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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve Dudley" data-source="post: 1824208" data-attributes="member: 5172">Some very nice pics Mike. Love the Nightjar - I've still never seen a daytime roosting bird on the island. Very envious.Now some more things from me - grumbles, pleas, info and questions for future years.TrespassingUnfortunately some very bad instances of trespass again. The two real problem spots were sadly the Penduline Tit nest site (photographers) and the Potamia Olive-tree Warbler site (birders). Despite fences clearly being in place, some individuals decided they needed to enter the riverbed (Penduline Tit) breaking down two fences, and the olive grove (Olive-tree Warbler) again breaking down a fence. I made my views clear to one group who entered the olive grove and make my views clear again here. You do not enter fenced off areas, and you certainly don’t damage property. I will gladly pass on the details of anyone I see doing this to the police and urge others to do so if the vandal(s) can be positively identified. Instances such as this will only lead to some birds/sites being suppressed in the future. Its up to us to police this and stop the mindless few from spoiling things for the majority.Kalloni Saltpans hidesFor some unknown reason the two hides at the Kalloni Saltpans were locked for much of the season. I used both hides during my stay, once only, only to find them locked on subsequent visits. My attempts to get them re-opened and kept open didn’t make any mark. I’ll be writing to the Mayor’s office later this month on this and other matters.Kalloni Saltpans east trackI got many complaints about cards being taken down the east saltpans track from the road hide. Most found they soon had to do a tight u-turn and retreat. Its best not to drive down this track and view the pans and fields on foot as the majority of us do!Tsiknias River fordThere were the usual problems here with both photographers and birders. Some photographers selfishly sat in the middle of the ford blocking it for other users (inc. locals) – its not always clear there is enough room to pass on the concrete pad even when a photographer is parked right to one side. And I twice had to ask birders to come pack to the track and stop them from wandering along the riverbed here were breeding waders are clearly at risk from trampling.Faneromeni River fordsSelfish birders and photographers continue to walk up and down the river from the two fords flushing birds for anyone arriving after them. Skala Kallonis PoolI got the usual pleas from birders about this site. Attempts are still ongoing to try and get some action on this privately owned pool, but at present this is looking likely. Some birds still found here for those persisting with it, including Great Bittern and Purple Heron.Polichnitos SaltpansThose few who ventured down to the Poli Pans found them dry. Reports are these pans are again threatened with closure. I’ll give whatever update I can on these pans in the 2010 annual report.Shearwater watching near the airportOn two different evenings I encountered returning fishing boats coming into Mytilini providing brilliant views of Scopoli’s Shearwater. On one occasion over 110 birds down to 500m offshore, flat calm sea and the shearwaters flapping like mad to catch the boat up once they had finished scoffing their titbit in the wake. If you’re arriving in the evening in future years its worth looking immediately offshore from the airport before heading for your accommodation.New sites?Did you venture off the beaten path this year? Can you suggest any new sites for the next edition of my book? I spent most of my last week covering new areas and I already have a couple of suggestions of sites for me to check next spring.Day excursionsSince there are no resident bird guides on the island, I was repeatedly asked if I could take people out for the day. I ran a couple of day excursions as last minute things, but I’ll look into running excursions (inc. early mornings, half days and full days) next year.Boat trip off north coastFor future years would anyone be interested in going on a 2-3 hr boat trip from Molivos to chum for Scopoli’s Shearwater, Yelkouan Shearwater and Audouin’s Gull, and look for dolphins? I’ve already started discussions on the island to use one of the double-decker tourist boats but it has to be worthwhile for the boatmen. Perhaps we could run one trip in each of the main three weeks. Boat takes c.50 people which I think should be manageable from all the birders present each of these weeks. Would you be up for it?</blockquote>

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