Lesvos Bird Reports 2017 (4 Viewers)

[Mick Sway]

2 x Sandwich terns, (Sterna sanvicensis), Petra 21/02/17

2 x Sandwich tern, (Sterna sanvicensis) seen at Petra on 21st Feb.
source:local enthusiast Giorgis Laskaridis.
The first this year as far as I am aware.
Prevailing temperatures have recently been about the same as here with very little rain forecast for the next 2 weeks.

 

[Mick Sway]

44 Ruddy Shellduck Kalloni 01/02/17

I seem to have missed this one from last month.
44 Ruddy Shellduck Kalloni salt Pans photographed.
source:local enthusiast Giorgis Laskaridis.

 

[Mick Sway]

House Martin's sighted at Mitilini this morning 02/03/17

House Martin's sighted at house nests Mitilini this morning 02/03/17 .
Ref Lesvos Bird News.

 

[Mick Sway]

First little crake 05/03 and barn swallows reported 06/03

05/03/17
First little crake at Metochi Lake reported by local photographer Petros Tsakmakis - Petros is usually first on these.
06/03/17
Eleni Galinou reports the first barn swallows of the summer at Kalloni Salt Pans.
07/03/17
She also reported at Kalloni Salt Pans:
26 Ruff and 280 dunlin , while the flock of Avocet built to 59

 

[Mick Sway]

Grey wagtail at Skala Kalloni 16/02/17

Giorgis Laskaridis reported and photographed a Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)at Skala Kalloni on 16/02/17. A scarce bird on Lesvos, though a few pairs are thought to breed in the mountains.

 

[Mick Sway]

Spoonbill Kalloni Salt Pans 13/03/17

Petros Tsakmakis reported and photographed a single Spoonbill at Skala Kalloni Salt Pans on 13/03/17.
More Lesvos Bird News here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/les...tif_t=group_comment&notif_id=1489416314654618

 

[Mick Sway]

Glossy Ibis, Alykes Wetland, Kalloni Saltpans 15/03/17

A local wildlife enthusiast reported and photographed 22 at Alykes wetlands , adjacent the Kalloni Salt Pans, yesterday 15/03/17.
Also of interest to anyone reading this:
Islets of Wildlife
Also if you're going to Lesvos this Spring don't forget your guide books:
Crossbill Guide Lesvos (wildlife and where to find it)
essential if it's your first time birdwatching on the island, is Steve Dudley's:
A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos
You can also download PDF versions of Steve's annual Bird Reports , with many usful site updates (the last is will be 2015) HERE
Although a little dated now, it's still relevant and useful , Richard Brooks guide:
Birdwatching on the Greek Island Of Lesvos

 

[Mick Sway]

Report your sightings

While visiting the island, why not report your sightings here:
https://lesvos.observation.org/index_map.php

Also of interest to anyone reading this:
Islets of Wildlife
Also if you're going to Lesvos this Spring don't forget your guide books:
Crossbill Guide Lesvos (wildlife and where to find it)
essential if it's your first time birdwatching on the island, is Steve Dudley's:
A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos
You can also download PDF versions of Steve's annual Bird Reports , with many usful site updates (the last is will be 2015) HERE
Although a little dated now, it's still relevant and useful , Richard Brooks guide:
Birdwatching on the Greek Island Of Lesvos[/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

17 March 2017

Reports from Eleni's Lesvos Bird News:
A local wildlife enthusiast reports the following sightings from
17/03/17
Kalloni Salt Pans
Common swifts
Alpine swifts
Location?
2 red breasted geese
2 Greylag geese
11 white fronted geese
2 mute swans
I guess that this is some where around the Gulf area.
Locations of geese may have been kept secret to protect from hunters.
Achladeri
Kruper's Nuthatch
18/03/17 Kalloni ?
A black redstart was also noted
Salt Pans
Little ringed plover
Black winged stilt
Spoonbill

Thanks to local expert Eleni Galinou for her translation from the Greek .

 

[Mick Sway]

20/03/17 Haramida - Return of the warblers

Local photographer Petros Tsakmakis photographed Sub-alpine and Ruppell's Warblers at Haramida yesterday.
We thank him for allowing the images to be shown here.

 

[Mick Sway]

22/03/17 Mixed flock of Yellow Wags, Kalloni Salt Pans

Several Glossy Ibis and a mixed flock of yellow wagtails ( no number stated but it looks like a pair of Ibis) were filmed by a local wildlife enthusiast R Sanders at Kalloni Salt Pans 22/03/17.

 

[Mick Sway]

Haramida 25/3/17 - First Short-toed Eagle of 2017

A local wildlife watcher reported and photographed what is beluieved to be the first short toed eagle of the season at Haramida on 25/3/17

 

[Mick Sway]

Lesvos Bird Records 2016 Wanted

A message posted today from Lesvos Bird records Committee:
Lesvos Bird Records Comitee


Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to our Commitee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com

 

[Mick Sway]

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apicaria) - Faneromeni Beach 28/03/17

An ex-pat wildlife enthusiast staying at Sigri, found a single Golden Plover (Pluvialis apicaria) on Faneromeni Beach on 28/03/17.
Apparently the beach pool there, that attracts many wading birds in early Spring,is rapidly drying out.
The same person also photographed an hoopoe there the day before.
Photos below from Vic Duncombe.


Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Records Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com

 

[Mick Sway]

First Common redstart , Eressos

A local enthusiast at Eressos reported and photographed the first common Redstart of the season 01/04/17

Also a long legged buzzard seen at Eressos from 11/03/17.

Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Rare Birds Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com[/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

The Herons are in 02/04/17

Local photographer Petros Tsakmakis found and photographed two heron species today 02/04/17:
Both first records of the season.
Little bittern Ixobrychus minutus 02/04/2017 Metochi (Inland Lake)
Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 02/04/2017 Potamia Valley
Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellaris 02/04/2017 Tsiknias River

Thanks to Petros for the images.
More Lesvos bird News on Eleni's Facebook Group here.


Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Rare Birds Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

Alykes Wetland 07/04/16

A visitor to the island reported yesterday (07/04/16) that the water levels at Alykes Wetland (opposite the Salt Works Gates ) were holding up well, despite the lack of any recent rainfall.

He also photographed 1 of 4 spoonbill present, along with good numbers of ducks, inc shoveler, Garganey and Wigeon.

Obviously water levels will rapidly decline at this time of year however, without any rain fall. Although there may be the chance of a shower next week, for the umpteenth year in a row,sadly it's looking like another dry spring.

Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Rare Birds Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

Return of Summer breeders 09/04/17

Local wildlife photographer, Petros Tsakmakis, recorded and photographed
the return of a few summer breeding species today, Sunday 09/04/17:
Cretzschmar's Bunting (Emberiza caesia) Petrified Forest
Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea Ipsilou 09/04/17
Isabelline wheatear Oenanthe isabellina near Ypsilou 09/04/17
Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus Antissa 09/04/17

In addition a female Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) was noted at Haramida today.

Photos by kind permission of Petros Tsakmakis.
Check out Eleni Galinou 's Lesvos Bird News Facebook Group.

Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Rare Birds Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com[/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

Glossy Ibis and Squaccos 10/04/17

01/04/17
A local wildlife enthusiast has just reported 3 Spotted redshank, (Tringa erytrhopus) at Kalloni Salt Pans
which he also photographed on 1st April 2017.

10/04/17
Eleni reports several seasonal pools dried up, however 40-50 Glossy Ibis on the wetlands along with a couple of squaccos and great egrets.
A few of the latter appeared to have overwintered.
Eleni Galinou also reports that sadly the reed bed at the main Tsiknias River Ford has been destroyed by winter rains.This is a shame because in previous years it has hosted crakes,little bittern, warblers (including great reed) and penduline tit.

Petros Tsakmakis photographed a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at the
Tsiknias river 10/04/17 - photo by his permission.
Have you seen a rare bird on Lesvos in 2016?
Please report it to the Lesvos Rare Birds Committee by April 10th!

Find out about the species wanted here:

http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.gr/…/lbrc-species-list.ht…
LBRC SPECIES LIST
Members of the Committee work on Lesvos Birding's ' A checklist of the birds of Lesvos ' to produce an official list of birds recorded on the island of Lesvos:
lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com[/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[Mick Sway]

11/04/17 First Marsh Sandpiper & black eared wheatear

Due to the lack of local reporting this year, many of the first migrants and breeders may of course have been in for a while.
Never the less, those stated at this time, are the first reports.

Eleni Galinou reports on ‎Lesvos bird news

11/04/17 Nifida Marsh
27 Black-winged Stilts , together with Ruffs, Wood Sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails.

11/04/17 Polichnitos Salt Pans
2 Marsh sandpipers

11/04/17 Alikoudi Marsh
86 Flamingos

11/04/17 Mesa
1 x black eared wheatear