BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="marklhawkes" data-source="post: 1827960" data-attributes="member: 1962">This was my first visit to Lesvos, and I stayed in the Spirit of Greece villas in Skala Kalloni from May 6th-20th.With reflection, my trip was probably a little late in the season, especially given the exceptionally warm weather, and the fact that it had generally been a poor year even before we arrived. However, I fell in love with the place, and was pleased to connect with 144 species, including several world ticks (I wasn't birding solidly for two weeks either - sitting by our pool became my second favourite pass-time!). Thanks very much to Steve Dudley for help and info whilst I was on the island, and I must add that for first time visitors, his excellent new site guide is a "must have". Highlights of better sightings listed below (I will send you a full sightings list Steve in due course). However, one notable omission was Night Heron - I failed to bump into one anywhere (unlike visits to other areas of Europe where they are usually easy to come by), also a lack of passerine falls (due to the high pressure) and not making the effort to go and look for Eastern Bonelli's Warbler probably limited my list somewhat. I was blown away by just how common Crested Larks, Cetti's, Eastern Olivaceous, Nightingales, Sparrows, Bee-eaters and Black-headed Buntings were.... amazing to see. Gutted to have missed Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on 19/5 though!Highlights:Broad-billed Sandpiper, found one at Kalloni saltpans on 7/5 (seen also on 8th and 9th).Booted Eagle, found a dark phase at Kalloni raptor watch point on 17/5.Red-necked Phalaropes, found a pair at Kalloni saltpans on 18/5.Spur-winged Plover, relocated bird on Kalloni saltpans on 19/5.Ortolan Bunting, found one at Kalloni raptor watch point on 8/5.Notable sightings:Scopoli's Shearwater - one close in off North coast feeding on sea with gulls on 11/5.Purple Heron - just two singles seen!Great White Egret - max. of 5 at Mesa and 5 at Kalloni saltpans.Glossy Ibis - max of 6 at Kalloni saltpans.Honey Buzzard - seen at Kalloni raptor watchpoint a few times. Max of 2 birds.Long-legged Buzzard - seen at many sites. Max of 6 at one site. Nice dark morph bird at Napi on 10/5.Goshawk - male displaying at Kalloni raptor watch point on 14/5 & 17/5.Red-footed Falcon - fewer seen than hoped for! Female found at Metochi lake on 8/5, male found at Skala Kalloni on 9/5, and a pair seen at Kalloni saltpans on 15/5 (female still on 16th).Eleonora's Falcon - seen at several sites. Max of 5 at Kalloni raptor watch point on 14/5.Little Crake - 2 females at Metochi Lake on 8/5, male along Tsiknias River on 13/5. Chukar - heard-only at Petrified Forest.Collared Pratincole - max. of 5 seen together.Marsh Sandpiper - 1 at Kalloni saltpans on 7/5 & 9/5.Temminck's Stint - 1 at Kalloni saltpans on 7/5.Med. Gull - 2cy at Kalloni saltpans on 17/5 & 18/5.Gull-billed Tern - seen on several occasions at Kalloni saltpans. Max of 2 birds.White-winged Black Tern - just one! Kalloni saltpans on 9/5 - I didn't even hear of any others whilst I was on the island!Black Tern - More seen that WWBT! Max 3 at Kalloni saltpans on numerous dates.Whiskered Tern - seen most days. Max of 25+ at Kalloni saltpans on 19/5.Middle Spotted Woodpecker - singles at Platania and Ipsilou.Pallid Swift - fewer seen than expected - 5 at Petrified Forest on 12/5, 2 at Kalloni saltpans on 19/5.Alpine Swift - 15 at Anaxos on 15/5, singles at Kalloni raptor watch point and Potamia valley.Bee-eaters - everywhere!! Max 120 at Molivos on 11/5.Crag Martin - 5+ at Kavaki on 11/5, 1 at Potamia on 18/5.Red-rumped Swallow - seen at several sites. Max 7 at Potamia Valley/Res. on 18/5.Citrine Wagtail - female at Kalloni saltpans on 13/5.Isabelline Wheater - males/pairs seen near Adisa, Ipsilou and Petrified Forest on 12/5.Red-throated Pipit - just one seen at Saltpans.Short-toed Lark - 3 different birds located around Kalloni saltpans.Rufous Bush Robin - at least 3 different singing males seen around Kalloni saltpans, including one with a female, and another male along Tsiknias River.Blue Rock Thrush - just two seen on whole trip - I must confess, I didn't spend much time looking for them though!Ruppell's Warbler - 2-3 at Kavaki on 11/5 & 15/5.Sardinian Warbler - female at Kavaki on 11/5.Olive Tree Warbler - 3+ at Platania. 2 at Potamia Valley/Res.Rock Nuthatch - seen at many sites. Max of 4 at Kalloni raptor watch point on 17/5 .Kruper's Nuthatch - pair giving great views at Achladeri on 9/5.Rock Sparrow - male at Ipsilou on 12/5.Rose-coloured Starling - 7 at Tsiknias River on 20/5.Lesser Grey Shrike - one at Kalloni saltpans on 15/5.Masked Shrike - seen at numerous sites. Always just 1-2 birds.Cretzchmar's Bunting - seen at a number of sites.Cinereous Bunting - 3 males at Ipsilou on 12/5.</blockquote>

Verification