Lesvos is an island with a very rich and diverse nature, located at the border of Asia and Europe (NE Aegean Sea, GREECE). In Spring (and Autumn) it is also a very good area to observe migrant birds from Africa after (before) they cross the Eastern Mediterranean area.

The star birds of the island are the KRUPER’S NUTHATCH (resident of Lesvos and Lesvos Birdwatching’s logo!) and the CINEREOUS BUNTING.

Other birds to find here the year round (resident) are Western Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, Blue Rock Thrush, Ruddy Shelduck, Chukar, Greater Flamingo, Long-legged Buzzard etc, and during Spring and Summer (breeding visitors) are Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Masked Shrike, Ruppell’s Warbler, Eastern Orphean, Sub-alpine and Olive-tree Warbler, Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatear, Rufous Bush Robin, Red-rumped Swallow etc.

Some good migrants from the area are White-winged, Whiskered and Gull-billed Tern, Temminck’s Stint and Marsh Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, Red-footed Falcon, Squacco, Purple and Night Heron, and so many more -over 330 bird species recorded on the island!

(aerial photo, mid-April 2018: Hans Glader)

On our holiday we had planned a days birdwatching on Lesvos and our guide was Eleni Galinou, an excellent expert. She really made our day and took us to some wonderful places and showed us a lot of wonderful birds. In my opinion you can recognize an enthousiastic guide by the fact that she is willing to take pictures herself of the birds, and Eleni did! Thanks for an excellent day!

Gabriel, Holland, May ’18