leslist

Species list

List of species seen

Little Grebe	Only seen once, at Kalloni Small Pool (2), but also heard at Dipi Larisos
Cory's Shearwater	Flocks of between around 10 and 30 birds were passing Tavari to the west on 5th. These flocks were almost constant, and numbers eventually totalled probably over 200. The sea was calm, and little wind, which meant that they were almost constantly flapping with little shearing. A single bird was also seen from the airport before departure
Yelkouan Shearwater	The first group of birds seen were 3 together (East) past Molivos. Half an hour passed before another group of 8 passed in the same direction. On 8th, a single bird was shadowing a school of 4 dolphins (seen from the cliffs between Petra and Molivos. A short time later, 2 separate groups of c20 birds were seen from the same location, one flying West, and the other East (they may have been the same birds seen twice)
Cormorant	The low number of 5 on the first afternoon (2nd) and one on the last from the airport may show the small amount of seawatching as much as low residency
Grey Heron	Small numbers seen on most days, with a peak of 6 on 3rd
Purple Heron	Infrequent: 2 at Kalloni Pool (4th); 3 at Faneromeni ; and a bizarre occurence of one perched on one of the rock faces at Tavari
Great White Egret	The only birds seen were 2 on a pool to the South-east of the Kalloni / Mytilini / Achladeri junction (3rd). A single bird there on 9th may have been one of these
Little Egret	Very common, and seen on most days, with the largest numbers at Kalloni Salt Pans (c.75)
Squacco Heron	Seen regularly in small numbers: East River (1 on 3rd, 2 on 4th); Kalloni Pool (1 on 4th, 2 on 8th); Skala Eresou river bed (1); Fanerami (3); Sigri / Eressos track (5 at Meladia River crossing); Petra / Molivos area (1 on 7th); Kalloni Salt Pans (1 on 8th); Dipi Larsos (1)
Night Heron	1 roosting in a tree around Kalloni Small Pool, 1 in the river bed at Skala Eresou
Little Bittern	Although regularly seen, usually flying, at Kalloni Pool (at least 7), the best spectacle was at Faneromeni, where 3 were in the open river at the upper ford, and 2 at the lower ford. Additional birds were: Skala Eresou river bed (1); Faneromeni reedbed (1); Meladia River crossing on Sigri / Eressos road (1); Hamarida Marsh (1)
Bittern	A single bird was poking its head above the reeds at Kalloni Pool (4th)
Black Stork	Rather surprisingly, this was more common than White Stork at the beginning of the week, alhough all birds seen were flying: Skala Kalloni (4,1,1 on 3rd; 1 on 4th and 1 on 8th); Upper East River (1); Devil's Bridge (1); Eressos (3); Ipsilou monastery (1)
White Stork	For the first part of the week, the 1 in the fields next to the East river was the only individual seen, until 3 over the Molivos / Skala Sikaminias road, and 2 at Kalloni on 8th (1 on Kalloni river bed, 1 landing on Kalloni Pool)
Glossy Ibis	Around 100 birds flew up from the reeds on the pools to the east of Kalloni Salt Pans and landed on open water(3rd); up to 20 on Kalloni Pool; 5 landed in a tree in Faneromeni Marsh
Greater Flamingo	What were probably 100-200 birds at least were on Kalloni Salt Pans, and a group of 14 flew over Molivos (7th)
Mute Swan	Sea off Kalloni Salt Pans (6); pool South-east of Kalloni / Mytilini / Achladeri junction (10)
Ruddy Shelduck	A uncommonly seen bird and difficult to approach: Palios headland (2,1); Napi Valley (2 flying North early evening)
Shelduck	Skala Polichnitos saltpans (4)
Garganey	Only ones seen were at least 10 on Kalloni Pool
Shoveler	2 males at Kalloni pool (4th)
Black Kite	1 being mobbed by a Hooded Crow at the rubbish dump on the West of Eressos
Short-toed Eagle	One of the most regularly seen raptors, quite often in pairs, and occasionally displaying. An approximate total of 25 by the end of the week, including a pair over the ridges from the airport on 9th
Marsh Harrier	Another regularly seen raptor (c10), all seen being females
Montagu's Harrier	Single females were seen at Kalloni Salt Pans (3rd, 4th), and a male hunting the valley below the first major valley West of Agra
Sparrowhawk	1 from Anemotia
Steppe Buzzard	Potamia Valley (3); Sigri (1); Molivos / Skala Sikaminias road (4); Skalochori (1); Napi Valley (4); Airport (1)
Long-legged buzzard	Kalloni Salt Pans (1 on 3rd); Potamia Valley (3); valley West of Agra (1); Sigri (1); Molivos / Skala Sikaminias road (8); Napi Valley (6, including 2 separate perched birds)
Lesser Kestrel	Tavari cliffs (3); Faneromeni (2); Napi Valley (1)
Kestrel	1 West of Agra
Red-footed Falcon	Until the last day, the single male at Kallonni fields looked as if it represented the last of migration. On 8th, 2 males and a female were hunting from wires in the fields next to Kalloni Salt Pans, with one male leaving. When we arrived at Napi Valley, about 6 were flying above one of the ridges to the West. These may have been part of the large group of 60 or so birds that were seen later in the afternoon circling over the ridge. They eventually landed in a small valley which we climbed above, to the spectacle of what seemed like falcons everwhere - record for one bush was 9 birds
Eleonora's Falcon	All 3 birds seen were over ridges; Potamia Valley (1); Molivos / Skala Sikaminias road looking up towards Mount Lepetimnos (2 separate)
Lanner	What was probably the same bird was seen twice (morning and afternoon) from the top of Ipsilou monastery
Peregrine	A pair together on one of the small headlands just north of Petra may have been the pair of Lanners reported by other birders. Elsewhere: Potamia Valley (2); Agra (1); Faneromeni (1); Molivos / Skala Simkiminas road (2)
Chukar	Close singles at Upper East River and Eresos / Kalloni road
Water Rail	Kalloni Pool (1 on 8th)
Little Crake	2 separate females early morning at Kalloni Pool, and 1 in the same spot the same evening (4th)
Moorhen	Regularly seen on open fresh water
Coot	Good numbers Kalloni Pool
Black-winged Stilt	At least 15 noticed in channel around Kalloni Salt Pans; 20+ on Skala Polichnitos salt pans; 1 at Faneromeni Pool
Avocet	15+ on Skala Polichnitos salt pans
Stone Curlew	Palios headland (pair); beach area of Kalloni sheep fields
Collared Pratincole	4 birds together on the fields next to Kalloni salt pans (8th) had been reported as Black-winged. Distance and difficulty in picking out features in flight meant that it took over an hour to confirm them as Collared. A single bird flying over the Kalloni sheep fields (3rd) was initialy also identified as Black-winged, but there is some doubt over this. A single bird at Faneromeni was extremely approachable in the car
Grey Plover	4 together on sand spit next to Kalloni sheep fields
Ringed Plover	1 on sand spit next to Kalloni sheep fields (3rd); 1 on pool in sheep fields
Little Ringed Plover	Most birds were around Kalloni area (c10) and Skala Polichnitos salt pans (c10), with singles seen incidentally elsewhere
Kentish Plover	There was some dispute over a small plover nesting on the shore of the sheep fields. Some said Caspian, others Lesser Sand, and more Kentish. It looked typical Kentish apart from being a little darker than normal, and without the white collar (only a slightly lighter band). Almost definitely a Kentish. Elsewhere, there were 3 males on the sea channel to the West of Kalloni sheep fields, and 4 on the small pool outside of Skamnioudi
Marsh Sandpiper	1 bird with Wood Sandpipers on a pool in the Kalloni sheep fields (3rd)
Wood Sandpiper	Quite easily the most common wader, with birds seemingly on every river or pool. Numbers well over three figures for the week
Common Sandpiper	Kalloni sheep fields (1); Skala Eresou (1); Dipi Larisos (1)
Little Stint	Skala Polichnitos salt pans (c30); Tavari (2); Faneromeni (1); Kalloni salt pans (12 on 8th)
Curlew Sandpiper	c.10 on Skala Polichnitos salt pans
Dunlin	c.10 on Skala Polichnitos salt pans
Ruff	Small numbers in isolated flocks on open water: Kalloni Pool (4); Skala Polichnitos salt pans (30); Tavari (2); Kalloni salt pans (10)
Yellow-legged Gull	Extremely common in almost all locations
Sandwich Tern	2 on the sand spit at the South-eastern corner of Kalloni sheep fields
Common Tern	Common around Kalloni salt pans
Little Tern	Kalloni salt pans (8+); Skala Polichnitos salt pans (4)
Whiskered Tern	Kalloni pool (1 on 3rd, 2 on 4th, 22 on 8th); Kalloni salt pans (3 on 4th, 10 on 8th)
White-winged Black Tern	Surely the most impressive of the terns, particularly in flocks, which was often the case here: Kalloni Pool (1 on 3rd, 20 on 4th; 4 on 8th); East River (20 on 3rd); Kalloni salt pans (50+ on 8th); Eressos (1); Faneromeni (4)
Turtle Dove	Numbers of single figures were seen on most days, with more heard, apart from at least 20 on the 2nd from various locations. None on 3rd
Collared Dove	Perhaps a little more frequent than Turtle Dove, but again with numbers barely touching double figures each day. None on 3rd
Cuckoo	2 heard, and 1 in flight in Napi Valley
Scops Owl	A well known individual was perched in poplars behind the school in Skala Kalloni. It favoured one particular tree (despite being disturbed regularly by the school kids through the day), and could be very approachable
Little Owl	Not seen as frequently as expected: Kalloni fields near East River (2 on 3rd); Tavari (1); Sigri / Eressos road (1)
Alpine Swift	Tavari (3); Molivos / Skala Sikiminias road (20+); Haramida Marsh (10)
Swift	Common - seen every day
Bee-eater	Both a welcome, and common, sight and sound throughout the island. One of the best spectacles was on the Molivos / Skala Sikiminas road, where a group of 100+ were picked out initially over the ridges. They eventually came closer, hawking insects directly above us, before leaving the island in the same group, flying towards Turkey. The bird generally allowed reasonable approach, although not too close (even in the car), apart from a couple of birds perched next to East River. Others seen: Kalloni fields and East River (50+ on 3rd, 10 on 4th, 20+ on 8th); Upper East River (6); Devil's Bridge (25); Faneromeni (20)
Hoopoe	More often heard (most days in small numbers) than seen: East River (1 on 4th); Ipsilou monastery (2); Napi Valley (2); Dipi Larisos (1)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker	Despite being a widespread breeding bird on the island, this had been apparently quite difficult to catch up with. We were lucky, in that we saw quite a few: a pair in the orchard next to Kalloni school (5th); 1 in the trees below Ipsilou monastery; 1 at Molivos (7th); 2 birds in the Napi Valley who may have been rival males - they seemed part of a Mexican standoff on opposite sides of a tree at one point; 1 bird on the final day at Dipi Larisos
Short-toed Lark	3 on the first afternoon at Palios headland were eventually quite approachable, and really weren't watched properly. Video on return questioned whether they might have been the unlikely Lesser Short-toed Larks, with a seemingly long primary projection and dark breast (heavy spotting?). Further birds which were subsequently scrutinised as Short-toed were: Kalloni sheep fields (20 on 3rd, 10 on 8th), Skala Polichnitos salt pans (2)
Crested Lark	Extremely common throughout
Woodlark	1 was in song flight 3kms east of Skalochori, and a further bird heard at the Andissa / Sigri / Eressos junction
Sand Martin	Seen sporadically in small numbers: Skala Polichnitos salt pans (1); Kalloni salt pans (1 on 4th); Faneromeni (5)
Swallow	Very common throughout
Red-rumped Swallow	Seen in small numbers on every day, with all birds in at least pairs. Peak was 20 on 2nd and 7th
House Martin	Very common throughout
White Wagtail	2 separate birds on the road between Kratigos and Haramida
Citrine Wagtail	A splendid male was found in the river bed at Skala Eresou
Yellow Wagtail	Various subspecies were seen in different locations, with at least 3 varieties seen. The greatest concentration was in the Kalloni sheep fields, where at least 30 birds were present on 8th with Red-throated Pipits. The 3 subspecies identified were flava, thunbergi, and feldegg
Tawny Pipit	Kalloni sheep fields (1 on 3rd); Upper East River (1)
Tree Pipit	Kalloni sheep fields (singles on 3rd and 8th)
Meadow Pipit	1 in Kalloni sheep fields on 3rd
Red-throated Pipit	Apart from a single bird near Skala Polichnitos, the only place they were seen was in the Kalloni sheep fields, where numbers were particularly good on the 8th (50+), with a further 6 on the 3rd. Depth of colour varied dramatically with individual birds
Wren	Perhaps a little surprisingly for the north of the island (this is a bird normally localised to the south-east), we found a singing bird at the Lepetimnos village junction while waiting to photograph Nightingale
Blue Rock Thrush	Palios headland (2 males); Upper East River (1 male, 1female); Devil's Bridge (1 male, 1 female); Ipsilou monastery (2 males); Petra / Molivos cliffs (1 male)
Blackbird	Common and seen every day, with up to 20 birds seen in any one day (mostly males)
Cetti's Warbler	Predictably with this species, most of the birds were heard rather than seen, and they were quite common. Of those seen: Kalloni pool (1 on 3rd, probably same bird on 4th); Skala Polichnitos (1); Tavari (1); Dipi Larisos (1); Haramida marsh (1)
River Warbler	A single bird was heard singing early morning on the inland side of the Petra / Molivos road (7th). We failed to locate it, and it was not heard singing subsequently, which was no great surprise, since this was presumably a migrant
Moustached Warbler	1 bird seen briefly at Dipi Larisos
Sedge Warbler	East River (1 on 3rd); Skala Polichnitos salt pans (1); Kalloni (1 on 8th); Dipi Larisos (1)
Reed Warbler	Most of the birds seen and heard were at Dipi Larisos, where there were at least 15 birds seen or heard. Others were: East River (5 on 3rd, 1 on 4th); Skala Eresou (1); Haramida marsh (1)
Great Reed Warbler	4 birds were seen, all on the East River (2 on 3rd, 1 on 4th, 1 on 8th)
Olivaceous Warbler	This was quite a prominent species, both in terms of numbers, where it was the most common reed / sedge dwelling warbler, and sight, since it was more likely to be seen singing in the open than relative species. Many of the birds seen displayed the characteristic "tail dipping". East River (2 on 3rd, 4 on 4th, 3 on 8th); Skala Polichnitos (2); Potamia Valley (2); Skala Eresou (4); Ipsilou monastery (3); Dipi Larsos (6); Haramida marsh (1). Many more were heard than this, but not looked for
Olive-tree Warbler	Although this is characteristically a shy and usually difficult to see bird, the open orchards of the Napi Valley are a good place to see as well as hear them. At least 6 birds were on the west side of the valley, exactly 11.8 km north of the filling station turn off on the Kalloni coast road. Some of these birds were singing in the open on the outer (and upper) branches of large trees. A seventh bird was also singing openly on the east side of the valley, about 1-2 km South of the favoured site. We searched the previously known site, 3.6 km east of Skalochori, but there was no sign of the birds there
Wood Warbler	2 birds at Ipsilou monastery, and 2 on the Petra / Molivos road
Blackcap	Ipsilou monastery (c20); Petra / Molivos road (1)
Whitethroat	Ipsilou monastery (4)
Lesser Whitethroat	Ipsilou monastery (4); Skalachori (1); Dipi Larisos (1)
Orphean Warbler	The stronghold for this warbler seems to be on the North of the island, since all but one were seen there, with 8 on the first afternoon on the Palios headland, and 5 between Petra / Molivos on 7th. The exception was 1 between Sigri / Eressos
Rüppell's Warbler	This warbler is particularly prevalent in the Petra / Molivos area. 3 males were on the inland side of the road just north of Petra, and a single female was on the seaward side. They occasionally show particularly well, singing from the top of open perches
Subalpine Warbler	All of the birds seen were males, with the exception of a single female in the Napi valley, and a female with a male in Potamia valley: Palios headland (3); Potamia valley (male and female); Ipsilou monastery (1); Petra / Molivos / Skala Sikiminas road (10); Napi Valley (male and female)
Sardinian Warbler	Palios headland (1 female); Skala Palochnitos (1 male); Potamia valley (2 males); Petra / Molivos road (1 male, 1 female); Napi Valley (1 female)
Spotted Flycatcher	By far the most common and widespread flycatcher, seen on every day (apart from 8th), with the peak being on 6th, with most birds being at Ipsilou monastery
Pied Flycatcher	Apart from a single male at the Krüpers Nuthatch woodland in the Achladeri Plain, all birds seen were at Ipsilou monastery, the vast majority of which were females. Both Semi-collared and Collared had been claimed by other observers, but all birds seen were checked where possible, and none showed even marginal features of anything but Pied
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Single females were at Faneromeni and Ipsilou monastery
Nightingale	This is a characteristic song throughout the island, and there are particular pockets where groups of birds have claimed adjoining territories. We found perhaps the greatest concentration to be on the banks of the river alongside Dipi Larisos, where at least 20 birds were singing. Nightingales were heard singing every day, and those which were actually seen were: East River (3 on 3rd, 1 on 4th, 1 on 8th); Petra / Molivos area (1); Dipi Larsos (3)
Rufous Bush Robin	Apparently, these birds had only arrived at the start of this week. We saw 3 separate birds, which were all reasonably approachable (particularly if using the car as a hide). Interestingly, the birds did not cock their tails when singing, and the song is not particularly noticeable, so they could be overlooked if not careful. The singing bird at the Upper East River was very close (from the car) - the other birds were seen at the ford near Tavari, and a lone bush on the beach side of the sheep fields
Whinchat	Very common - seen on every day with numbers up to 20. However, this was perhaps the most wary of all the birds seen, even when approaching slowly and carefully in the car
Stonechat	Only one pair of birds seen, at the base of the northern slope of Ipsilou monastery
Northern Wheatear	The only birds seen were a mix of males and females (5) between the Andissa / Sigri / Eresson junction and Ipsilou monastery
Black-eared Wheatear	Seen on every day apart from 3rd, this is a very common bird, particularly when in the more rocky areas, of which there are many on Lesvos. The vast majority of the birds were males, and most of these were the black throated form. These birds are generally very light above, with almost white cap, back, and breast. Because of this, there can be a temptation to confuse with Finsch's Wheatear when viewed from certain angles. Finsch's Wheatear occurs rarely on the island, but claims are regular, including a bird which was pointed out to us at Devil's Bridge. From the angle below its favoured perch above the road, the black often looked concolourous with the wings, but patience eventually revealed the white collar. Even so, we checked the ridge later for more birds, but only found one more male of the black throated form, which also had a buff cap. These less common white throated birds were the ones more likely to have the buff cap and throat. Peak number of birds was around 30 on the 6th, when we covered the West of the island
Isabelline Wheatear	We had been pleased with the find of a single displaying bird around 4-5 km north of Eressos, thinking that this was a less regular find for the island. The next day, we came across the apparently well known site for this species at the Andissa / Sigri / Eresson junction, where at least 6 displaying males were constantly flying back and forth, as well as displaying
Sombre Tit	Upper East River (8); Agra area (8); Petra / Molivos area (1); Napi valley (10)
Great Tit	Very common - seen every day
Blue Tit	Very common - seen every day
Krüper's Nuthatch	This is arguably the most wanted breeding bird on the island, since it is has a very restricted distribution in Lesvos, Turkey, and marginally in Georgia. It is also a bird of great character, almost constantly giving out its low nasal call, and is quite a delicate and nicely marked Nuthatch. The site we visited , in the Achladeri Plain, is the well known nesting place (apparently still the only one found on the island). There is a possibility that the young birds had fledged by the time we arrived, but the 4 birds we saw on 3rd, and single bird in a brief visit on 9th, were easily located by call. All were within 100-200 metres of the parking area, which is near a dilapidated white toilet block easily seen from the main road
Western Rock Nuthatch	This is a much more robust bird than Krüper's Nuthatch, and prefers a very different habitat. It can be quite easily found in open rocky terrain, normally preferring rocks and rock faces, but not totally averse to frequenting trees if the need arises. Apart from the well known nest on the side of a rock, 100m or so up from a sheep pen on the Upper East River road, we saw 3 other nests, 2 further up the track, and one at Devil's Bridge. The latter birds had placed feathers in the small cracks in the rock around the nest, and spent some time rearranging them, and deciding whether or not to place them in the nest. Our record for one small rock (about 1 metre across), was 4 birds at once, along a track between Petra / Molivos. Upper East River (3 pairs); Potamia river valley (1); Devil's Bridge (1 pair); Agra to Eressos road (10); Western part of island on 6th (4); Petra / Molivos on 7th (5)
Short-toed Treecreeper	Not seen until the final day, when we revisited the Krüper's Nuthatch wood at Achladeri Plain, when 3 were seen - one lone individual, and an adult being shadowed by a juvenile
Penduline Tit	A nesting bird was at the lower ford (Faneromeni)
Golden Oriole	Skala Polichnitos (1); Agra / Eressos (2); Ipsilou monastery (2,1); Napi Valley (1)
Red-backed Shrike	Certainly the most common shrike seen, and present on every day. As with a lot other species, males were by far the most common. Peak number was 25 on 6th
Lesser Grey Shrike	Singles seen at Palios headland, Kalloni fields (3rd and 8th), Upper East River, and Tavari
Masked Shrike	Palios headland (3); Achladeri Plain (1); Potamia River valley (1); Devil's Bridge (1); Ipsilou monastery (1); Skalochori (1); Napi Valley (1)
Woodchat Shrike	As with Red-backed Shrike, seen on every day, and males far outnumbered the females, with a peak of 10 on the 6th
Jay	The Middle-eastern subspecies (atricapillus) was the bird seen on the island, with a distinctive black cap, and was seen on every day but the last, with most on 7th (20)
Jackdaw	Strangely, only seen on the first two days, with 20 on the Palios headland and trip from the airport to Petra, and Kalloni area. The birds encountered (but not looked at in any detail), looked to be of the lighted naped spp
Raven	Andissa / Sigri / Eresson junction (2); Napi valley (1)
Starling	We wanted to keep this quiet, but this was the last species to be seen on the trip. A single spoiling bird was on the return trip from Haramida marsh to the airport
House Sparrow	Abundant
Spanish Sparrow	When seen, present in numbers: Kalloni pool (maximum seen 30)
Rock Sparrow	The first birds seen were briefly on the Agra to Parakila road, and looked to be breeding. However, it seemed the most obvious (and guaranteed) birds were at Ipsilou monastery. Some birds were seen on the North facing cliff faces, but the closest birds were a pair nesting in the walls next to the entrance of the monastery
Chaffinch	Common - seen every day
Greenfinch	Quite common - seen every day apart from 2nd in small numbers
Goldfinch	Very common - seen in every day
Linnet	Seen on 4th (2); 5th (8); 6th (2); 7th (4)
Serin	Only bird seen was a singing male in the woods on Achladeri Plain
Cirl Bunting	Potamia River valley (2 ); Upper East River ( ); Devil's Bridge (2); Skala Eresou (2); Ipsilou monastery (6); Petra / Molivos (4); Molivos / Skiminias (4); Skalochori (2); 8th (10); 9th (3)
Cinereous Bunting	The West of the island is the stronghold for this speciality species. The nearest to Kalloni is reputed to be a singing male at the Devil's Bridge chapel, and, although this was not behaving as it should, a bird was seen on the ridge above the chapel. All of the 7 birds seen were singing males: West of Agra (2); Eressos / Kalloni road (1); Ipsilou monastery (4)
Cretzchmar's Bunting	Seen on every day, sometimes in very good numbers, with most birds seen in the West of the island
Black-headed Bunting	Common - the vast majority seen (bar 2) were males
Corn Bunting	Very common

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Species list