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

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)

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

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

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

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

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!

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