Sandra (Taylor)
Well-known member
Hope your recovery from the op is quick Mick. I'm not receiving some emails via the usual route so just seen yours. Will email shortly.
Sandra
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LESVOS BIRD NEWS 2023 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mick Sway
- Start date
Sandra
Mick Sway
Well-known member
12/03/23
Local conservationist Eleni Galinou reports more evidence of migration
on the Lesvos Bird News Facebook group :
Mesa/Gulf and Kalloni Salt Pans
Hopooe
Northern Wheaters
Black-eared Wheatears
Barn Swallows
House Martins
Sand Martins
Red-rumped Swallow
Black-winged Stilts
Garganey x9
Great crested grebe - large flock
Others have reported sandwich terns and several marsh harriers in the same general area.
Local conservationist Eleni Galinou reports more evidence of migration
on the Lesvos Bird News Facebook group :
Mesa/Gulf and Kalloni Salt Pans
Hopooe
Northern Wheaters
Black-eared Wheatears
Barn Swallows
House Martins
Sand Martins
Red-rumped Swallow
Black-winged Stilts
Garganey x9
Great crested grebe - large flock
Others have reported sandwich terns and several marsh harriers in the same general area.
shrek48
Well-known member
DO you have a link to the FB page please !
Mick Sway
Well-known member
13 March 2023 Gulf of Kalloni
Black necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
image cc M Kladogeni
White Storks are pairing up and at their traditional nest sites.
As reported on Eleni Galinou's Lesvos Bird News Facebook Group
Our long established Lesvos Birders Facebook Group is : here
For all your Lesvos birding information needs; Steve Dudley's historical reports (downloadable), the best sites, species lists etc
view our Lesvos Birders web site HERE
Black necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
image cc M Kladogeni
White Storks are pairing up and at their traditional nest sites.
As reported on Eleni Galinou's Lesvos Bird News Facebook Group
Our long established Lesvos Birders Facebook Group is : here
For all your Lesvos birding information needs; Steve Dudley's historical reports (downloadable), the best sites, species lists etc
view our Lesvos Birders web site HERE
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Great news promoting Lesvos as a destination. Birding guide Howard Vaughan along with others, has a four page spread about birding the island ,in the April 2023 issue of Birdwatching magazine :
www.birdwatching.co.uk
Bird Watching – the new April 2023 issue
Mick Sway
Well-known member
W/E 25 March 2023
Lots of Northern wheatears and chiffchaffs in.
Skala Kalloni & Salt Pans area , bird news this week:
30 glossy ibis dropped in
The first cattle egret of the season reported
a large flock of ruff landed at Alykes
Eressos
the first common red redstart of Spring reported
a pair of gargany and a single green sandpiper
Lots of Northern wheatears and chiffchaffs in.
Skala Kalloni & Salt Pans area , bird news this week:
30 glossy ibis dropped in
The first cattle egret of the season reported
a large flock of ruff landed at Alykes
Eressos
the first common red redstart of Spring reported
a pair of gargany and a single green sandpiper
Mick Sway
Well-known member
29 March 2023
A visiting UK photographer, on his first day on the island, reports :
Charamida
Short toed eagle, blue rock thrush,Cretzschmars bunting
Mesa
Greater flamingos, several Greenshank, redshank, Ruddy & common shelducks, common redstart
Achlederi pines/Coastal pool
Chaffinches flock,Eastern long-tailed tit, black-eared wheatear, wood sandpiper, common sandpiper, little egret.
Kalloni Salt Pans:
yellow wagtail (mostly Feldegg)
meadow pipits
green sandpipers 2
little ringed plovers
grey plover 3
redshanks
pintail
Mediterranean gulls flock
Ruff 3-
Hoopoe
Northern wheatears
Sparrowhawk - female
Madaros:
Subalpine warbler, cirl bunting, serin, black-eared wheatear, collared flycatcher
Tsiknias river: vegetation cut and being burnt on banks near ford
Little crake, female, evening
same reporter
30 March 2023 - 1c frosty start am
Tsiknias river
Savi's warbler x 2
Kalloni gulf:
Great-crested grebes 20, several pairs of red-breasted mergansers and black-necked grebes
Alykes fields:
Yellow wagtails 50+. Common swift, red-rumped swallow, curlew, common kestrel
Mesa:
Garganey, spoonbill, white stork
Parakoila:
Cretzschmars bunting, ST eagle, black-eared wheatear
Kalloni salt pans:
Green sandpiper, 6 northern wheatear
All the above as reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook Group.
A visiting UK photographer, on his first day on the island, reports :
Charamida
Short toed eagle, blue rock thrush,Cretzschmars bunting
Mesa
Greater flamingos, several Greenshank, redshank, Ruddy & common shelducks, common redstart
Achlederi pines/Coastal pool
Chaffinches flock,Eastern long-tailed tit, black-eared wheatear, wood sandpiper, common sandpiper, little egret.
Kalloni Salt Pans:
yellow wagtail (mostly Feldegg)
meadow pipits
green sandpipers 2
little ringed plovers
grey plover 3
redshanks
pintail
Mediterranean gulls flock
Ruff 3-
Hoopoe
Northern wheatears
Sparrowhawk - female
Madaros:
Subalpine warbler, cirl bunting, serin, black-eared wheatear, collared flycatcher
Tsiknias river: vegetation cut and being burnt on banks near ford
Little crake, female, evening
same reporter
30 March 2023 - 1c frosty start am
Tsiknias river
Savi's warbler x 2
Kalloni gulf:
Great-crested grebes 20, several pairs of red-breasted mergansers and black-necked grebes
Alykes fields:
Yellow wagtails 50+. Common swift, red-rumped swallow, curlew, common kestrel
Mesa:
Garganey, spoonbill, white stork
Parakoila:
Cretzschmars bunting, ST eagle, black-eared wheatear
Kalloni salt pans:
Green sandpiper, 6 northern wheatear
All the above as reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook Group.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
31 March 2023
Additional species reported by Kevin today :
Makara
Eastern sub alpine warbler , blue rock thrush, savis warbler
Mesa
Marsh sandpiper 6
Kalloni Salt Pans East track
Northern shoveler 12, wigeon 8, black winged stilt 50
As reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook Group
Additional species reported by Kevin today :
Makara
Eastern sub alpine warbler , blue rock thrush, savis warbler
Mesa
Marsh sandpiper 6
Kalloni Salt Pans East track
Northern shoveler 12, wigeon 8, black winged stilt 50
As reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook Group
Mick Sway
Well-known member
1 April 2023
Faneromeni
Our visiting UK birder reports that the lower ford at Faneromeni
has been replaced by a low lying concrete bridge. Ironically the
river itself, sadly is absolutely bone dry.
Meladia Valley Ford.
For has been replaced by a concrete bridge , however there
is little flowing water.
The extremely windy conditions out West resulted in a return
to the Kalloni area, where the only bird of note to be reported
was the first woodchat shrike of the season near Achladeri.
Faneromeni
Our visiting UK birder reports that the lower ford at Faneromeni
has been replaced by a low lying concrete bridge. Ironically the
river itself, sadly is absolutely bone dry.
Meladia Valley Ford.
For has been replaced by a concrete bridge , however there
is little flowing water.
The extremely windy conditions out West resulted in a return
to the Kalloni area, where the only bird of note to be reported
was the first woodchat shrike of the season near Achladeri.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
4 April 2023
Following a thunder storm and torrential rain overnight
Kevin, our visiting birder, headed West hoping for a ”fall”
of migrants. At last the creeks and river beds are apparently
overflowing with fast flowing streams. Whether at this late stage
it will see the advent of the huge numbers of tadpoles that hatch
in early Spring , is yet to be seen. Until now the lack of winter rainfall
will have left the frog species without their normal spawning
grounds, which in turn attract herons and wading birds at this time of year. Heavy rain resumed in the afternoon.
What he reported:
Meladia Valley
Cinerous bunting
Collared flycatchers - “ countless”
Woodchat shrike 27
Ruppells warbler
Faneromeni - NB multiple sightings of each species
Pied flycatcher
Collared flycatcher
Lesser whitethroat
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Common redstart
Eastern subalpine warbler
Yellow wagtails
Spanish sparrow
Hoopoe
Whinchat
Nightingale
singles of :
Common cuckoo
Ortolan bunting
Mt. Ordimnos
Rock nuthatch
Blue rock thrush
Ipsilou
Woodlark
Northern wheatear
Isabelline wheatear
Woodlark
Pied flycatcher
As reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook group.
Following a thunder storm and torrential rain overnight
Kevin, our visiting birder, headed West hoping for a ”fall”
of migrants. At last the creeks and river beds are apparently
overflowing with fast flowing streams. Whether at this late stage
it will see the advent of the huge numbers of tadpoles that hatch
in early Spring , is yet to be seen. Until now the lack of winter rainfall
will have left the frog species without their normal spawning
grounds, which in turn attract herons and wading birds at this time of year. Heavy rain resumed in the afternoon.
What he reported:
Meladia Valley
Cinerous bunting
Collared flycatchers - “ countless”
Woodchat shrike 27
Ruppells warbler
Faneromeni - NB multiple sightings of each species
Pied flycatcher
Collared flycatcher
Lesser whitethroat
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Common redstart
Eastern subalpine warbler
Yellow wagtails
Spanish sparrow
Hoopoe
Whinchat
Nightingale
singles of :
Common cuckoo
Ortolan bunting
Mt. Ordimnos
Rock nuthatch
Blue rock thrush
Ipsilou
Woodlark
Northern wheatear
Isabelline wheatear
Woodlark
Pied flycatcher
As reported on Lesvos Birders Facebook group.
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
5 April 2023
Another wet grey day on the island of Lesvos.
However a UK flora lover , visiting last week, reports a fantastic
show of orchids at various locations.
The kruppers nest site at Achladeri is yet to be discovered with our
visiting birder drawing a blank with the species.
Alykes Wetland
Singles of juvenile hen and pallid harrier were the only birds
of note reported by Kevin.
Another wet grey day on the island of Lesvos.
However a UK flora lover , visiting last week, reports a fantastic
show of orchids at various locations.
The kruppers nest site at Achladeri is yet to be discovered with our
visiting birder drawing a blank with the species.
Alykes Wetland
Singles of juvenile hen and pallid harrier were the only birds
of note reported by Kevin.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
6 April 2023
Rainstorms , grey and damp conditions persist.
Our adventurer reports from out West , Sigri - Faneromeni
Still lots of common black and white flycatchers and warblers
coming in and joined by a fall of tree pipits at the Meladia Valley.
The only other sighting of note being a wryneck along a track heading
from Meladia toward Ipsilou, not an area I’m personally familiar with.
Rainstorms , grey and damp conditions persist.
Our adventurer reports from out West , Sigri - Faneromeni
Still lots of common black and white flycatchers and warblers
coming in and joined by a fall of tree pipits at the Meladia Valley.
The only other sighting of note being a wryneck along a track heading
from Meladia toward Ipsilou, not an area I’m personally familiar with.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
A few new arrivals worth reported by our visiting birder, over the past few days.
9 April 2023
Alykes “Sheep fields”
Tawny pipits
Savis warbler
Tsiknias River
Little crakes x 2 female
Kalloni salt pans
Marsh harrier
10 April 2023
Faneromeni - European roller
Still lots of B&W flycatchers , commonredstarts and-common warblers in the General area.
Sigri Cheese Factory
Ortolan bunting x 2
11 April 2023
Alikoudi Pool beach
Collared pratincole
Kalloni Pool
Squacco heron x 2
Christou River
Cattle Egret
9 April 2023
Alykes “Sheep fields”
Tawny pipits
Savis warbler
Tsiknias River
Little crakes x 2 female
Kalloni salt pans
Marsh harrier
10 April 2023
Faneromeni - European roller
Still lots of B&W flycatchers , commonredstarts and-common warblers in the General area.
Sigri Cheese Factory
Ortolan bunting x 2
11 April 2023
Alikoudi Pool beach
Collared pratincole
Kalloni Pool
Squacco heron x 2
Christou River
Cattle Egret
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Some images of recent Lesvos bird sightings by kind permission on Ron McDonald.
Locations and species as titled.
Locations and species as titled.
Attachments
-
Short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Meladia Valley 130423 cc Ron McDonald.jpg -
Woodchat shrike (Lanius senator) Meladia Valley 130423 cc Ron McDonald.jpg -
Eastern Orphean Warbler Curruca crassirostris Meladia Valley 130423 cc Ron McDonald.jpg -
Tawny pipit Anthus campestris Alykes Wetland 120423 cc Ron McDonald.jpg
Mick Sway
Well-known member
15 April 2023
The usual array of migrating passerines has been reported at various locations, including: B&W flycatchers, the first spotted flycatchers
along with common warblers. However the find of the day was Ron McDonalds superb wryneck at Faneromeni , seen below.
Also reported at the Tsknias River mouth a single Dalmatian Pelican.
The usual array of migrating passerines has been reported at various locations, including: B&W flycatchers, the first spotted flycatchers
along with common warblers. However the find of the day was Ron McDonalds superb wryneck at Faneromeni , seen below.
Also reported at the Tsknias River mouth a single Dalmatian Pelican.
Attachments
Mick Sway
Well-known member
16 / 17 April 2023
More stunning images by kind permission Ron Mc Donald, currently on Lesvos:
Laughing Dove, Lautra Village 16/04/23
Great spotted cuckoo, Alykes racetrack 17/04/23
Red throated pipit, Lotzaria 16/04/23
Citrine wagtail - male, Achladeri coastal pool 17/04/23
More stunning images by kind permission Ron Mc Donald, currently on Lesvos:
Laughing Dove, Lautra Village 16/04/23
Great spotted cuckoo, Alykes racetrack 17/04/23
Red throated pipit, Lotzaria 16/04/23
Citrine wagtail - male, Achladeri coastal pool 17/04/23
Attachments
Mick Sway
Well-known member
18 April 2023 a few Spring firsts
A Swedish birding group reports :
Kalloni Salt Pans
50 collared pratincoles
red-footed falcon
bee-eaters
golden plovers 4 - rare for spring
Christou river wetland
short-toed eagle,
masked shrike
30 glossy ibis
UK birder reports
Kalloni Salt Pans pump house
Spur winged plover
Red foot Image by permission of Ron McDonald 18/04/23
Spur wing plover, by permission of Jason Coppock
A Swedish birding group reports :
Kalloni Salt Pans
50 collared pratincoles
red-footed falcon
bee-eaters
golden plovers 4 - rare for spring
Christou river wetland
short-toed eagle,
masked shrike
30 glossy ibis
UK birder reports
Kalloni Salt Pans pump house
Spur winged plover
Red foot Image by permission of Ron McDonald 18/04/23
Spur wing plover, by permission of Jason Coppock
Attachments
Last edited:
