Lesvos 2025 Part 4

 The Lesvos adventure continues,...............................

So we start with a beautiful Red-backed Shrike

and a White Stork posing nicely on a shed roof near the Kalloni Salt Pans.

Out Kavaki way, we came across a pair of Turtle Doves, which was delight,

then a Black-eared Wheatear down on the rocks

and a magnificent Blue Rock Thrush, but it never cam close enough for a decent photo.

Another bonus was a an Subalpine Warbler.

Continuing on from Kavaki to Petra/Molyvos resevoir there were plenty of Ruddy Shelduck, with one obliging with a flyby,

Followed by a buzzard.

A nice Black-headed Bunting, but for the life of me I can't remember where!

But this Egret was back at the Tsiknias River,

as were these White Storks.

Curlew Sandpipers at the Saltpans...

Another Stork...

And yet more Bee-eaters

I couldn't resist more Spur-winged Lapwing shots

as well as more Curlew Lapwing Photos.

Spoonbills! At the eastern side of the Saltpans we found 30 Spoonbills in one of the channels,

that then decided to relocate and join the Dalmatian Pelicans and Flamingos.

Another bird we see everywhere, but a rarity in the UK. A Corn Bunting, because they are so common I tend to forget to photograph them, so here's one!

Little Tern catching its lunch.

Yellow Wagtails..

We hunted for this one and were finally rewarded, a Collared Pratincole.

That's a great bird to end part 4 with.

Lesvos 2025 Part 2

 So on with more birding from Lesvos! Well the first one isn't a bird, but it's pretty!

Gulls and Terns down at Tsiknias River mouth,

Bee-eater,

White Stork in the fields by the river,

as was this Yellow-legged Gull,

Couldn't resist photographing more storks.

Shelduck are always wonderful to see wherever you are.

As are Black-headed Buntings.

A well camouflaged Ringed Plover in the gravel at the river.

The Kallonis Saltpans are always reliable for Black-winged Stilt.

There were also plenty of Juvenile Ruff about.

Now a Dalmatian Pelican up close is an amazing thing, with a 3 metre wingspan, they are very impressive.

Further afield we stopped at the Petrified Forest visitor centre in case there were any Little Owls in the adjacent farm buildings and weren't disappointed. 

From there we carried on to Faneromeni and the fords, it was very quiet (and hot!) with not much about, but this Squacco showed briefly.

We then stumbled across a pair of Rufous Bush Robin delivering food to a very well hidden nest, we watched from a distance for a while, it was awesome!

They were closely watched by this female Red-backed Shrike.

A break from birds. A butterfly!

From Faneromeni, we went for a fantastic late lunch in Sigri, then took the track to Eresos.

With plenty to see, this Cretzschmar's Bunting posed nicely for us.

And at the Meladia Chapel we found Pied Flycatcher

and a nice Wood Warbler.

Then as we approached Eresos, a well hidden Little Owl presented itself to us!

That's enough for the moment... part 3 tomorrow perhaps!