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RFI Lemnos and Chios (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter davidg
- Start date
Hi David.
Have you thought of trying Skopelos or Skiathos. They have a great wealth of birds. They don't possess the wetland of Lesbos. But.
Skopelos is mountainous with extensive pine forest (greenest island in Greece). They have the rare birds like Eleonorers Falcon and Adouins Gull.
You can walk down Papadiamantis Street in Skiathos town at night and look up where you can see Eleonoras Falcon using the lights from the streets to catch and feed on the insects flying round. Take a walk through some of the endless pathways on Skopelos and watch Bee Eaters, Blue Rock Thrushes, Hoopoes or walk up some of the mountain tracks and again look up and in the same thermals you can see Ravens, Eagles, Buzzards and Falcons.
These are just some of the fantastic birds you can see on these islands, the list is enormous. I am going to Skopelos in February, I will try and list some that are overwintering there. March/April are the better months for migrating species.
Pan:t:
Have you thought of trying Skopelos or Skiathos. They have a great wealth of birds. They don't possess the wetland of Lesbos. But.
Skopelos is mountainous with extensive pine forest (greenest island in Greece). They have the rare birds like Eleonorers Falcon and Adouins Gull.
You can walk down Papadiamantis Street in Skiathos town at night and look up where you can see Eleonoras Falcon using the lights from the streets to catch and feed on the insects flying round. Take a walk through some of the endless pathways on Skopelos and watch Bee Eaters, Blue Rock Thrushes, Hoopoes or walk up some of the mountain tracks and again look up and in the same thermals you can see Ravens, Eagles, Buzzards and Falcons.
These are just some of the fantastic birds you can see on these islands, the list is enormous. I am going to Skopelos in February, I will try and list some that are overwintering there. March/April are the better months for migrating species.
Pan:t:
davidg
Well-known member
Hi Richard,
I'm afraid getting any information on birding on Greek islands that aren't Lesvos seems rather difficult. There seems to be little published information and few responses on forums such as this; hopefully this means the islands are relatively unexplored by birders and all sorts of things wait to be discovered! Unfortunately it also means that in the average 2-3 week family holiday you're quite likely to miss good locations simply because you don't know they're there - for instance, I defy anyone to find the Kalloni inland lake on Lesvos without someone giving them directions!
I'm now going to eastern Crete this year - and no, I can't find any birding information here, either - but still intend to visit Chios, Limnos and various other Greek islands in coming years!
Good luck,
David
I'm afraid getting any information on birding on Greek islands that aren't Lesvos seems rather difficult. There seems to be little published information and few responses on forums such as this; hopefully this means the islands are relatively unexplored by birders and all sorts of things wait to be discovered! Unfortunately it also means that in the average 2-3 week family holiday you're quite likely to miss good locations simply because you don't know they're there - for instance, I defy anyone to find the Kalloni inland lake on Lesvos without someone giving them directions!
I'm now going to eastern Crete this year - and no, I can't find any birding information here, either - but still intend to visit Chios, Limnos and various other Greek islands in coming years!
Good luck,
David
Thanks David.
Website below has some basic info about Chios and there is a good book on Crete by Stephanie Coghlan "A Birdwatching Guide to Crete".
Enjoy your trip.
Regards, Richard.
http://www.chiosnet.gr/tourism/nature/chios_birds.htm
Website below has some basic info about Chios and there is a good book on Crete by Stephanie Coghlan "A Birdwatching Guide to Crete".
Enjoy your trip.
Regards, Richard.
http://www.chiosnet.gr/tourism/nature/chios_birds.htm
davidg
Well-known member
Thanks Richard,
I'd seen the Chios website and as you mention it is very basic. Thanks also for suggesting the Stephanie Coghlan book, I actually have it on order but am not hoping for too much as various reviews I've read are pretty luke-warm. Most of the birding information for Crete seems to be for the west of the island so, of course, we've decided to go to the east!
Regards,
David
I'd seen the Chios website and as you mention it is very basic. Thanks also for suggesting the Stephanie Coghlan book, I actually have it on order but am not hoping for too much as various reviews I've read are pretty luke-warm. Most of the birding information for Crete seems to be for the west of the island so, of course, we've decided to go to the east!
Regards,
David
Sandra (Taylor)
Well-known member
We went to Skiathos a few years ago and our total bird tally was about 5!!! Luckily, it wasn't a birding holiday so we weren't too disappointed. And if we had known beforehand, we would have hired a 4-wheel drive as any road leading from the main road was very bad - full of stones & boulders etc..
............. but it really is a lovely island.
Sandra
............. but it really is a lovely island.
Sandra
davidg
Well-known member
Hi Sandra,
Unfortunately none of mine are birding holidays - we go where non-birding wife and children can vegetate on a beach or by the pool and where I can disappear early mornings and late afternoons to get some birding in. I've been lucky sometimes (Lesvos and Naxos) and unlucky at others (Pelopponese) - let's hope I strike it lucky again in Crete!
David
Unfortunately none of mine are birding holidays - we go where non-birding wife and children can vegetate on a beach or by the pool and where I can disappear early mornings and late afternoons to get some birding in. I've been lucky sometimes (Lesvos and Naxos) and unlucky at others (Pelopponese) - let's hope I strike it lucky again in Crete!
David
CactusD
ἀρχός οἰω
For what it's worth, I go to Greece at least once a year (conferences/archaeological site visits, easter to late summer); though I would still put myself in the beginner's category re. birding, and am yet to visit Lesbos, I have had some success with islands. On Mykonos/Delos in August, Eleonora's falcons seemed quite numerous and easy to spot, along with Crested Larks. I was on Aegina (Saronic Gulf) in March, and saw plenty of White Storks and some interesting warblers (Subalpine, Sardinian, for instance). I was travelling through Greece this August, and even from buses I was on I managed to see Lesser Grey Shrikes perched on wires, herons, and various eagles. During a stay in Ioannina I had the good fortune to see large numbers of Lesser Kestrels passing overhead every evening. Each time I've been to Athens recently, I've seen hoopoes and alpine swifts.
As such, it seems to me that if you go to relatively unpopulated areas (or even populated ones), your chances of seeing interesting birds pretty much anywhere in Greece should be high. Islands on migration routes should increase the tally further.
D
As such, it seems to me that if you go to relatively unpopulated areas (or even populated ones), your chances of seeing interesting birds pretty much anywhere in Greece should be high. Islands on migration routes should increase the tally further.
D
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jerrykruth
Member
David,
My wife and I are also seeking info on Chios. If we come across any, or if you, we will share. We will arrive June 11 for 4-5 days of birding. Maybe we cold meet up w you then, and go together??
Jerry Kruth [email protected]
davidg
Well-known member
Hi Jerry,
I never did make it to Chios but it's still near the top of my list of islands to visit. I had one report of Pelinaeon Mountain as a good birding area, but no further detail. I'd be very interested to hear how you get on so please post back when you return.
Have a good trip,
David
jerrykruth
Member
David,
Just picked up your note and we will be happy to share w you any useful information. You can contact me directly at [email protected] if it will expedite.
Best regards,
Jerry Kruth
Just picked up your note and we will be happy to share w you any useful information. You can contact me directly at [email protected] if it will expedite.
Best regards,
Jerry Kruth
