ORIOLE BIRDING TOUR REPORT LAKE KERKIN

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1 ORIOLE BIRDING TOUR REPORT LAKE KERKIN 31ST OCTOBER 5TH NOVEMBER

2 TOUR LEADER Paul Roberts PARTICIPANTS Alex Banwell Phillip & Jane Cooper David Higham Sharon Rhew & Clyde Kirschenman Monday 31st October 2016 A very smooth trip from Gatwick South Terminal to Thessaloniki was complicated somewhat on arrival by the non-appearance of one of the group s bags at the terminal. After the necessary notifications, we picked up the hire vehicle and were quickly on our way along the ring road in settled sunny conditions, hoping to spend an hour or so at Lake Kerkini before sunset. A large flock of Rooks, and smaller numbers of Western Jackdaws, was noted on the city outskirts, soon followed by Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Hooded Crows and Crested Larks. At Strimoniko we left the main road, heading north-west for Lithotopos. A fine Great Grey Shrike perched on telephone wires at close quarters, bathed in the late afternoon sun. Corn Buntings were also using the same wires; this species is very common in the farmed countryside. As we approached Lithotopos, where a dam forms the southern extremity of Lake Kerkini, several Great White Egrets were in a roadside ditch, with Great Cormorants suddenly materialising overhead. Parking at the dam we were greeted by the tremendous spectacle of the lake stretched out before us, framed by Mount Belles to the north. Several dozen Dalmatian Pelicans milled around, including a group being fed by a fisherman, and a single juvenile Great White Pelican was identified. Scrutiny of a feeding flock of several hundred Black-headed Gulls revealed a Whiskered Tern, followed by two Caspian Terns adult and juvenile which plunge-dived at close quarters. With the sun having dropped behind the hills, we stopped briefly to view the river just downstream of the dam, where several hundred each of both Pygmy and Great Cormorant had gathered. Mallards were also plentiful, and a couple of Little Grebes and Common Coots were also added. A few Goldcrests flitted about in the willows, with Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Blackbird and European Robin also present. With the light fading we headed up the road - picking out a couple of Mistle Thrushes - following the west shore of the lake, making a couple of brief stops, noting Common Greenshank, Common Snipe and Eurasian Wigeon among other common species. A Little Owl was perched on the corner of a house in Sidirochori, before arriving at our hotel in Ano Poroia, where another Little Owl was calling from a rooftop as we were unloading the vehicle, ending a productive start to the tour. Tuesday 1st November 2016 A short walk in Ano Poroia after breakfast produced typical village fare, including Black Redstart, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Eurasian Siskin and White Wagtail. A Eurasian Jay [very common in the region] and several Mistle Thrushes perch high in a tree in the square, with a Green Woodpecker heard only. A black and white woodpecker species either Great Spotted or Syrian flew off into the yonder. Our first main destination of the day was to be the quarry and scrubby hillside above Vironia. We parked up by the small church and it soon became clear that the area was busy with birds. Several Cirl Buntings included a singing male and at least ten Black Redstarts flitted about, and several Crested Larks were evident. A ringtail Hen Harrier was over the hillside above the quarry, divebombed by a Eurasian Sparrowhawk,. A few Hawfinches flew over, a Yellowhammer sang by the farm and a Sardinian Warbler called. Even better a very showy Sombre Tit appeared on the fence around the church, giving prolonged views. Moving up to the quarry we were impressed by the number of Black Redstarts possibly as many as twenty with Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Northern Wren and more Cirl Buntings noted. A superb Western Rock Nuthatch gave itself up after a careful search, with the remains on this year's nest seen nearby on the cliff face. Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

3 A final scan of the mountainside gave us three Golden Eagles - two adults and a juvenile [presumably a family group?] - while a Common Raven flew overhead. Following this tremendous start to the day, we parked by the bridge over the Strimonas for refreshments. Among the birds noted here were Green Sandpiper, Pygmy Cormorant, European Serin, Great White Egret, Mallard [numerous] and Gadwall. Crossing the river, we turned right towards Megalachori, where the north-east corner of the lake can be accessed. The series of pools after the picnic site leading to the eastern embankment were reached first, where numerous Common Moorhen, Common Coot and Little Grebe were present. Mallard were the most common wildfowl, with smaller numbers of Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Teal, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard and Tufted Duck also around. A few Common Kingfishers zipped around, while Spotted Redshanks and Green Sandpipers busied themselves. Two juvenile Greater Flamingos were the first of the day. The highlight, though, was a Moustached Warbler which fed around the base of a reed bed, showing superbly to the group. A Water Rail was seen at the edge of the same reeds, with others heard elsewhere. A little further on five very close Bewick s Swans were observed from within the vehicle, a Marsh Harrier flew over and several of todays many Common Buzzards were logged. Common Kestrel was another raptor seen regularly throughout the day. We followed the embankment south for several miles, stopping to scan with telescopes at various points. Our main quarry here was the flock of Lesser White-fronted Geese which stop off here every autumn. Although the flock had been recently reported as being present east of the delta, that is, relatively close to the embankment, there was initially no sign. Eventually the flock was spotted at great distance to the west of the delta - obviously having recently relocated giving only very poor views. It was clear from the large expanses of newly emerged mud that the water levels had recently dropped, which meant that the lake shore was rather far off, at least at the delta area. Nevertheless, we were able to enjoy the spectacle of big numbers waterfowl, plus forty Pied Avocets, hundreds of Greater Flamingos, and more. A male Cirl Bunting perched quietly in trackside scrub. A notable feature was the frequency of the occurrence of Common Chiffchaffs, with birds seemingly constantly seen and heard. There surely must have been many hundreds around the lake in total. With glare from the sun [it had been a fantastically cloudless and warm day] becoming a problem, we opted to retrace our tracks to cross the Strimonas, where we turned right along the rough track which trundles east alongside the river, eventually rejoining the main road east of Neo Petrisi. The length of the river was populated by Yellow-legged Gulls, Great White Egrets and cormorants. Several Wood Larks were flushed calling from the trackside, but three Water Pipits were more obliging, allowing study of their salient features. A Great Grey Shrike surveyed its territory and a fine male Merlin was disturbed from it trackside rest, flying off over the river. Our final stop for the day was to be at the harbour at Mandraki, at the centre of the lake s north shore. Here a Black Stork was quickly found; while another varied selection of wild-fowl was gathered, including six Bewick s Swans. The Lesser White-front flock [over 100 strong] could be seen distantly in the same area as earlier, marginally closer now, but still too distant for satisfying views. Another Black Stork was seen, this time in flight. All the time we were at the harbour we were constantly aware of Greenfinches passing over in flocks. It would be difficult to estimate the total, but it seemed certain that hundreds were involved. The day was rounded off nicely by three tailpumping Red-throated Pipits perched up on a wooden structure just offshore. Their identity was confirmed when one flew shortly after over giving its diagnostic call. As the sun set behind the Marvovouni Hills we set off back to the hotel, reflecting on a fantastic bird-filled day in the field. Wednesday 2nd November 2016 We set off at around on another gloriously sunny morning headed for the riverine Populus alba woodland on the Bulgarian border near Promachonas, colloquially known as Woodpecker Wood. A small flock of Hawfinches greeted us on arrival as we followed the track into the airy wood. After a short distance a European Nuthatch was located, quickly followed by another three, with much chasing and calling, as is often their habit. Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

4 The first of several Short-toed Treecreepers was noted along with other typical species such as Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, European Robin, Eurasian Siskin, Great Tit and Blue Tit. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker a male flew in nearby and called, allowing us all views, while another called over the river that marks the border. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen, but Green Woodpeckers were heard only, and always in Bulgaria! Another hundred or so metres on we were pleased to find two Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, super little birds. We searched elsewhere in the wood for Greyheaded Woodpecker without luck, but did find a single Marsh Tit as compensation. Following drinks in a café in Promachonas, we set off back south towards the lake, where we would spend the rest of the day. We decided to first call in at the very north-western corner, the Port of Livadia, accessed via a minor road heading east between Livadia and Kerkini, a part of the lake not visited on any of Oriole Birding s previous visits. This proved to a rather a productive spot, with good numbers of the expected wildfowl, as well as fifty Greylag Geese, and Greater Flamingos spread along the shoreline towards Mandraki. Around twenty Black-necked Grebes fed close inshore, with Spotted Redshank, Pied Avocet and Common Snipe well represented. A Reed Bunting was in the reeds, with numerous Common Chiffchaffs again present. A Sky Lark flew over and a Fieldfare was briefly seen. Just before alighting in the vehicle a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker called close by and was quickly located; a female giving exceptional views. As we were about to leave a female Marsh Harrier flew past accompanied by three mobbing Hooded Crows. Needing to call in at our hotel, we took lunch in the garden there, before heading for the Port of Kerkini, where we were to be taken out onto the lake for a pelagic. Nikos, our boatman, informed us that the water levels were currently very low, with very little clearance over large expanses of the lake. Would we need to swim back, we wondered! On leaving the harbour we were soon noting the three species of grebe, Pygmy Cormorants and Great White Egrets. Two Black-throated Divers were identified as we headed for the rivermouth area, briefly suffering an engine hiccup over one particularly shallow part. Sightings included three Common Cranes, seven Bewick s Swans among large numbers of the expected species. Doubling back towards Mandraki we located the Lesser White-fronted Goose flock, at the same almost inaccessible location that we had previously seen them at. At one point the flock took off, before returning to the same area. The views were still rather distant, albeit closer than the previous day, but one could hardly blame the geese for choosing this most remote part of the lake shore. Soon after we finally caught up with Greater Spotted Eagle, with two on the prowl. A Marsh Harrier was also noted, before we headed back to the harbour, where an obliging Dalmatian Pelican gave great photo opportunities in the low late afternoon light. With the light fading rapidly we headed to the west lake shore, noting two Egyptian Geese in the stream channel just outside the village. A brief search for Eagle Owl at the nearby rock face proved fruitless, although Northern Wren, Cirl Bunting and several fly catching Black Redstarts were still active in the gathering gloom. It was time to take the short drive back to Ano Poroia, for another authentic meal of Greek cuisine and a chat by the roaring log fire. Thursday 3rd November 2016 Today we were to head to the coast west of Thessaloniki, to explore the Axios Delta, followed by the coastal strip heading eastward, and finally the Kalahori l Lagoons. After a smooth journey of around eighty minutes in glorious sunshine, we arrived at the track which follows the east bank of the Axios, just south of Halastra. We were soon into flocks of Spanish Sparrows in trackside bushes, with the first of many Common Chiffchaffs of the day. The main interest was from the vegetated pools which form a strip adjacent to the raised track, with Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank and Green Sandpiper frequently encountered. Four Dalmatian Pelicans looked a little incongruous in a small pool, with the usual range of dabbling ducks distributed. Water Rails were seen and heard, Great White Egrets were common and one or two Reed Buntings were noted. Birds of prey comprised Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Eventually we arrived at the tower hide which marks the mouth of the delta, where we would stop for refreshments. Almost immediately two Eurasian Spoonbills flew inland, while eight Whooper Swans flew west over the sea. Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

5 The first of many Eurasian Curlews and Grey Plover were on the estuary, with another couple of Marsh Harriers; almost ubiquitous along this stretch of coast. Trundling east along the coastal track [rutted and challenging at times], we scanned the pools on the landward side, noting frequent Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Grey Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Shelduck and Little Egret. Black-necked Grebes were on the sea, with waders on the shore including Little Stint [just two], Dunlin and a few Ruddy Turnstones. Greater Flamingos were frequently encountered, becoming more numerous the further east along the track we headed. On reaching the mussel farm chalets we were surprised to see an adult female Red-backed Shrike perched on a fence just a few feet from the vehicle, with an equally close juvenile seen shortly after. We weren't aware that the species passed through this late in the year, but Greek birding often surprises! This area also held some Common Stonechats and Black Redstarts, the latter very common in the right habitat during our stay. Water Pipits were also frequently encountered, with numerous Crested Larks, plus just a few Meadow Pipits and Sky Larks. A circling raptor ahead looked interesting, causing a rapid emptying of the vehicle a beautifully marked juvenile Long-legged Buzzard, showing nicely in the warm sun. As we neared the lagoons, a Squacco Heron was found perched by a pumping station, a Ruff and two late Black-winged Stilts were landward side, with a few European Oystercatchers by the sea. As we neared the Gallikos Estuary, two Red-throated Divers were in the bay, while five European Shags loafed on rocks. The estuary itself held yet more Black-necked Grebes [dozens were seen today] and many dabbling ducks, most numerously Northern Shoveler and Common Teal. A Sandwich Tern offshore and a Common Sandpiper on the lagoon proved to be the only ones of the day. Having eventually reached the Kalahori Lagoons we made for the walkway which bisects the two largest water bodies. One of these held much more water than the other and contained many Greater Flamingos, Northern Shovelers and Common Shelducks. The other had more exposed mud, with hundreds of roosting Black-headed Gulls. These were scanned for Slender-billed Gull without luck, although the task was not made easy by the distance and the fact that many of the flock had their heads tucked in, but an adult Mediterranean Gull was some compensation. The only small waders present were about forty Dunlins, with two Ruffs also noted along with good numbers of Grey Plover and Common Redshank. This lagoon also turned up a welcome Ruddy Shelduck and three European Golden Plovers. Another lagoon was checked, but was almost completely dry. Heading homeward we made a couple of brief stops, once to view a small quarry [Little Owl and Black Redstarts seen] and at Dojran Lake, which looked worthy of further exploration. Northern Greece had given us another great day s birding. Friday 4th November 2016 Following breakfast we took the short drive to the mountain track above Ano Poroia. Heading up on foot we soon encountered two Cirl Buntings sitting quietly in a scrubby bush on the rock covered hillside. A couple of small flocks of Hawfinches flew over, before three perched up obligingly. European Greenfinches and Blackbird were exceptionally numerous, while Great Tits, Blue Tits and European Robins also around. A Black Woodpecker swooped down heading towards the village and a Firecrest delighted. A very obliging Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was the last sighting of note here. We took a further short drive up into the pine plantation, which didn't add anything, bird wise, but did provide a stunning vista over the lake. Heading east to Vironia we stopped for a Nescafé at the friendly establishment by the lights [thanks to the proprietor for the free pens!], before walking one of the tracks south of the village ( c in the Mills guide) which runs parallel to the river. It didn't take us long to locate a Grey-headed Woodpecker, which gave the most generous views imaginable. On the return leg a Black Stork flew over and another Grey-headed perched high in a wispy tree, albeit more distant than the previous poser. Our plan was to spend the rest of the day covering the lake from the dam northwards, following the west shore. We took lunch at the dam area, where patient scanning revealed five Whiskered Terns and several Caspian Gulls, including a nice adult, with a Yellow-legged Gull conveniently sharing the same roost for comparison. Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

6 A Common Sandpiper was also noted here, along with the expected wildfowl, grebes and Dalmatian Pelicans. A huge flock of Great Cormorants maybe twelve hundred took flight, landed, and proceeded to gather in an incredibly tight feeding group, an amazing sight. Before heading up the lake we checked the river below the dam, where a smart Great White Pelican consorted with four Dalmatians. The group took flight, giving nice views of the differences in wing pattern between the species. A few kilometres up the lake we headed off road to view a busy looking wide section of shore. The usual Water Pipits and Common Snipe were scattered around, but new for the trip were a group of six Little Ringed Plovers. While scoping these up our attention was drawn to two rather furtive little waders nearby Temminck s Stints. Numerous gulls were loafing here among yet more Dalmatian Pelicans, plus another three Great White Pelicans. The shore north of Korifoudi proved to be rather quiet; the canoes on the shoreline possibly hinting at earlier disturbance. A flock of fifty Stock Doves were in the fields inland, with a few Common Greenshanks in the bay close to Kerkini village. The last hour of our time in the field was spent back at the Port of Livadia, where we enjoyed the general spectacle of the lake s birds going about their business. The last notable sighting of the day was a flock of seven Common Cranes which flew over heading east over the lake. Saturday 5th November 2016 The last day of our tour dawned cloudy - almost misty - following some overnight rain, but gradually became warm and sunny through the day. Having packed the suitcases and bade farewell to Stelios, we headed for Mandraki Harbour, where we had finished our first full day. On arrival our attention was immediately drawn to a throaty treck call, emanating from low down in the reeds Moustached Warbler. It soon became apparent that there were at least six present, along with the showiest Cetti's Warbler we had encountered, with a Northern Wren thrown in for good measure. A Greater Spotted Eagle was perched on top of a tree over towards the drowned forest heronry, with a closer individual perched on a branch on the marsh allowing better views. A Grey-headed Woodpecker called and a couple of Black Redstarts completed the picture. Our plan was to next drive down the eastern embankment from Megalachori at the north, as far as the pumping station at Chryssohorafa to the south. Five Bewick's Swans were in the first pool, where a Grey-headed Woodpecker was seen briefly. A Greater Spotted Eagle was flushed from a trackside tree and landed in another tree a little further away, while two more perched on branches on the marsh brought the day total to five. A male Grey-headed Woodpecker showed off in a dead tree, where a Dunnock was heard. Five Whooper Swans flew over calling, the first we had seen at the lake. We scrutinised likely lakeside trees for more woodpeckers, but could only conjure up a Great Spotted. A Hawfinch perched atop a tree and Chaffinches were seemingly everywhere. Two Eurasian Spoonbills fed close inshore, with dozens of Pied Avocets and the expected wildfowl. A large flock of Black-headed Gulls fed over the lake in a tern-like fashion. At the pumping station we turned off the embankment and parked up for refreshments. A late European Reed Warbler was in a ditch along with a Cetti's Warbler and the usual Common Chiffchaffs. Also of interest along the same ditch were the remains of two Penduline Tit nests. A Norwegian couple informed us of some Syrian Woodpeckers in the Himmarros area. As this was fairly close we drove that way, but failed to see any D. Syriacus. We were left with just enough time to call in at the Byzantine castle at Sidirokastro, set in a magnificent craggy location. A Rock Bunting was seen only briefly, but two Western Rock Nuthatches were more obliging. Several Song Thrushes and a Dunnock were perched in a dead shrub, soon joined by a very smart Rock Sparrow, our final addition of the trip. The journey back to Thessaloniki Airport was smooth, with a bit of spare time to repack suit-cases. We all agreed it had been a fabulous trip, with many highlights in the total of 140 species recorded by the group. Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

7 SYSTEMATIC LIST 1/Mute Swan 2/Whooper Swan 3/Bewick's Swan 4/Lesser White-fronted Goose 5/Greylag Goose 6/Common Shelduck 7/Ruddy Shelduck 8/Gadwall 9/Eurasian Wigeon 10/Mallard 11/Northern Shoveler 12/Northern Pintail 13/Common Teal 14/Common Pochard 15/Tufted Duck 16/Little Grebe 17/Great Crested Grebe 18/Black-necked Grebe Red-throated Diver 19/Black-throated Diver 20/Greater Flamingo 21/Great White Pelican 22/Dalmatian Pelican 23/Great Cormorant 24/European Shag 25/Pygmy Cormorant 26/Eurasian Spoonbill 27/Squacco Heron 28/Great White Egret 29/Little Egret 30/Grey Heron 31/Black Stork 32/Golden Eagle 33/Greater Spotted Eagle 34/Common Buzzard 35/Long-legged Buzzard 36/Eurasian Sparrowhawk 37/Marsh Harrier 38/Hen Harrier 39/Peregrine 40/Common Kestrel 41/Merlin 42/Common Crane 43/Common Moorhen 44/Common Coot 45/Water Rail 46/European Oystercatcher 47/Pied Avocet 48/Black-winged Stilt 49/Northern Lapwing 50/Grey Plover 51/Little Ringed Plover 52/Eurasian Curlew 53/Common Snipe Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

8 54/Common Redshank 55/Spotted Redshank 56/Common Greenshank 57/Green Sandpiper 58/Common Sandpiper 59/Ruff 60/Ruddy Turnstone 61/Dunlin 62/Little Stint 63/Temminck's Stint 64/Black-headed Gull 65/Mediterranean Gull 66/Yellow-legged Gull 67/Caspian Gull 68/Caspian Tern 69/Sandwich Tern 70/Whiskered Tern 71/Feral Rock Dove 72/Stock Dove 73/Wood Pigeon 74/Collared Dove 75/Little Owl 76/Common Kingfisher 77/Black Woodpecker 78/Green Woodpecker 79/Grey-headed Woodpecker 80/Great Spotted Woodpecker 81/Middle Spotted Woodpecker 82/Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 83/Great Grey Shrike 84/Red-backed Shrike 85/Eurasian Jay 86/Black-billed Magpie 87/Western Jackdaw 88/Rook 89/Hooded Crow 90/Common Raven 91/Great Tit 92/Coal Tit 93/Blue Tit 94/Marsh Tit 95/Sombre Tit 96/Long-tailed Tit 97/Sky Lark 98/Wood Lark 99/Crested Lark 100/Moustached Warbler 101/Cetti's Warbler 102/European Reed Warbler 103/Sardinian Warbler 104/Common Chiffchaff 105/Goldcrest 106/Firecrest 107/Short-toed Treecreeper 108/European Nuthatch Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn

9 109/Western Rock Nuthatch 110/Common Starling 111/Northern Wren 112/Blackbird 113/Song Thrush 114/Mistle Thrush 115/Fieldfare 116/European Robin 117/Black Redstart 118/Common Stonechat 119/Dunnock 120/House Sparrow 121/Tree Sparrow 122/Spanish Sparrow 123/Rock Sparrow 124/Meadow Pipit 125/Water Pipit 126/Red-throated Pipit 127/White Wagtail 128/Grey Wagtail 129/Chaffinch 130/Hawfinch 131/Greenfinch 132/Eurasian Siskin 133/Eurasian Serin 134/Goldfinch 135/Common Linnet 136/Corn Bunting 137/Yellowhammer 138/Cirl Bunting 139/Rock Bunting 140/Reed Bunting Oriole Birding Lake Kerkini Autumn