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!

Lesvos Birding 2023 - Part 3

 Is this the final part....... don't know yet!

So a bit of sightseeing again to start off; Paid a visit to an Ouzo distillery

Then explored around Polarmi, never been down that way before. Found some nice birds;

Sardinian Warbler,

Black-eared Wheatear

and Cretzschmar's Bunting

and some great scenery

Back at Skala Kallonis we finally caught up with the Long-eared Owl chicks;

Plus around and about a Long-legged Buzzard,

Little Egret,

Squacco Heron

and a Little Egret buzzing the Flamingos.

We took a jaunt down to Makara Valley, this was brilliant we had a great time and for us was one of our highlights.

Black-eared Wheatear,

Starred Agama (I think!)

Great views of Rock Nuthatch,

and again brilliant scenery along the track.

I did see a flock of Rosy Starlings when we stopped for a coffee, but they flew past so fast that by the time Tina turned around they were gone. Luckily we had another flock zoom past us later that Tina did see, as brief as it was! But these were our only new species for the trip and takes us up to 1016!

So carrying on to the river mouth down the valley.

Little Egrets,

Garbias Island (Breeding site for Lesser Kestrel and Shag)

Terrapin,

Corn Bunting,

Butterflies?!

Balkan Marbled White Butterfly,

Thread Lacewing

and another Roller.

On the way back up we saw our only Little Owls of the trip:

Then finally for this post a Water Rail scurrying away from us:

Sorry there's going to be a part 4!