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Rhodes, Greece 12th - 26th September 2023 (1 Viewer)

Woodchat

Cogito ergo sum
Just returned from a nice sunshine-filled 2 weeks on the island of Rhodes. Not strictly a birdwatching trip - however, no self-respecting birder can go anywhere without taking their binoculars and having a good mooch around.

We stayed in the village if Kremasti, which is a few kilometres south-west of Rhodes Town and close to the airport.

Most birding forays involved morning walks around the village - especially along the Kremastinos river (aka the 'Kremast river'), areas around the airport runway and nearby gardens and allotments.

Additionally, we had days out in Rhodes Town, Lindos, Severn Springs and took a boat over to the island of Symi.

A very modest total of 48 species were recorded but the birding was enjoyable, with some evidence of migrants actively passing through. Additionally, some attractive butterfly species were common.

Species accounts are given in the next post.
 
Rhodes List / Accounts

1. Yelkouan Shearwater - a few between Rhodes and Symi. One showed very well close to the boat.

2. Scopoli's Shearwater - 100+ between Rhodes and Symi. Several flew very close to the boat.

3. Little Egret - one along the Kremasti river most mornings, with 2 there together on 26th September. One seen on the other side of Kremasti on 20th September.

4. Grey Heron - seen around Kremasti on several dates.

5. Moorhen - several along the Kremasti river.

6. Common Buzzard - regularly seen around Kremasti.

7. Honey Buzzard - 4 seen coming in off the sea near the Kremasti river mouth on 14th and singles seen on several dates around Kremasti thereafter. Really good, close views of one near the airport runway and allotments on 27th.

8. Peregrine - 1 flying along the Kremasti river on 18th and one perched near there on the 19th.

9. Hobby - one north of Kremasti on 19th.

10. Common Kestrel - one at Kremasti on 26th September.

11. Yellow-legged Gull - regular around the coast.

12. Common Snipe - singles at Kremasti river on 17th and 21st.

13. Ruff - one present at Kremasti river from 16th to the 19th.

14. Kingfisher - up to 2 present along the Kremasti river most days.

15. European Bee-eater - a flock of 27+ over the Airport runway and Kremasti river on 17th. Unseen birds heard passing over on a couple of other dates.

16. Turtle Dove - one near the Kremasti river on 16th and 2 in the area on 26th.

17. Collared Dove - Common.

18. Feral Pigeon - Common.

19. Pallid Swift - singles and small flocks present around Kremasti on several dates from 13th - 21st.

20. Tawny Pipit - one at Kremasti on 18th.

21. Red-throated Pipit - singles on 17th, 19th, 24th and 26th.

22. Tree Pipit - recorded on several dates, usually flyover calling birds.

23. Flava Wagtail - regularly recorded in singles and small groups, especially around the Kremasti river and nearby areas. Some were identified as Black-headed Wagtails, based on appearance and/or calls.

24. White Wagtail - singles recorded on several dates.

25. Grey Wagtail - Up to 2 seen around the bridge over the Kremasti river.

26. Crested Lark - regular around the airstrip and surrounding areas. Often surprisingly difficult to see but good views eventually obtained.

27. Swallow - regular small flocks passing through.

28. Red-rumped Swallow - seen around Kremasti in singles and small flocks from 14th to 24th

29. Sand Martin - One on 22nd and two on 26th.

30. Crag Martin - fairly common around Rhodes Town on 15th and 23rd. Two seen north of Kremasti on 19th.

31. Sardinian Warbler - after House Sparrow, probably the commonest passerine around Kremasti, encountered in various habitats.

32. Lesser Whitethroat - noted in the same tree in a gardens / allotment near the Kremasti river on 22nd and 25th.

33. Blackcap - a few seen in gardens and allotments on a few dates.

34. Willow Warbler - decent passage with birds noted most days. Seen in gardens, allotments and along the Kremasti river. Some of the Tamarisks near the coast often held several per tree. Also encountered at Seven Springs.

35. Chiffchaff - slightly less common than Willow Warbler and seen in similar areas.

36. Cetti's Warbler - regular around the Kremasti river

37. Whinchat - reasonable numbers encountered most days with a peak count of at least 8 on the 17th. Mainly seen around the allotments and runway areas but also seen along the Kremasti river and even quite near to our apartment.

38. Wheatear - a female near the runway /airstrip on 16th.

39. Blue Rock Thrush - one near Lindos on 20th.

40. Spotted Flycatcher - regularly encountered around Kremasti on most days. Also seen near Lindos on 20th.

41. Red-backed Shrike - fairly common around Kremasti and encountered there on most dates. The highest count was 5 (4 fem, 1 male) on 17th. 2 juveniles seen very close to our hotel on 14th and 15th.

42. Blue Tit - present around Kremasti but not particularly common.

43. Jay - a few seen around the Kremasti river and allotments areas.

44. Hooded Crow - very common around Kremasti and other areas.

45. Raven - singles and pairs seen occasionally around the hills surrounding Kremasti.

46. Chaffinch - 2 at Seven Springs on 20th.

47. House Sparrow - very common.


Butterflies / moths

Swallowtail - common

Scarce Swallowtail - common

Plain Tiger - about 8 individuals of this very attractive butterfly seen

Camberwell Beauty - just one seen near the Kremasti river on the 25th

Pigmy Skipper - a few seen

Various Blues, Browns and Whites

Hummingbird Hawk Moth
 
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