Images Of Lesvos May 2014 (2 Viewers)

[Mick Sway]

I recommend anyone interested in detailed reports and information regarding birding on Lesvos last Spring; to catch up by reading Steve Dudley's excellent annual report just published on line in PDF format (click on link) , Lesvos Birds 2014.
For us biggest disapointment in 2014 was the lack of waders on the wetlands, due to late spring rain.
There's always an up side though, one of those being our breaking our duck on Red Breasted Flycatchers, after many years of trying, they came like London buses, three females in one day, at different sites.
It is also a puzzel why over the years, we've seen more great spotted cuckoo's than common, though I'm sure that must be related to passage.
Always a pleasure to be on Lesvos though.
Four Lesvos birwatching sites:
Kalloni Salt Pans
Metochi "Inland Lake"
Platania (track off the Napi valley road)
Polichnitos Salt Pans

 

[Mick Sway]

European Bee-eaters
Always a favourite, Lesvos breeder from late April to September.
The Tsiknias River has prover popular with photographers over recent years,
these birds are always a joy to watch, especially their pairing in Spring
when the males tend to show off by feeding their mate, insects that they have caught.
Sadly there were reports that one nest site was bulldozed as a local farmer was
full filling a contract for topsoil.
First two images Tsiknias River, third near Skoutaris ,one misty morning.

 

[Mick Sway]

Raptors.
As regards sightings, not a particularly good year for us in 2014, as we dipped on red foots and LS Eagles again in 2014, though many did get them ticked.
Plenty of high flying long legged buzzards,common and the occasional honey buzzard about. On two occasions as we watched long legged buzzards, other birders made them into something they clearly were not.
Mixed race common buzzards also continue to confuse, even the experts.
Images 1 & 2 = buteo rufinus (Sigri area)
Imagew 3 = buteo buteo
Image 4 = Pernis apivorus at Agriosikos

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - Raptors continued

Images:
1 Eleonoras Falcon (Falco eleonorae) Agriosikos Filia 22/05/14
2 Kestrel Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Meledia Valley 20/05/14
3 Lesser kestrel falco naumanni Faneromeni Lesvos 14/05/14
4 Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) near Skamioudi 10/05/14
5 Harrier marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) Metochi 13/05/14

Eleonora's are relatively common on May passage, though it's a case of right place , right time. Out west in spring is the best time for Lesser kestrel on Lesvos. The Monte's was one of a pair hawking over meadows, unfortunately mobbed by hooded crows, before we could get out of the car, for good views.
Marsh harriers can turnup almost anywhere during early May.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - Raptors continued

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - Owls continued
Images:
1 & 2 Eagle short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Agriosikos (Filia) 06/05/14
We also had Goshawk,Sparrowhawk and Peregrine at this site, Petri also being good for the latter two.
3 Little Owl Perasma/ Petra reservoir
4 & 5
Owl Long-eared Owl asio otus a Papania Lesvos 05/05/14
Nice to see that the pair at the School site bred sucessfully in 2014.
Though apparently the Eucalyptus trees have recently been pollarded, suggesting
that this is unlikely in 2015.
Two scops were viewable in the Eucalyptus at the Kalloni mini-soccer pitch, with luck someone may
have located them when you arrive.

to be continued...............

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 -Flycatchers

Flycatchers:
As usual out west was best, with good views of four species to be had, though
spot flies can turn anywhere.
Red-breasted Flycatcher ficidula parva
A windy overcast 9th May 2014 turned out to be a winner for Tina and I, our journey to Segri and the Meledia valley being rewarded with no less than 3 Red breasted flycatchers.
In order :
Faneromeni ford - one up the lane, flew off and we couldn't re-locate, although others did.
Sigri old Sanatorium, one well twitched, sheltering in the courtyard.
Meledia Valley chapel, one amongst a large fall of spot flies and wood warblers.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 -Flycatchers cont

Images:
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) Faneromeni 07/05/14
Flycatcher Pied Meledia Valley Chapel 07/05/14
Collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) Faneromeni upper ford 09/05/14

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 continued

Great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)
Perasma (aka Petra reservoir) 18/05/14
Having heard of the presence of a pair at this site, we made a number of visits
trying to locate it, reportedly in a tree where hooded crows had bred earlier in the Spring.
The 18th May turned out to be the last sighting of the pair.
In truth we were about to give up, getting into the car for a drink before leaving for lunch at Skala Sikaminia, when one of them flew into a bush only a few metres away, right in front of the car. A better photo op one could never have, except it unfortunately had to be through the car window.
As we opened the car doors, of course it took off, joining it's potential mate
in the tree with the crows nest.
I would be interested to know if any other birders on the island, saw either of them after 18th May 2014.
blury images through the car windows, I'm afraid.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - warblers

Warblers
The big find of 2014 was the Pallas's warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus) at Meledia Valley Chapel on the 8th May, we dipped having made the journey the day before, we tried for it the day after, sadly by then it had moved on.
There is a full account of this species, new to the Lesvos list,on P130 of Steve Dudley's 2014 report here.

Some Sylvia Warblers:
1 Rüppell's Warbler fem (Sylvia rueppelli) Kavaki 12/05/14 annual breeder at this site
2 Rüppell's Warbler male (Sylvia rueppelli) Kavaki 08/05/14
3 Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) Perasma Petra Resvoir 12/05/14 - common in woodlands
4 Eastern Orphean Warbler (Sylvia crassirostris) Faneromeni 04/05/14 - common in woodlands
5 Lesser Whitethroat sylivia curruca Meledia Valley Chapel 09/05/14- unconfiding migrant

Barred warbler may be seen in small numbers on passage (not by us I might add). Blackcap and Garden warbler may also be seen but are generally unconfiding.

To be continued.

 

[Andrew]

Thanks for posting these Mick, brings back very good memories. A super place.

I am into insects now but I would still like to go back for the flies, I bet they have some crackers.

Regards,
Andrew.

 

[Mick Sway]

Thanks for posting these Mick, brings back very good memories. A super place.

I am into insects now but I would still like to go back for the flies, I bet they have some crackers.

Regards,
Andrew.

Thank you for your kind comments Andrew.
I hold no guilt for singing the praises of Lesvos as a birding destination in the Spring. From mid april to early May the island is at it's best in terms of flowers (orchids especially - check out Paul Manning's contribution to the 2014 Birding report), birding, reptiles, butterflies and other insects.
The weather can be unpredictable, however usually the odd rainstorm brings in something new and never lasts for very long.

 

[Mick Sway]

1 Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) Sigri Old Sanetorium 07/05/14
2 Warbler Eastern Olivaceous iduna pallida Metochi 13/05/14
3 Cettis Warbler Cettia cetti Tsiknias River Bandstand Tsiknias river 13/05/14
4 Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) Anaxos River 08/05/14
5 Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)Meledia Valley Ford 07/05/14

 

[Mick Sway]

Warblers continued:
1 Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Meledia Valley Chapel 07/05/14
2 Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina) Meledia Valley ford 09/05/14
3 *Fan-tailed Warbler (Basileuterus lachrymosus) Cristou River 05/05/14
*Fan tail's are highly localised breeders on Lesvos, having resettled their old breeding grounds in the past couple of years, following an absence of almost 10 years.
Common northern European warblers such as chiff-chaff and willow are much more difficult to see in spring, Eastern Bonelli's is a localised breeder , more often heard than seen.

 

[Mick Sway]

Photos:
Blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) Petri 17/05/14
Common breeder around rocky outcrops and cliffs.
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) Sigri Old Sanetorium 09/05/14
One of two seen in the same area, this was sheltering in the forecourt.
Rufous Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes syriaca) Faneromeni Lesvos 09/05/14
We saw three pairs in the general area. Sadly much to popular a species with photographers.
Black-eared wheatear hispanica melanoleuca Anaxos 13/05/14
One of a pair breeding in a disused garage in the village, their comings and goings closely watched by the village cats (and me).
Northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Petrified Forest 16/05/14
Common breeder in the rocky uplands of the west of the island.

 

[Mick Sway]

CONTINUED..

Photos:
Isabelline wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) Ipsilou 20/05/14
Most common out west, Ipsilou/Petrified forest area.
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe Hispanica Meledia Valley 16/05/14
Light throated (masked) species, both breed on Lesvos.
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe Hispanica male & fem Petri 17/05/14
Dark throated pair breeding, near Petri.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - Shrikes

Shrikes - images
Always charismatic,a species that we are largely deprived of in the UK, Lesvos boats four breeding species:
Red-backed shrike male (Lanius collurio) Faneromeni 09/05/14
Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) female Meledia Valley 07/05/14
Woodchat Shrike lanius senator Faneromeni 16/05/14
Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor) Meledia Valley 07/05/14
Masked Shrike ( Lanius nubicus) Faneromeni 14/05/14
Worth noting that it was an olive tree warbler that I was scanning for when I
came across this masked shike, mimicking OTW, low down in a olive tree.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - Buntings
Lesvos all boasts five species of breeding bunting's, where in addition ortolan, and rock may also be occasionally seen on passage.
All are relatively easily observed, including cinereous which however has a much
more restricted breeding area in the west of the island.
Images:

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus Perasma Petra Resvoir 12/05/14
Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) Faneromeni Lesvos 20/05/14
Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea) Petrified Forest 20/05/14
Cretzschmar's bunting (Emberiza caesia) Petrified Forest 20/05/14
Corn bunting (Emberiza calandra) Faneromeni 04/05/14

 

[Mick Sway]

Images Of Lesvos May 2014 - warblers

Three species of Nuthatch seen on the island:
Photos:
Kruper's Nuthatch Sitta krueperi Achladeri Lesvos 13/05/14
Achladeri Forest appears to remain the Kruper's principle breeding ground.
Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Agriosikos 22/05/14
Scarce un-confiding breeder, can also be found at Ipsilou with patience.
Rock Nuthatch (Sitta neumayer) Petri 17/05/14

The most observable of this species on the island, any visit to rocky upland areas is likely to result in a pleasent encounter.

 

[Mick Sway]

A few random images:

Chukar (Alectoris chukar) Petrified Forest 20/05/14
Common but unconfiding on hillsides
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Salt Pans Pumping Station 10/05/14
One of a small flock seen at Kalloni Salt Pans during early May.
Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) Perasma - Petra Reservoir 17/05/14
Common summer visitor.
Middle spotted woodpecker dendrocopos medius Limonos 06/05/14
Surprisingly the only breeding woodpecker species on the island.
Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Sigri 11/05/14

A difficult one to spot, last time I gave a location away it led to multiple disturbances before abandoning the roost.

A reminder for anyone visiting the island this spring, that live news of sightings is available an the Lesvos Birders Facebook Page. Recent sightings up to today 19 March have included news of two GS cuckoos,
Water rail,Baillon's Crake & Little Crakes, the first ST Eagle of the season,returning hoopoe, yellow wags, water pipit and a large flock of GW egret.

 

[Mick Sway]

Images:
Heron night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) juvenile Faneromeni 11/05/14
Roost of a dozen birds at Metochi until early May.
Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) Mesa 15/05/14
Common occasionally confiding, on wetlands and in channels.
Little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) Faneromeni 16/05/14
Common along watercourses. late April/early May, occasionally confiding.
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Policnictou 20/05/14
Large flocks can be present at both Salt Pans, not known to breed.
Sometimes heard overhead at night when commuting to mainland Turkey.
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Alikoudi Pool 10/05/14
Common breeder at both salt pans.