Birding and other distractions

Another warm and sunny day. The first visit was to the Hidden Reservoir hoping to find Sombre Tit,  seen well there last year. However, no sign of any on this occasion, though a pair of Stonechat were present. At nearby Metochi Lake two Purple Heron flew over , with three Squacco Heron also seen in flight. A Golden Oriole sang from a large tree, though was not seen, while Chukar Partridge called from the surrounding hillside. At the Kalloni saltpans three Dalmatian Pelican were viewed from hide 1, as were three Spoonbill. At pumphouse corner a collection of presumably newly arrived waders included seven each of Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint plus a single Temmincks Stint. In Achladeri Forest after initial uncertainty Krupers Nuthatch was eventually seen well. A Short-toed Eagle flew over and a male Cirl Bunting showed well by the car park. Purple Heron Wood Sandpiper  Dalmatian Pelican  Black-headed Wagtail  Krupers Nuthatch  As above  Cirl Bunting ...

This morning we started in the north of the island with another visit to Molivos reservoir. The weather was perfect once again. No sign of any cuckoos at the reservoir but some nice views of Red-rumped Swallows by a small pool, collecting mud for their nests. Then to the Kavaki headland associated with Ruppell's Warbler in previous years. Sardinian and E. Subalpine were the warblers seen on this occasion, while Lesser Whitethroat was heard in song. An adult Peregrine landed on the cliffs near where a fully fledged juvenile was present. It seemed very early for the falcon to have already raised young. Offshore a long line of approx. 300 Yelkouan Shearwater flew north with a species of auk at the tail end of the flock. From there we went south, first to the Sheepfields/Racetrack area near the saltpans. A Tawny Pipit and three Short-toed Lark were found. The hotspot of the week was turning out to be the Tsiknias River near the lower ford and today was no exception, yielding Black-head...

A busy day in lovely weather. We started the day in the hills near Filia, the main aim being to find Eastern Bonelli's Warbler. This proved fairly straightforward, with five singing males being found. They mostly favoured oak trees, the best views being near the white chapel. Good views of Short-toed Treecreeper were also obtained, the bird initially located by the distinctive song.  Also present in the area was E. Orphean Warbler, Cirl Bunting, and a Short-toed Eagle. After an ice-cream stop in Skala Kalloni we enjoyed good views of a Long-eared Owl on the way out of town, the bird roosting in a conifer. A Scops Owl was also heard though could not be found. Near the saltpans a Spur-Winged Plover afforded close views, while nearby flooded marsh yielded several Red-throated Pipits and a Citrine Wagtail. Next to the Tsiknias River, with two Pygmy Cormorant on the east bank, viewed from the bandstand. A Temmincks Stint and two female Little Crakes were present by the ford. The final s...

Another very warm day. We started at Ipsilou Monastery, however it was relatively quiet on the walk up. Four very vocal Alpine Swifts were seen at the top and several Golden Oriole could be heard in song on the hillside even if they didn't reveal themselves. However, both phases of E. Black-eared Wheatear showed well. The lower slopes of the hill proved the best area, seeing a Blue Rock Thrush, two Rock Sparrow, about four Isabelline Wheatear, a Collared Flycatcher, and a Whitethroat. Next to the Petrified Forest where both Cretzschmar's Bunting and Cinereous Bunting were fairly easy to find. Two of the latter were seen at a small roadside pool which they visited to drink and bath. Near the Visitor Centre was a Spotted Flycatcher, two Whinchat and a very obliging Little Owl. Later in the day we twitched a superb Isabelline Shrike at Sheepfields in the south, then revisited the Tsiknias River to try again for the crakes. Happily both Baillons and Little Crakes were seen well. E....