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1 Limosa Holidays Trip Report LESBOS Spring in the Aegean Sat 25 th April Sat 2nd May 2015 One of the fine and showy Scops Owls present at one site during the week; a site to which we went on more than one occasion Tour leader Robin Chittenden, robinchittenden.co.uk report compiled by tour leaders: Robin Chittenden & Stephen Daly LIMOSA, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 TRIP DIARY Tour Leaders: Stephen Daly & Robin Chittenden with Martin & Meg Allnutt, Anthony Bowen, Huw & Brenda Edwards, Mike Harvey, Brook Phillips, Ray & Val Piercy, Steve Thompson and Len & Gill Waterworth Day 1 - Saturday 25 th April An early flight out from London s Gatwick airport across central Europe was comfortable and happily included drinks and an in-flight meal. We arrived at Mytilene early afternoon local time where we did some birding looking across the strait to neighbouring Turkey. The weather was grey and overcast with spots of rain falling and with almost no wind to speak of. There was a single White Wagtail, Yellowlegged Gulls and House Sparrows on the shoreline and several Hooded Crows were seen here and there. Once underway with the two minibuses our first serious look at Lesvos birding added a few more birds to our list; Glossy Ibis, Squacco Herons, Little Grebes, Little Egrets, Marsh Harrier, Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers, Ruffs, Wood Sandpipers, three Temminck s Stints, White Wagtails and Collared Pratincoles. A Eurasian Bittern was also seen as was a single Common Cuckoo in flight. Each area had special bird species and it was so wonderful to watch so many migrant birds arriving back to this lovely are after their winter in Africa and beyond. Terns were also seen and these included Common Tern and one White-winged Black Tern. In the town and along the countryside we saw Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo and Common Swift. Jays and Hooded Crows were fairly easy to spot and we stopped to watch Penduline Tit at an incomplete nest site. Sand Martins, Red-rumped Swallows and Barn Swallows came past as Corn Buntings, Nightingales, Cetti s Warblers, Great Reed Warblers and the smaller Reed Warblers were either seen or heard. Crested Larks flitted into the air as we drove along country tracks and some flocks of Spanish Sparrows and Goldfinches, a few Lesser Whitethroats and Blackcaps were present. Our meal was taken indoors due to the cooler evening temperature. After dining we retired to our rooms. Better warmer weather was on the way from the south and hopefully lots of migrant birds would be helped along the way. Day 2 - Sunday 26 th April The early morning sky at first light showed signs of the warm front and large holes were appearing in the grey cloud cover. We took and early morning search for birds at Metochi Lake before breakfast, finding Little Crakes, Little Grebes, Little Bitterns, Squacco Heron and Night Herons. Penduline Tits put on a show collecting nesting material from the reed beds and Moorhens were busy feeding on the lake. A pair of Golden Orioles were seen in some poplars and Great Tits and Blue Tits were along the wooded edge of the lake. Great Reed and Reed Warbler, plus one Savi s Warbler were seen and we could hear the long reeling call of the Savi s across the lake. We took breakfast back at the hotel as the morning started to warm up. Heading off along the banks and verges of the Christou River we saw some Ruddy Shelduck and Little Egrets in flight. The tamarisks held a good deal of Nightingales, some were watched through the branches but most were heard. Crested Larks were common and vocal and some were watched displaying high above the lush green countryside. Crested Larks were calling as they took off in front of us and a Marsh Harrier was seen perched on a distant tree as a female Montagu s Harrier hunted close by. Over on some tidal pools we watched several Marsh Sandpipers feeding with the more plentiful Wood Sandpipers and Little Stints. A single Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilts, Avocets, a few Kentish Plovers and some Ruff were also watched. 2 Limosa Holidays

3 At meadows near the hotel an adult Demoiselle Crane had been found and we took a walk down to watch it feeding with White Storks, flanked by a roost of Yellow-legged Gulls and one juvenile Mediterranean Gull. The crane was a lovely bird to see on this trip and normally takes a more easterly migration route. Along the Christou riverside, Penduline Tits were constructing a nest in a large willow and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers and Cetti s Warblers sang noisily along the riverbank. A few Woodchat Shrikes were seen and a little later we saw our first of two Masked Shrikes. Red-rumped Swallows were seeking nest sites or busy constructing their nests under culverts and bridges as Barn Swallows and House Martins fed on flying insects. The shallows of the river held a good number of Wood Sandpipers, Little Stints and Temminck s Stints. A flock of around 30 Collared Pratincoles flew over calling but were eventually lost from view. Out across the landscape we picked up a single Hoopoe and other could be heard calling. A few Eurasian Jays and Collared Doves were seen along the agricultural fringes and a flock of around 20 noisy European Bee-eaters flew in from the south their calls being heard over a great distance. We also watched a small party of Alpine Swifts pass through heading north and there were small groups of Common Swift regularly sighted during the course of the day. We stopped off at a Scops Owl roost site and fortunately found three of these special nocturnal birds resting in a group of tall Eucalyptus trees on the outside of town. We took lunch at a local Greek taverna on the seafront, where lots of families were also arriving to eat but just before we sat down to eat we watched Black-necked Grebes swimming off the coast opposite the town s harbour. After a pleasant meal we drove to the Achladeri Forest to look for woodland birds. En route lots of Greater Flamingoes and a few Ruddy and Common Shelduck were seen. Parking in the forest at the bottom of the hill we found a nesting Goldfinch and a troop of Short-toed Treecreepers. Serins flew from the tree tops with a male in display flight, as Chaffinches sang and Great Tits called. A track led further uphill and soon we took position to watch a pair of Krüper s Nuthatches bringing food to their young at a pine tree. On the way back downhill we found various lizards, different butterflies and a few Bedriaga s Frogs, one of which allowed us to take some macro photos. Perched close to the road, we found Woodchat Shikes and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears and shortly after this a Masked Shrike was seen and we all had excellent views. A couple of migrating Short-toed Eagles also flew past as did a pair of Sparrowhawks and a short time later a Hoopoe was heard calling then seen at some sheep feeders. Coming back along the coast and past the salt lagoons we saw a Purple Heron in flight, Little Terns, Gullbilled Terns, Whiskered Terns and a pair of White-winged Black Terns. A group of falcons on migration were seen arriving from the south and started feeding on migrating darters and dragonflies. Most of them were Red-footed but there were two Eleonora s Falcons with them and several Lesser Kestrels as well. Back at the hotel we wrote up our bird list then had a relaxing dinner. Day 3 - Monday 27th April A lovely sunrise greeted us as we took a pre-breakfast drive out to the Kalloni salt pans where more Kentish Plover were seen feeding as the sun began to light up the small pockets of Greater Flamingoes, Avocets and Black-winged Stilts. Several Little Stints were seen as were two Grey Herons. Black Storks were seen in flight or feeding with Great Egret, Little Egrets and Squacco Herons. Whiskered Terns and Little Terns were also watched. After breakfast we headed north through the hills picking up a perched Peregrine Falcon and lovely male Blue Rock Thrush. A few Persian Squirrels were also seen watching us from on top of large rocks. Along the coast towards Molivos we parked and searched the rocks and scrub below finding a Chukar below us. Eastern Subalpine Warblers were calling and we had some reasonable views of two males; a Wren was also heard and eventually showed itself. Out on an almost flat calm sea we found a raft of approximately 200 Yelkouan Shearwaters. As the wind picked up we saw quite a few take off. Back to the Sylvia 3 Limosa Holidays

4 warblers and a male Rüppell s Warbler was spotted singing from one of his perches. A few Ravens flew along the cliffs and Rock Doves came past as did flocks of Spanish Sparrows, Starlings, Linnets, Goldfinches, Red-rumped Swallows, Barn Swallows and House Martins. We took lunch at the hotel and then drove to the Napi Valley where we saw Black-eared Wheaters, more Eastern Subalpine Warblers and Ortolan Buntings. A few Short-toed Eagles on migration were seen on high as they passed over ridges and there were also some Black Storks moving northwards with them. Only one Red-footed Falcon was spotted in the skies. A walk along a country track produced more Black-eared Wheatears, a single White Wagtail and Common Stonechats. Walking further along the stone-walled track we found Sombre Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Cretzschmar s Bunting, Corn Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Greenfinches and Eastern Orphean Warbler. Butteflies included Swallowtail, Eastern Festoon, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Wall Brown. We also spotted one or two Starred Agama Lizards sunning themselves. We relaxed back at the hotel before meeting up on the terrace for a cold drink and the list before dinner. Day 4 - Tuesday 28th April A pre-breakfast look around Metochi lake proved profitable with great views of Little Crakes, Little Bitterns, Squacco Herons and two Night Herons. Penduline Tits came and went collecting nesting material from the bulrushes, Cetti s Warblers sang out in the open, Reed and Great Reed Warblers also called and played hide-and-seek in the reeds as Moorhens fed and Coots battled. After breakfast the wind was getting blustery as we drove towards the Andissa Gorge, where Crag Martins and Rock Sparrows were added to our increasing and diverse bird list. Common Buzzards and Short-toed Eagles were seen in flight or perched in the area and Nightingales sang loudly echoed by the steep sides of the ravine. Up at Ipsilou we saw Blue Rock Thrushes, Black-eared Wheatears, Northern Wheatears and Ravens around the monastery. Now the wind was really making birding difficult so after a quick look inside the monastery we descended along the new road construction and freshly unearthed petrified remains of forest tree trunks, to arrive down on the coast. Although still windy the blustery conditions were not as bad as up on the mountain. The coast was however full of birds, if you knew where to look, and a large fall of wagtails had arrived and were feeding at a sheep pasture. Here we separated the Blue-headed from Black-headed and Grey headed subspecies that were feeding together and moving in and out of the vegetation with a small flock of Starlings. In amongst the Yellow Wagtails was a Citrine Wagtail and happily we managed some good views of this very smart looking bird. In a small wood flanked by fig trees we saw a few Golden Orioles perched and feeding, but in the main sheltering from the wind. Common Stonechats, one Whinchat, Corn Buntings and a single Spotted Flycatcher were all seen in the area. A short distance along the road we found a pair of Rollers taking turns on electric wires to watch out for predators while the other fed on larger insects on the ground. Later we had views of Common Kestrels and Lesser Kestrels with Eleonora s Falcons and a few Red-footed Falcons. Along the river we watched Lesser Whitethroats catch insects over the water and a few Blackheaded Buntings over the agricultural areas where flocks of Spanish Sparrows fed. A single Lesser Grey Shrike was seen perched and we managed good scope views; a few Masked Shrikes were seen close by. After watching such a varied list of migrants sheltering from the wind we decided to drive slowly back to the hotel and rest before dinner. 4 Limosa Holidays

5 Day 5 - Thursday 29th April 2015 Another visit to Metochi lake before breakfast was again perfect as the sun rose and shone across the lake lighting it up in spectacular style. Again the morning birds didn t disappoint us and a Long-legged Buzzard flew past then settled on a telegraph pole. As we were walking back to the vehicles, tummies rumbling, a wonderfully active Stoat came bounding towards us on the track. With breakfast over we drove along the tracks of the Christou River and looked for waders and other wetland birds. In the main most of the same species from previous visits were present although we did see a flight of seven Garganey. Glossy Ibis were present on the river and feeding together with Wood Sandpipers. The usual Cetti s Warblers and Nightingales provided the high volume background chorus as Eastern Olivaceous Warblers worked as the backing group! A very bright male Balkan Green Lizard was watched sunning himself on some stones as we walked along the Riverside watching the terns and admiring the wonderful spring blooms. Crested Larks were present and a Turtle Dove was seen flying past as Common Swifts fed on insects above our heads. At one of the muddy saltpans we found eight Spotted Redshanks in various stages of plumage moult and a Black-tailed Godwit was present with numerous other waders including 20 or so Kentish Plovers. There was also a good-sized flock of c. 200 Little Stints; a lone Temminck s Stint was also seen. The next part of the morning was taken walking through rough flat pasture where animals were grazing and here we found Red-throated Pipits - about eight birds in total. Short-toed Larks were also watched and a few Yellow Wagtails were seen as was one lonely Grey Wagtail. Driving back we stopped off again in the valleys on the other side of the monastery and watched Isabelline Wheatears collecting food for newly hatched Young. A visit to Limonos Monastery was fortunate as we had good views of Little Owl, Middle Spotted Woodpecker and watched a Persian Squirrel on one of the monastery buildings. Another look at the Scops Owl roost, this time with four birds seen seemed to satisfy everyone in the group and another Middle Spotted Woodpecker was seen and heard flying around the area. Back at our base we had time to relax before dinner. Day 6 - Friday 30 th April Our pre breakfast birding was taken down at the Tsiknias River where the usual suspects were complemented by a couple of Lesser Grey Shrikes, Black-headed Buntings and Woodchat Shrikes. A Purple Heron was seen and we watched Great Egrets and Squacco Herons, while a few Glossy Ibis were seen by the Alykes wetlands and we heard a Common Quail with a brief glimpse of one bird. Black Storks too were coming into the wetlands and a few smart groups of Ruddy Shelduck were seen and White-winged Black Tern was also seen again. Setting off in both vehicles we took a route around the Gulf of Kalloni towards Achladeri. We stopped to watch displaying Serins on some conifers, then continuing along the coast we had great views of Purple Heron before stopping again at a point almost opposite Skala Kalloni, to look at the masses of blood-red wild Poppies and other wildflowers that bathed the verdant countryside. A Great Crested Grebe and Great Cormorant were seen offshore. Later we looked in vain for Olive-tree Warbler by walking through idyllic-looking olive groves bounded by dry-stone dykes. In compensation we did have good views of a beautiful male Black-headed Bunting. After a coffee stop we drove inland and uphill towards Agiassos which lies in the shadow of the highest peak on the island, Mount Olympus at 968m. Passing through the hilltop town of Agiasos, we climbed beyond the town stopping to take our picnic lunch opposite a woodland that was full of blooming Armenian Grape Hyacinth, Pink Hawksbeard, some in seed like giant dandelion heads, Lesser Greenwinged and Provence Orchids and Star of Bethlehem. We walked up the paths or climbed the various steep woodland slopes and found other lovely flowers. 5 Limosa Holidays

6 Moving back down the mountain to the lower side of the town we watched Ravens, Common Buzzards and Short-toed Eagles. A few Chaffinches were seen as was a Robin and a Song Thrush was heard singing. Starred Agama Lizards basked in the sun as we looked for and found Sombre Bee Orchids and Changed Toothed Orchids, some with wild bees pollinating the flowers. We called in to the Greek ruins at Messa temple on the way back to our hotel to Skalla Kalloni and watched Sand Martins and a single Golden Oriole. Back at the hotel we had a cool drink on the terrace before dining. Day 7 - Saturday 1 st May A last look at Metochi lake was as good as it had been on the previous pre-breakfast visits. After a short while we drove on a little towards the rocky hillside where we found a Rock Nuthatch nest with the parent birds feeding their young. We watched the constant visits by the attentive parents bringing their beaks full of grubs, centipedes, flies and caterpillars to the hungry chicks concealed deep inside their mud-built structure against a small rock overhang. Replenished with our breakfasts we left the hotel to travel along the south coast via Eresos. More Cirl Buntings, Great Tit, Blue Tit and a Eurasian Nuthatch were seen at a natural spring. At various points on the roadside Black-eared Wheatears were watched along their typical rocky habitat. Stopping off at a few locations in the valleys we found Cinereous and Cretzschmar s Buntings while Common Swifts flew at speed on high and Red-rumped Swallows were nest building under road culverts. Later we drove to Ipsilou Monastery and had better views of Blue Rock Thrush and very close looks at Black-eared Wheatears. More Ravens flew past and on the way back downhill we stopped again to look at Isabelline Wheatear but this time a nesting bird was attempting to chase off a Glass Lizard that was threatening to take a chick from the bird s nest. Fortunately the lizard took fright and left the scene. As we progressed downhill we stopped once again to watch the Middle Spotted Woodpecker that was nesting in the area. Another Persian Squirrel was also around as was the Little Owl. Buzzards flew over a distant cliff and were identified as Common Buzzard. Back at the hotel we enjoyed the last supper and took a farewell drink. Day 8 - Sunday 2 nd May We had an early departure after breakfast having said our farewells to the hotel staff and thanking them for their attentive service and good humour. In typical birders style we continued to spot birds on the way back to the airport, enjoying every minute of this wonderful spring visit to such a special island. I m sure some of us will return to Lesvos one day and I don t mean myself or Robin! Thanks to all for being such a happy band that bonded together really well right from the start. Thanks too for many of the after dinner conversations, laughs and stories and hopefully we ll see you on another Limosa Holidays tour. Warmest regards to you all. Stephen Daly and Robin Chittenden Systematic List of Species BIRDS Chukar Alectoris chukar One Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos) and another near Ipsilou Monastery. Quail Coturnix coturnix A couple heard and one glimpsed Alykes wetland by Kalloni saltpans. 6 Limosa Holidays

7 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Several Kalloni saltpans. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Up to 18 Kalloni saltpans and Alykes wetland and 20+ Faneromeni. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos One Metochi Lake and four Kalloni saltpans. Garganey Anas querquedula Seven flew up the Tsiknias River and were later seen on Kalloni saltpans. Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinis yelkouan 200+ offshore Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos) in a single raft. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis A pair at Metochi Lake and two Panteleimonas Pools (East of Eresos). Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus One Gulf of Kalloni. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Two Gulf of Kalloni. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Many Kalloni saltpans. Black Stork Ciconia nigra Up to eight in any one day in the area around Skala Kallonis. European White Stork Ciconia ciconia Ones and twos Christou River and Kalloni. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Potentially up to a maximum of 34 Tsiknias River, Alykes wetlands by the Kalloni saltpans and a few Skala Kallonis. Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris One Skala Kallonis Pool. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Up to three Metochi Lake, two Tsiknias River, two Faneromeni and one Skala Kallonis Pool. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Up to four Metochi Lake. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Seen most days in the Kalloni area particularly at Tsiknias River and Metochi Lake and a couple Faneromeni. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Ones and twos Kalloni saltpans and two Panteleimonas Pools (East of Eresos). Purple Heron Ardea purpurea The odd one or two Alykes wetlands by the Kalloni saltpans. Great Egret Ardea alba One Kalloni saltpans. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Many seen everyday. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo One seen on three days Gulf of Kalloni at Tsiknias River mouth. (Mediterranean) Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii Two at Sigri and two Kavaki. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni As many as six by the Kalloni saltpans and ten Faneromeni area. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Singles here and there. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Eight by the Kalloni saltpans. 7 Limosa Holidays

8 Eleonora's Flacon Falco eleonorae One by the Kalloni saltpans and two Faneromeni. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus One Napi Valley and one Faneromeni. European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus One very distant one and two Agiasos. Black Kite Milvus migrans One by the Kalloni saltpans Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus One and twos here and there including one perched Andissa Gorge. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus One and twos Alykes wetlands by the Kalloni saltpans and Tsiknias River. Montagu s Harrier Circus pygargus One ringtail over near Kalloni salt pans. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Two Achlederi. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Ones and twos here and there. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus One Metochi Lake. Little Crake Porzana parva Up to eight Metochi Lake. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Ones and twos in suitable habitat. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Two Alykes wetlands by the Kalloni saltpans. Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo One near Christou River. European Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus One Christou River. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Common on saline habitats. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta A sizeable population Kalloni salt pans. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula One Kalloni saltpans. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Up to four Tsiknias River. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus A maximum of 20+ Kalloni saltpans and sheep fields and four Polichnitos. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago One Kalloni saltpans. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa Several Kalloni saltpans and three Alykes wetlands by the Kalloni saltpans. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Eight by Kalloni saltpans and three Kalloni saltpans. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Eight Kalloni saltpans. Greenshank Tringa nebularia Ones and twos Kalloni saltpans. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Many seen at suitable habitat including a flock of 80 Tsiknias River. 8 Limosa Holidays

9 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Just four seen. Turnstone Arenaria interpres Two Kalloni saltpans. Little Stint Calidris minuta Up to 200+ Kalloni saltpans. Temminck s Stint Calidris temminckii Maximum of three Tsiknias River. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Eight Kalloni saltpans. Ruff Philomachus pugnax Up to 100+ Kalloni saltpans. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 26 over Kalloni saltpans and three Tsiknias River. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus One near Christou River. Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Very common. Little Tern Sternula albifrons Several Kalloni saltpans. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Up to three Kalloni saltpans. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Up to three Kalloni saltpans. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus One Tsiknias River and seven Kalloni saltpans. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Several Kalloni saltpans. Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia A few seen here and there and a few authentic looking Rock Doves Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos) and several Faneromeni. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur One Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos), six Napi Valley, one Metochi Lake a few between Skala Vasilikon and Polichnitos and heard near Ipsilou Monastery. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Common. Common Cuckoo cuculus canorus Singles seen hear and there. Scops Owl Otus scops As many as six Kalloni and one heard Limonas Monastery. Little Owl Athene noctua One Kalloni saltpans, one near Alykes wetlands and one Limonas Monastery. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Eight Achladeri followed by a few here and there Common Swift Apus apus Common. European Roller Coracias garrulous Two Faneromeni. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 20+ Kalloni, heard Andissa Gorge and a few near Alykes wetland. Hoopoe Upupa epops Of the four seen the one that showed best was above the Napi Valley. 9 Limosa Holidays

10 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus media A pair Limonas Monastery and then ones and twos seen here and there. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Twe12lve seen during the tour, with sightings slowly increasing during the week. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor One Faneromeni and another by Kalloni saltpans. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Over 20 seen during the week. Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus At least 16 individuals seen in ones and twos at several sites. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Three Faneromeni and one Messa Sanctuary. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius atricapillus Many seen. Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula soemmeringii Several Sigri area. Hooded Crow Corvus cornix sharpii Common and widespread. Raven Corvus corax Ones and two here and there with best views at Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos) and Ipsilou Monastery. Sombre Tit Poeciles lugubris anatoliae Two Napi Valley. Great Tit Parus major Common and widespread. Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus A male Tsiknias River and up to two Metochi Lake. Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Common and widespread. Sand Martin Riparia riparia A few here and there. Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Three Kavaki and twenty plus Andissa Gorge. Swallow Hirundo rustica Very common. House Martin Delichon urbicum Very common. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Fairly common. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus One en route 28th. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Two in sheepfields by Kalloni saltpans. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Common. Woodlark Lullula arborea Heard Achladeri, one Napi Valley and Ipsilou Monastery. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis One and twos here and there. Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti Seen or heard daily. 10 Limosa Holidays

11 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus One Tsiknias, two Metochi Lake and one Faneromeni. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus A few Tsiknias River. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus A few Tsiknias River, several Metochi Lake and one Faneromnei. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida elaeica A few Kalloni saltpans and Tsiknias River. Savi s Warbler Locustella luscinioides One Metochi Lake. Eastern Bonelli s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis One Andissa Gorge. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Ones and twos here and there. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca One Tsiknias River and one Faneromeni. Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris Two Napi Valley. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Ones and twos here and there. Eastern Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans A few Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos) and Napi Valley. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala One Kavaki. Rüppell s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli One Kavaki. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Very occasionally heard or seen. Krüper s Nuthatch Sitta krueperi Pair Achladeri. Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer One Kalloni Watch Point and a pair both Napi Valley and near Metochi Lake. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla Four Achladeri. Starling Sturnus vulgaris Two Faneromeni Blackbird Turdus merula Common. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Heard Achladeri and Agiassos. Robin Erithacus rubecula One Agiassos. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Common. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Only seen on two days by Kalloni saltpans and Alykes wetlands. European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola A few here and there. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Up to six near Ipsilou Monastery. Northern Wheatear Oemanthe oenanathe Two near Ipsilou Monastery. 11 Limosa Holidays

12 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe melanoleuca Fairly common. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius One Napi Valley, three Ipsilou Monastery and one Andissa Gorge. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Our Faneromeni and one Agiassos. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Abundant. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Common. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Four Andissa Gorge. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Reasonable numbers of assorted Yellow Wagtails: The most interesting gathering was at Faneromeni with several Black-headed Wagtail (M.f. feldegg), a few of the Blue-headed Wagtail (M.f.flava), a Greyheaded Wagtail (M.f.thunbergi), and a Romanian Yellow Wagtail (M.f. dombrowskii ). Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola One Faneromeni. White Wagtail Motacilla alba Only four seen. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Eight Alykes wetland by Kalloni saltpans. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Common and widespread. Serin Serinus serinus Several in the area of Achladeri. Greenfinch Chloris chloris Fairly common. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Common and widespread. Linnet Linaria cannabina Two Napi Valley and a few near Ipsilou Monastery. Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Very common. Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea Two near Ipsilou Monastery. Cretzschmar s Bunting Emberiza caesia Two Kavaki (between Petra & Molyvos), two Kalloni watchpoint and several in the area of Ipsilou Monastery. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus Fairly common. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Numbers built up during the week. MAMMALS Stone Marten Martes foina aka Beech Marten (road kill) Eastern Hedgehog Erinaceus concolor (road kill) Persian Squirrel Scirius anomalus Stoat Mustela erminea 12 Limosa Holidays

13 FISH Little Tunny Euthynnus alletteratus REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS Glass Lizard Pseudopus apodus Balkan Green Lizard Lacerta trilineata Starred Agama Lizard Laudakia stellio Snake-eyed lizard Ophisops elegans Balkan Terrapin Mauremys rivulata Bedriaga s Frog Pelophylax bedriagae (aka Levant Marsh Frog Rana bedriagae) BUTTERFLIES Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Eastern Festoon Zerynthia cerisy Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines Clouded Yellow Colias crocea Powdered Brimstone Gonepteryx farinosa Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Large White Pieris brassicae Red Admiral Vanessa atlanta Wall Brown Lasiommata megera Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera Lesser Spotted Fritillary Melitaea trivia Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus MOTHS Cream-spotted Tiger Epicallia villica FLOWERS A sample of some of the more charismatic plants seen. Yellow Asphodel Asphodeline lutea Star Clover Trifolium stellatum Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Common Corn-cockle Agrostemma githago Pink Hawksbeard Crepis rubra Pontic Fritillary Fritillaria pontica Barbary Pignut Gynandriris sisyrinchium Field Gladiolus Gladiolus illyricus Winged Sea Lavender Limonium sinuatum Burgundy Loosestrife Lysimachia atropurpurea Tassel Hyacinth Muscari comosum Armenian Grape Hyacinth Muscari armeniacum Wild Orange Tulip Tulipa orphanidea Provence Orchid Orchis provincialis Lesser Green-winged Orchid Orchis morio picta Changed Toothed Orchid Orchis tridentata ssp. commutata Sombre Bee-orchid Ophrys fusca fusca 13 Limosa Holidays