Birding and other distractions

A nice couple of hours in mostly sunny weather. SB was most productive, and I was alone to enjoy it. Within a short time I'd seen Adonis Blue on the main path. Not long after I found what I thought was a mated pair of Adders in the usual area, though later examination of my picture surprisingly revealed a second male in attendance.  Near the wood there were more Adonis plus Common Blue, and both Fragrant and Bee Orchids. On leaving the site there were several Small Blue near the gate to PV. PV itself proved disappointing except for a Greater Butterfly Orchid in a spot where they had been previously found. However, the poor management of the area does not bode well for their continued presence in years to come. TF had six Slow-worms and a single sub-adult Adder under refugia. I was pleased to find a Grizzled Skipper at the north end of the site. Adonis Blue male Adonis Blue female  Adders, two males and a female. Bee Orchid  Fragrant Orchid Adonis Blue  Small Heath Sm...

We arrived at Worth at 10:30, then walked in the direction of the Great Wood. The site management is fantastic for marshland birds, plus the woodland adds another major habitat making this one of the best reserves in the county. Two female Red-Footed Falcons were present for their second day, with at least three Hobbies also seen. However, the bird of the day was a male Honey Buzzard, albeit seen briefly in flight and never close. A Little Ringed Plover was on the east scrape. Male Honey Buzzard Female Red-footed Falcon  Hobby  Kestrel 

Mostly sunny during this visit, having briefly called at Northward Hill to start with, checking out a Marsh Warbler. One of the first birds to be seen at Allhallows was a male Cuckoo, in the usual area near Ivy Fleet. Another male plus a female were heard later, south of Stoke Lagoon. A highlight of the visit was a Hobby over the flooded marsh where a Marsh Harrier was also seen. The marsh itself held many waders, including a Greenshank, and ducks including Pochard. The marsh looks promising for breeding waders such as Redshank and Lapwing, though whether they can survive the attentions of Marsh Harriers and foxes is a moot point. Two Cattle Egret were amongst a herd of cows south of Stoke Lagoon, and a pair of Stonechat were on the same marsh, albeit close to the path. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls flew over. Whitethroat (at Northward Hill) Male Cuckoo (photographed in the same area on 13th May) Sedge Warbler  Hobby  Linnet Mediterranean Gull Wall butterfly near Binney Reserv...

The last day on the island prior to our return proved a busy one. We headed west, briefly stopping at Ipsilou on route where Isabelline Wheatear and Rock Sparrow showed well. Then to Faneromeni with Short-toed Eagle on the way. At Faneromeni approx 10 Yellow Wagtail were on the track and in the adjacent field. However, most time was spent at the upper ford and track beyond. At the ford three Little Bittern were seen well. Walking the track we noticed two Turtle Dove, a Masked and a Red-backed Shrike in a field on the left. Further exploration of the field revealed approximately 10 Spotted Flycatcher and a female type Collared Flycatcher though the identity of the latter caused much head scratching. The most noticeable aspect was the general paleness of the bird, though the indistinct white primary patch was the major identification issue, and I'm still not 100% sure of the id. Back at Kalloni later in the day a Short-toed Lark was seen at the racetrack, first in song-flight then on...

We headed to Makara though unfortunately selected a bad route on the sat nav and ended up on a really rough track for half an hour. As a result I was not in the best frame of mind when we eventually arrived at Makara! Nevertheless there were plenty of birds at Makara, especially along the river where at least four Alpine Swift were overflying giving good views from the bridge. Also on the river a Little Bittern, two Ruddy Shelduck, and a possible Temmincks Stint seen in flight. A lovely Threadwing Lacewing was found, and nearby a Long-legged Buzzard flew through. We took an alternative route back which proved a lot less stressful. At Potamia there was no sign of Olive Tree Warbler in the olive groves, though a couple of Masked Shrike were present. A Golden Oriole was heard along the track, and Turtle Dove seen. By the hidden reservoir around 7-8 Sombre Tits were in the adjacent field, probably a family party and easily picked up on call. Also three Woodchat Shrike and two Orphean Warbl...

We headed north taking in a Scops Owl at the traditional site on route. Views of the bird were somewhat obscured by foliage. On the Perasma Reservoir were about 10 Ruddy Shelduck. However, a singing River Warbler caught my attention, approx. 200 metres from the reservoir gate. The bird was singing in a dense hedgerow along a ditch, though I couldn't see it. The track south from the reservoir proved quite productive with Red-backed, Woodchat and Masked Shrikes. Also numerous Eastern Subalpine Warbler, a Whinchat, and best of all a Thrush Nightingale which sang from very close range though failed to show. Later in the afternoon at the Saltpans a superb gathering of terns included nine Gull Billed, 12 Black, 15 Whiskered, 12 Little, and a single White-winged Black. Two Collared Pratincoles were on the marsh west of the pans. Scops Owl  As above  River Warbler site Black-veined White  Eastern Subalpine Warbler  Masked Shrike Whinchat  Collared Pratincole