End of June, 2 full-day trips around Central and Western Lesvos

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Motacilla citreola; Lesvos birds; Lesvos birding; Lesvos birdwatching

The highlights of these 2 full-day trips around the wetlands of the Kalloni Gulf and Molivos area (day 1) and Schalochori and Eresos areas (day 2) with Svante and Elizabeth were: DALMATIAN PELICANS, Ruddy Shelducks, Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters, AUDUIN’S GULL, KRUPER’S and Western Rock NUTHATCHES, Sombre Tit, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, ISABELLINE WHEATHEAR, RUFOUS BUSH ROBIN, EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER, EASTERN BONELLI’S WARBLERS, OLIVE-TREE WARBLERS, Black-headed Buntings, Woodchat  and MASKED SHRIKES, CRETZSCHMAR’S and CINEREOUS BUNTINGS, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard etc and a bonus of a CITRINE WAGTAIL!

A total of 99 different bird species were recorded.

(photo by Lefteris Kakalis)

Beginning of June, half- day trip around Eresos, Western Lesvos

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lesvos birds; birding; birdwatching; Black-headead Bunting

The highlights of this afternoon trip around Eresos with Hilary, Nicola, Heather and Margaret were: Cretzschmar’s, Cirl and Black-headed Buntings, Oliaceous Warblers, Western Rock Nuthatches, Bee-eaters, Woodchat Shrikes, Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzards etc.

lesvos birds; birding; birdwatching
Enjoying several singing Cretzschmar’s Buntings.

Mid-April, whole day bird-photography trip around Western Lesvos

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Hans and I spent the day in the vast garrigue areas of Western Lesvos (Agra and Sigri). Our main target was the Cinereous Bunting and the birds found in this specific habitat. It was a windy and relatively cold day but we managed to get what we wanted. Fantastic photos of the Cinereous Bunting, Chukar, Linnet and a bird Hans had for the first time photographed: the Wood Lark. We also found: BLUE ROCK THRUSH (a male singing and displaying for a long time), Sombre Tit, MASKED and Woodchat SHRIKES, CRETZSCHMAR’S BUNTING, ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, Ruddy Shelducks, Rock Pigeons, Orphean Warbler, Collared Flycatchers, Short-toed Eagle etc.

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Chukar (Alectoris chukar), photo: HANS GLADER

Mid-May 2016, half-day trip around WESTERN LESVOS

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Isabelline Wheathear; Lesvos

The highlights of this half-day (08:30-14:30) guided birding trip around SIGRI and ANTISSA areas were:

Short-toed Eagles, CHUKARS, AUDUIN’S GULL, Bee-eaters, ISABELLINE and Black-eared Wheathears, many Red-backed Shrikes, BLACK-HEADED BUNTINGS, Cirl Buntings (a family!), Spanish Sparrows etc and of course CRETZSHMAR’S and CINEREOUS BUNTINGS.

Mid-May 2016, full-day trip around WESTERN LESVOS

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Black-headed Bunting; Lesvos

The highlights of this full-day (08:30-19:30) guided BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY trip around AGRA, ERESSOS, SIGRI and ANTISSA areas were:

ELEONORA’S FALCONS, LESSER KESTREL, CHUKAR (a parent with 12+ chicks), Rock Dove, Little Owls, Hoopoes, Bee-eaters, RUFOUS BUSH ROBINS, ISABELLINE, Northern and Black-eared Wheatears, Eastern Orphean Warbler, ROCK NUTHATCHES (among several, a family party!), many BLACK-HEADED BUNTINGS etc. and of course CRETZSHMAR’S and CINEREOUS BUNTINGS.

This trip was part of a 3-day Lesvos trip (a Northern Greece trip extension) for Birding Ecotours. View the full trip report here.

Beginning of May 2016, full-day trip around WESTERN LESVOS

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Roller; Lesvos

A very warm sunny day with moderate intensity wind towards the afternoon.

The highlights of this full-day (08:30-19:30) guided birding trip around ERESSOS, SIGRI and ANTISSA areas were:

ELEONORA’S FALCONS, LESSER KESTREL, Little Bitterns, Bittern, Yelkouan Shearwaters, Rock Dove, Little Owls, Alpine Swift, Hoopoe, ROLLER, Bee-eaters, Red-rumped Swallows (at mid-day roost!), CITRINE WAGTAIL (a female), RUFOUS BUSH ROBINS, ISABELLINE and Black-eared Wheathears, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Olivaceous Warblers, RED-BREASTED FLYCACHER, many BLACK-HEADED BUNTINGS etc and of course CRETZSHMAR’S and CINEREOUS BUNTINGS.

 

Mid- April 2016, half-day trip around WESTERN LESVOS

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The highlights of this half-day (08:30-14:30) guided birding trip around ERESSOS and AGRA:

Purple and Squacco Herons, Little Owl, Red-rumped Swallows, Isabelline and Black-eared Wheathears, Sub-alpine Warbler, Sombre Tit, Masked and Woodchat Shrikes, Cinereous and Cretzschmar’s Buntings, Rock Sparrow etc

Beginning of April 2016, half-day trip around WESTERN LESVOS

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Hoopoe; Lesvos

The highlights of this half-day (08:30-14:30) guided birding trip around ERESSOS, with Hilary R. were:

CINEREOUS, CRETZSCHMAR’S and Cirl Buntings, Black-eared and Isabelline Wheathears, Collared  and Pied Flycatcher, Spanish Sparrows, Red-rumped Swallows, EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLERS, Tawny and Tree Pipits, Western Rock Nuthatch, GOLDEN ORIOLE, Little Owl, LESSER KESTRELS, Long-legged Buzzards and more!

We saw the 1st fledgling Stonechat of this year’s Spring! Also several resident bird species providing to their young (Corn Bunting, Crested Larks etc).

Beginning of April report- do not wait until May!

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Cretzschmar's Bunting

Here is a 2-morning birding report by L. Kakalis and L. Grimbilakou, at the very begining of April (2 & 3/4) with sightings (and photos!) of some of Lesvos most wanted species: KRUPER’S NUTHATCH, CINEREOUS and CRETZSCHMAR’S BUNTINGS, RUPPELL’S WARBLER, ISABELLLINE WHEATHEAR, MASKED SHRIKE and more! ‪

photo ©: Lina Grimbilakou

02 & 03 April, a weekend’s birding