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 Birding 2023 - Part 2

 So to continue........

Lovely young Grey Heron at Skala Kallonis

and plenty of Greater Flamingo activity at Parakila Marsh,

along with Black-winged Stilt,

Ruddy Shelduck,

Little Egret,

and Red-backed Shrike.

Counldn't resist another poppy photo at the Tsiknias River

with a Glossy Ibis having a paddle.

Over at Kalloni Saltpans we came across a Whiskered Tern,

and another Little Egret.

Over the east side of the Salt pans we had Common Tern,

Yellow Wagtail,

More Flamingos,

Dalmatian Pelican,

Little Tern,

and this Pelican looks like a youngster to me

You never know what you are going to get at the Salt Pans, it's brilliant!

We did see a Turtle Dove on the east side too, thanks to some kind fellow birders who allowed us to use their scope. Cheers!

Finally for part two a general photo at the east of the salt pans. (Cormorant, Avocet, Flamingo, Shelduck)

Part 3 coming soon to a blog near you!

Lesvos Birding 2023 - Part 1

 Well finally the PC is sorted apart from my watermarking software, so just a quickie... all images included in this post and all posts in this blog site are copyright of Tom Willetts. 

Sorry about that but there are people out there aren't very nice!

So this is part one of our two week trip to Lesvos in May. It was great to be back, our last visit was pre covid in 2019. Between then and now we had had two trips planned but due to covid etc they never happened. So as I said it was wonderful to be back in one of our favourite places. We stayed as usual in Skala Kallonis;

It's just such a brilliant place, great Tavernas, food, scenery and the best base (in our opinion) for getting around the island. So on to the birding!

Actually we'll start with a bit of wildlife, an (Eastern) European Hedgehog wandering around by our hotel room.

Then some terrapins on our walk to the village:

Once we had our hire car we ventured out to the Tsikinas River and the Saltpans, seeing:

Little Stint

White Stork,

Black-winged Stilt,

Bee-eaters,

Short-toed Eagle,

Little Stint,

Yellow Wagtail,

Black-headed Bunting,

Couldn't resist another Stilt photo,

and another Stint,

or two Stilts, "getting it on" 😂

Plus many more, including Spanish Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Crested Lark, Marsh Harrier, Wood Sandpiper, Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Common Shelduck and Ruff.

Next day got a bit of sight seeing in. The Roman Aquaduct at Moira.

Then over the next few days:

Squacco Heron,

Spotted Flycatcher,

a trip to Agiasos,

Enjoying the wonderful poppy fields,

Ruff,

Crested Lark,

Spur-winged Lapwing,

and Roller.

That'll do for starters.............ttfn.