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Lesvos Bird News 2019/2020 (1 Viewer)

13 October 2019 Rose-ringed parakeet, Agia Paraskevi,

13 October 2019
Agia Paraskevi,
Rose-ringed parakeet,

On Lesvos Bird News, Eleni Galinou reported a single bird feeding on pomegranates , mostly likely an escape, though they can be seen in Athens
parks and gardens.

Bird News has dried up for the moment.
 
14/11/19 Moustached warbler, Ntipi

14/11/19
Moustached warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon)
Ntipi Reedbed, Dippy-Lársos Reedbed, Gera Bay.
Stylianos Zannetos photographed the return of Moustached warbler near
the Gulf of Gera. This localised species returns in Autumn to Winter in the reedbeds.
As first reported on Lesvos Bird News.
 

Attachments

  • Moustached warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) Ntipi reedbed 141119 Stylianos Zannetos.JPG
    Moustached warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) Ntipi reedbed 141119 Stylianos Zannetos.JPG
    49.5 KB · Views: 12
17/11/19 - Greater white fronted geese - Kalloini Salt Pans

17 November 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans

Local enthusiast Stylianos Zannetos reports on Lesvos Bird News Facebook group.
an exceptional day for bird watching at alykes.
62 species in all were observed, see here for full list.
Most notable sightings were:

Lesser white fronted goose 2
White pelican 7
Dalmatian pelican 34

Other species of interest (for Lesvos):
Merlin
Northern lapwing
Caspian gull
Slender billed gull
Penduline tit
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Common starling
Woodpigeon
Black redstart

Good numbers of common wintering ducks were also present
 

Attachments

  • White fronted geese , Kalloni Salt Pans , 171119 cc  Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
    White fronted geese , Kalloni Salt Pans , 171119 cc Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
    22.9 KB · Views: 13
  • Pelicans, Kalloni Salt Pans , 171119 cc  Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
    Pelicans, Kalloni Salt Pans , 171119 cc Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
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23 November 2019 - Black throated diver - Gulf of Kalloni

23 November 2019
Stylianos Zannetos reports on his visit to Kalloni Salt Pans and surrounds , on Lesvos Bird News , Facebook Group, as follows:

Gulf of Kalloni
Black throated diver 6
Red - breasted Merganser 5
Black necked grebe 4

Kalloni Salt Pans
Great White pelican 6
Dalmatian pelican 25
Northern lapwing 15

53 species in all including wintering skylark and meadow pipits

Mesa Wetland
Spoonbill 15
10 species in total recorded here


Thanks to Stylianos for his report and image.
 

Attachments

  • Gavia arctica Gulf of Kalloni 231119 photo cc Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
    Gavia arctica Gulf of Kalloni 231119 photo cc Stylianos Zannetos‎.JPG
    56.1 KB · Views: 12
As reported on Lesvos Bird News Facebook group.
30 November 2019
Akrotiri , South of Mitilini
First redwing (Turdus iliacus) of winter seen.
 
26 Dec 2019 - Common Crane

26 December 2019
Kalloni Salt Pans

Common crane
Eleni Gallinou reported on Lesvos Bird News , distant views of a single common crane on boxing day.

Also seen by others.
26/12/19
Gulf of Gera

Little gull - single
Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) 10
 
In light of the lack of any further bird news for 2019, I am sharing some images from our
visit last May.
 

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  • black stork Ciconia nigra Kalloni Salt Pans 090519.JPG
    black stork Ciconia nigra Kalloni Salt Pans 090519.JPG
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  • Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus Alkoudi Pool 240419.JPG
    Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus Alkoudi Pool 240419.JPG
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  • Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus Skamioudi 270419.JPG
    Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus Skamioudi 270419.JPG
    83.8 KB · Views: 7
  • Spur winged plover  - Vanellus spinosus Faneromeni  030519.JPG
    Spur winged plover - Vanellus spinosus Faneromeni 030519.JPG
    85.1 KB · Views: 9
  • marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) Kalloni Salt Pans 250419.JPG
    marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) Kalloni Salt Pans 250419.JPG
    48.2 KB · Views: 8
More images

More images from April/May 2019
Breeding of great spotted cuckoo, through paristing hooded crows nests was proven at Molivos
a couple of years ago.
 

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  • Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola Alykes Wetland 260419.JPG
    Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola Alykes Wetland 260419.JPG
    101.6 KB · Views: 7
  • Cuckoo Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus Kalloni  220419.JPG
    Cuckoo Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Kalloni 220419.JPG
    38.5 KB · Views: 8
  • Cuckoo Great Spotted Cuckoo - Clamator glandarius Meladia Valley 240419.JPG
    Cuckoo Great Spotted Cuckoo - Clamator glandarius Meladia Valley 240419.JPG
    100.5 KB · Views: 6
  • distant  Eurasian Bittern - Botaurus stellaris Skala Kalloni Pool 290419.JPG
    distant Eurasian Bittern - Botaurus stellaris Skala Kalloni Pool 290419.JPG
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  • European Turtle Dove - Streptopelia turtur Potamia Valley 110519.JPG
    European Turtle Dove - Streptopelia turtur Potamia Valley 110519.JPG
    110.7 KB · Views: 6
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More images

More images.
Note the Little Bittern was taken at Metochi/Inland Lake.
The Reed beds of the lake were dramatically cut back in Autumn/Winter 2018
resulting in very little cover for wildlife. Hopefully 2020 will see the surrounding habitat return to normal.
 

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  • Herons Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus Metochi 110519.JPG
    Herons Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus Metochi 110519.JPG
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  • Herons egret great egret (Ardea alba) Kalloni Pool 260419.JPG
    Herons egret great egret (Ardea alba) Kalloni Pool 260419.JPG
    53.5 KB · Views: 4
  • Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea Kalloni Pool  Lesvos 260419.JPG
    Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea Kalloni Pool Lesvos 260419.JPG
    79.7 KB · Views: 6
  • Heron Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Kalloni Salt Pans 220419.JPG
    Heron Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Kalloni Salt Pans 220419.JPG
    54.5 KB · Views: 7
  • Herons Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Alykes Wetland  240419.JPG
    Herons Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Alykes Wetland 240419.JPG
    69.5 KB · Views: 5
2019 images Continued

Good to see peregrine breeding on the cliffs at Kavaki again .
the steppe buzzard has been submitted as a record to the HRC.
 

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  • Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus Kavaki 08051.JPG
    Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus Kavaki 08051.JPG
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  • black kite (Milvus migrans) Ipsilou 250419.JPG
    black kite (Milvus migrans) Ipsilou 250419.JPG
    18.9 KB · Views: 5
  • Eleonora's Falcon - Falco eleonora Sikiminia 080519.JPG
    Eleonora's Falcon - Falco eleonora Sikiminia 080519.JPG
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  • Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis Skoutaros 300419.JPG
    Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis Skoutaros 300419.JPG
    17.4 KB · Views: 8
  • Steppe Buzzard - Buteo buteo vulpinus   Aghios Taxiarchis 130519.JPG
    Steppe Buzzard - Buteo buteo vulpinus Aghios Taxiarchis 130519.JPG
    17.9 KB · Views: 10
2019 images Continued

More images from Lesvos 2019
 

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  • Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus Alykes Wetland 270419.JPG
    Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus Alykes Wetland 270419.JPG
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  • short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Sigri 250419.JPG
    short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Sigri 250419.JPG
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  • Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Ancient Antissa 070519.JPG
    Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Ancient Antissa 070519.JPG
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  • Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus Meladia Valley 250419.JPG
    Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus Meladia Valley 250419.JPG
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  • Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni Sigri 030519.JPG
    Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni Sigri 030519.JPG
    20.1 KB · Views: 8
Images 2019

Flycatchers
 

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  • European Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca  Faneromeni 030519.JPG
    European Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca Faneromeni 030519.JPG
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  • Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    28.1 KB · Views: 3
  • semicollared flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata Sigri 230419.JPG
    semicollared flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata Sigri 230419.JPG
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  • Red breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva Meladia Chapel 140519.JPG
    Red breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva Meladia Chapel 140519.JPG
    31 KB · Views: 5
  • Collared Flycatcher - Ficedula albicollis Ipsiloui 230419.JPG
    Collared Flycatcher - Ficedula albicollis Ipsiloui 230419.JPG
    50.6 KB · Views: 5
2019 images Continued

Wagtails
 

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  • Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola Polichnitos Salt Pans 270419.JPG
    Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola Polichnitos Salt Pans 270419.JPG
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  • Sykes Yellow Motacilla flava beema Alkoudi Pool 270419.JPG
    Sykes Yellow Motacilla flava beema Alkoudi Pool 270419.JPG
    71.9 KB · Views: 4
  • Grey-headed Wagtail - Motacilla flava poss M. f. xanthophryx Polichnitos Salt Pans 270419 1.JPG
    Grey-headed Wagtail - Motacilla flava poss M. f. xanthophryx Polichnitos Salt Pans 270419 1.JPG
    80.7 KB · Views: 3
  • Western Yellow Motacilla flava  feldegg male 210419.JPG
    Western Yellow Motacilla flava feldegg male 210419.JPG
    41.7 KB · Views: 3
  • Yellow Motacilla flava Mesa 090519.JPG
    Yellow Motacilla flava Mesa 090519.JPG
    33.7 KB · Views: 10
2019 images Continued - warblers

Garden warbler is uncommon on Lesvos , the one shown was particularly late
for Spring Passage.
 

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  • Rüppell's Warbler - Sylvia ruppeli Kavaki 080519.JPG
    Rüppell's Warbler - Sylvia ruppeli Kavaki 080519.JPG
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  • Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin Sigri 120519.JPG
    Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin Sigri 120519.JPG
    46.4 KB · Views: 6
  • Icterine Warbler - Hippolais icterina Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    Icterine Warbler - Hippolais icterina Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    83.9 KB · Views: 7
  • Eastern Bonelli's Warbler - Phylloscopus orientalis  Agriosikos 090519.JPG
    Eastern Bonelli's Warbler - Phylloscopus orientalis Agriosikos 090519.JPG
    79.1 KB · Views: 7
  • Olive tree Warbler  Hippolais olivetorum Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    Olive tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Faneromeni 070519.JPG
    54.9 KB · Views: 7
2019 images Continued - Passerines/Migrants

Passerines /Migrants
We witnessed hundreds of rosies passing through Faneromeni during mid May, though mulberries had still to rippen in many places.
 

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  • Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Meladia Valley 250419.JPG
    Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Meladia Valley 250419.JPG
    61.8 KB · Views: 4
  • Greater Short toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla Alykes Wetland 220419.JPG
    Greater Short toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla Alykes Wetland 220419.JPG
    64.7 KB · Views: 5
  • Red throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Alykes Wetland 240419.JPG
    Red throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Alykes Wetland 240419.JPG
    49.6 KB · Views: 5
  • Rock Sparrow - Petronia petronia Ipsilou - Sigri Road 280419.JPG
    Rock Sparrow - Petronia petronia Ipsilou - Sigri Road 280419.JPG
    91 KB · Views: 8
  • Rose coloured starling (Pastor roseus) Faneromeni 140519.JPG
    Rose coloured starling (Pastor roseus) Faneromeni 140519.JPG
    90.8 KB · Views: 5
Lesvos 2019

Thanks for the images Mick. All the best for 2020.

Pat

Thank you for your interest Pat, very much appreciated as I don't get much feedback on here.

2020
Because current information on bird movements is hard to come by, I won't be continuing this thread into 2020. Also for the first time in 20 years I have no plans to visit the island this year.
Thankfully Jet 2 have picked up the mantle following TCs demise allowing anyone who wants to fly direct, to do so from 2 May 2020.
I have run this thread because not everyone likes or trusts Facebook , however there are two Birding groups still running on Facebook :
Lesvos Birders (originally set up by Steve Dudley)
Lesvos Bird News
The latter is a local group set up by local wildlife expert and bird guide
Eleni Galinou.
 
That's a shame, but fully understand. I 'd love to go back one day but guess it 's sometimes better to keep the wonderful memories instead.
Best wishes Mick.
 
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