Tripreport Lesvos 2 - 16 May 2017

Daily reports:

2 May:From 2 to 16 May my wife Trudie and I went to Lesvos again. We were scheduled to fly at 7:45. It had been quite busy on Schiphol Airport lately, so we certainly wanted to be on time. But when we wanted to leave home, our car would not start. Then I remembered a similar situation in the past, getting the advice of a former mechanic to push the car a little further or back and try again.I pushed the car a few meters forward and luckily the engine then started.At 03:30 we left home and at 5:00 we reached the airport. I had already checked in at home, so we only had to hand in our luggage. The security check took us about half an hour. At 07:00 we boarded the plane. We sat on the front row, so we had plenty of room. At 07:45 we drove off at the gate. We had to taxi to the other end of Schiphol to reach the runway, so before we really departed it was about 20 minutes later. We had a stopover at Samos. After the passengers for Samos had departed and new passengers had boarded, we left for Lesvos, where we landed at about 14:00. We had our luggage quite quickly. While waiting for the suitcases I introduced myself to some friends from Facebook who were on the same flight.

At the car rental company it turned out that the Suzuki Jimny I had booked was not available. The guy from the rental company did have a Suzuki Vitaro for me and suggested that I could use it the whole 14 days for five euros extra per day. I did not want that, so I would get the Jimny later that week.When we arrived at hotel Pela in Skala Kallonis we started on the terrace for a drink with Thekla. After that, Trudie wanted to rest for a while and I went to the Kalloni Saltpans. There I just missed the cattle grid with my left front wheel and got stuck in a deep hole, causing my right rear wheel to loosen from the ground. Three people climbed in the back of the car so I could drive back out of the hole and move on. Thank you, guys!At the saltpans I saw two Black Storks.There were also some Ruff and of course some Crested Larks.

Then I drove back to the hotel along Tsiknias River. Near the hotel I met a former colleague and his wife. We had dinner at the hotel, I had a glass of Metaxa and went to bed early.3 May:I woke up early and went out. Just outside I discovered that I had forgotten to take the car keys with me. Because Trudie was still sleeping, I went for a walk. I walked to Kerami and through the fields to Tsiknias River and could photograph this Black-headed Bunting and Common Nightingale.

After breakfast we drove to the Perivolis Monastery and walked along the river. Here we could see how heavy the rainfall had been last winter. The riverbed was filled with large rocks, because of the floods. There were many butterflies and flowers, like this Lesser Spotted Fritillary and Common Salsify.

A Balkan Green Lizard showed very well too.

Then we went to Ipsilou Monastery. We first took the road to the entrance of the Petrified Forest and saw a Little Owl at the little farmhouse.

At the Monastery we walked up the old monk trail and returned by the road. Two Dutch guys spotted an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler out in the open, but I was two seconds late. So I just missed this lifer. We did see a Scarce Swallowtail.We had a drink in Skala Eressou. Back in Skala Kallonis, Trudie wanted to stay at the hotel and I went to the saltpans and Tsiknias River.

In the channel at the saltpans, a Wood Sandpiper posed beautifully and there were some Little Stints.

We had dinner at the Ambrosia Restaurant. Back at the hotel we had a drink, I took a glass of Metaxa, and posted my daily report on Facebook. We did that every night. 4 May:I was out early in the morning when I saw this Black-headed Bunting and a group of Night Herons in Tsiknias River.

After breakfast we went for a walk in the Potamia Valley, where I took this picture of a Levant Water Frog.

After I dropped Trudie at the hotel, I visited the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch to look for Eurasian Scops Owl and found one. There was another Dutchman and he told me of a spot at Tsiknias River to photograph European Bee-eaters and I went straight ahead and managed to take some pictures of them, while the local shepherd was keeping an eye over his flock.

Then we had a drink on the terrace of our hotel. We had dinner at Ambrosia.

5 May: I went early in the morning to Limni Metochi and could take some pictures of Wild Iris, Reed Warbler and Stripe-necked Terrapins.

After breakfast we went to Agiassos for a walk in the chestnut forest where I saw some Peonies and this Three-toothed Orchid. We tried to do the circular route as written in Richard Brook's book. We did this route a couple of years ago and it was beautiful, but this time we didn't finish it because the path was partly overgrown with dense scrub.

We had a drink in the town of Agiassos and went back to the hotel.

In the afternoon I went to Agriosikos and hoped to see Eastern Bonelli's Warbler this time. I heard a lot of them, but didn't get to see one. I could take this picture of a Black-veined White.

That night we had dinner at Ambrosia and when we walked back to the hotel we saw two people in another restaurant, whom we had met last year. We agreed to have dinner with them later.6 May:After breakfast, we went to Kavaki. I stayed in the car for a while, hoping Rüppel's Warbler would show up, but it didn't. This Eastern Subalpine Warbler did.

Then we went to Molivos, had lunch there and went on to Skala Sikamineas.

We also went to the Mini Soccer Pitch near Kalloni to look for Eurasian Scops Owl and met a few fellow birders that we had met last year.

When I dropped my wife at the hotel I went to Tsiknias River and could take this picture of a Little Egret. At the lower ford was a group of other birders and it was quite nice to meet each other and we exchanged some sightings and tips.We had dinner at the hotel, Thekla and her girlfriend sang for me because of my birthday and I got a birthday cake.

In our room Thekla had put a bottle of wine for us.

7 May:I went early to Kavaki in another attempt to photograph the Rüppel's Warbler, but again he didn't show up. This Eastern Subalpine Warbler and female Black-eared Wheatear did.

After breakfast we went for a walk in a valley just south of Napi. I wanted to see the old bridge there. Just before the bridge this Corn Bunting sat on a wire.

It was a beautiful walk and when we returned to our car suddenly an Ottoman Viper crossed the road before us. I managed to take some pictures of it. I also could take a picture of an Egyptian Locust and a Holy Orchid.

We then visited Kremasti Bridge and drove through the olive groves to Kalloni. In the groves we saw a few Middle Spotted Woodpeckers. Later in the afternoon I drove along Tsiknias River where some Goldfinches where on the thistles. I stopped for a while at the European Bee-eaters to take some pictures.

That night we had dinner with friends at the Ambrosia. 8 May:On 8 May I went to Makara and Aghios Ioannis near Parakila early in the morning, but it was very quiet with birds. I saw some Yellow-legged Gulls, a group of Jackdaws, a Little Ringed Plover and a few Black-eared Wheatears.

After breakfast we went to Moria to visit the Roman aquaduct. When driving past the refugee camp saw our first and only refugees on the island.

Then we went to Agios Dimitrios and made a long walk in the mountains there. In an old quarry we saw a Blue Rock Thrush and some Crag Martins. I also saw a few Southern White Admirals.

On the way back we walked around Mikri Limni. We saw a Masked Shrike and a Red-backed Shrike and some Dragonflies.

In the afternoon I went to Tsiknias River, where I spotted a Little Bittern and sat a while near the lower ford. A Corn Bunting and a Spanish Sparrow came to take a bath and I could also take some pictures of this Yellow Wagtail flava female.

That night we had dinner at the Ambrosia.

9 May:Early in the morning I went for a walk to Christou River. There were several Kentish Plover and I saw two Stone Curlew out in the open in an attempt to chase off a Hooded Crow.

After breakfast we went for a walk to Tsiknias River, but the wind got stronger and stronger.

At the hide near the mouth of the river we met several other birders. After a while they all left and someone forgot her telescope. We put a message on Facebook and brought it with us to our hotel. Fortunately it could be reunited with the very happy owner. At Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch we got information about a breeding place of Hoopoes in the Napi Valley. We went there, but it seemed we were at the wrong place, because we saw no Hoopoes at all. Then we went to Achladeri where we saw Krüper's Nuthatch and the Masked Shrikes on the pictures.

Back at the hotel our Suzuki Jimny was delivered. We had dinner at the Ambrosia.10 May: I was out very early. It was a very bright and calm morning. Because of the strong wind of the day before, the waterlevel in Christou River was much higher and so the Kentish Plovers were close to the edge. I could make some beautiful pictures of them.

After breakfast we went to Kavaki and I finally saw a Rüppell's Warbler. Then we went to Petra, did some shopping, visited the church on the rock and had a delicious Gyros for lunch at the Kalderimi.

Via Anaxos, Skoutaros and Filia we drove back to Kalloni. By now we knew the exact spot for the Hoopoes in the Napi Valley and went there. Just before we arrived there this Little Owl was sitting on a perch by the road.

A third Hoopoe was forced to leave and the pair started to courtship again. It was a beautiful sight and we enjoyed watching them for about an hour.

I finished the day by driving my daily tour to the Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River. A Stripe-necked Terrapin was crossing the road to the Olive Groves.

11 May: During breakfast we heard that two Dalmatian Pelicans were seen at the Kalloni Saltpans. We went there, but couldn't find them.

We had planned to go to the Meladia Valley, so we went out west. There I saw my first Cretzschmar's Buntings. There was one right next to the car.

We also saw Crested Lark, Western Rock Nuthatch, Woodchat Shrike, and some butterflies, like this Levantine Skipper.

We walked all the way to the beach and had our lunch there. When we walked back to our car I saw this Striped Hawk-moth.

We also took a walk near the Sigri Sanatorium and besides al lot of European Bee-eaters we saw this Stonechat and a female Black-headed Bunting.

We then visited Limonos Monastery. While enjoying a large glass of fresh orange juice, I could take a picture of a Red-rumped Swallow.

We visited the monastery and saw this beautiful Peacock. There was also a completely white bird, but I prefer this one.

We ended the day at the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch, where we saw this Eurasian Scops Owl. Later that night one was calling in the trees at our hotel.

12 May: I went for an early walk in the fields at the back of the Kalloni Saltpans. I walked all along the fence to the canal and back through the fields.

A Dalmatian Pelican took off from one of the pans and headed north. I spotted also a Red Fox, the Black-headed Wagtail and a few Short-toed Larks.

A Ruddy Shelduck flew by. A Spotted Flycatcher sat in a tree near the racetrack. In the remaining pools opposite the saltworks entrance were two Black Storks.

After breakfast we went for a walk in the mountains at the end of Napi Valley. We saw several butterflies and other insects, like the Thread Lacewing, Balkan Marbled White, Eastern Bath White and Green Forester.

Highlight of the day was the sight of two fighting Balkan Green Lizards, that didn't pay any attention to our presence.

Neither did the two Dung Beetles, who were also very busy.We drove back along the east coast of the island.That night we had dinner at the hotel and had a long talk with another Dutch photographer and his wife, who stayed in our hotel.13 May: In the early morning I went to Limni Metochi, where I saw this Great Reed Warbler.

Then to the Kalloni Saltpans and Tsiknias River. There I could make some pictures of a Night Heron, looking for a roost, and a couple of Little Bitterns.

After breakfast we drove through Ambeliko to Vatera and had lunch at Agios Fokas. There I saw some Yelkouan Shearwater. On the way back we walked along Almiropotamos River. There were some Sardinian Warblers and a Dark Clouded Yellow and an Eastern Bath White.

When I was taking a picture from a group of terrapins near the bridge, my wife asked if the Squacco Heron was also on the picture. I hadn't seen it until it flew into the reeds across the river.

We drove back along the east side of the bay of Kalloni. There I could take the pictures of the Yellow-legged Gull and the Snake-eyed Lizard.

That night we had dinner with friends at Sampo Restaurant.14 May: In the early morning I went to the beach near the old jetty at the Kalloni Saltpans to look for Rufous Bush Robin. I saw one in a distant bush. On the beach were some large shells, like the one on the picture. Back in the hotel I heard that this is the shell of a protected animal and it is forbidden to take the shells with you. After breakfast we drove to Limni Metochi and from there we took a walk to Metochi Monastery. It was a beautiful path where we saw the nest of a Western Rock Nuthatch, a Levantine Skipper, the Southern Skimmer on the picture and finally my first Long-legged Buzzard of this year's vacation, sitting on a rock. Later it took off and left.

When we reached the monastery we initially wanted to walk further to Limonos Monastery and back, but it had become so warm that we decided to do that walk maybe another year. We went to the Raptor Watch Point along the road to Petra, because there would be some shade and wind and it would be much cooler there. There were already four Belgian birdwatchers there for the same reason. We stayed for about an hour. The only raptors we saw were a Common Buzzard and my first Short-toed Eagle of this year's vacation. The Belgian birders told us about a Eurasian Scops Owl near the school in Kerami, so on the way back to the hotel I looked there, but I couldn't find it. I ended the day on the terrace of the hotel with a large bottle of Mythos and it tasted great.That night we had our last dinner at Ambrosia for this vacation and we said goodbye to Nikos, Ignatios and Aris.

15 May: In the morning at Tsiknias River I saw this Eastern Olivaceous Warbler singing its heart out.

Then I heard that a pair of Krüper's Nuthatch at Achladeri Forest had started building a new nest. I went there, saw them very well and could take some pictures. After breakfast we went to Klapados and walked down to the waterfall. On our way down we saw a Short-toed Eagle.

The waterfall didn't have any water but it was a beautiful cool spot with old plane trees, frogs in the pool and several dragonflies like the Beautiful Demoiselle, Turkish Clubtail and Odalisque. We also met a Spur-thighed Tortoise and a few Levant Water Frog.

Because it was our last full day on the island, my wife wanted to go back to the hotel to start packing and I went to Meladia Valley and Faneromeni. There I could take some pictures of Ruddy Shelduck and Red-backed Shrike.

On the road at Faneromeni this Caspian Whip Snake was faking to be dead.

16 May: On our last day on Lesvos I went out early in the morning to go once again to Limni Metochi and for a walk in the Potamia Valley. There I saw this Masked Shrike and a Turtle Dove.

Unfortunately we had to fly back home this day, so after breakfast we said goodbye to Thekla and her father at the Pela Hotel.

We got to the small bakery at the harbour to get our lunch and drove to Mitilini. We didn't take the route through the city but we drove along the coast of the Bay of Yera. It was a beautiful route and we had our lunch near Haramida, watching over the Aegean Sea.

Again we had a great time on Lesvos, thanks to the lovely people of this beautiful island, the nice fellow-birders and other photographers we met, the delicious food, the Greek climate, the flowers and .... the birds and other animals.

I especially like to thank Thekla, her father and the rest of the staff of the Pela Hotel and the guys of Ambrosia Restaurant for their warmth and great hospitality.We saw less birds than in previous years, but I managed to see 103 different bird species and some Dragonflies, Lizards and Snakes.The complete list of sightings:AvocetBarn Swallow Black-crowned Night-heronBlack-eared WheatearBlack-headed Bunting Black-headed GullBlack-headed WagtailBlack StorkBlack-winged StiltBlue Rock-thrush Blue TitCetti’s Warbler

ChukarCirl Bunting Collared DoveCommon Blackbird Common Buzzard Common ChaffinchCommon CootCommon Greenshank Common MoorhenCommon RavenCommon Ringed PloverCommon Shelduck Common SwiftCommon TernCorn Bunting Crested LarkCretzschmars’s Bunting Curlew SandpiperDalmatian PelicanEastern Olivaceous Warbler Eastern Subalpine Warbler Eleonora’s Falcon Eurasian Crag MartinEurasian HobbyEurasian Jackdaw Eurasian JayEurasian Scops Owl Eurasian SpoonbillEuropean Bee-eaterEuropean Greenfinch European Serin Glossy IbisGoldfinchGreater Flamingo

Great Reed-warbler Great TitGrey HeronHooded CrowHoopoeHouse SparrowHouse MartinIsabelline Wheatear Kentish PloverKrüper's NuthatchLesser Whitethroat Linnet Little BitternLittle CrakeLittle EgretLittle Grebe Little OwlLittle Ringed PloverLittle StintLittle Tern Long-legged BuzzardLong-tailed TitMallardMarsh HarrierMasked ShrikeMiddle Spotted Woodpecker Orphean WarblerPallid SwiftPurple HeronRed-backed Shrike Red-rumped SwallowReed WarblerRock DoveRuddy Shelduck

Ruff Rufous NightingaleRufous-tailed Scrub-robinRüppell's WarblerSardinian WarblerShagShort-toed EagleSpanish SparrowSpotted FlycatcherSquacco HeronStone Curlew StonechatTemminck’s StintTurtle-doveWestern Rock NuthatchWhite StorkWhite WagtailWhite-winged TernWhiskered TernWoodchat ShrikeWood SandpiperYelkouan Shearwater Yellow-legged GullLizards:Balkan Green LizardPallas’ Glass LizardSnake-eyed LizardStarred Agama

Snakes: Caspian WhipsnakeGrass SnakeOttoman ViperButterflies:Balkan Marbled WhiteBlack-veined WhiteDark Clouded YellowEastern Bath WhiteGreen ForesterLesser Spotted FritillaryLevantine SkipperScarce Swallowtail Southern White AdmiralStriped Hawk-mothDragonflies:Beautiful DemoiselleOdalisqueSouthern Skimmer Turkish Clubtail