Birding and other distractions

An unsettled day with rain for several hours in the afternoon. In the Meladia valley were four Red-backed Shrike, a Lesser Grey Shrike, two Rock Sparrow, four Orphean Warbler, four Ruddy Shelduck, and a Black-headed Bunting. A distant Thrush Nightingale was heard in song. On the way back three falcons on the hillside were probably Red-footed. Late in the day we found three Long-eared Owlets in an olive grove at Papiana near SK. Black-headed Bunting  Rock Sparrow Orphean Warbler (picture by K Cutting) Lesser Grey Shrike Long-eared Owlet

The first stop of the day was very local, at the mudflats and marsh opposite the Aegeon hotel. Good numbers of waders were present with three Temmincks Stint, c100 Little Stint, two Curlew Sandpiper, and a Stone Curlew in flight. Two Squacco Heron were on the Christou river with two Red-rumped Swallow by the bridge. Then to the Tsiknias River with a Middle Spotted Woodpecker on route. A Little Ringed Plover was in display flight on the river bed, plus there was Little Bittern, Black-headed Bunting, and Bee-eaters. On the Saltpans were four White-winged Black Terns, four Dalmatian Pelican, and two Slender-billed Gulls amongst many other birds. The Alkyes Marsh afforded excellent views of Marsh Sandpiper and a Black-headed Wagtail. Red-rumped Swallow As above  Little Ringed Plover Reed Warbler  Bee-eater  White-winged Black Tern Dalmatian Pelican (centre) and two Slender-billed Gulls on the left Marsh Sandpiper and Ruff Marsh Sandpiper  Striped Hawkmoth at the hotel in...

The day started at the wonderful site of Ipsilou mainly keeping to the south side of the hill to gain shelter from the wind. The speciality birds of the area were seen well, especially Cinereous and Cretzschmars Buntings. Up to 10 Black-eared Wheatear afforded close views, while more distant were Rock Nuthatch, Rock Sparrow, and Isabelline Wheatear. In addition there was a Subalpine Warbler, two Wood Warbler, Woodlarks, Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Cirl Bunting, and an Eleonora's Falcon in flight. Mid afternoon was spent at Achladeri Forest trying to see Krupers Nuthatch. We eventually found a nest site which was watched from an appropriate distance, with parent birds returning every 5-10 minutes. A couple of days later we heard that the chicks had fledged so our visit was just in time. Heading back to Skala Kalloni we struck lucky again at the Kalloni marsh where a female Citrine Wagtail had been found  Cinereous Bunting  As above  Cretzschmars Bunting  As ab...

The flight to Lesvos was on time and within 45 minutes of collecting the hire car we were watching a male Ruppell's Warbler at Charamida. The bird sang frequently, in the open, and often in song flight. Quite a performer! Also at Charamida were at least two Sardinian Warbler, a pair of Cretzschmar's Bunting, and a male Black-eared Wheatear. After checking in at the Malemi Hotel we had the good fortune to notice a group of birders watching something at Skala Kalloni marsh.  It turned out to be a Great Snipe, no less! Also there six Wood Sandpiper and a Ruff. We then headed to Kalloni saltpans and nearby marshland, with views of Black-winged Stilt, Spur-winged Plover, Black-headed Wagtail, and tantalising glimpses of Red-throated Pipit. At the nearby race track good views were obtained of a Tawny Pipit. Ruppell's Warbler As above Cretzschmar's Bunting Black-winged Stilt Spur-winged Plover Black-headed Wagtail

Finally a sunny, less windy day and an opportunity to visit the local site before the trip to Lesvos. Reptiles were seen in good numbers with totals as follows: PV - one Adder (melanistic), 3 Slow-worms  TF - four Adders, 15 Slow-worms  The Adders in TF included a male/female pair lying close together. While watching them I noticed another male approaching the pair, and thought this could get interesting! Sure enough the two males had a short battle before the intruder slid away. The first time I'd seen the adder dance at this local site. Butterflies were active in the sunny conditions especially in PV, where Peacock was easily the most numerous species. Adder pair in TF Adder dance Male Adder Melanistic Adder in PV Slow-worms Peacock

After dropping Ross off at Fenn Bell I continued to Allhallows, parking in Binney Road. Weather was chilly to start with though warmed up as the day progressed. Walking out via Ivy Fleet I found a female Wheatear, then heard many Sedge Warblers and several Reed Warblers along the margins of the dyke. The flooded area of marsh looked great with many wildfowl and waders including Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. There were also about 15 Swallows and a House Martin feeding over the area. Reaching Stoke Lagoon I found a pair of Stonechat, and a pair of Marsh Harrier were involved in a food pass over the distant reed bed. Along the southern side of the lagoon I was delighted to see a Purple Heron which flew off towards the gas tanks in the direction of Grain. I lost the bird after watching it for about a minute.  A Raven was 'cronking' on a pylon.  T here was not much on Stoke Lagoon and I headed back, seeing Yellow Wagtail on the way. Purple Heron  Purple Heron  Se...

A sunny day, generally warm though with a cool breeze. We parked at Old Lodge, then followed the track along the top ridge before walking down the slope to the lower levels. One of the first birds seen was a Woodlark which flew over in song on the top ridge. Two were seen in the same spot on the way back. Bird of the day was Redstart with four males being seen, though none showed particularly close.  Willow Warbler was often heard in song. However, there was no sight or sound of Dartford Warbler and, more surprisingly, Stonechat. Redstart sporting a ring.