedonfootonly.Careshouldbetaken

whenapproachingtheSaltpansfenceasgroundnestingspeciesincludingStonecurlewandKentishPloverboth

breedinthisarea.Ifindoubt,donotapproachthefencelineandviewfromorneartothemaintrack.Pleasetryto

avoiddisturbingthewadersonthepoolsasthosebirdersarrivingafteryouhavegonewouldliketoenjoythesebirds

too.


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Flooded fields opposite the Kalloni Saltworks entrancethiswetlandwasoneofthemaindrawsduringspring2009

attractingdoublefigurecountsofBlackStorksotherherons,marshterns,wadersandwildfowl.Thesefieldsrequire

extensivewinterrainsbeforetheyflood.May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

Soumouria(KalloniMiniSoccerPitch/ScopsCopsep.115)

ThissiteunderwentextensivetreethinningduringMay(nottotaldestructionasreportedbysome)anditishoped

thatitwillstillholdbreedingbirdsin2010.

Platania(p.120)

NotethatthebestwaytoaccessthePlataniatrackfromtheNapiValleyendistoapproachfromthenorth(if

travellingfromthesouthdrivepasttheturntoPlataniaandthenturnroundsafelyneartherubbishtipandreturn

southtoapproachfromthenorth).Takecarepullingoffthemainroadontothetrackastheimmediatejunction

remainsunstable.Thetrackitselfremainspassableformostcarswithcare,butareminderthatyouwillbecharged

byyourhirecompanyforthecompletecostofanydamagedonetotheundersideofahirevehicle!

Kavaki(p.124)

ThisremainsthemainsiteforRppellsWarbler.Thisspeciescontinuestodeclineontheisland,mirroringthe

nationaldeclinethroughoutGreece,withonlythreepairsnowpresentinthisarea.Please do not enter the scrub

areas where the birds breed.Viewonlyfromthelaybyareasandtheroughtrackupthehillonthesouthside.

Perasma(p.125)

Contrarytorumoursthatthisreservoirhasbeencompletelydecommissioned,itwasrefilledin2009andremainsa

goodsiteinbothspringandautumn.Parkingatthemainroadjunctionandwalkingupto(andbeyond)thereservoir

canberewarding.


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Perasma thereservoirwasrefilledinearly2009reinstatingthismuchneededfreshwaterwetlandsiteinthenorthofthe

island.RuddyShelduckbredherein2009andSardinianWarblerisoccasionallyseenalongthehillsidetotheeastofthe

reservoir(above).May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

Efthalou to Skala Sikaminias(p.128)

NotethatthecoastlinebytheMegalahotsprings,midwayalongthenorthcoasttrack,wasbulldozedin2008and

paddlinghereinordertoseekoutthehotpebblebedsremainshazardous.

Parakila Marsh(p.138)

Thehideherewasaccidentallyburneddowninearly2009andattheendoftheyearhadnotbeenreplaced.

Ipsilou(p.147)

Areminderthatphotographyisnotpermittedinsidethechapelinthemonastery.Therewereseveralincidentswere

peoplewereejectedin2009.

Faneromeni(p.151)

IcontinuetogetaskedwheretheFaneromeniLowerFordis.Itisarrowedonthemaponp.151of A Birdwatching

Guide to Lesvos.AlongthemainFaneromenitracktaketheturndowntowardsthebeach(signed)andthentheright

turn(signedchapel)andfollowthistotheford.

Achladeri Forest(p.168)

In2009onlyasinglepairofKrpersNuthatchbredatthetraditionalKofinassite(picnicsitewithwhitebuilding).

Thisremainsthebestsitetoseethespecies,butitisbynomeanstheonlysitewithover600pairsinpinewoodsin

thecentralandsoutheasternareasoftheisland.TheforesttracktothenorthofKofinasisworthexploring.

Therewereagainproblemsbetweenphotographersandbirdersatthesite,especiallyduringthetimethemalewas


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presentaloneandtryingdesperatelyhardtoattractamate(whichheeventuallydid).Photographersarerequested

torespectboththebirdsaswellasthosewatchingthem.Birdersareaskednottodisturbphotographerswhoaresat

quietlynearthenestunlessthereisclearbehaviourfromthebirdssuggestingdisturbancethenthephotographer(s)

shouldbeaskedpolitelytomovefurtheraway.Aresponsiblephotographershouldhavenoproblemretreatingif

requested.

Asusual,whenthemilitaryareinresidence,donotattempttoenterthesite.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Iwouldliketothankallthosewhohavesubmittedrecords(eitherviatheLesvosBirdingPasiphaeBirdLog,

OrnithoToposorsentdirecttome)whichmakeupthisreport:DaveAllen(Naturetrek),SimonBoyes(Ornitholidays),

DavidBradnum,BarryBradnum,BobBuckler(Wingspan),KHChristmann,Stuart&ClaireDarbyshire,PaulEdlin,

WiltraudEnglander,BernieForbes(AvianAdventures),EleniGalinou,ColinGittins,RM&SHGuthrie,Pat&Judy

Hayes,HighPeakRSPBGroup,RegHarding,Mike&LynHunt,Michael&DoreenJacobs,IanKinley,RogerLawrence

(Ornitholidays),IanLewington,PaulManning,VeraManning,ColinManville,PaulManville,John&SheenaMaskell

(AvianAdventures),Kon&RuudNam,RichardNettleton,PeterODaffy,IanPitts,Priscille&NeilPreston,Donald&

JenniferRhodes,Miriam&LouisRaemakers,TerryRobinson,KSchller,MikeSeikutis,IanSmith,MikeSnelling,Paul

Solly,MikeStead,DaveThexton,RegThorpe(Naturetrek),thevanderLeefamily,KWasnessandEWendtplusall

themanyanonymouscontributionseitherpassedontomeinthefieldorenteredintheLesvosBirdingPasiphae

BirdLogwithoutaname(orthenamewasindecipherable).Thankyoueveryone.

IwouldalsoliketothankNikosProbonas,EleniGallinouandTerryRobinsonfortheircommentsandhelpwiththis

report.

Manyindividualsarecreditedpersonallywithinthespeciesaccounts.(MO)withinthespeciesaccountsdenotes

manyobservers.AnonymousandindecipherablenamesformtheLesvosBirdingLogattheHotelPasiphaeare

creditedwithinthespeciesaccountsasperLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD.

Cirl Bunting,malewithfoodapproachingnest,Ipsilou,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding


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INT RODUCTION T O THE SPECIES ACCOUNTS

Key to status codes used within the species accounts

c =common s =scarce

r =rare f =formerRB =residentbreeder

MB =migrantbreeder

CB =casual/occasionalbreeder

IB =introducedbreeder

SP =springpassage

AP =autumnpassage

PM =passagemigrant(springandautumn)

W =wintervisitorV =vagrant

? =statusuncertain

* =speciesrequiringsupportingnotes/evidence

byLBRCorHRCallrecordstobesubmitted

viaLBRCseeIntroductionabove.

Thefigureslistedafterthestatusofvagrantsandsomeraremigrantspecies,e.g.|1|7+(23+),denotethefollowing:

thefirstfigureisthenumberofrecordsin2009,thesecondnumberisthetotalnumberofknownrecordsandthe

numberinbracketsisthetotalnumberofknownindividualsmakingupthetotalnumberofrecords.So|1|7+(23+)indicatesthattherewasasinglerecordin2009,withatotalof7+knownrecordscomprising23+individuals.

Taxonomy and nomenclature

ThisreportfollowsA Birdwatchers Guide to Lesvos(Dudley2009).

Notes on the Species List

Thespecieslistbelowincludesdetailsofallknownspeciesrecordedduring2009.Italsoincludessomenotable

recordsfrompreviousyearsthathaveeitheronlyjustcometolightorhaveonlyjustbeenacceptedbytherelevant

committees.ThisprovidesanopportunitytoconfirmtheseinadedicatedLesvospublicationandtoincludephotographsofseveralofthem.

Oftherecordsreceivedfor2009,veryfewbreedingrecordswerereceived.Iwouldurgethosesubmittingrecordsto

provideanyindicationofbreeding(display,obviousterritorybeingheld,birdsvisitingnest,fledgedyoungseen,etc.).

ManynotablerarespeciesareincludedwithinthisreportincludingdetailsofthefirstLesvosrecordsofPectoral

Sandpiper,RedKnot,LittleSwift,WhitethroatedDipperandBluethroat;thefourthWhooperSwan;thefourthand

fifthTerekSandpipers;thefifthWhitetailedEagle;theeighthCommonPochard;andtenthEgyptianVulture.In

addition,thereportincludesthefirstrecordedwinterrecordsofBlackKite,TurtleDovesp.andShorttoedLark,as

wellasdetailsofmanyofthepopularmigrantsandtargetresidentspecies.Therewerenorecordsreceivedfor

severalspeciesandthesearedetailedintheAppendix.


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SPECIES ACCOUNTS

CHUKARAlectoris chukarsRB

Occurs mainly in the rocky areas of the centre, north and west of the island.

Reportedfromcentralandwesternareasandalongthenorthcoast.TheonlyrecordfromeastoftheGulfofKalloni

isasinglebirdatPaliaViglanrPolichnitoson21May(TRobinson).Largestcountwasaflockof18inthe

MeladiaValleyon23Sept(SPDudleyetal).Somebirdsareintroducedforhunting,includingasmall

populationmaintainedintheolivegrovesalongtheeasternsideoftheGulfofKalloni.

COMMON QUAILCoturnix coturnixrMB,sPM

Small numbers breed, their presence given away by calling males.

Veryfewreported.Callingmalesreportedasfollows:2infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans25&28Apr(TRobinsonet

al),1Faneromeni26Apr(IKinley&DThexton),1MeladiaValley26Apr(IKinley&DThexton)and2Kandria(nr

Kalloni)6May(RHardingetal).

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olorsW

Small numbers usually DecApr.

Upto7lingeredaroundKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingfloodedfieldsto24Apr(MO).

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus V*|1|5(19)

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):4GulfofKallonioffMesa1Jan09(TRobinson)isonlythefourthrecordforthe

island.

COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna sW,sPM,CB

Small numbers winter NovApr, with passage noted MarMay and less so SeptOct.

PolichnitosSaltpans:recordedinallmonthswithmax.monthlycountsasfollows(allTRobinson)Jan(17),Feb(24),

Mar(19),Apr(14),May(6),Jun(12),Jul(18),Aug(2),Sept(16),Oct(15),Nov(8)andDec(16).Recordedfromother

sitesasfollows:42MesaWetlands28Mar(TRobinson);2KalloniareathroughoutApr&May(MO);andupto36

KalloniSaltpansinSept(MO).

BreedingApairPolichnitosSaltpansraised2young(TRobinson).

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea sRB,sPM

Recorded most months. Small numbers breed.

RecordedthroughouttheyearapartfromFeb,Aug&

Oct.Max.countsfromregularsitesasfollows:30

KalloniSaltpansarea(inc.surroundingfields,Alykes

Wetlands,etc)30May;35MesaWetlands11Jul;

3PolichnitosSaltpans9Nov&5Dec.Alsoreported

fromPerasmaReservoir,Makara,VouvarisRiver,

FaneromeniandDipiLarisos.

BreedingApairatPerasmaReservoirraised2young

(SPDudleyetal)andyoungseenatFaneromeniin

May(MSveikutis).

YoungRuddy Shelduck,Faneromeni,May2009

MikeSveikutis


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EURASIAN WIGEONAnas penelope sW

Small numbers OctApr.

Tworecords:37offVouvarisRiver1Janand2PolichnitosSaltpans6Dec(bothTRobinson).

MALLARDAnas platyrhynchos sW

Small numbers NovMay. Mating observed but no confirmed breeding.

InearlyspringasingleatMesaWetlands28Mar;2offFaneromenibeach21Apr;4seenflyingnorththrough

MeladiaValley28Apr;andupto5(inc.afemale)intheKalloniareafrom29Apr18May;atPolichnitosSaltpans

2on27MayandsinglesinJun,Aug&Septandupto6duringOct.

BreedingApaircopulatingonthefloodsnearKalloniSaltpansbutnoconfirmedbreeding.

NORTHERN SHOVELERAnas clypeata sW

Small numbers SeptMay.

Onerecord:1PolichnitosSaltpans1220Sept(TRobinsonetal).

NORTHERN PINTAILAnas acuta sW,sPMSmall numbers SepApr.

Threerecords:PolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinsonetal)13Mar(2),7Apr(1)and721Sept(12).

GARGANEYAnas querquedula cSP,sAP

Occurs offshore and on reservoirs and Saltpans MarMay, with smaller numbers AugSept.

Spring3PolichnitosSaltpans14Mar;upto3SkalaKallonisPool1719Apr;upto3onfloodedfieldsbyKalloni

Saltpans25Apr18May.

AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpansfrom1Aug1Octwithmax.countof15on7Aug.

EURASIAN TEALAnas crecca sW,sPMSmall numbers AugApr.

Allrecords(TRobinson):17SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;PolichnitosSaltpanson7Apr(1),11May(13)and29Aug(1);

8KalloniSaltpans16Apr;and2PotamiaValley7Nov.

COMMON POCHARDAythya ferina V*|1|8

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):amalePolichnitosSaltpans28Jul(TRobinson).Theeighthrecordfortheisland.

REDBREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serratorsW

Small numbers offshore OctApr.

Allrecords(allTRobinson)asfollows:AlikoudiPool1Jan(12)and10Jan(2);offSkalaPolichnitouon24Jan(2)and19Feb(1);3offSkalaVasilikon3Feb;andVouvarisRiverMouthon3Feb(2)and8Mar(3).

BLACKTHROATED DIVER Gavia arctica sW

Small numbers offshore NovApr.

Tworecords:3offSkalaVasilikon3Feband1off

SkalaPolichnitouon8Dec(bothTRobinson).

Black-throated Diver,offFarmakiesHarbournrSkala

Vasilikon,February2009TerryRobinson


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SCOPOLIS SHEARWATER Calonectris (diomedea) diomedea sPM,?rSB?

Small numbers offshore MarOct. May breed on some of the offshore islands.

SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Nolargemovementsnotedandthelargestcountwasonly

6offtheAirportbeachon16Apr(J&SMaskell).

YELKOUAN SHEARWATER Puffinus yelkouan cRB

Present offshore all months with flocks of several hundred, even over a thousand, not unexpected.

SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Noexceptionalmovementsnotedandthelargestcount

wasonly200+offSkalaEresou24Apr(Limosagroup).

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis sRB

Small numbers breed along the wetter rivers and the larger inland water bodies.

Recordedfrom:MetochiLake(max.8on4May);PotamiaReservoir(max.42on7Nov);PerasmaReservoir(max.22

on6Sept);PithariouReservoir(max.22on2Sept);TsikniasRiver(max.2on10Jan);andChristouRiver7Nov(1).

Breeding3pairsMetochiLake.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus sW

Winters offshore, mainly Gulf of Kalloni DecFeb, otherwise small numbers offshore OctMay.

OffSkalaPolichnitou,max.firstwinterperiodcount367on22Febandsecondwinterperiod274on31Dec

(TRobinson).RecordedinGulfofGeraon22Jan( PetrosIsaakidis )and12offSkalaKallonis/Kalloniarea17Apr

11May(MO).

REDNECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena V*|1|3+(20+)

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1GulfofKallonioff

SkalaKallonis1124Sept(RLawrenceetal),isonly

thethirdpost2000record.

Red-necked Grebe,GulfofKallonioffSkalaKallonis,

September2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

BLACKNECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis sW

Occasionally recorded offshore, in river mouths and on inland reservoirs from NovMay.

Allrecords(TRobinson):3VouvarisRiverMouth1Jan;1Kofinas1Jan;atPolichnitosSaltpans(oroffshoreonGulfofKalloni)1inJan&Feb,12to9Marandoneon23Dec;3GulfofKallonioffSkalaVasilikon3Feb&30Nov;and4

AlikoudiPool19Dec.

GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus sW

Present SeptMay with some nonbreeding birds JunAug. Has attempted to breed at Kalloni Saltpans.

Polichnitos SaltpansMax.monthlycountsJan(94),Feb(134),Mar(102),Apr(82),May(6),Aug(11),

Oct(137),Nov(335)&Dec(243)(TRobinson).

Kalloni SaltpansNowintercounts.Max.springcount158on18Apr(J&SMaskell)andmax.autumncount800+on

18Sept(SPDudleyetal).Nobreedingattempted.


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BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra sMB,sPM,rW

Occurs MarOct, mainly on passage, but with 10+ breeding pairs in pine forests. Occasionally overwinters.

Polichnitos SaltpansAsinglebirdpresent10Jan3Apr,then14AprJul.Upto6duringAugwith17on

3Septandamax.autumncountof21on2022Sept.Upto10birdsto9Octthen13dailyto31Dec.

Kalloni Saltpans(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlands,etc)17Apr30Maywithmax.13onthefloodsopposite

thesaltworksentranceon11May.Inautumn,2on3Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)and4on18Sept(SPDudleyetal).

Other sitesSpring28Mar9Mayinc.AlikoudiPool,Christou(Kamares)River,Ipsilou,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,

Madaros,MesaWetlands(max.10on9May),MeladiaValley,MetochiLake,NapiValley,PotamiaValley,Sideras,

TsikniasRiverandVouvarisRiver. Summer3MesaWetlands11Juland1MetochiLake8Aug(bothTRobinson).

AutumnSinglesChristou(Kamares)River1&18Sept(ISmith,PODaffy&CGittins),TsikniasRiver18Sept

(SPDudleyetal)and3Lotzaria24Sept(SPDudleyetal).

WHITE STORKCiconia ciconia sMB,sPM,rW

Occurs FebOct, mainly on passage. A number of pairs breed.

PolichnitosSaltpansmax.2inJan,3inFebApr,singlesinMay&Jun,5on15Juland1on21Aug(lastofyear);

13recordedintheKalloniarea16Apr30May.BreedingOccupiednestsatSkalaKallonis(rooftop),Mandamados(chimney),AgiaParaskevi(chimney)and

Polichnitos(chimney).

GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus cSP,sAP

Can occur in sizable flocks MarMay, with much smaller numbers AugOct.

SpringPolichnitosSaltpans716Aprwithmax.9on8Apr(TRobinson);Kalloniarea16Apr21Mayfavouringthe

floodedfieldsaroundthesaltpanswithmax.83on24Apr(SPDudleyetal).

AutumnSinglesPolichnitosSaltpans6Augand9Sept(TRobinson).

EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia sPMSmall numbers MarMay and SeptOct.

Allrecords:2atPolichnitosSaltpans1213Marwith1to17Mar;3KalloniSaltpans29Apr;on21May7arrivedat

KalloniSaltpansandasingleatPolichnitosSaltpans,thelattersoonmadeitswaynorthtojointhemwith8then

presentatKalloniSaltpansto26Mayand2to30May.AtPolichnitosSaltpans,2on21Julwith1thereon27Jul,

2on2324Aug,andsinglesthereon3Sept,25Sept,2930Sept,24Octand6(inc.1juv)on6Oct.

GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris sW,sPM

Single birds occasionally OctMay around obvious wetland and river areas.

Tworecords:asinglebirdreportedatSkalaKallonisPoolon22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andthe

sameoranotheron27Apr(IKinley&DThexton).

LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus cSM,sAP

Occurs AprJun at wetland and river areas inc. even the smallest of culverts and drains with cover. Scarcer AugOct.

SpringRecorded24Apr31May:MetochiLake21Apr(3)31May(1)withamax.of12birdson3May(SPDudley

etal);TsikniasRiver(usuallyatthelowerford)27Apr12Maywithamax.of3on11May(SP&EFDudley);Skala

KallonisPoolsingleson1May(MO)and21May(MStead).SeenatbothFaneromenifords26Apr14Maywitha

max.of7on9May(P&NPreston);3MeladiaValleyFord58May(SPDudleyetal);1AlmiropotamosRiver(Vatera)

24Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1PotamiaValley27Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1in

theHotelPasiphaegarden(SkalaKallonis)3May(vanderLeefamily);2VourkouRiver6May(TRobinson);1Vergias

River(SkalaEresou)6May(SP&EFDudley);and1FarmakiesPool(SkalaVasilikon)9May(SP&EFDudleyetal).

AutumnOnerecord:asinglebirdatMetochiLake1222Sept(MO).


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Little Bittern and Night-heron,FaneromeniLowerFord,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

BLACKCROWNED NIGHTHERON Nycticorax nycticoraxcSM,sAP

Occurs usually MarMay (occasionally in large flocks) with occasional records SeptOct.

SpringRecorded17Apr31Mayasfollows:PotamiaValleyupto5on1720Apr,2on4Mayand3on18May

(TRobinsonetal);atnearbyMetochiLakeupto6on1921Aprwithsinglesthere15&31May(MO);atFaneromeni

12present26Apr14May(MO);2foundroostinginthepinesinAchladeriForeston2May(SPDudleyetal);

5northoverLardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1SkalaKallonisPool21May(MStead).AutumnOnerecord:2overSkalaKallonis18Sept(CGittins).

SQUACCO HERONArdeola ralloides cSM,sAP

Recorded from wetland and river areas AprMay, occasionally numbers AugOct.

Spring8Apr24May:PolichnitosSaltpans1on8Aprand2on6May(TRobinsonetal);12SkalaKallonis1720Apr

(MO)with6on23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)andasinglethere21May(MStead);onthefloodedfieldsatKalloni

Saltpans(inc.AlykesWetlands)28Apr14Maywithamax.of11on11May(MO);12MetochiLake21Apr24

May(MO);1PerasmaReservoir22Apr(J&SMaskell);6Christou(Kamares)River24Apr(SPDudleyetal);3Dipi

Larisos28Apr(TRobinson);upto3Faneromeni18May(P&VManningetal);4KalloniSaltpanson2May,9on

4Mayandasinglebirdon16May(MO);2TsikniasRiver9May(SP&EFDudley);singlesPotamiaValleyandParakilaMarsh18May(bothMSveikutis).

Autumn12PotamiaValley8Aug(TRobinson);singlesPolichnitosSaltpans18&21Augwith3there10Sept

(TRobinson);and1MetochiLake23Sept(CGittins).

WESTERN CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis V*|0|4(4)

2008Threerecords(acceptedbyHRC):1nrTsikniasRiverMouth25Apr(photo:SPDudley,MDenmanetal:HRC

08);1SkalaEresou16May(RUlph:HRC08);and1PolichnitosSaltpansDec08(photo:TRobinson:HRC08).

2007Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):1nrSigriDec07(EKakalis,EGribylakou:HRC07).


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


GREY HERON Ardea cinerea sW,sPM

Small numbers all months. Migrants AprMay and SeptOct.

RecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinson)inallmonthswith12inJan,13inFeb,13inMarwithobvious

passageon14Mar(27),20Mar(19),22Mar(10)and23Mar(16),max.6inApr,12duringMay,2on25Jun,13in

Juland14inAugwith9on21st.IncreasednumbersSeptDecwith68birdsregularlyanddoublefigurecountson

sixdatesonSeptwithmax.56(yearmax.)on12Sept15Sept(24),eightdatesinOctwithmax.14on5Oct,on

fourteendatesinNovwithmax.23on17Nov,andonfivedatesinDecwithmax.12on6,10&25Dec.Elsewhereon

theislandrecordedfromafurther10sites: AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)max.5on19Jan;KalloniSaltpans(inc.

AlykesWetlandsandsurroundingfloodedfields)max.21on11May;AlikoudiPoolmax.4on24Apr;Christou

(Kamares)Rivermax.6on10Jan;MesaWetlandsmax.5on4Apr;PotamiaValleymax.4on8Aug;andsingles

atSkalaVasilikon,VouvarisRiver,MeladiaValley,DipiLarisosandAchladeri.

PURPLE HERONArdea purpurea sPM

Small numbers, inc. occasional flocks MarMay and (smaller numbers) SeptOct.

SpringRecorded10Apr6May.Themainsitewasthefloodedfields(inc.AlykesWetlands)neartheKalloniSaltpans

whichheldamax.9on20Apr(J&SMaskell).Asingleflockof23wasseenheadingnorthoverKalloniSaltpansontheeveningofthe28Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Elsewhere:1 AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)

10Apr(TRobinson);1PotamiaValley17Apr (perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD) ;1SkalaKallonisPool1718

Apr(J&SMaskelletal);2MetochiLake2021Apr(J&SMaskelletal);1againSkalaKallonisPool29Apr (per

LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD) ;2northalongtheTsikniasRiver30Apr(SPDudleyetal);1Faneromeni3May

(P&VManning);and3VergiasRiver(SkalaEresou)6May(SPDudleyetal).

AutumnAnearlyreturningbirdatPolichnitosSaltpanson1Jul(TRobinson)and1MetochiLake

19Sept(SPDudleyetal).

GREAT WHITE EGRETArdea alba rW,sPM

Birds usually present SeptMay with an increasing wintering population.First winter periodJanPolichnitosSaltpansmax.11on27th; AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)withmax.10on19th;

Christou(Kamares)Rivermax.3on10th;MesaWetlandsmax.3on1st;KalloniSaltpansmax.2on10th;Skala

Vasilikonmax.2on1st;andsinglesatVouvarisRivermouth1st,VourkouRiver4th,AlikoudiPool10th,TsikniasRiver

10thandSkalaKallonisPool10th. FebPolichnitosSaltpansmax.16on21stand8 AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera) 7th.

Spring MarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.12on1st,MesaWetlandsmax.3on8th,VouvarisRivermouthmax.3on8th.

AprPolichnitosSaltpansmax.4on8th;MesaWetlandsmax.2on4th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields

andAlykesWetlands)max.2on4th. May4overFaneromenion1st;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields

andAlykesWetlands)max.3on914th.

Autumn Aug 1PolichnitosSaltpanson27th. SeptPolichnitosSaltpansmax.48on18th;3KalloniSaltpanson18th

and1TsikniasRivermouth18th. OctPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.13on29th. NovPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.8on1516th;3Christou(Kamares)Riveron7th;and1SkalaVasilikonon30th.

Second winter periodDecPolichnitosSaltpansupto9birds116thwithincreasednumbersfrom17thwith1120

birdsregularlyseenandmax.23on27th;on26th3MesaWetlands,1VouvarisRivermouthand1SkalaVasilikon.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta cSP,sAP,rW

Occurs at wetland sites and along the coast MarMay and in smaller numbers AugOct. Several birds overwinter.

First winter periodJan12PolichnitosSaltpans;2KalloniSaltpans10th;singlebirdsalsoseenatSkalaVasilkonon1st

and10th,Achladerion1standMesaWetlandson1st. Feb1PolichnitosSaltpansthroughout;and5VouvarisRiver

mouthon3rd.

Spring MarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.3on6th;andMesaWetlandson8th(3)and28th(4). AprPolichnitosSaltpans

max.7on7th;MesaWetlandsmax.15on29th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


Wetlands)max.5on22nd;Christou(Kamares)Rivermax.15on17th;6Makara21st;2DipiLarisos28th;2Alikoudi

Pool29th.MayPolichnitosSaltpansmax.9on12th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes

Wetlandsmax.9on30th;3VourkouRiveron6th;11Faneromenion8th;and37TsikniasRiveron11th.

SummerJunJul13dailyPolichnitosSaltpans,6on22Juland11on31Jul(startoftheautumnincrease).

AutumnPolichnitosSaltpansdoublefigurecountsdaily1Aug27Septwithamax.40on1213Sept,16daily28

Sept28Octwithmax.9on5Octand311duringNovwithmax.11on10th.

Second winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans13dailythroughoutDec.

GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus sPM

Annual passage migrant MarMay and SeptOct.

Usually singles but occasionally flocks (e.g. 18 in Sept

07) and occasional movements, e.g. large movement

in Sept 07 inc. largest confirmed flock of 144.

Spring4reportedatthemouthoftheTsikniasRiver

on17Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).

AutumnJuvenilesatPolichnitosSaltpanson7Sept(TRobinson)withanotherthere2125Sept

(TRobinsonetal)andwhatispresumedtobeathird

bird28Sept16Oct(TRobinson)andaflockof9

(4ads,5juvs)(TRobinson).Adifferentjuvenileat

KalloniSaltpanson2122Sept(MSnellingetal).

White Pelican,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009

TerryRobinson

DALMATIAN PELICAN Pelecanus crispus rPM

Much rarer than White Pelican but occurs in similar periods, AprMay and AugSept.

Onerecord:1PerasmaReservoirforonlythreehoursonthemorningof3May(video:IKinley,DThextonetal).

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis sW

Winters offshore particularly in the Gulf of Kalloni

First winter periodMax.83ofSkalaPolichnitou12Feb.

SpringMax.13offSkalaPolichnitou14Marand11offKalloniSaltpans29Apr.

AutumnMax.11offSkalaPolichnitou21Aug.

Second winter periodMax.264offSkalaPolichnitou5Dec.

EUROPEAN SHAGLeucocarbo aristotelis desmarestisRB

Present around the coast in all months. The race Leucocarbo aristotelis desmaresti occurs.

First winter periodMax.8ofSkalaPolichnitou10Jan.

SpringMax.10+offSkalaPolichnitou25Apr.

SummerMax.4offNifida1Jul.

AutumnMax.16offSkalaPolichnitou2526Oct.

Second winter periodMax.20offSkalaPolichnitou29Nov.


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OSPREY Pandion haliaetus sPM

Occurs on passage MarMay and SeptOct.

SpringSinglesoverMesaWetlandsandKalloniSaltpans24Apr(SPDudleyetal),KalloniSaltpans25Apr(IKinley&

DThexton)andDipiLarisos2May(BBuckleretal).

AutumnSinglesKalloniSaltpans3&9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)andChristou(Kamares)River30Sept(CGittins).

EUROPEAN HONEYBUZZARD Pernis apivorus rMB,cPM

Occurs on passage AprMay and AugOct. Small numbers breed.

Veryfewreported.

Spring1MeladiaValley6May(BBuckleretal);2Madaros9May(SP&EFDudley);1Faneromeni15May

(MSveikutis);1LardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1nrIpsilou24May(perLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD);1displayingmaleKalloniRaptorWatchpoint27May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and

1NapiValley1Jun(KHChristmann&EWendt).

Autumn6PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)11Sept(TRobinson);1SkalaKallonis11Sept(S&CDarbyshire);3PaliaVigla

(Polichnitos)12Sept(TRobinson);17SkalaKallonis13Sept(S&CDarbyshire);1Lafionas(Petra)19Sept(CGittins);

and4KalloniSaltpans21Sept(MSnelling).

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans sPM

Surprisingly only a handful of records noted most years MarMay and AugOct.

First winter periodAwinteringbirdPolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea31Jan7Apr(TRobinson)isthefirst

everwinterrecord.

Spring2Makara2May(RThorpeetal);1PerasmaandKavaki3May(PEdlinetal);and2MeladiaValley(SPDudley

etal).

Autumn2PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12Sept(TRobinson).

Firstwinter Black Kite,PolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea,February2009TerryRobinson

WHITETAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla V*|1|6(6)

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultnorthalongtheTsikniasRiverValley2May(I&SBambrough&

SPDudley).Thesixthrecordfortheisland.

EGYPTIAN VULTURE Neophron percnopterus V*|1|11(12)

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultattheVouvarisRivermouth2May(TRobinson).11threcord.

2005Onerecord:1VafiosMtLepetimnos9May(DWalbridge).


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GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus V*|1|11(11)

A surprisingly rare bird on the island.

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):abirdpresent2628AprwasfirstseenoverEresosonthe26th(Limosagroup)and

thenseenthefollowingtwodaysaroundtheolddeadgoatpitatMadaros(P&VManning,D&BBradnumetal).

The11threcordfortheisland.

SHORTTOED EAGLECircaetus gallicus sMB,sPM

Small numbers breed across the island. Seen on passage AprMay and AugOct. Occasional winter records.

Despitebeingseendaily,relativelyfewrecordsreceived.

SpringReporteddaily17Apr24Maywithmax.5+Ipsilou28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and5+KalloniRaptor

Watchpoint9May(SP&EFDudley).

BreedingLikelybreedingbirdsseenPotamia,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,nrMesotopos,LardiaValley,Mt

Lepetimnos,Ipsilou.AbirdseenatanestinAchladeriForest.

Autumn12reported14Jul21Septfromvarioussitesinc.PolichnitosSaltpans,PaliaVigla(Polichnitos),

Mesotopos,Eresos,VafiosandIpsilou.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus cPM

Regularly seen MarMay with smaller numbers AugOct. Occasional winter records.

Spring Recorded28Mar13Mayfrommanylocalities.Max.5+KalloniSaltpansarea25Apr(SPDudleyetal).

AutumnSouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)on12th(5)&13th(2)Sept;55+SkalaKallonis13Sept(S&CDarbyshire);

10+overSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire);2overIpsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal);and1overKalloniSaltpans

22Sept(SPDudleyetal).

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus sW,sPM

Small numbers NovApr, with passage birds MarMay.

First winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans,amaleon6Jan(alsoseenAlikoudiPoolsameday)andringtailson12dates9Jan17Mar,withtwobirdsseenon28Feb(allTRobinson).

SpringAringtailalongtheChristou(Kamares)River23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).

Secondwinter periodSingleringtailsatPolichnitosSaltpans2,25&27Dec(TRobinson).

PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus sPM

Small numbers MarApr. Very rare in autumn.

SpringAringtailatPolichnitosSaltpans20Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),withsingleringtailsthere

(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andaroundtheTsikniasRivermouth(HighPeakRSPBGroup)on24Aprwith

thelatteraroundtheKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingareato28Apr(MO).Asecondbird,afirstsummermale,in

theKalloniSaltpans/Lotzaria/TsikniasRivermouthareaseenon25,27&29Aprand4May(MO).AringtailnrIpsilou26Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)andafemaleMeladiaRiver28Apr(Limosagroup).

AutumnAnadultmalesouthnearSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire).

MONTAGUS HARRIER Circus pygargus cPM

Common in spring MarMay with small numbers SeptOct.

Averypooryear.

SpringSinglesrecordedononly15dates4Apr5Mayacrossthecentreandwestoftheislandwith3Kalloni

Saltpansandsurroundingarea2325Apr(MO)andamax.countof4MeladiaValley29Apr(perLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD).

AutumnSinglessouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12&14Sept(TRobinson)andMetochiLake19Sept

(SPDudleyetal).


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


LEVANT SPARROWHAWKAccipiter brevipes sPM,?rMB?

Small numbers AprMay, with smaller numbers AugSept.

Averypooryear.

Spring1TsikniasRiver24Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Kalloni27Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);male

Faneromeni1May(IKinley&DThexton);2Faneromeni3May(P&VManning);1nrPetra4May(perLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD);5+Faneromeni4May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Ipsilou4May(perLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD);maleandfemaleFaneromeni5May(P&VManning;IKinley&DThexton);andamaleIpsilou

5May(SPDudleyetal).

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKAccipiter nisus rRB,cW,sPM

A handful of pairs almost certainly breed. Common SeptMar. Passage noted MarApr and AugOct.

First winter period12recordedfrom:PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera);Vourkou

River.

Spring12recordedfromAgiaParaskevi;PolichnitosSaltpans;KalloniSaltpans;Kavaki;TsikniasRiverandKalloni

RaptorWatchpoint.

Autumn12recordedPolichnitosSaltpans;AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)andIpsilou.Second winter periodSinglesreportedregularlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansand3AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)

15Nov.

GOSHAWKAccipiter gentilis sRB,sPM

Small numbers breed across the island. Passage noted MarMay and AugOct.

Relativelyfewrecordsreceived.

SpringSeenregularlyfromKalloniRaptorWatchpoint;includingdisplayingbirds;duringAprandMay(MO)withmax.

4seenon9May(SP&EFDudley).

Autumn1nearVafios19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andsinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans30Septand12;20;22&24Oct

(TRobinson)andAlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)15Nov(TRobinson).

COMMON BUZZARDButeo buteo sRB,cW,sPM

Small numbers breed across the island. Common NovMar. Passage noted MarApr and AugOct.

First winter periodRecordedfromAlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)max.8on19Jan;VourkouRiver;PotamiaValley;

Christou(Kamares)RiverandPolichnitosSaltpans.

Spring/SummerRecordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)max.7on2Mar;AlikoudiPool;Dimitrios;Ipsilou;

NapiValley;Nifida;PaliaVigla(Polichnitos);PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;Sideras;Sigri;Faneromeniand

VouvarisRivermouth.Noconfirmedbreeding.

Autumn12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);PolichnitosSaltpans;Korakas;KalloniSaltpansandPalia

Vigla(Polichnitos). Second winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)max.4on15Nov;PolichnitosSaltpansand

AlikoudiPool.

LONGLEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus sRB,sPM

Small numbers breed across the island. Passage MarApr and AugOct.

First winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andPolichnitosSaltpans.

Spring/Summer13recordedfromAgra;AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);AlikoudiPool;Eresos;Faneromeni;Ipsilou;

KalloniRaptorWatchpoint;KalloniSaltpans(andsurrounds);LardiaValley;Madaros;Makara;Mesotopos;Metochi

Lake;NapiValley;Perasma;PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;SigriareaandTsikniasRivervalley.

AutumnSinglesreportedfromIpsilou;KalloniSaltpans/TsikniasRiverarea;MetochiLakeandPerasma.

Second winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andPolichnitosSaltpans.


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


LESSER SPOTTED EAGLEAquila pomarina rPM

Recorded most years in May.

Tworecords:singlesKalloniRaptorWatchpoint3MayandbetweenIpsilouandSigri4May(bothperLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD).

STEPPE EAGLEAquila nipalensis V*|0|1(1)

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):asubadultnearEfthalou26Apr(I&SBambrough&SPDudley).Thefirst

acceptedrecordforLesvos

EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLEAquila heliaca V*|2|10(11)

SpringThreerecords(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultsouthnearEfthalou3May(photo:I&SBambrough&SP

Dudley);asubadultKalloniRaptorWatchpoint7May(IPittsetal)wasseentwicewithinanhourandmaybethe

samebirdasseenatEfthalou(above);twobirdsnorthoverAghiaIoannis8May(photo:PSolleyetal).Thesearethe

9thto11threcords.

AutumnAbirddistantlyoverAchladeriForest20Septwasprobablythisspeciesbutremainsunconfirmed(photo:J&

AHumphreys).

GOLDEN EAGLEAquila chrysaetos rPM|3|18(21+)

Passage birds AprMay and Sept.

Threerecords:singlebirdsseenPotamiaValley25Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);IoannouValley7May

(SPDudley);andnrPetra11May(PEdlin)arethe16th18threcords.

2003Onerecord:1Efthalou20May(DWalbridge).

BONELLIS EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus rPM

Passage birds AprMay.

Tworecords:1Eresos/Ipsilou26Apr;1KalloniRaptorWatchpoint4May(bothperLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).

BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus pennatus sPM

Recorded most years AprMay and AugOct.

SpringTworecords: SinglebirdsKalloniRaptorWatchpointandMesaWetlands6May(P&NPreston)andLardia

Valley8May(IPittsetal).

AutumnSinglebirdsNapiValley19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andPlatania21Sept(P&JHayes).

LESSER KESTREL Falco naumannisMB,sPM

Small numbers breed on offshore islands at Sigri and possibly other offshore islands. Most common in the west of the

island. Also recorded on passage AprMay and Sept.Despitegoodnumbersofbirdsandapopularspecies;veryfewrecordsreceived.

Spring Recorded20Apr17Mayfrom:SigriandFaneromeniarea;Ipsilou;thePetrifiedForest;PerasmaReservoir;

Makara;MeladiaValleyandLardiaValley.Max.20+onthreedates:Faneromeni26Apr(D&BBradnum),1May(SP

Dudleyetal)&8May(SP&EFDudley).Noconfirmedbreedingrecords.

Autumn23KalloniSaltpans;LotzariaandTsikniasRiverarea1424Sept(MO)and1PolichnitosSaltpans2021Sept

(SPDudleyetal).

COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus sRB

A surprisingly scarce species with small numbers breeding across the island.

12recordedfromPolichnitosSaltpans;AlikoudiPool;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;TsikniasRiver;AlmiropotamosRiver

(Lisvorio);PerasmaandNapiValley.


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


REDFOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus cPM

On passage AprMay with smaller numbers AugOct.

Veryfewrecordsreceived.

Spring Recorded19Apr22MayfromTsikniasRiver;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;AlykesWetlands;NapiValley;

Faneromeni;Madaros;MeladiaValley;AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)andPolichnitosSaltpans.Max.aflockof51

Faneromeni26Apr(SChalmers,SPDudley,D&JNurney).Onlyotherdoublefigurecount12Faneromeni6May

(BBuckleretal).

Autumn 1MeladiaValley2Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);23PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept(TRobinson);singles

PolichnitosSaltpanson15,25&30Sept(TRobinson);upto7KalloniSaltpans/Lotzariaarea1924Sept(MSnelling;

SPDudleyetal).

ELEONORAS FALCON Falco eleonorae sPM,?rMB?

On passage AprMay and SeptOct. Thought to breed

on offshore islands off Sigri.

Spring Recorded25Apr26MayfromKavaki;

Vatera;Ipsilou;Eresos;AghiaIoannis;LardiaValley;AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio);AchladeriForest;Dipi

Larisos;Agra;AgiosFokas;Molivos;KalloniRaptor

Watchpoint;Skoutaros;Skalochori;AghiaTaxiarchis;

TsikniasRiver;andSigri.Max.10Skoutaros8May

(SP&EFDudley).

AutumnSeenatStipsi9Sept;KalloniSaltpans18

Sept;KalloniRaptorWatchpoint19Sept;Ipsilou(2)

21&25Sept;PithariouReservoir23Sept;andPalia

Vigla(Polichnitos)3Oct.

Eleonoras Falcon;AghiaTaxiarchis,May2009

SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

EURASIAN HOBBYFalco subbuteo sPM,?rMB?

Small numbers seen on passage AprMay and SeptOct.

Spring Recorded(allsingles)22Apr7MayfromNapiValley,KalloniSaltpans,Christou(Kamares)River,Metochi

Lake,Ipsilou,PolichnitosSaltpans,Kavaki,KalloniRaptorWatchpointandAghiaIoannis.

AutumnSinglesseenat:MesaWetlands3Sept;PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept;PotamiaValley22Sept;andSkala

Vasilikon22Sept.

LANNER FALCON Falco biarmicus ?rRB?

A couple of records most years. Greek birds belong to the race F. b. feldeggii (BoG).

SpringTworecords:animmaturerecordedfromMesaWetlands,KalloniSaltpansandNapiValley18Apr10May

(TRobinsonetal)andanadultseenatSigri,FaneromeniandIpsilou25Apr13May(SPDudleyetal)wasseento

takeaJackdawatSigriCastleandaLittleBitternatFaneromeni.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus sRB,sW

Small numbers breed across the island with increased numbers in winter NovMar. Greek breeding birds belong to the

race F. p. brookei with nominate P. p. peregrinus occurring on passage (BoG).

Recordsof12throughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpans,Ipsilou,AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio),Kavaki,


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Christou(Kamares)River,TsikniasRiver,Lotzaria,KalloniSaltpans,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,MetochiLake,Potamia

ValleyandFilia.

BreedingOnebreedingsitefoundatVourkouRiver(TRobinson).

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus rRB,rW,rPM

Small numbers breed (e.g. Dipi Larisos) but most usually encountered late winter and spring MarMay.

Onerecord:asinglebirdatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)on1Jan(TRobinson).

CORNCRAKE Crex crexV*|0|17(49inc.34huntedbirds

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):2firstyear(1CY)

birdsfoundshotdeadAkrotiri28Sept(MKapiotas,

IPeetersLenglet,IPeetersLenglet ).

2005Onerecord(submittedtoHRC):oneseentaking

tadpolesatFaneromeniUpperFordin8May(photo:

DWalbridge&RWilkins).

Corncrakewadinginrivertofeedontadpoles,

Faneromeni,May2005DuncanWalbridge

LITTLE CRAKE Porzana parva sSP,rAP,?rW?

Recorded at most wetlands with cover MarMay. Occasionally recorded AugOct. Some may winter.

Lowerthanaveragenumbersreported.

SpringUpto4MetochiLake17Apr3May(MO);singlesatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)24Apr(TRobinson);

SkalaKallonisPool1May(SPDudleyetal);andthefloodedfieldsbytheentrancetoKalloniSaltworks7May(per

LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).

Autumn1MetochiLake(ISmith&PODaffy).

BAILLONS CRAKE Porzana pusilla rSP|2|16(19)

The rarest of the crakes now recorded most years.

Tworecords:1SkalaKallonisPool28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and2MetochiLakeonatleast6May(MO).

SPOTTED CRAKEPorzana porzana sPM

A handful of records each AprMay. One autumn

record.

Fourrecords:singlesMetochiLake1720Apr

(TRobinsonetal)and1May(SPDudleyetal);

FaneromeniUpperFord26Apr1May(D&B

Bradnumetal);andSkalaKallonisPool1May

(SPDudleyetal).

Spotted Crake,Faneromeni,April2009

SteveDudley|LesvosBirding


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


MOORHENGallinula chloropus sRB,sW

Small numbers breed.

RecordedthroughouttheyearatMetochiLake(2prsbred;5juvsseen);VergiasRiver(SkalaEresou)(atleastone

pairbred,3juvsseen)andPithariouReservoir(atleastoneprbred,3juvsseen).AlsoseenatSkalaVasilikon;

AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio);PotamiaValleyandAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera).Max.17MetochiLake17Apr

(TRobinson).

COOT Fulica atra rMB,sW

Varying numbers occur in winter with occasional pairs staying on to breed.

Allrecords:PotamiaReservoirJan,Apr;May&Novwithmax.142on1Jan(TRobinson);2AlmyropotamosRiver

(Vatera)4&19Jan;2MesaWetlands10Jan;1SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;3MetochiLake10Jan;and1Skala

Vasilikon3Feb.

COMMON CRANE Grus grus rPM|1|7+(23+)

Onerecord:3overPolichnitosSaltpanson4Nov(TRobinson).Thefirstrecordsince2003.

EURASIAN STONECURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus sMB;sPM

Small numbers breed inc. the Kalloni area (inc. Saltpans). Passage FebApr and AugOct. Flocks can be encountered in

autumn.

Recorded17Apr30SeptfromTsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding),AlykesWetlands(inc.breeding),

PolichnitosSaltpans(inc.breeding),Lotzaria(inc.breeding),Christou(Kamares)RiverandAchladeri.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus sW,sSP

Small numbers occur in winter and spring SeptMay.

Onerecord:asinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans23Mar(TRobinson).

BLACKWINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus sMB,cPM

Small numbers breed (e.g.saltpans). Also passage MarMay and AugOct.

Recorded17Mar24SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,AlykesWetlands,NifidaandChristou

(Kamares)River.AtPolichnitosSaltpansmax.countof127birdson1Aug(TRobinson).

BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpans16nestsobservedwithamin.of43youngseenon9Jul(TRobinson).Breeding

behaviourobservedatKalloniSaltpansbutnotproved.

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta sMB,sPM

Small numbers breed (e.g. saltpans). Also passage MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.

RecordedthroughouttheyearatPolichnitosSaltpanswithamax.countof144on910Sept(TRobinson).AtKalloniSaltpansmax.288on4Apr(TRobinson).AlsorecordedatAlykesWetlands.

BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpansseveralpairsbredraisingatleast10young

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus sW

Small numbers OctMar.

Singlesrecordedasfollows:KalloniSaltpans1Jan;PolichnitosSaltpans13Mar;2Nov;12Nov&21Dec(TRobinson);

andPotamiaValley20Sept(S&CDarbyshire).

SPURWINGED PLOVER Vanellus spinosus sPM

Usually single birds seen MarMar; rarely AugSept.

Threerecords:oneintheKalloniSaltpans;TsikniasRiverandAlykesWetlandsarea22Apr23Apr(TRobinsonetal);


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anotherAlykesWetlands1May(SPDudleyetal);andathirdbirdonthefloodsoppositetheKalloniSaltworks

entrance1320May(MO).

DOTTERELCharadrius morinellus V*|0|1(1)

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):onePolichnitosSaltpans(photo:TRobinson)isthefirstconfirmedrecordforthe

island(HRC08).

EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria sW;rPM

Small numbers OctMar. On passage MarApr and SeptOct.

Onerecord:2MesaWetlands16Apr(J&SMaskell).

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola sW,sPM

Small numbers MarApr and SeptOct.

Allrecords:3KalloniSaltpans10Jan(TRobinson);2TsikniasRivermouthandKalloniSaltpans1819Apr(TRobinson

etal);1PolichnitosSaltpans1May(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans45May(MO);10KalloniSaltpans6May(SP

Dudleyetal)with8thereon7May(IKinley&DThexton);1AlykesWetlands9May(SP&EFDudley);and2flooded

fieldsoppositeKalloniSaltworksentrance20May(MO).

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula sPM

Occurs MarMay and AugOct.

Spring Recordedon24datesbetween6Apr28MayfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.29on11May;AlykesWetlands

max.12on12May;andKalloniSaltpansmax.2on20Apr.

AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans19Aug21Octwithmax.4on29Sept.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius sMB,sPM

Small numbers breed along rivers and also on passage MarMay and AugSept.Recorded9Mar21Nov.DisplayingbirdsobservedatAlykesWetlands;TsikniasRiver;Christou(Kamares)River;

PolichnitosSaltpans(youngseen).Max.10PolichnitosSaltpans3May(TRobinson).AlsorecordedfromMakara,

KalloniSaltpans,VourkouRiver,AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera),DipiLarisos,andNifida.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus sRB,sPM

Breeds around saltpans; drier areas of marshes; etc. Also passage AprMay and SeptOct.

RecordedthroughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.81on5Nov.AlsorecordedfromChristou(Kamares)

River,VouvarisRivermouth,KalloniSaltpansandMesaWetlands.

BreedingConfirmedatPolichnitosSaltpanswere10+youngwereseen(4trappedandringed)(TRobinson);Vouvaris

RivermouthandKalloniSaltpans.

GREAT SNIPE Gallinago media rPM*|1|10+(12+)

A nearannual passage migrant.

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1HaramidaMarsh7May(SPDudley).

Twootherreports(observersunknown):PolichnitosSaltpans25AprandTsikniasRiver28Apr.


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago cW,sPM

Occurs AugMay.

Allrecords:1AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)2Apr(TRobinson);1PolichnitosSaltpans7Apr(TRobinson);1Christou

(Kamares)River18Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);2KalloniSaltpans20Apr(TRobinsonetal);1Faneromeni21Apr

(J&SMaskell);1KalloniSaltpans23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1floodedfieldsoppositeKalloniSaltworks

entrance2425Apr(SPDudleyetal);12MetochiLake419Sept(ISmith&PODaffyetal);and1Polichnitos

Saltpans2122Dec(TRobinson).

BLACKTAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa sSP

Occurs on larger wetlands and rivers AprMay.

Allrecords:PolichnitosSaltpans,1from2026Mar,12there310Apr(TRobinson)and25Apr(D&BBradnum);

KalloniSaltpans,31on4Apr(TRobinson),1on24Apr(SPDudleyetal)and6on28Apr(IKinley&DThexton).

BARTAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica rSP

Onerecord:3PolichnitosSaltpans14Jul(TRobinson).

EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata sW,rPM

Small numbers AugMar.

Allrecords(TRobinsonunlessstated):VouvarisRivermouth1on1Jan&28Mar;TsikniasRivermouth1on10Jan&

28Mar;2on1718Aprand1on18Sept(SPDudleyetal);KalloniSaltpans3on10Jan;1on4Aprand4on18Sept

(SPDudleyetal);Christou(Kamares)River2on18Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);PolichnitosSaltpans1on25Jun;

1on17Sept;1&3Octand27Nov.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus sPM,rW

Small numbers MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.

Allrecords:singlesatKalloniSaltpanson24Apr(SPDudleyetal);2930Apr(2)(IKinley&DThextonetal);30Apr(SPDudleyetal);1618May(TRobinsonetal);singlesPolichnitosSaltpanson28Apr(IKinley&DThexton);25Sept

(P&JHayes);17Oct(TRobinson)and15Nov(TRobinson).

COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus cW,sPM

Occurs mainly AugMar, with smaller numbers AprMay.

PolichnitosSaltpans,recordedinallmonthswithmax.139on24Sept(TRobinson).12KalloniSaltpansinthemain

birdingweeksinAprMayandSept.AlsoseenatAlmiropotamos(Lisvorio),Christou(Kamares)andTsikniasRivers.

MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis sPM

Small numbers move through the island MarMay and AugSept.SpringKalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfields)8on8Apr(TRobinson)and2on2May(perLesvosBirding

PasiphaeLog/SPD),singles2223Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup),30Apr(SPDudleyetal),58May(IKinley&

DThextonetal).

AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans Sept1on4th,2on6th,singles1517thand21st,2on22nd; Oct1on1011thand3on

14th(allTRobinson).KalloniSaltpans Sept1on21st(CGittins)and2on22nd(SPDudleyetal).

GREENSHANKTringa nebularia sPM,sW

Small numbers move through the island MarMay and AugSept. Small numbers overwinter.

First winter period3Christou(Kamares)River10Jan(TRobinson).

SpringPolichnitosSaltpansrecordedfrom19MarandpresentdailyintoJunwithmax.4on9Apr

(TRobinson).KalloniSaltpans(andsurroundingfloodedfields)429Aprwithmax.8on29Apr(HighPeakRSPB


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


Group).Also1TsikniasRiver9May(SP&EFDudley).

SummerPresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.24on3Aug(TRobinson).

AutumnPresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithdoublefigurecountsregularlyduringSeptto17Octwith

max.23on18Sept,then14regularlytotheyearendwithmax.10on16Nov(allTRobinson).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus sW,sPM

Occurs mainly OctMar, with passage AprMay and JulSept.

First winter period1Christou(Kamares)River10Jan(TRobinson).

SpringSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpanson56Marand2425Mar(TRobinson),27Aprand2May(SPDudleyetal);

TsikniasRiver2on19Aprandsingleson22Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and9May(SP&EFDudley);1Metochi

Lake21Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1Faneromeni21Apr(J&SMaskell);and1KalloniSaltpans(inc.surrounding

floodedfields)2May(IKinley&DThexton).

Autumn2PolichnitosSaltpans21Aug(TRobinson)and1MetochiLake22Sept(SPDudleyetal).

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola cPM

Very common on all water areas MarMay with smaller numbers JulSept.SpringRecorded26Mar26Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutmax.111on28Apr(TRobinson);Kalloni

Saltpans18Apr4Maymax.150+on20Apr(TRobinson);1MesaWetlands28Mar;3AlmiropotamosRiver

(Lisvorio)2Apr;1Nifida5Apr;1AlikoudiPool13Apr;4Faneromeni21Apr20+Christou(Kamares)River24Apr;and

5DipiLarisos28Apr.

AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans10Jul26Septwithmax.21on30Aug(TRobinson).

TEREK SANDPIPERXenus cinereus V*|1|5(5

Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):oneatPolichnitos

Saltpans13May(photo:WLopau,TRobinson,SP&

EFDudley:HRC09inprep)isonlythefifthrecordfortheisland.

2003:Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultSkala

Kallonis10May(video:SPogson:HRC08).

RecordshotofTerek Sandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans,

May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

COMMON SANDPIPERActitis hypoleucos sPM,rW

Small numbers MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.

First winter period1PolichnitosSaltpans14Feb(TRobinson).

Spring12recorded8Apr22MayfromPolichnitosSaltpans,DipiLarisos,TsikniasRiver,Makara,MesaWetlands,

VourkouRiver,AlykesWetlands,SigriandFaneromeni.

AutumnAnearlyreturningbirdon22JunatPolichnitosSaltpansthenrecordedfromhereto21Oct.Max.8on4Aug

(allTRobinson).

Second winter period1PolichnitosSaltpanson30Novand8Dec(TRobinson).

TURNSTONEArenaria interpres sPM

Small numbers MarMay and AugSept.

Spring2TsikniasRivermouth29Apr(SPDudleyetal);atPolichnitosSaltpansinMayseenon3rd(1),6th(4),9th

10th(2),13th15th(3),16th17th(1),21st(3),22nd(1)and30th(1)(allTRobinson).

AutumnSeenonlyatPolichnitosSaltpanswithsingleson8&1314Aug(TRobinson).


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


RED KNOT Calidris canutus V*|0|2(2)

The first two records for the island recently accepted by HRC.

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultPolichnitosSaltpans3Sept07(photo:TRobinson:HRC08).

2007Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultKalloniSaltpans23Apr05(SPDudley&DMcDonald:HRC08).

SANDERLING Calidris alba sPM

Small numbers seen MarMay and AugSept.

Spring10TsikniasRivermouth22Apr(J&SMaskell)with6thereon24Apr(Limosagroup);singlesMesaWetlands

24Apr(IKInley&DThexton)andPolichnitosSaltpans25Apr(TRobinson)and6May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae

Log/SPD);9TsikniasRivermouth19May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1PolichnitosSaltpans19May

(TRobinson).

AutumnSinglesPolichnitosSaltpans25Sept(P&JHayes)and3Oct(TRobinson).

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta cPM

Occurs AprMay, occasionally in large numbers AprMay, with smaller number JulOct. Some overwinter.

First winter periodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on7Jan(TRobinson)andasingleatChristou(Kamares)Riveron10Jan(TRobinson).

Spring Recordedthroughto18JunfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.141on7May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(and

surroundedfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.100+on21May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andup

to10MesaWetlands,Christou(Kamares)RiverandTsikniasRiver.

AutumnRecordedfrom17Julwithamax.161PolichnitosSaltpans11Oct(TRobinson).

Second winter periodRecordedthroughoutatPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.93on29Dec(TRobinson).

TEMMINCKS STINT Calidris temminckiicPM

Occurs AprMay with smaller numbers AugSept.

SpringKalloniSaltpans3on20Apr(TRobinsonetal)and24Apr(SPDudleyetal),1on27Apr(IKinley&DThexton)and5on3May(IKinley&DThexton);inApratPolichnitosSaltpans5on23rd(TRobinson),1on24th,7on26th

(Limosagroup)and3on30th,inMaysingleson7th,15th17th&20th;1Christou(Kamares)River24Apr(SPDudley

etal);14TsikniasRiver46May(MO);and2AlykesWetlands12May(SP&EFDudley).

Autumn4PolichnitosSaltpans26Sept(CGittins).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos V*|0|1(1)

The first record for the island, and only the fourth record for Greece, has recently been accepted by HRC.

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):ajuvenileat

PolichnitosSaltpans24Sept08(photo:TRobinson,

SPDudley&MNewell:Dudley2009,HRC08).

Pectoral Sandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans,

September2008SteveDudley|LesvosBirding


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea cPM

Occurs AprMay and AugOct.

SpringRecorded3Apr8Jun.PolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.58on22May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc.

surroundingfloodedfields)withmax.31on20Apr(TRobinson);and6TsikniasRiver22May(M&LHunt).

AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans17Jul27Septwithmax.16on28Aug(TRobinson).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina sW,sPM

Occurs AugMay.

First winter periodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on5Jan.

Spring1MesaWetlandson28Mar;atPolichnitosSaltpans30Mar24Aprwithmax.26on1Apr;atKalloni

Saltpans2030Aprwithmax.5on28th.

AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansfrom8Septwithmax.69on12Oct.

Second winter periodRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.249on24Dec.

BROADBILLED SANDPIPER Limicola falcinellus rPM

Occasionally seen AprMay and AugSept.Spring12reportedfromAlykesWetlands911May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).

AutumnSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpanson11,22&25Augand13Sept(TRobinson).

RUFF Philomachus pugnaxcPM

Occurs FebMay and AugOct.

SpringRecorded525Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansmax.385on7Apr(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc.

surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.300+on4Apr(TRobinson);6MesaWetlandson28Mar;and

1DipiLarisoson28Apr.

AutumnRecorded1025SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpansonlywithmax.9on17th.

REDNECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus V*|0|10(14)

AreportofoneatPolichnitosSaltpansinMayremainsunconfirmed.

Collared Pratincole,PolichnitosSaltpans,June2009TerryRobinson


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


COLLARED PRATINCOLE Glareola pratincola cSP

Good numbers seen on passage across the island AprMay.

SpringRecorded19Apr18Mayfrom:KalloniSaltpansarea(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlandsandLotzaria)

withmax.50on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1SigriandFaneromenifields29Apr1May(P&VManningetal).

SummerRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpanson25Jun(1),1Jul(1)and3Jul(3)(TRobinson).

SLENDERBILLED GULL Chroicocephalus geneisW,sPM

Occurs in small numbers OctMar. Passage birds AprMay and AugSept. Few records JunJul.

First winter period13PolichnitosSaltpans7Jan2Feb(TRobinson).

Spring1PolichnitosSaltpans3Mar(TRobinson);13KalloniSaltpans/TsikniasRiverarea1725Apr,with4insame

area2729Aprand13to21May(MO);1Christou(Kamares)River11May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).

Summer14adultsPolichnitosSaltpans3Jun31Jul(TRobinson).

AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans14Aug21Nov(MO)withmax.25on7Nov(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans23Sept

(S&CDarbyshire).Thecountof25isthelargesteverrecordedontheisland.

Second winter period34PolichnitosSaltpans1719Dec(TRobinson).

BLACKHEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus sW

Occurs JulMay.

First winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan10Febwithmax.62on1Jan(TRobinson);6PotamiaValley10Jan

(TRobinson).

SpringPolichnitosSaltpans8on1Marand23on6Mar(TRobinson);17PotamiaValley28Mar(TRobinson);14

TsikniasRivermouth28Mar28Apr(MO).

Summer/Autumn 1PolichnitosSaltpans1Jul31Julwithmax.349on13Oct(TRobinson).

Second winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans48on1Dec,with15on26thand1on28th31st(TRobinson).

LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus sW,sPMOccurs in small numbers AugMay and AugSept.

SpringAnadultandfirstsummer(2CY)PolichnitosSaltpans28Mar(TRobinson);1TsikniasRivermouth21Apr(High

PeakRSPBGroup);12firstsummer(2CY)birdsKalloniSaltpans30Apr5May(IKinley&DThextonetal).

AutumnAsingleadultatPolichnitosSaltpans21Sept2Oct(TRobinson),afirstwinter(1CY)28Octand7Nov

(TRobinson).

AUDOUINS GULL Ichthyaetus audouiniirRB

A rare resident. Breeds on offshore islands. Recorded mainly from along the north coast.

Spring12regularlyseenalongthenorthcoastbetweenPetraandSkalaSikaminias(MO).

AutumnAfirstwinter(1CY)atPolichnitosSaltpans11Nov(TRobinson).

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Ichthyaetus melanocephalus sW,sPM

Occurs in reasonable numbers AugMay, with passage birds MarMay and AugOct.

First winter period12PolichnitosSaltpans1Jan15Feb(TRobinson).

SpringKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermoutharea4Apr21May(MO)withmax.191on4Apr(TRobinson);

8pastKavaki3May(SPDudleyetal).

Summer/Autumn PolichnitosSaltpans30Jun17Novwithmax.50on7Sept(TRobinson)withbirdsfromherealso

seenatnearbySkalaVasilikon(allTRobinson).

Second winter period1AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)16Dec;16VourkouRiver16Dec;5PolichnitosSaltpans25

Dec(allTRobinson).


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LESVOS BIRDS2009


COMMON GULL Larus canus V*|1|6(6)

Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):animmatureatPolichnitosSaltpans12Sept(RLawrenceetal).Thesixthrecordfor

theisland.

YELLOWLEGGED GULL Larus michahellis cRB

Common resident breeding on offshore islands and seen right across the island.

PresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughouttheyearwithmax.monthlycountsasfollows:175on15Jan,113on27

Feb,66on9Mar,85on29Apr,401on16May,122on5Jun,626on26Jul,1091on11Aug,612on9Sept,361on

4Oct,124on15Novand133on5Dec(TRobinson).Alsorecordedfrommostcoastalareas,KalloniSaltpans,main

riversandallreservoirs.Nobreedingrecordsreceived.

GULLBILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilotica sSP

Occurs AprMay, occasionally in autumn.

SpringAsinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans11Apr(TRobinson)followedby18atKalloniSaltpans17Apr

(J&SMaskell)and22there19Apr(TRobinsonetal)withanotherflockof8attheTsikniasRivermouthonthesame

date(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and15TsikniasRivermouth24Apr(Limosagroup).AfurthersingleatKalloniSaltpans25Apr(IKinley&DThexton)with5attheTsikniasRivermouthon29Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).Asinglebirdon

thefloodoppositetheKalloniSaltworksentrance2May(SPDudleyetal),withanotherthereon7May(perLesvos

BirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and10KalloniSaltpans7May(IKinley&DThexton).Twobirdswereseenfeedingalong

theSigriendoftheMeladiaValleytrack,seenpickinginsectsoffthesurfaceofthetrack,on5May(SPDudleyetal)

andonepastIpsilou8May(P&NPreston).OneattheTsikniasRivermouth27May(M&LHunt).

AutumnOneKalloniSaltpans914Sept(ISmith,PODaffy,RM&SHGuthrie).

CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia sPM

Occasionally recorded AprMay and AugSept.

SpringOn24AprasinglebirdatSigri(D&JRhodes)and3atKalloniSaltpans(IKinley&DThexton)with2seenattheTsikniasRivermouth22May(M&LHunt).

Autumn2PolichnitosSaltpans11Sept(photo:J&AHumphreys).

Caspian Terns,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009John&AnnHumphreys


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SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis cW,sPM

Occurs AugApr.

First winter period(allTRobinson)1MesaWetlands1Jan;6AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)6Jan;1KalloniSaltpans

10Jan;singlesPolichnitosSaltpans20Janand7&17Feb,with4thereon23Feb,andfurthersingleson9&13Mar.

Spring1PolichnitosSaltpans910Apr(TRobinson);1TsikniasRivermouth19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)with4

thereon22Apr(J&SMaskell);1AlikoudiPool27Apr(SPDudleyetal);1TsikniasRivermouth28Apr(D&B

Bradnum);10PolichnitosSaltpans9May(RNettleton);1TsikniasRivermouth12,18&20May(MO)with6thereon

19th(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and1PolichnitosSaltpans1516May(TRobinson).

Summer/Autumn RecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans25May17Novmax.26on26Aug(TRobinson).

Second winter periodSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans19&31Dec(TRobinson).

LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons cMB

Occurs AprSept.

Recorded19Apr11SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermouth(allbreedingsites).

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo sMB,cPMOccurs AprSept.

Recorded13Apr14SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding)andTsikniasRivermouth.

WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybrida cPM

Occurs AprMay, occasionally AugOct.

SpringThefirstwasasinglebirdoverSkalaKallonisPoolon19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)withupto36atKalloni

SaltpansandTsikniasRivermouthonthesameday(TRobinsonetal)and85(yearmax)atKalloniSaltpans20Apr

(TRobinsonetal).FurthersightingsatKalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)inApr

on22nd(6),23rd(2),24th(50+),25th(4),27th(3),29th(41)andinMayon2nd(3),11th(2),13th(11),14th(22),

15th16th(10),18th(1),20th(1)and26th(14).AutumnAjuvenileatPolichnitosSaltpans20Sept(SPDudleyetal).

WHITEWINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus cPM

Occurs AprMay, occasionally AugOct.

Spring2TsikniasRivermouth19Apr(TRobinsonetal);KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes

Wetlands)inApron20th(12)(TRobinsonetal),23rd(3),24th(5),25th(19),26th27th(2),28th(30)(IKinley&

DThexton),29th(30+)(Limosagroup)andinMayon2nd(20)(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),3rd(7),4th(1)

and16th(2).

BLACK TERN Chlidonias nigersPMThe rarest of the marsh terns with small numbers (often singles) occur AprMay and AugSept.

Spring18KalloniSaltpans6May(SPDudleyetal)withasinglebirdthereon7May(IKinley&DThexton);

2PolichnitosSaltpans23May(TRobinson).

AutumnAjuvenileatPolichnitosSaltpans25Sept(TRobinson).

ROCK DOVE Columba livia sRB

Small numbers occur around the rockier coastal areas. Feral Pigeon also occurs in the towns.

Allrecords:5atFaneromeni21Apr(TRobinson);11movingbetweenMakaraandGabiasIsland27Apr(SPDudleyet

al);9MeladiaValley11May(SP&EFDudley);20+Faneromeni17May(MSveikutis);9MeladiaValley2Sept(I

Smith&PODaffy);and17Makara19Sept(SPDudleyetal).


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WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus sRB,sW

Small numbers breed. Numbers increase with the arrival of winter migrants OctMar.

Onlythreerecordsreceived:1Kremastes14May(MSveikutis);1southnearVafios19Sept( SPDudleyetal );and

1KalloniSaltpans26Sept(CGittins).

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVEStreptopelia turturcMB,cPM

Widespread breeder and passage migrant AprSept.

Recorded18Apr25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.40+PotamiaValley28Apr(D&BBradnum).

TURTLE DOVE sp.Streptopelia sp.

Winter1PotamiaValley1Jan(TRobinson)wasntseensufficientlytoassigntospecies.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto cRB

Widespread across the island, mainly around towns and villages.

Presentthroughoutatmanyareasacrosstheisland.Max.44Mytilini27Nov(TRobinson).

GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO Clamator glandarius sSP,rMB

Small passage MarMay. Evidence suggests occasional breeding.

Fourrecords:1MeladiaValley2025Apr(D&JRhodesetal);1Faneromeni22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae

Log/SPD);2nearMesotopos22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1PerasmaReservoir9May(per


COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus sPM

Small numbers on passage AprMay and AugOct. The rufous female form is not uncommon.

Fewrecordsreceived:2NapiValley22Apr;1Meladiavalley26Apr;1SigriOldSanatorium5May;1Agiasos12May;

and1Ipsilou17May.

BARN OWL Tyto alba sRB

Small numbers breed across the island.

RecordedfromSkalaKallonisinApr,MayandSept(MO)andfromSkalaPolichnitouinJulandAug(TRobinson).

SCOPS OWL Otus scops sMB

Breeds across the island AprJul. More often heard than seen, and birds rarely call after Jun.

Upto2regularlyseenatSoumouria,Kalloni(KalloniMiniSoccerPitch/ScopsCopse)18Apr6May(MO)whenthe

remainingroostingbirdwasflushedbyaphotographerandnobirdsseenthereafter.Callingbirdsalsoheardcalling

fromAchladeriForest18Apr(J&SMaskell);Anaxos27Apr(IKinley&DThexton);2Mirsinia28May(KHChristmann&EWendt);and2PotamiaValley31May(KHChristmann&EWendt).

NOTEThissiteunderwentextensivetreethinningduringMay(nottotaldestructionasreportedbysome)anditis

hopedthatitwillstillholdbreedingbirdsin2010.

LITTLE OWLAthene noctua cRB

Occurs across the island. Breeds in rocky areas and old buildings (especially shepherd buildings).

Reportedfromlikelybreedingsitesacrosstheislandinc.PolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,Lotzaria,Skala

Kallonis,MetochiLake,PotamiaValley,MeladiaValley,northcoasttrackandMandamados.


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LONGEARED OWLAsio otus sRB

Small numbers known to breed across the island.

TheonlyrecordswereofapairbreedingattheAchladeriForestKrpersNuthatchsiteatKofinas(TRobinsonetal),

afemalecallingatDimitrios(SPDudleyetal)andyoungheardcallingatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann&

EWendt).

SHORTEARED OWLAsio flammeus rW

Occasionally recorded OctMar.

Onerecord:oneAlykesWetlands24Apr(SPDudleyetal).

EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus sMB,sPM

Widespread but scarce AprSept. Breeds in many scrub and scattered forest areas across the island.

AroostingmigrantwasfoundatSigriOldSanatorium5May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Threechurring

birdsheardatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann&EWendt)andbirdsregularlyheardandseenatSkalaPolichnitou

29May22Aug(TRobinson).

COMMON SWIFTApus apus cMB,cPM

Occurs MarOct.

The Birds of Greece states that most birds are duller and paler than those of western Europe, tending towards A. a.

pekinensis so likely confusion with Pallid Swift is increased.

Recorded21Mar25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.400+throughMeladiaValley2May(P&VManning).

PALLID SWIFTApus pallidus sPM

Small numbers pass through MarApr and AugOct. Common Swift often misidentified (usually in strong sunlight) as

this species. The Birds of Greece states that Pallid Swifts breeding in Greece are darker than west Mediterranean

birds, intermediate between A. p. illyricus and A. p. brehmorum, coupled with the comment re. Common Swift above,likely confusion with Common Swift is greatly increased.

Theonlyrecordsreceivedwere:2SkalaKallonisPool17Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);3MeladiaValley2May(P&V

Manning);1TsikniasRiver2May(SPDudleyetal);30+movingaheadathunderstormHaramidaMarsh7May(SP

Dudley);4IoannouValley7May(SPDudley);10MetochiLake11May;2PolichnitosSaltpans23May(TRobinson)

withonethereon3Jul(TRobinson).

NOTEMostoftheserecordsfallinwhatappearstobetwomovementsthroughtheisland,theearlyonemidMar

midApr(muchofwhichismissedmostyearsasfew,ifany,birdersareontheislandbeforemidMar)andasecond,

smallerpassageinearlymidMay.

ALPINE SWIFTApus melba cPM,?rMB?Occurs on passage MarMay and AugOct. Not known to breed, but breeding suspected on offshore islands. Feeding

parties in summer months are either suspected breeders or from other neighbouring islands or from nearby Turkey.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar17Mayand30Aug18Sept.Max.200+throughMeladiaValley2May

(P&VManning).

LITTLE SWIFTApus affinis V*|0|1(1)

2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC);thefirstrecordfortheisland,andonlythefourthrecordforGreece:

1SkalaEresou27Apr04(SPDudley:HRC08).


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ROLLER Coracias garrulus sPM

A scarce passage migrant AprMay, rare AugSept.

SpringAnaverageyearwithrecordsasfollows(singlesunlesssated):Vatera26Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae

Log/SPD);TsikniasRiver27Apr(SPDudleyetal);PolichnitosSaltpans29Apr(TRobinson);MeladiaValley29Apr

(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);Faneromeni29Apr(D&BBradnum)&4May(P&VManning);4SigriOld

Sanatorium4May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1MeladiaValley4May(SPDudleyetal);8Faneromeni

5May(P&VManningetal);2MeladiaValley6May(BBuckleretal);2Faneromeni8May(SP&EFDudley);Petra

11May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andnearParakila12May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).

AutumnOnerecord:1Apothika18Sept(CGittins).

COMMON KINGFISHERAlcedo atthis sW,CB

Occurs mainly AugApr with occasional breeding records.

Relativelyfewrecordsreceived.

Jan AprPolichnitosSaltpanssingleson1Jan,22Marand10Apr;1VouvarisRivermouth8Mar;1KalloniSaltpans

singles19Jan;singleMetochiLake2021Apr;and1Christou(Kamares)River23Apr.

Jul DecSinglesPolichnitosSaltpansJul,Aug,Sept(with2on20th),Oct,NovandDec;10+KalloniSaltpans9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);and12MetochiLake17Septand1on7Nov;1TsikniasRiver18Sept;and1SkalaVasilikon

30Nov.

WHITETHROATED KINGFISHER Halcyon smyrensis *|0|0

Not on the Lesvos List. A Greek national rarity with only five records.

ArecordfromSigriinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC.

2007ArecordfromAgiosFokasinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC.

BLUECHEEKED BEEEATER Merops apiasterV*|0|3(9)

2008Tworecords(acceptedbyHRC):1nearTsikniasRiverMouth14Apr(photo:BBaston&KDay:HRC08);andaflockof7MeladiaValley3May(SP&EFDudley&CJones:HRC08).

Afurthereightrecordsfrom2008remainunsubmitted,plusafurtherfourrecordsfrompreviousyears.

EUROPEAN BEEEATER Merops apiastercPM,sMB

Occurs AprOct, with often large numbers passing over in spring. Breeds along dry river areas.

Recorded18Apr20Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.300+Faneromeniarea1May(SPDudleyetal).Nobreeding

confirmedbutbirdsseenatregularbreedingsites(e.g.TsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans)inspring.

EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops cMB,cPM

Occurs MarOct. Breeds across the island.Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar21Sept.

EURASIAN WRYNECKJynx torquilla rPM

Occasional records MarApr and AugOct.

Anexcellentyearwithfiverecords.

SpringSinglesinthegardenoftheHotelPasiphae;SkalaKallonis24Apr(SPDudley,D&JNurney,SChalmersetal)

andbetweenSkalaKallonisandMetochiLake26Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).

AutumnSinglesSkalaKallonis3Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);MeladiaValley21Sept(SPDudley);andalatebird

PolichnitosSaltpans18Nov(photo:TRobinson).

NOTEWryneckisasedentaryresidentspeciesinsomeareasalongtheNorthAfricancoastandCorsica(which

liesfurthernorththanLesvos)soitisconceivablethatWryneckisabletowinterontheisland.


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MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus medius cRB

Common throughout wooded areas of the island, inc. olive groves. The Lesvos birds are thought to belong to the race

D. m. anatoliae (BoG).

Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.

REDBACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio sMB,cPM

Scarce summer breeder (in west) and common passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland18Apr10Oct.SignificantpassagenotedintheSigriandMeladiaValleyarea56

Maywithacountof50+atMeladiaValleyriverplainon5th(SPDudleyetal).Inautumnmax.countalsofrom

MeladiaValleyriverplainwith15+on21Sept(SPDudleyetal).

LESSER GREY SHRIKE Lanius minorsMB,sPM

A scarce summer breeder and passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland26Apr26Sept.Max.count10+MeladiaValleyriverplain5May(BBuckleretal).

STEPPE SHRIKE Lanius pallidirostris V*|0|1(1)

2008:onerecord:asinglebirdnrVatera21Sept

(GSellors)hasrecentlybeenacceptedbyHRCasthe

firstrecordforGreece(HRC08:HRCtreat

pallidirostris asasubspeciesofSouthernGreyShrike

L. meridionalis).

Steppe Shrike,nrVatera,September2008

GlynnSellors

LARGE GREY SHRIKE sp. Lanius sp. V*

Both Great Grey Shrike L. excubitor (c.10 records) and Steppe Shrike L. pallidirostris (1 record above) have occurred on

the island. The status of Great Grey Shrike remains questionable since no records have ever been submitted and

scrutinized; it usually only occurs across the very north of the Greece.

Tworeports:nothingreceivedtodetermineidentification:singlesChristou(Kamares)River27Mayand18Sept.

WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senatorcMB,cPM

Common summer breeder and passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland10Apr20Sept.

MASKED SHRIKE Lanius nubicus sMB

A localised summer breeder AprSept favouring olive groves and scattered deciduous woodland. Autumn migrants

occur to late Sept in many habitats inc. pinewoods.

Recorded17Apr18Junmainlyincentralandwesternareaswithafewrecordsfromtheeast.Confirmedbreeding

againfromtheKrpersNuthatchsite(Kofinas)inAchladeriForest.

GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus cPM

Common migrant AprMay with occasional record AugOct.

SpringRecordedfromacrosstheisland15Mar11Maywithamax.countof10atSigriOldSanatorium5May(per


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AutumnTworecords:singlesAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)15Sept(TRobinson)andParakila21Sept(CGittins).

EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandularius atricapillus cRB

The blackcrowned race G. g. atricapillus occurs commonly across the island.

Recordedfrommanyareasacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.

WESTERN JACKDAW Coloeus monedula sRB

Resident around Sigri, Anaxos, Skala Eresou, Gavathas, Apothika and Skala Polichnitou.

RecordedfromalltheaboveareasplusfromMytilini.Max.count200atPolichnitosSaltpans15Sept(TRobinson).

HOODED CROW Corvus cornixcRB

Widespread and common.

Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count67PolichnitosSaltpans26Feb(TRobinson).

NORTHERN RAVEN Corvus coraxsRBSmall numbers breed in the rockier upland areas in the west and around Mts Olympus and Lepetimnos.

Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Doublefigurecounts:30+Madaros28Apr(D&BBradnum)

and19Ipsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal).

SOMBRE TIT Poecile lugubris sRB

Widespread breeder. Occurs mainly around stands of deciduous trees and scattered woodland.

Relativelyfewrecordsreceivedbutrecordedfrommanybreedingsitesthroughoutthecentre,northandwest.

COAL TIT Periparus aterrRB

Breeds in some of the pinewoods.Onlyonerecordreceived:1PotamiaValley6May(P&NPreston).

GREAT TIT Parus majorcRB

Commonandwidespread.

BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus cRB


GREATER SHORTTOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla sMB,sPM

Occurs AprSept. Breeds in suitable grassland areas.First winter period3infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans

on6Jan(TRobinson)isthoughttobethefirstknown

winterrecordforGreece.

SpringApooryearwithrecords11Apr27May:

3PolichnitosSaltpans11Apr;KalloniSaltpans(inc.

surroundingfieldsinc.AlykesWetlands)3on1718

Aprwith18(max.count)on20Apr(J&SMaskell)

withbirdspresentto11May;singlesPolichnitos

Saltpans20&27May.Nobreedingreported.

Short-toed Lark,PolichnitosSaltpans,January2009TerryRobinson


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CRESTED LARK Galerida cristata cRB

The Aegean Islands population belongs to the race G. c. caucasia (BoG).


WOODLARK Lullula arborea sRB,sW

Small numbers breed in suitable woodland edge and scrubby areas inc. pinewoods. Birds in Greece belong

to the race L. a. pallida but winter and passage birds also inc. L. a. arborea (BoG).

Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheisland6Jan18Sept.Aflockof15+dustbathingatduskwith

CrestedLarksontheMeladiaValleytrackon18Maywasthehighestcount(SP&EFDudley).

SKYLARKAlauda arvensissW

Occurs OctMar. Greek birds belong to Mediterranean race A. a. cantarella but A. a. arvensis known in

winter (BoG).

RecordedonlyfromthePolichnitosandVateraarea6Jan29Marand25Nov31Dec.Max.count120

PolichnitosSaltpans27Jan(TRobinson).

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia sPM

Occurs on passage MarMay and AugOct.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland16Apr24Sept.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica cMB,cPM

Common and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island. Birds resembling H.

r. savignii or H. r. transitive reported in spring but no confirmed records (these races not on the Greek List).

Recordedfromacrosstheisland12Mar17Oct.

CRAG MARTIN Ptyonoprogne rupestris sMB,SPM,rW

Occurs AprSept. Breeds in rocky gorges and cliffs in west and north. Occasionally winters.

Recorded18Apr23SeptfromKavaki(breedingsite),AghiaIoannis,LardiaValley(breedingsite),Vourkou

River,MeladiaValley,PotamiaValley(breedingsite),MetochiLakeandPithariouReservoir(breedingsite).

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum cMB,cPM

Common and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar17Sept.BreedingconfirmedfromSkalaKallonis.

REDRUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica cMB,cPMCommon and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland5Apr21Sept.Manypairsseenatusualbreedingsitesacrossthecentre

andnorthoftheisland.

CETTIS WARBLER Cettia cettisRB

Found along river courses and around wetland areas.

Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.


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LONGTAILED TITAegithalos caudatus sRB

Localised breeder in pinewoods. The subspecies A. c. tephronotus occurs on Lesvos (BoG). This subspecies

lacks any pink tones and has a black bib.

Onlytworecords:AchladeriForest2on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and4on21Apr(RThorpeetal).

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus cPM

Occurs AprMay and AugOct.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar28Aprand24Aug26Oct.

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita sW,sPM

Occurs AugApr.

Recordedfromacrosstheisland1Jan12Mayand19Sept25Dec.

EASTERN BONELLIS WARBLER Phylloscopus orientalis rMB,rSP

Occurs AprSept. Small numbers breed around Agiasos. Birds occ. breed or hold territory in central areas.

Small numbers also on passage May and Sept.

ForthesecondyearrunningamaleheldterritoryinLardiaValley(MO).Migrantsseenasfollows:2near

Lofionas1May(DAllenetal);1MeladiaValley3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andsingles

Ipsilou8May(SP&EFDudley)and26May(KHChrist

Documents

Lesvos Birds 2009