Birdwatching on Lesbos, Greek Islands

3rd to 17th May 2001

by Alan and Anne Miller

Having read reports about how good Lesvos is for spring migration we decided to give it a try. A visit to the Bird Fair at Rutland Water in 2000 saw us obtaining lots of information including 'Birding on the Greek Island of Lesvos' by Richard Brooks with the Spring-Summer 2000 update.

This book and update formed the main basis for our research and planning. The map sketches, accompanying descriptions and systemic list information were invaluable. The update refreshed and corrected some data in the book, and gave details of a new site, Napi Valley, which turned out to be one of our favourite areas.

Once there, from discussions with people who had visited the island before, it appears that migration was slightly later this year and this was confirmed by quite a few of our sightings where the systemic list information in the book shows the species to be a passage migrant up to the end of April.

We decided to take a package holiday as the basis for flight and accommodation and found that JMC offered the best package for cost and flight times. We flew from Manchester Airport direct to Mytilini, the island's capital.

We stayed at the Kalloni 11 Hotel at Skala Kalloni and had a ground floor room with terrace onto the garden in front, and a view of Skala Kalloni Pool. We were greeted with Whiskered Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron and Garganey from our room as we unpacked.

We booked a hire car for the two-week stay with JMC, through a deal with Avis. The new Hyundai Accent coped well throughout. We would recommend all birders take the additional excess waiver on the insurance (payable locally).

This was our first visit to Greece or any Greek island and we were extremely impressed. The people were friendly and accommodating, the pace of life was "steady" and there were no problems with language. Except in one or two isolated places people spoke English as their second language.

For evening meals we highly recommend a family-run taverna called "Ostria" at Skala Kalloni only a 5-minute walk from the hotel (along the road past the pool); meet Peter and enjoy!

The hotel was three star and we found it clean and tidy. Most of the residents were British or Dutch birders and the camaraderie was superb with plenty of useful information circulating around the breakfast tables as people planned their day.

Having a fortnight we decided not to race about but to pace ourselves. The birding was good everywhere. All we had to do was to stop the car and look - there were birds everywhere. Also the island contains a mixture of habitats from scrub to rocks to forest/olive groves to mountains etc etc so the variety of bird life was tremendous.

Having said we were not intending to race about, we must confess to two twitches, firstly for a White-tailed Plover, which we had chased on numerous occasions in Israel and Dubai, and also for White-throated Robin.

For identification reference material we took the new Collins Bird Guide (Svensson et al) and found this met our needs.

We kept daily records and at the end of a relaxing holiday we totalled up and found to our great surprise that we had reached 150 species. This surpassed our expectations and the bonus was all the birdsong, which you tend not to experience in Israel or so much in Cyprus.

Our holiday was due to finish on 17^th May but due to a 24-hour general strike in Greece JMC arranged for us to have an extra day on them (including use of the room overnight and a meal) so five-stars to them.

Sightings

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

1 on 4^th on salt pools beside Derbyshire
2 on 15^th on Kalloni Inland Lake

Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan

2 on 10^th off Faneromeni Beach
13 on 12^th off Agios Fokas

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis

2 on 4^th in bay opposite Achladeri taverna
1 on 6^th off Skala Sikimmia
1 on 8^th off Apothikes
2 on 10^th off Sigri

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii

3 on 12^th off Agios Fokas
3 on 14^th off Eftalou

Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris

1 on 15^th on East River. Seen for 10 mins above lower horseshoe ford before being flushed by goat herd moving along bank side

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus

1 at Skala Kalloni Pool on 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 7^th and 10^th
2 at East River on 4^th, 11^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th and 17^th - 1 on 7^th
2 at Kalloni Inland Lake on 13^th
1 at Vouvaris River on 7^th

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

1 on 12^th at Vouvaris River

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

Seen almost daily at Skala Kalloni Pool and on visits to the East River

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Widespread and seen regularly at Kalloni Lake, East River and Kalloni Salt Pans. Highest count was 15 on 13^th and 14^th at Skala Kalloni Pool

Great White Egret Egretta alba

1 on 4^th on salt pools beside Derbyshire
1 on 7^th at East River
1 on 12^th at Skala Polichnitos Salt Pans

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Seen regularly at Kalloni Salt Pans. Highest count was 8 on 4^th on Lower West River

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Seen regularly at Skala Kalloni Pool

Black Stork Ciconia nigra

1 on 8^th in flight near Ipsilou Monastery
1 on 9^th at West River
2 on 12^th in flight near Derbyshire
2 on 13^th in flight at Kalloni Salt Pans

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Seen almost daily around Skala Kalloni. Nesting on top of one of the churches

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

20 on 3^rd on East River just upstream from the road bridge
5 on 4^th and 4 on 5^th on Upper East River
3 on 14^th and 1 on 15^th on Lower East River
2 on 16^th on Skala Kalloni Pool

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

1 on 7^th and 2 on 16^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

100+ throughout at Kalloni Salt Pans

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

20 on 4^th at Derbyshire
20 on 7^th at Derbyshire
7 on 12^th at Derbyshire

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

2 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
2 on 11^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Wigeon Anas penelope

1 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Garganey Anas quercedula

4 on 3^rd at Skala Kalloni Pool
6 on 4^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
6 on 5^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
3 on 6^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
1 on 7^th at Skala Kalloni Pool

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

2 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
2 on 8^th and 9^th at Skala Kalloni Pool

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus

Seen regularly in the hills

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Seen most days hunting between Skala Kalloni and Kalloni Salt Pans

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

1 on 5^th over the Potamia Valley
1 on 7^th over Kalloni Salt Pans
1 on 8^th near Parakila

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus

4 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 9^th near Kalloni Inland Lake
2 on 10^th near Ipsilou Monastery
1 on 12^th near Derbyshire

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

1 on 7^th over Achladeri Plain

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

12 on 10^th at Faneromeni

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

1 on 6^th at head of Napi Valley

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus

2 on 6^th on wires between Kalloni Salt Pans and Agia Paraskevi

Hobby Falco subbuteo

1 on 13^th over Kalloni Inland Lake

Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae

1 on 14^th at Napi Valley
1 on 15^th at Kalloni Inland Lake

Peregrine Falco peregrinus

3 on 6^th between Molivos and Petra
2 on 14^th between Molivos and Petra

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

1 on 7^th on the Potamia River near the Kalloni/Parakila road crossing

Little Crake Porzana parva

1 male on 13^th on Lower East River near the concrete ford
1 female on 13^th at Kalloni Inland Lake

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Seen regularly on Skala Kalloni Pool, East River and Kalloni Inland Lake

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

2 on 7^th on shoreline near Kalloni Salt Pans

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Seen daily on Skala Kalloni Pool and visits to Kalloni Salt Pans

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Seen in good numbers (24+) at all visits to Kalloni Salt Pans

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

2 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
1 on 13^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

4 on 16^th in sheep field at Kalloni Salt Pans

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Seen regularly in ones & twos in the sheep field at Kalloni Salt Pans and the Lower East River

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

4 on 16^th in channel next to road into Kalloni Salt Pans

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Seen on all visits to Kalloni Salt Pans in the sheep field. Highest count was 12 on 11^th

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

5 on 11^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
1 on 12^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
2 on 13^th in sheep field next to Kalloni Salt Pans

White-tailed Plover Vanellus leucurus

1 on 7^th at Derbyshire Pool

Sanderling Calidris alba

1 on 14^th on sand between Lower East River and the sea
2 on 15^th on sand between Lower East River and the sea
9 on 17^th at poolside between Lower East River and the sea

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Seen in all visits to Kalloni Salt Pans with 24 on 11^th and 100+ on 16^th

Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

3 on 4^th in channel next to road into Kalloni Salt Pans
1 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans
1 on 15^th at Lower East River

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Seen in all visits to Kalloni Salt Pans with 36 on 11^th, 36 on 12^th and 300+ on 16^th

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Seen in small numbers (up to 6) at Skala Kalloni Pool and East River between 3^rd and 9th
100+ on 16^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

1 on 5^th on Skala Kalloni Pool
1 on 9^th on Skala Kalloni Pool

Great Snipe Gallinago media

1 on 4^th on Skala Kalloni Pool
1 on 4^th on Upper East River

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

1 on 15^th, 16^th and 17^th on Lower East River near the sea sandbank

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

3 on 4^th on East River
4 on 5^th on East River

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

1 on 12^th on salt pools beside Derbyshire

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Seen daily on Skala Kalloni Pool between 3^rd and 12^th. High count 6 on 4^th
Seen daily on East River. High count 6 on 5^th and 14^th

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

1 on Skala Kalloni Pool on 3^rd and 4^th
1 on Lower East River on 13^th, 14^th, 15^th and 17^th

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

3 on 14^th on sand between Lower East River and the sea
1 on 15^th on sand between Lower East River and the sea
3 on 17^th at poolside between Lower East River and the sea

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

3 on 12^th on salt pools beside Derbyshire
1 on 15^th over sea off Skala Kalloni

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

2 on 7^th at Kalloni Salt Pans

Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans michahellis

Good numbers throughout the Island

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

4 on 3^rd over the sea off Skala Kalloni
1 on 5^th in flight over East River
1 on 10^th over the sea off Sigri

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Seen almost daily between Skala Kalloni harbour and Lower East River

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

Seen almost daily between Skala Kalloni harbour and Lower East River

Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis

A top quality, rare bird in Lesvos and Europe. One present at Kalloni Salt Pans on 6^th and 7^th, seen on the 7^th

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

Seen almost daily over Skala Kalloni Pool. 12 birds on 3^rd and 4^th tailing off to 1 on 14^th, 15^th and 16^th. None seen on 17^th

Black Tern Chlidonias niger

6 on 7^th over Kalloni Salt Pans

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

12 on Skala Kalloni Pool from 3^rd to 7^th
8 on Skala Kalloni Pool from 10^th to 13^th
1 on 16^th over Kalloni Salt Pans

Rock Dove Columba livia

3 on 9^th over East River
4 on 10^th near Ipsilou Monastery

(Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.)

6 on 13^th at Skala Kalloni
8 on 15^th near Parakila

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Seen daily throughout the Island

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

Seen in ones and twos throughout the Kalloni area from 5^th to 16^th

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius

1 on 14^th at Napi Valley

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Heard regularly but 1 seen on 8^th between Eressos and Ipsilou and 1 seen on 16^th between Kalloni and Petra in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni

Barn Owl Tyto alba

1 on 5^th in flight at 9.40pm near Skala Kalloni Square

Scops Owl Otus scops

1 on 11^th, 13^th and 14^th roosting in a Eucalyptus tree near to the Astroturf pitch just north of Kalloni on the Petra road. From the Kalloni direction take the second entrance on the right into the area so that the Astroturf pitch is immediately on your left. There will be a row of Eucalyptus trees on your right. The bird was roosting about 12 feet up in the third tree from the road. The tree stands out as having more cover than those around it.

Little Owl Athene noctua

1 on 7^th between Skala Kalloni and West River
4 on 8^th, 3 on the coast road between Skala Kalloni and Eressos, 1 at Ipsilou Monastery
1 on 10^th between Sigri and Eressos
1 on 17^th near East River

Long-eared Owl Asio otis

1 on 7^th roosting in woodland at Achladeri

bird photo - Long-eared Owl

Common Swift Apus apus

Small numbers seen most days (1-4) however on 14^th there was a good passage with 30 over East River at 9am and 100+ over Skala Kalloni Pool between 6pm and 7pm

Alpine Swift Apus melba

2 on 7^th over Achladeri Plain
8 on 8^th over near Ipsilou Monastery
4 on 14^th, 1 over East River at 9am and 3 over Skala Kalloni Pool at 6.30pm

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

1 on 7^th at Kalloni Inland Lake

Bee-eater Merops apiaster

Up to 6 regularly seen in the fields around Kalloni Salt Pans
2 on 17^th over Skala Kalloni Pool

Roller Coracias garrulus

1 on 14^th in Napi Valley (at one point in same bush as Great Spotted Cuckoo)

Hoopoe Upupa epops

1 on 14^th in Napi Valley

Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius

4 on 5^th, 2 adults going to nest hole near Skala Kalloni school, 2 over East River
2 on 13^th, 1 adult visiting nest hole and 1 young just leaving!

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

Seen in the fields around Kalloni Salt Pans, 2 on 4^th, 8 on 11^th, 1 on 13^th and 2 on 16^th

Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Abundant and widespread

bird photo - Crested Lark

Woodlark Lullula arborea

1 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

Seen regularly around Skala Kalloni Pool and East River. High count was 40+ over Skala Kalloni Lake between 6pm and 7pm on 14^th

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris

1 on 6^th in Napi Valley

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Abundant in the Skala Kalloni area

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica

2 on 8^th near East River
3 on 13^th at Skala Kalloni
1 on 14^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
2 on 16^th near East River

House Martin Delichon urbica

Abundant in the Skala Kalloni area with numerous nests on the Kalloni 11 hotel.
Highest counts were on 14^th with 50+ over East River at 9am and 200+ over Skala Kalloni Pool between 6pm and 7pm

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus

1 on 3^rd at Skala Kalloni Pool

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flava (Blue-headed Wagtail)

1 on 5^th at East River
2 on 10^th at East River
1 on 12^th at East River

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg (Black-headed Wagtail)

2 on 3^rd, 2 on 4^th, 1 on 16^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
1 on 14^th and 15^th at East River
2 on 17^th at West River

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

1 on 4^th, 2 on 11^th, 1 on 13^th, 1 on 14^th and 1 on 17^th on East River

Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes syriacus

1 on 4^th in field between Kalloni Salt Pans and the sea
1 on 10^th between Sigri and Eressos
1 on 13^th at Upper East River towards the Dead Goat Pit
1 on 16^th in field between Kalloni Salt Pans and the sea

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos

Heard regularly between Skala Kalloni and the East River.
1 seen singing on 13^th beside East River

White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis

1 on 10^th at Ipsilou

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

2 on 5^th in field beside Skala Kalloni Pool
3 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 7^th at Achladeri
1 on 11^th in field between Kalloni Salt Pans and the sea
1 on 12^th at Vatera

Stonechat Saxicola torquata

1 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 7^th near Kalloni Inland Lake
6 on 8^th between Filia and Kalloni

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

1 on 10^th near Ipsilou Monastery
1 on 12^th between Achladeri and Skala Vassilikon

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

1 on 10^th between Sigri and Eressos
1 on 12^th at Vatera

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanicus melanoleuca

Widespread in rocky areas with 12 seen on 8^th between Skala Kalloni and Ipsilou and 12 on 10^th between Skala Kalloni and Sigri. Both dark and pale forms in equal numbers

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius

1 on 8^th on top of Ipsilou Monastery
2 on 13^th at Upper East River towards the Dead Goat Pit

Blackbird Turdus merula

Seen almost daily in all habitats including the hotel grounds

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus

2 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Cetti's Warbler Cetti cetti

Seen and heard almost daily around Skala Kalloni Pool and East River

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis

Seen and heard almost daily around Skala Kalloni Pool
1 on 12^th between Achladeri and Skala Polichnitos

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaemus

1 seen at East River on 8^th, 13^th and 15^th

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

2 on 7^th at East River
3 on 9^th at East River
1 on 10^th at Skala Kalloni Pool
2 on 11^th at East River
1 on 13^th at East River
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

1 on 9^th at East River
1 on 11^th at East River
1 heard on 16^th at East River

Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida elaeica

Commonest warbler seen daily around Skala Kalloni Pool and the surrounding tracks

Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum

1 on 5^th at Potamia Valley

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina

3 on 10^th near Ipsilou

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans

2 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 8^th near Ipsilou
1 on 9^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
1 on 14^th at Napi Valley
2 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Ruppell's Warbler Sylvia rueppelli

2 on 14^th between Molivos and Petra

Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis crassirostris

1 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 14^th at Napi Valley

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Seen regularly on tracks around Skala Kalloni

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix

1 on 8^th between Eressos and Ipsilou

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

2 on 7^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
2 on 8^th between Eressos and Ipsilou

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Seen between 5^th and 13^th with high count of 6 on 10^th in circuit Eressos, Ipsilou, Sigri and Eressos

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

2 on 5^th at upper Potamia Valley
1 on 10^th between Sigri and Eressos

Sombre Tit Parus lugubris

1 on 6^th at Napi Valley

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus

Widespread and abundant with young

Great Tit Parus major

Widespread and abundant with young

Kruper's Nuthatch Sitta krueperi

3 on 4^th at nest in woods at Achladeri (2 adult and 1 young)

Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer

4 on 8^th near Parakila
1 on 9^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
8 on 10^th at Ipsilou and Sigri
4 on 13^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
4 on 14^th at Napi Valley
4 on 15^th at Kalloni Inland Lake

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

1 heard on 14^th at Napi Valley

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

Seen between 6^th and 14^th with high count of 6 on 10^th in circuit Eressos, Ipsilou, Sigri and Eressos

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor

1 on 4^that Derbyshire
1 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 7^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
2 on 10^th near Ipsilou

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

Seen between 5^th and 14^th with high count of 6 on 5^th at Potamia Valley

Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus

1 on 9^th and 1 on 13^th at Kalloni Inland Lake

Jay Garrulus glandarius atricapillus

Seen regularly in woodland.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

18 on 10^th at Sigri
4 on 14^th at Napi Valley

Hooded Crow Corvus corone

Seen daily over Skala Kalloni and at Skala Kalloni Pool

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

1 on 12^th on headland at Agios Fokas

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Widespread and abundant. Nesting in used House Martin nests on Kalloni 11 hotel (outside our room)

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

Seen almost daily at Skala Kalloni Pool

Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia

1 on 8^th and 1 on 10^th between Eressos and Ipsilou

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Widespread, especially in woodland. High count 6 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Serin Serinus serinus

3 on 10^th near Parakila
1 on 13^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
3 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Widespread. Seen almost daily

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Widespread and abundant. A number of pairs nesting around Skala Kalloni Pool including one pair nesting in a small conifer outside our room

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

1 on 5^th at Potamia Valley
3 on 8^th at Apothikes
1 on 13^th at East River
3 on 14^th at East River

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus

2 on 6^th at Napi Valley
1 on 9^th at Kalloni Inland Lake
2 on 14^th at Napi Valley
1 on 16^th in the woods at the top of the climb out of Kalloni on the Kalloni to Petra road

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea

1 on 8^th near Parakila
1 on 10^th near Ipsilou
1 on 15^th near Parakila

Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia

2 on 6^th on descent into Kalloni from Petra
12 on 8^th between Parakila and Agra
6 on 10^th between Sigri and Eressos
1 on 14^th at Napi Valley
2 on 15^th near Parakila

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala

Widespread and abundant

bird photo - Black-headed Bunting

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra

Widespread at Skala Kalloni and the surrounding lanes

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BIRDING LESVOS