Lesvos Bird News 2022 (3 Viewers)

[Mick Sway]

Lepetymnos Watch Point 08/10/22
our last day was slow and dominated by a cold Easterly.
the saving grace was a single booted Eagle.
Sparrowhawks 9
Goshawks 3
common buzzard 7
Booted eagle

 

[Mick Sway]

A couple of reports from the past few days:
Vafios watchpoint , raptor spotters
09/10/22
Golden eagle
10/10/22
Griffon vulture

 

[Devonian Birder]

Most years I spend two weeks in September in Pelion and this year visited Lake Karla for the first time. It was very interesting to compare notes with Lesvos sightings as you are not too far away as the migrant bird flies. Excellent news page which I will continue to read regularly in the future.

 

[Mick Sway]

Most years I spend two weeks in September in Pelion and this year visited Lake Karla for the first time. It was very interesting to compare notes with Lesvos sightings as you are not too far away as the migrant bird flies. Excellent news page which I will continue to read regularly in the future.

encouragement always appreciated. Thanks

 

[Mick Sway]

Posting a few images from our recent trip, in the absence of any local reporting at this time of year.
Slender billed gull, Tsiknias River Mouth
Sanderling , Mesa Wetland - not an easy one for Lesvos
Juvenile Purple Heron, Tsiknias river
Greater Flamingo, Poli Pans
Little stint, Mesa Wetland

 

[Mick Sway]

Recent more interesting sightings recorded on eBird by locals.

20/10/22 Black necked grebe - Christou River
21/10/22 Northern Lapwing - Mesa Wetland
21/10/22 Water Rail - Mesa Wetland
22/10/22 Slender billed gull 17 - Kalloni Salt Pans
30/10/22 Dalmatian pelican - Kalloni Salt Pans
30/10/22 White pelican - 2 juveniles

See here for recent eBird listings .

 

[Mick Sway]

6th November 2022
Persama / Petra Reservoir
White pelican x 6 juveniles
As reported on Lesvos Bird News Facebook group
Note :
Apparently the reservoir is completely dry now and there were several workman present .
The future of this important bird watching site has been in doubt over the past couple of years
since the structure suffered weather damage and has not been maintained over the past couple of years.

 

[Mick Sway]

News from Athens "ANIMAL- Wildlife Protection and Care Association" and Lesvos Bird News Facebook page.
A Spotted Eagle found exhausted on Lesvos sent for treatment at the above.
the report reads :
"
Special patient today, from Lesvos: Young eagle completely exhausted and weightless. He is getting the right treatment (intravenous fluids and special food) and we hope.
Thank you to the Lesvos Scout Rescue Team. 2nd Mytilene Scout System, which was selected and sent. "

 

[Mick Sway]

Notable Bird Counts at Kalloni Salt Pans 19 November 2022 - as listed on eBird

Northern shoveler 5

Eurasian wigeon 40

Golden plover 35

Lapwing 20

Slender billed gull 5

Dalmatian pelican 5

Hen harrier 1

Spoonbill 11 (Mesa wetland)

NB Crossbill was previously listed , however the original recorder has contacted me to say that this was an error.

 

[Mick Sway]

Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)
Local wildlife researcher Stylianos Zannetos and a group of colleagues have published a research paper
on the EU's only population of Persian squirrels, the full paper can be found here.
Extract from the report - credit the above group.
"The Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a Southwest Asian species of squirrel with a single
European Union population on the island of Lesvos in Greece. Lesvos Persian Squirrels appear to
use all main arboreal vegetation types on the island, including both woodland as well as tree crops,
especially olive cultivation. They are also found in rather small and isolated patches of such
vegetation. However, although pine trees provide cones as a regular food source, the species is
remarkably absent from larger areas of continuous coniferous forest and pine trees appear to be used
only when mixed with or close to broad-leaved trees. Even though the Persian Squirrel is quite widespread
on Lesvos, this population may still be at risk from habitat changes due to changing agricultural practices or urban expansion."
Image my own, October 2022

 

[Mick Sway]

Notable sightings by local birders from eBird.
5 December 2022
Christou River
Black necked grebe Christou River 8
Sandwich tern 8
Dalmatian pelican 1
Spoonbill 2

2 December 2022
Tsknias River (lower)
Common starling 30

 

[Jos Stratford]

Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)
Local wildlife researcher Stylianos Zannetos and a group of colleagues have published a research paper
on the EU's only population of Persian squirrels, the full paper can be found here.
Extract from the report - credit the above group.
"The Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a Southwest Asian species of squirrel with a single
European Union population on the island of Lesvos in Greece. Lesvos Persian Squirrels appear to
use all main arboreal vegetation types on the island, including both woodland as well as tree crops,
especially olive cultivation. They are also found in rather small and isolated patches of such
vegetation. However, although pine trees provide cones as a regular food source, the species is
remarkably absent from larger areas of continuous coniferous forest and pine trees appear to be used
only when mixed with or close to broad-leaved trees. Even though the Persian Squirrel is quite widespread
on Lesvos, this population may still be at risk from habitat changes due to changing agricultural practices or urban expansion."
Image my own, October 2022

Nice 👍

 

[Mick Sway]

Well , well . I'm currently in recovery , having had Covid and a bad back leading up to Christmas.
Anyway , I do hope that anyone reading this had a lovely Christmas and take the opportunity to
wish everyone a very Happy and prosperous New Year .

I am able to end the year with a couple of reports from a UK birder visiting the island.

NB.Good News - Apparently Kalloni Salt Pans hides have been repaired.

31 Dec 2022
Kalloni main Saltpans, Alykes fields
15x Golden Plovers
40x Lapwings
1x Marsh Harrier
1x Common Buzzard
20x Meadow Pipits
80+ Corn Bunting
12x Common Starling
Flamingoes
3x Great W Egrets
1x L Egret
1x Black Redstart female
2xpairs of Stonechats
1x Sardinian Warbler Female

In addition a hen harrier was spotted by a local at Mesa on around 30 December, no age given

Apparently flocks of finches , including goldfinch, linnet and serin are quite common and widespread
and out West in particular black redstarts, and the occsional Eurasian sparrow hawk.