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Lesvos Bird News 2019/2020 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mick Sway
- Start date
Mick Sway
Well-known member
21 September 2019
Reports very thin on the ground again.
Kalloni Salt Pans
Red footed falcon
Then just a few bits.
Limonos Monastery
middle spotted woodpecker
cirl bunting
lesser whitethroat
Perasma reservoir - reported as largely devoid of wildlife
Coots 15
White wagtail 4
Grey heron 2
Mitilini Airport
Barn owl
Retrospective but worth a mention:
14 September 2019
Kalloni Holiday Village - river bed
Water rail - juvenile , photographed by a Dutch birder
Reports very thin on the ground again.
Kalloni Salt Pans
Red footed falcon
Then just a few bits.
Limonos Monastery
middle spotted woodpecker
cirl bunting
lesser whitethroat
Perasma reservoir - reported as largely devoid of wildlife
Coots 15
White wagtail 4
Grey heron 2
Mitilini Airport
Barn owl
Retrospective but worth a mention:
14 September 2019
Kalloni Holiday Village - river bed
Water rail - juvenile , photographed by a Dutch birder
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
20th September 2019 - Sakar Falcon ?
Nothing much showing on the web sites at the moment, however
here are some Observado updates :
20th September 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Saker Falcon - Falco cherrug
The observer is adamant, but without photos impossible to verify.
Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii
Lotzaria
Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus
Parakila Marsh
European Honey Buzzard - Pernis apivorus
Nothing much showing on the web sites at the moment, however
here are some Observado updates :
20th September 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Saker Falcon - Falco cherrug
The observer is adamant, but without photos impossible to verify.
Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii
Lotzaria
Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus
Parakila Marsh
European Honey Buzzard - Pernis apivorus
Mick Sway
Well-known member
23 September 2019
Thomas Cook goes bust
Today all Lesvos lovers will be sad to see the news that the Thomas Cook's rescue plan has failed.
As I write I have many anxious friends on the island awaiting news as to how they will get back.
TC's were the sole UK company operating direct flights to the island and their demise
will leave a huge hole in both the economy of Lesvos and for it's accessibility, by the
many birders who return year after year, to enjoy the islands wildlife.
Of course this bankruptcy, will not just affect Lesvos but the many other Greek Islands
which TCs have serviced and remained a mainstay of the none "all inclusive" tourist industry.
We can only hope that other companies will step in and fill the gap at some point in the near future.
Thomas Cook goes bust
Today all Lesvos lovers will be sad to see the news that the Thomas Cook's rescue plan has failed.
As I write I have many anxious friends on the island awaiting news as to how they will get back.
TC's were the sole UK company operating direct flights to the island and their demise
will leave a huge hole in both the economy of Lesvos and for it's accessibility, by the
many birders who return year after year, to enjoy the islands wildlife.
Of course this bankruptcy, will not just affect Lesvos but the many other Greek Islands
which TCs have serviced and remained a mainstay of the none "all inclusive" tourist industry.
We can only hope that other companies will step in and fill the gap at some point in the near future.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
22nd September 2019 - Wryneck Hamrida
22nd September 2019 - Wryneck
Hamrida
Discovered and photographed by Vaggelis Spatharis, who has
given his kind permission for the images to appear here.
Fist Posted on Lesvos Bird News 23/09
22nd September 2019 - Wryneck
Hamrida
Discovered and photographed by Vaggelis Spatharis, who has
given his kind permission for the images to appear here.
Fist Posted on Lesvos Bird News 23/09
Attachments
Mick Sway
Well-known member
24 September 2019
Further report by visiting birder:
Ipsilou
Eleanora’s Falcon 4
Sigri
Whinchat - 28 in recently cut field.
Kalloni Salt Pans main channel
Terek Sandpiper + waders,Slender Billed gull & Greater Flamingos
Potamia Res
Little Grebes 105
Shoveler 4
Garganey 2
Makara
common kingfisher
Kalloni Salt Pans - Alikes/sheep field
Dotterel - 3 reported as present
Further report by visiting birder:
Ipsilou
Eleanora’s Falcon 4
Sigri
Whinchat - 28 in recently cut field.
Kalloni Salt Pans main channel
Terek Sandpiper + waders,Slender Billed gull & Greater Flamingos
Potamia Res
Little Grebes 105
Shoveler 4
Garganey 2
Makara
common kingfisher
Kalloni Salt Pans - Alikes/sheep field
Dotterel - 3 reported as present
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
27th September 2019 - Raptor Movement
27th September 2019
I was giving up hope of seeing any more substantial migration reports
until this just appeared on Lesvos Birders Facebook group.
A holidaying birder reports (similar to what we experienced at Sikiminia 09/2017:
Klio ( North East Coast, between Sikiminea and Mantamados):
Sparrowhawks 15,
Marsh Harriers 13
Buteos 30 (mixed ?)
Osprey 3
Short toed Eagle
Black kite
Ospreys
Moria Roman Aqueduct
Alpine Swift 250 est
27th September 2019
I was giving up hope of seeing any more substantial migration reports
until this just appeared on Lesvos Birders Facebook group.
A holidaying birder reports (similar to what we experienced at Sikiminia 09/2017:
Klio ( North East Coast, between Sikiminea and Mantamados):
Sparrowhawks 15,
Marsh Harriers 13
Buteos 30 (mixed ?)
Osprey 3
Short toed Eagle
Black kite
Ospreys
Moria Roman Aqueduct
Alpine Swift 250 est
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Some corrections of sightings that I have queried from Observado
Kalloni Salt Pans
13/09/19
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Calidris falcinellus 4 - confirmed as dunlin
12/09/19
Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes 2 - confirmed as common redshank
Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla 4 - confirmed as little stint
17/09/19
Mitilini
Sighting of 6 black redstart changed to common redstart
28 September 2019
You may have been wondering, re Thomas Cook collapse/ Lesvos return flights.
As many will be aware, today's flights would have been the last of the season for Thomas Cook's UK vacationers.
A friend returning to Manchester tells me that , their return flight via Titan Air,worked out perfectly.
However, 85 passengers returning to Birmingham were not quite so lucky.
Their plane didn't show up and they were all taken to a hotel in Skala Kalloni to spend the night.
Hopefully they won't be inconvenienced too much.
Kalloni Salt Pans
13/09/19
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Calidris falcinellus 4 - confirmed as dunlin
12/09/19
Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes 2 - confirmed as common redshank
Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla 4 - confirmed as little stint
17/09/19
Mitilini
Sighting of 6 black redstart changed to common redstart
28 September 2019
You may have been wondering, re Thomas Cook collapse/ Lesvos return flights.
As many will be aware, today's flights would have been the last of the season for Thomas Cook's UK vacationers.
A friend returning to Manchester tells me that , their return flight via Titan Air,worked out perfectly.
However, 85 passengers returning to Birmingham were not quite so lucky.
Their plane didn't show up and they were all taken to a hotel in Skala Kalloni to spend the night.
Hopefully they won't be inconvenienced too much.
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
29th September 2019 - Dotterel
29th September 2019 - Dotterel
The last UK package holiday visitors on Lesvos were repatriated yesterday
so I don't live in hopes on many reports now, for the rest of 2019.
However a single, very brief report appeared today on
Lesvos Bird News :
Kalloni Salt Pans - Sheep Field/Alykes Wetland
Dotterel
+
Tawny pipit 7
Some of the more common birds from today
Mitilini Airport area :
Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius
Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix
Great Tit - Parus major
Eurasian Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus
Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus
Eurasian Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla
Sardinian Warbler - Sylvia melanocephala
Common Blackbird - Turdus merula
Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata
As reported on Observado
29th September 2019 - Dotterel
The last UK package holiday visitors on Lesvos were repatriated yesterday
so I don't live in hopes on many reports now, for the rest of 2019.
However a single, very brief report appeared today on
Lesvos Bird News :
Kalloni Salt Pans - Sheep Field/Alykes Wetland
Dotterel
+
Tawny pipit 7
Some of the more common birds from today
Mitilini Airport area :
Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius
Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix
Great Tit - Parus major
Eurasian Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus
Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus
Eurasian Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla
Sardinian Warbler - Sylvia melanocephala
Common Blackbird - Turdus merula
Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata
As reported on Observado
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
01 October 2019 Raptor Movements Recorded
1st October 2019
A big raptor movement was observed and reported on Lesvos Bird News:
AM
Kalloni Bay/Salt Pans: Predatory birds moved south to the west
PM
there was a passage of the following:
Red-footed Falcons (Falco Vespertinus) 163
Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus) 19,
Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata) 3
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) 5
Black Kites (Milvus migrans) 3
Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) 4
Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) 19
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 1
1st October 2019
A big raptor movement was observed and reported on Lesvos Bird News:
AM
Kalloni Bay/Salt Pans: Predatory birds moved south to the west
PM
there was a passage of the following:
Red-footed Falcons (Falco Vespertinus) 163
Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus) 19,
Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata) 3
Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) 5
Black Kites (Milvus migrans) 3
Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) 4
Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) 19
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 1
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
2nd October 2019 - Fall of Red Foots / Water Rail
2nd October 2019
A single UK birder reports today, on Lesvos Birders:
Full sun,no clouds and no wind.
Tsiknias river
Common buzzards 2
Black storks 5
Ford
grey heron
greenshank
green sandpiper
water rail
Lotzaria
Common Buzzard 2
Long legged Buzzard
Red footed falcons 19 on wires
Kalloni Salt Pans pans
Red footed falcon 6
Greenshank 2
Green sandpiper
Little stint 3
Little ringed plovers 4
Dunlin
Greater flamingo
Great egret
Grey heron
Eurasian curlew
Dalmatian Pelican 34
Kalloni - a red berry tree
Lesser whithroat 5
Common whitethroat
Common redstart 2
Blackcap 4
Spotted fly catcher 2
2nd October 2019
A single UK birder reports today, on Lesvos Birders:
Full sun,no clouds and no wind.
Tsiknias river
Common buzzards 2
Black storks 5
Ford
grey heron
greenshank
green sandpiper
water rail
Lotzaria
Common Buzzard 2
Long legged Buzzard
Red footed falcons 19 on wires
Kalloni Salt Pans pans
Red footed falcon 6
Greenshank 2
Green sandpiper
Little stint 3
Little ringed plovers 4
Dunlin
Greater flamingo
Great egret
Grey heron
Eurasian curlew
Dalmatian Pelican 34
Kalloni - a red berry tree
Lesser whithroat 5
Common whitethroat
Common redstart 2
Blackcap 4
Spotted fly catcher 2
Mick Sway
Well-known member
9th October 2019 - raptor movement
9th October 2019
Vafios - raptor movement
As reported on Lesvos Bird News Facebook Group
2 visiting birders report that :
9/10 between 11:00 and 18:30 the following predatory birds moving south:
The birds arrived from Turkey.
1 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) immature
1 Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata)
1 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
2 Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus)
5 Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus)
17 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus)
1 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
1 Merlin (F. columbarius) female
2 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
7 Kestrel (F. tinnunculus)
27 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
18 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
10 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)Birds crossing from Turkey at four lines, east and west of Vafeios and just above the village.
Eleni Galinou also reported and photographed the movement of 1000s of Spanish Sparrows arriving from Turkey at Sikiminia.
A further report by the same group and at the same viewpoint.
06/10/19 , Vafios
1 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
3 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina)
1 Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata)
3 Sort- toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus)
3 Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus)
4 Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus)
1 Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
154 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus) - in groups of 42 and 33!
1 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
3 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
1 Kestrel (F. tinnunculus)
2 large Falco sp.
16 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
1 Pallid Harrier (immature male)
2 Black Kites (Milvus migrans)
24 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
13 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)
17 Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelacanus crispus)
#LesvosBirds
9th October 2019
Vafios - raptor movement
As reported on Lesvos Bird News Facebook Group
2 visiting birders report that :
9/10 between 11:00 and 18:30 the following predatory birds moving south:
The birds arrived from Turkey.
1 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) immature
1 Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata)
1 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
2 Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus)
5 Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus)
17 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus)
1 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
1 Merlin (F. columbarius) female
2 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
7 Kestrel (F. tinnunculus)
27 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
18 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
10 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)Birds crossing from Turkey at four lines, east and west of Vafeios and just above the village.
Eleni Galinou also reported and photographed the movement of 1000s of Spanish Sparrows arriving from Turkey at Sikiminia.
A further report by the same group and at the same viewpoint.
06/10/19 , Vafios
1 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
3 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina)
1 Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata)
3 Sort- toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus)
3 Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus)
4 Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo rufinus)
1 Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
154 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus) - in groups of 42 and 33!
1 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
3 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
1 Kestrel (F. tinnunculus)
2 large Falco sp.
16 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
1 Pallid Harrier (immature male)
2 Black Kites (Milvus migrans)
24 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
13 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)
17 Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelacanus crispus)
#LesvosBirds
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
10th October 2019 - Big raptor migration
Been birding in the Algarve for a while, so my apologies for the delay
in reporting this, First seen on Lesvos Bird News Facebook group:
10 October 2019
Vafieos Village, near Molivos
Records compiled by 2 visiting birders (via Thekla Koukourouvli!), on their last day on Lesvos 10/10/19 between 10:55 and 18:20 and from the village of VAFEIOS (near Molivos) reported the following:
2 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), together!
3 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Clanga pomarina)
1 very large eagle, possibly White-tailed (Haliaetus albicilla)
1 Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
1 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
1 Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
2 Black Kite (M. migrans)
1 Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo)
3 Long-legged Buzzard (B. rufinus)
9 buzzards (Buteo spp.)
6 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
1 Pallid Harrier (C. macrourus)- ringtail
1 poss. Hen Harrier (C. cyaneus)
10 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus)
3 Eleonora's Falcons (F. eleonorae)
2 Peregrine Falcons (F. peragrinus)
2 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
5 Kestrels (F. tinnunculus)
1 large falcon (Falco sp.)
24 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
6 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)
Been birding in the Algarve for a while, so my apologies for the delay
in reporting this, First seen on Lesvos Bird News Facebook group:
10 October 2019
Vafieos Village, near Molivos
Records compiled by 2 visiting birders (via Thekla Koukourouvli!), on their last day on Lesvos 10/10/19 between 10:55 and 18:20 and from the village of VAFEIOS (near Molivos) reported the following:
2 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), together!
3 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Clanga pomarina)
1 very large eagle, possibly White-tailed (Haliaetus albicilla)
1 Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
1 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
1 Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
2 Black Kite (M. migrans)
1 Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo)
3 Long-legged Buzzard (B. rufinus)
9 buzzards (Buteo spp.)
6 Marsh Harriers (Circus aeroginosus)
1 Pallid Harrier (C. macrourus)- ringtail
1 poss. Hen Harrier (C. cyaneus)
10 Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus)
3 Eleonora's Falcons (F. eleonorae)
2 Peregrine Falcons (F. peragrinus)
2 Hobbies (F. subbuteo)
5 Kestrels (F. tinnunculus)
1 large falcon (Falco sp.)
24 Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus)
6 Goshawks (Ac. gentilis)
Mick Sway
Well-known member
17th October 2019 Dalmatian/White Pelican
17 October 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Eleni Galinou reported:
Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) 30
White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) 1
18 October 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Giorgis Laskaridis reported 2 Eurasian Curlew
17 October 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Eleni Galinou reported:
Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) 30
White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) 1
18 October 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans
Giorgis Laskaridis reported 2 Eurasian Curlew
Mick Sway
Well-known member
General information about Lesvos Birding;
Submission of Lesvos Rare Bird Records
You should use the Rare Bird form on the Hellenic Orthological Society web site, here !
The Administration of the Lesvos Birders Facebook Group have collectively decided to,
and I quote, "step back" from compiling records and collating reports.
Demise of Thomas Cook
As most will know , TC's were the sole UK carrier offering direct flights to Lesvos ,
usually from the first or second Saturday in May. This is devastating for the tourist industry
on the island as well as for the many regular birders who choose not to fly via Athens.
Rumer has it that Jet2 have been booked as the preferred carrier for Nielson's adventure
/activity holidays at the Aeolian Village Resort, Eressos, though I have yet to see firm
confirmation of this for 2020.
Submission of Lesvos Rare Bird Records
You should use the Rare Bird form on the Hellenic Orthological Society web site, here !
The Administration of the Lesvos Birders Facebook Group have collectively decided to,
and I quote, "step back" from compiling records and collating reports.
Demise of Thomas Cook
As most will know , TC's were the sole UK carrier offering direct flights to Lesvos ,
usually from the first or second Saturday in May. This is devastating for the tourist industry
on the island as well as for the many regular birders who choose not to fly via Athens.
Rumer has it that Jet2 have been booked as the preferred carrier for Nielson's adventure
/activity holidays at the Aeolian Village Resort, Eressos, though I have yet to see firm
confirmation of this for 2020.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
29 October 2019
No bird news , however I am pleased to say that Jet2.com have picked up Thomas Cooks
flights , which can be found on their Website today, commencing 2 May 2020.
Several Lesvos Hoteliers have also announced a partnership with them for package holidays.
No bird news , however I am pleased to say that Jet2.com have picked up Thomas Cooks
flights , which can be found on their Website today, commencing 2 May 2020.
Several Lesvos Hoteliers have also announced a partnership with them for package holidays.
