Lesbos 3rd-17th May 2001

Gareth Picton & Adam Hutt

A self-catering apartment based on 2 sharing in Skala Kalloni at a cost of £250 each. Situated toward the back of the resort, overlooking Kalloni pool & surrounding meadows. The balcony provided an excellent viewpoint, with approx 70 species seen.

SITES VISITED

KALLONI POOL

Situated within the resort, good selection of birds including marsh terns, waders, egrets & herons. A road runs around the pool so virtually all of it is viewable.

EAST RIVER

Easily accessible from Skala Kalloni, the river mouth was good for waders & terns. Both banks provided thick cover for migrants & birding on foot from the path produced many birds. It was possible to drive along the bank upto the main road but walking produced birds such as little crake, great snipe, moustached warbler & many passerines. As we progressed up river the water levels dropped & birds such as wood sandpiper & squacco heron increased in numbers. This was an excellent site.

UPPER EAST RIVER

This part of the river was north of the road bridge & we took a taxi to the bridge & then walked. Virtually no water remained but still thick cover provided good birding. This site took us up into the river valley & was good for raptors & passerines. 300 yards up from the road a path ran off to the left, this took us up to the well known rufous bushchat site but was also good for warblers, shrikes & rock nuthatch. Following the main path we walked to the top of the valley that was steep sided with many rocks & small bushes, excellent for buntings & wheatears.

SALT PANS

Reachable by foot, but easier by car or bike. We enjoyed walking via east river then over the ford; the area between the east river & saltpans was good for passerines & harriers. From the main road a tarmac road ran down to the bottom of the salt pans you could either then drive or walk along the track, again walking produced more birds including rufous bushchat.at the very bottom of the pans was a large grassy area excellent for stone curlew pipits, wagtails & kentish/ringed plovers. Walking through this field up to the fence led us upto the edge of the saltpans & overlooked the main lagoon, excellent for waders. At the east end of the pans from the main road was a dirt track down the side of the lagoon, this was also a good view point over some of the sand spits full of waders & terns, one evening 7 species of tern were roosted on one spit.

WEST RIVER

The west river mouth was a large open area of sand & mud, excellent for waders. The area above the road bridge was much more open than the east river and not as easy to cover. There were 2—3 pools in this area, which had good numbers of egrets & storks on them.

POTAMIA VALLEY

Along with the east river this was an excellent area, but quite a walk from Skala Kalloni. We opted to take a taxi to the bridge at the valley bottom & then walked up its length, this was a full days birding. Plenty of cover with many trees, bushes & olive groves made this an excellent passerine site, but the steep rocky valley side was always worth checking for raptors. A good way up the valley is the well-known olive tree warbler site, this can be reached by car but the birding upto here is excellent & best done on foot or bike.

DERBYSHIRE

Included in this area are the wooded hills around Achladeri where the krupers site is. Not within walking distance we travelled on bikes along the main road from Kalloni, past the saltpans to the obvious fork in the road. Turning right takes you to an obvious open area with a large pool on the left; this was good for ruddy shellduck, herons & egrets. Just beyond here on the left is a small army hut & a track, which leads up into the hills to the krupers site. It is quite a climb & can be done by car. When the trees thin out you are quite high & this was a good look out for raptors. There were numerous passerines along here noticeably subalpine warblers, cretzschmars bunting & a singing ruppels warbler.

IPSILOU

A car is needed to travel to this site, but it is well worth the visit. We were lucky enough to be there following a good fall of migrants & the bushes & trees on the hillside leading upto the monastery were lifting with birds. There is a road right up to the monastry, it was along here on the left where we had a few cinereous buntings, and rock sparrow was also seen at the top. We travelled to Ipsilou via Eressos & just prior to reaching the monastery the area is very open & grassy, this is a reliable site for isabelline wheatear & was also where we saw the white throated robin.

These are just some of the better sites visited, whilst driving we were constantly stopping at suitable locations, the hills around Vafios were good for raptors as was the road out of Kalloni to Petra. Numerous small streams with cover on the banks were usually productive, but the area around Skala Kalloni was excellent, most of it reachable on foot & all of it full of birds. The 1st week was noticeably better for migrants, but the waders, terns & marsh birds seen throughout.

ITINERARY

3RD MAY

Arrived at Mytilini airport approx 12pm. 2-hour transfer to apartments. Spent the afternoon around Kalloni pool & surrounding area. Hot & sunny.

4TH MAY

Walked down to beach & east to east river mouth. Spent full day birding up the east river to the road, then walked back to Skala Kalloni. Hot & sunny.

5TH MAY

Took taxi to east river road bridge, walked aprox 200 yds then left toward grain silos. This took us upto bushchat site (45 min walk) back to main footpath we progressed up the valley, again a full days birding. Walked back down east river to Skala Kalloni. Very hot & sunny.

6TH MAY

Walked down to west river via Kalloni pool, continued from here down main road toward inland lake. From here we went to the lower area of Potamia valley then back to Kalloni pool. That evening walked to Papiana School for scops owl. Cloudy & cool with a cool breeze.

7TH MAY

Took a taxi to top of the tarmac road down to the salt pans. Spent the full day birding along this track, which ran along the south side of the pans. Walked back to the bottom of the tarmac road then took the path to the left, which led to east river ford. Back into Skala kalloni. Cool & wet with some sunny spells.

8TH MAY

Hired bikes & cycled to Derbyshire via east river & saltpans. From Derbyshire we cycled up into the hills around Achladeri & spent 3 hours here raptor watching. Clear, sunny & very hot.

9TH MAY

Took taxi to bridge at bottom of Potamia valley & walked the length of it. We were lucky to get a lift from the bridge back to Skala Kalloni before nightfall. Hot & sunny

10TH MAY

1st day with the car, Drove to Ipsilou via Skala Eressos. Spent approx 3 hours at Ipsilou before driving back to Sigri, We then took the Sigri-Eressos road, which was only just passable in a car & back to Skala Kalloni. Cloudy & windy, quite cool.

11TH MAY

Drove to the saltpans for a brief look & then up the Napi valley checking suitable spots. At the head of the valley is a good high raptor watch point, we also found olive tree warbler here. Drove back to the lower Potamia valley before finishing at dusk on the east river, where several night herons were seen to fly in. Cool, cloudy & windy.

12TH MAY

Drove north from Kalloni to Petra & on to Molivos checking again suitable locations. The lay byes on the Petra-Molivos road been good for ruppells warbler. Then took the coast road to Skala Sikamia & back into the hills around Vafios where we found a good spot to stop for raptors. Driving back down to Molivos a minor road to the left signed Petra took us to the reservoir where there were large numbers of gulls. From here we returned home with a short stop at the saltpans. Cloudy & cool with a strong breeze.

13TH MAY

Drove north through Kalloni on route 51 into the hills where we stopped on a pull in toward the top of the hairpins, this was an excellent viewpoint for raptors. We then took a long drive down into the very hilly area around Agiassos. These roads wove through the mountains until we dropped down to Vatera & on to cape saint Fokas. We drove out to the headland, which provided excellent sea watching. Then back to Skala Kalloni with a short stop at Derbyshire. Cool, overcast & quite windy.

14TH MAY

1st day without the car again & walking was not such an attractive alternative. We spent the day birding from the balcony & racked up an impressive 24 species. Warm, mainly overcast slight breeze.

15TH MAY

Again another lazy day birding around Skala Kalloni. Red hot, sunny & no breeze.

16TH MAY

Birding from the balcony was proving quite rewarding so again we spent the morning there. Walked to the east river in the afternoon & had a steady walk up to the ford. Hot & sunny.

17TH MAY

Due to an airport strike we managed an extra day. The morning was spent on the balcony where a flock of rose coloured starlings flew past, the last trip tick. Bikes were again hired & we visited the saltpans for the last time. Hot & sunny.

18TH MAY

Collected from our apartments at 3 am, we were checking in just as the sun was rising. Arrived at Manchester approx 12 pm.

SPECIES LIST

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis

One at saltpans on 7th & 5 (3 young) at Inland lake on 11th

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus

Singles in Kalloni bay on 7th & 8th

CORYS SHEARWATER Calonectris diomeda

5 from airport car park on 3rd & 40+ from Cape saint Fokas west of Vatera on 13th

YELKOUAN SHEARWATER Puffinus yelkouan

400+ from Cape Saint Fokas in 45 mins on 13th

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo

4 from airport car park on 3rd & 4 at Sigri on 10th

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis

5 at Sigri on 10th

LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus

Quite common around east river and Kalloni pool with a max of 7 on 4th on the east river 2 also at ford on Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax

6 seen on east river late evening on the 11th

SQUACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides

Quite common around Kalloni pool and East river with a max of 14 roosting on East river on 11th

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta

Very common around Kalloni pool, East river and saltpans. Max of 41 on 12th at the saltpans. 35 on Kalloni pool on 14th

GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba

4 seen at Derbyshire on 8th & 13th. Singles at west river on 6th & saltpans on 7th.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea

3 seen at West river on 6th

PURPLE HERON Ardea pupurea

Up to 4 seen at Kalloni pool (3rd) singles here regularly. 3 at Derbyshire on the 13th. A flock of 25 seen flying into salt pans late evening on 8th.

BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra

Seen at a variety of locations usually high on passage. Upto 3 present on West river on 6th. Obvious passage over Skalla Kalloni on 13th&14th with 6 birds each day

WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia

Seen most days a nesting pair in Kalloni village. Up to 9 at saltpans on 7th & 10 over Skalla Kalloni on 15th.

GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus

Seen most days on the east river with a max of 7 on the 4th. 2 birds at Kalloni pool on 16th.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia

2 at salt pans on 8th, 1 there on 12th

GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus ruber

Common at the saltpans with a max of 600+ on the 7th

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea

Numerous at Derbyshire with up to 20 birds present on 8th.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna

2 birds were on the saltpans on 7th.

WIGEON Anas penelope

1 bird at the saltpans on 6th.

GARGANEY Anas querquedula

Up to 6 birds on Kalloni pool 3rd to 11th.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata

2 birds at the saltpans on 6th.

HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus

birds from the Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th

SHORT-TOED EAGLE Circaetus gallicus

Seen on most days, common in mountains 6 from saltpans on 6th & 7 in Potamia valley on the 9th.

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus

1 Skalla Kalloni on 3rd, 3 on the east river on 4th, 5 at the saltpans on 7th.

MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus

1 at Potamia valley on 6th, 2 at salt pans Skalla Kalloni on 11th, 14th & 17th.

GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis

2 birds in the hills around Vafios on the 12th, 2 birds from the Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus

Singles were seen at saltpans on the 8th, Ipsilou on the 10th & Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo

2 birds in Potamia valley on 9th, 2 birds in Napi valley on the 11th, 3 birds from the Skalla Kalloni-Petra road & 2 birds in the hills around Agiassos on 13th.

LONG LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus

Very common, seen most days, mainly in upland areas with a max of 8 in Napi valley on the 11th

BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus pennatus

1 dark phase on 12th on Vafios-Argenos road. 1 pale phase bird on 13th from the Kalloni-Molivos road.

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus

1 bird at West River on 6th seen to catch a fish before flying north.

LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni

7 birds from the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th, 1 bird at Skalla Kalloni on the 15th.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus

2 birds over the East river on the 4th. 1 bird in the hills around Vafios on 12th.

RED FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus

3 birds seen over Skalla Kalloni on 3rd & the 14th, 2 from the east river on the 4th, singles from upper east river on 5th, Potamia valley on 6th, Skalla Eressos on 10th, salt pans on 11th & Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th.

HOBBY Falco subbuteo

Singles at Skalla Kalloni on 14th & 16th.

ELEONORA’S FALCON Falco eleonorae

3 birds in Potamia valley on 9th, singles in Napi valley on 11th, Molivos reservoir on 12th, 2 birds from the Molivos-Skalla Sikamia road on 12th & 2 birds from Skalla Kalloni on 14th.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus

3 over east river on 4th, 1 in Potamia valley on 6th, 3 over salt pans on 7th, 1 at Ipsilou on 10th, 2 from Petra-Molivos road on 12th, 1 from Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on 13th, 1 over Skalla Kalloni on 14th & 2 over Skalla Kalloni on 15th.

LITTLE CRAKE Porzana carolina

1 bird was heard calling from Kalloni pool on the night of the 4th & heard most nights up to the 14th. Very brief views of 1 bird at Kalloni pool on the 6th. 1 bird on east river by the ford on the 8th showed well for 15 minutes.

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus

1 bird on Kalloni pool on the 3rd.

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus

5 birds flew along the beach at the salt pans on the 7th.

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus

Very common on Kalloni pool with up to 12 birds on the 3rd. Also common on saltpans with 30 birds present on the 7th.

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta

6 birds at the saltpans on the 7th, 30 birds there on the 17th.

STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus

Quite numerous at the saltpans with 15 birds seen on the 7th.

COLLARED PRATINCOLE Glareola pratincola

1 bird at the saltpans on the 7th, with a further 3 there on the 17th.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius

5 birds on the mouth of the east river on 4th, with 6 there on the 16th. 2 birds on the upper east river on the 5th, 3 on the west river on the 6th & 13 on the saltpans on the 7th.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula

2 birds were on the mouth of the west river on the 6th.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus

2 birds at the east river mouth with a young chick on the 4th, 7 birds on the west river mouth on the 6th & 50 birds at the salt pans on the 7th with 30 birds there on the 17th.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria

1 bird on the saltpans on the 7th.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola

1 bird on the salt pans on the 7th, 2 there on the 12th & 4 there on the 17th.

KNOT Calidris canutus

1 bird at the saltpans on the 8th.

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta

Quite common on the muddy areas at the saltpans with a max. of 250 birds on the 8th. 9 birds were on the west river mouth on the 6th. Up to 8 birds on the east river on the 11th. 6 birds on Kalloni pool on the 14th, & 4 birds at Molivos reservoir on the 12th.

TEMMINCKS STINT Calidris temminckii

5 birds on the east river on the 4th, 4 birds on the saltpans on the 8th.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea

150 birds present on the saltpans on the 7th with 300+ there on the 8th. 6 flew off north from Kalloni pool & 150 birds were on the saltpans on the 12th. On the 17th only 20 birds were counted on the saltpans.

RUFF Philomachus pugnax

3 birds on Kalloni pool on the 3rd, 40 birds seen on the east river on 4th & 46 birds on the saltpans on the 7th.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago

4 birds on Kalloni pool on the 3rd.

GREAT SNIPE Gallinago media

bird flushed from the east river on the 3rd.

CURLEW Numenius arquata

1 bird was on the saltpans on the 11th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus

1 bird on east river on the 16th.

MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis

2 birds on the east river on 4th, 1 bird on the upper east river on the 5th.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia

1 bird at Kalloni pool on the 3rd, 1 at Derbyshire on the 8th & 3 at the saltpans on the 8th.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola

8 birds were on Kalloni pool on the 3rd, 50 birds on east river on the 4th, with 24 on the upper east river on the 5th. 8 birds were at Molivos reservoir on the 12th.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos

13 birds were on east river on the 4th, 4 birds at the saltpans on the 11th.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres

5 birds at the east river mouth on the 4th, 1 bird on the saltpans on the 12th & 1 again on the east river mouth on the 16th.

MEDITERRANIAN GULL Larus melanocephalus

7 birds at the saltpans on the 7th, with 3 birds there on the 12th. 4 birds on the sea from the Petra-Molivos road on the 12th. 2 birds flew along the beach at Skalla Kalloni on the 14th. 3 birds again at the saltpans on the 17th.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus

1 bird at the saltpans on the 8th, 2 birds were there on the 12th & 2 birds were at Derbyshire on the 13th.

SLENDER BILLED GULL Larus genei

2 birds were at the saltpans on the 7th.

AUDOUINS GULL Larus audouinii

birds were seen at Molivos reservoir on the 12th.

YELLOW LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis

Common at all costal sites, with large flocks also inland on fields. Over 600 birds were on Molivos reservoir on the 12th.

GULL BILLED TERN Sterna nilotica

5 feeding along the east river on the 4th, singles at Kalloni pool on the 10th & 11th. 8 birds on the saltpans on the 12th, 2 birds at Kalloni pool on the 15th.

LESSER CRESTED TERN Sterna bengalensis

1 bird at the saltpans on the 7th flew along the beach and out into the bay. It was later seen on the saltpans.

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis

1 bird at the saltpans on the 12th.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo

8 birds at the east river mouth on the 4th, 40 birds at the saltpans on the 7th.

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons

40 at the saltpans on the 7th.

CASPIAN TERN Sterna caspia

1 Possible at the saltpans on the 8th!

WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybridus

35 birds were over Kalloni pool on the 3rd, with 2 there on the 6th. 4 at the saltpans on the 7th, 1 over Kalloni pool again on the 11th. 2 at Kalloni pool on the 12th, with 10 at the saltpans on the same day. 1 at Kalloni pool on the 14th, 4 on the east river on the 16th.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger

4 birds at the saltpans on the 7th, with 10 there on the 8th. 4 more were seen at the saltpans on the 12th.

WHITE WINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus

12 birds were feeding over Kalloni pool on the 3rd, 10 birds on the east river on the 4th. 2 birds at Kalloni pool on the 6th & 22 birds at the saltpans on the 7th. 6 birds were at the saltpans on the 12th.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto

Common around the villages and agricultural areas.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur

Common in olive groves and village areas.

ROCK DOVE Columba livia

Numerous in lower valleys and villages.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus

2 in the upper east river valley on the 5th. 1 in the Derbyshire area on the 8th.

BARN OWL Tyto alba

2 birds were nesting in a chimney pot in Skalla Kalloni.

SCOP'S OWL Otus scops

3 birds were in the avenue of eucalyptus trees around Papiana School on the night of the 6th. 1 bird was found roosting in trees at the rear of the school on the 7th.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua

1 heard calling near Papiana School on the 3rd, 1 at Ipsilou on the 10th, with 2 from the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th. 1 was at Skalla Kalloni on the 16th.

NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus

1 bird flew over the Sigri-Eressos road on the night of the 10th.

ALPINE SWIFT Tachymarptis melba

2 birds seen on the east river on the 4th, 1 bird on the upper east river on the 5th. 2 birds over the saltpans on the 7th, 6 birds in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th. 4 birds were seen in the Potamia valley on the 9th. 1 bird at Molivos reservoir on the 12th, 3 birds in the hills around Agiassos on the 13th, with a further 2 in the Skalla hills on the 13th. Upto 3 birds were seen over Skalla Kalloni from the 14th – 16th.

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus

Common, seen most days with large numbers in the lower valleys.

PALLID SWIFT Apus pallidus

1 bird seen in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th. 1 bird was seen over the west river area from Skalla Kalloni on the 9th.

BEE EATER Merops apiaster

Very common, seen at most sites with numbers varying. Upto 30 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 6th, 30 birds also at the saltpans on the 7th.

HOOPOE Upupa epops

6 birds were seen along the upper east river on the 5th. 1 bird was at Ipsilou on the 10th, 4 birds in the Napi valley on the 11th & 1 bird in the hills around Vatera.

MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos medius

2 birds were nesting in roadside trees by Papiana School, and were frequently seen feeding young. Singles were seen in olive groves along east river on 4th, upper east river on the 5th, Potamia valley on the 9th. 5 birds in the Napi valley on the 11th.

SHORT TOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla

4 birds seen at the mouth of the east river on the 4th, 2 birds at the west river on the 6th. Up to 12 birds were seen at the saltpans on the 7th.

CRESTED LARK Galerida cristata

Very common seen in most places, recorded daily.

WOOD LARK Lullula arborea

2 birds in the forest around Derbyshire.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia

Recorded in small numbers on most days, mainly in lower valley areas & the saltpans.

CRAG MARTIN Ptyonoprogne rupestris

2 birds seen in the Potamia valley on the 11th, 3 birds were seen in the hills around Vatera on the 13th.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica

Common, recorded daily.

RED RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica

3 birds in the Potamia valley on the 6th, 5 birds at the salt pans on the 7th, 2 birds were seen at Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds at Molivos reservoir on the 12th, 4 birds were seen around the coast at Vatera on the 13th.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica

Common, recorded daily in most lowland areas.

TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris

1 bird seen along the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th, singles on the Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th, & Derbyshire on the 13th.1 bird was at the saltpans on the 17th

RED THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus

Up to 4 birds seen at the saltpans on the 7th.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba

Singles seen on the east river on the 4th, & the upper east river on the 5th.

BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava

1 bird was seen on the upper east river on the 5th. 20 birds were seen around the saltpans on the 7th.

BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla feldegg

Up to 3 birds seen around Kalloni pool, 4 birds on the east river on the 4th, 2 birds on the west river on the 6th, 1 bird at the salt pans on the 7th. 10 birds were in the Derbyshire area on the 8th.

GREY HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla thunbergi

4 birds around the salt pan area on the 7th.

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes

2 birds in the Napi valley on the 11th.

RUFOUS BUSH CHAT Cercotrichas galactotes

3 birds were seen in the upper east river area (beyond the grain silos) on the 5th. 2 birds were at the saltpans on the 7th, 1 bird was seen along the Sigri-Eressos road by the ford on the 10th.3 birds seen at the saltpans on the 17th.

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula

1 bird in woodland around Agiassos on the 13th.

THRUSH NIGHTINGALE Luscinia luscinia

1 bird was heard singing in the forest around Derbyshire on the 8th.

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos

Several birds were around Kalloni pool and were heard singing every night. Up to 12 birds along east river on the 4th, 11 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 9th.10 birds were along the Molivos Skalla Sikamia road on the 12th.birds were heard singing regularly around the island from most areas with any cover.

WHITE THROATED ROBIN Irania gutturalis

1 male seen along the road just below Ipsilou monastery, carrying food into a outhouse on the 10th.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra

5 birds in the upper east river on the 5th, 19 birds were in the saltpan area on the 7th. 3 in Potamia valley on the 9th, 3 at Ipsilou on the 10th, 5 along the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata

1 bird was in the upper east river area on the 5th, 1 bird was seen en-route to Ipsilou on the 10th.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Oenanthe isabellina

6 birds were seen at Ipsilou along the road up to the monastery on the 10th.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe

1 bird seen at Derbyshire on the 8th, 2 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th, & 3 birds were seen along the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.1 bird was at the saltpans on the 11th.

BLACK EARED WHEATEAR Oenanthe melanoleuca

Common in upland, rocky areas.20 birds seen along the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.6 birds in the upper east river area on the 5th, 9 in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th.6 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th.

BLUE ROCK THRUSH Monticola solitarius

1 bird seen en-route to Ipsilou on the 10th along the road through the high rocky area.1 bird seen from the lay-by on the Petra-Molivos road on the 12th, 1 bird was seen in the hills on the Skalla Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula

7 birds in the upper east river on the 5th, with 30 birds seen along the Potamia valley on the 9th.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus

1 bird seen in the Napi valley on the 11th.

CETTIS WARBLER Cettia cetti

Very common, heard daily around Skalla Kalloni, at least 10 birds along the east river on the 4th, 6 along upper east river on the 5th.birds were heard singing along many of the hedges in the lower areas.

FAN TAILED WARBLER Cisticola juncidis

3 birds were seen in the saltpan area on the 6th.

RIVER WARBLER Locustella fluviatilis

1 bird heard singing in thick cover in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 1 bird heard at the ford on the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

MOUSTACHED WARBLER Acrocephalus melanopogon

1 bird was seen along the east river on the 4th.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus

1 along the west river area & 1 at the inland lake on the 6th.1 in Potamia valley on the 9th, 1 along the east river on the 16th.

MARSH WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris

2 birds in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 2 birds at Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds seen en-route to Ipsilou on the 10th.3 birds in a valley on the Molivos-Skalla Sikamia road on the 12th, 1 bird at Skalla Kalloni on the 15th.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus

1 bird at the inland lake on the 6th, 1 bird in the Potamia valley on the 9th.

GREAT REED WARBLER Acrocephalus arundinaceus

5 birds along the east river on the 4th,with at least 10 birds heard/seen there on the 8th.2 birds en-route to Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds at the ford on the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

OLIVACEOUS WARBLER Hippolais pallida

Very common, seen or heard at most lowland sites. Many birds in the Skalla Kalloni area & between the east river & the saltpans.

OLIVE TREE WARBLER Hippolais olivetorum

2 birds were heard and seen briefly in the Potamia valley on the 9th. 1 bird at the top of the Napi valley on the 11th, 1 bird was heard singing in a valley along the Molivos-Skalla Sikamia road on the 12th.

ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina

3 birds in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 3 birds en-route to Ipsilou on the 10th.15 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds were in the Napi valley on the 11th.

SUBALPINE WARBLER Sylvia cantillans

5 birds were seen in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th, 19 birds were seen along the Potamia valley on the 9th.9 birds were seen in the Napi valley on the 11th.numerous singing males were heard at many lower slope areas where there was plenty of cover.

SARDINIAN WARBLER Sylvia melanocephala

1 bird seen by the reservoir at Molivos on the 12th, a single bird was seen in the hills around Agiassos on the 13th.

RUPPELS WARBLER Sylvia rueppelli

1 bird, a singing male, in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th, 7 birds seen from the lay-by on the Petra-Molivos road on the 12th.

ORPHEAN WARBLER Sylvia hortensis

3 birds in the upper east river area past the grain silos on the 5th, 1 bird in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th, 3 birds in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 1 bird at Ipsilou on the 10th with a single bird by the ford on the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca

4 birds at Ipsilou on the 10th, with a single bird by the ford on the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th.

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis

2 birds in the upper east river on the 5th, 4 birds in the Potamia valley on the 9th,3 birds at Ipsilou on the 10th,1 bird was by the ford on the Sigri –Eressos road on the 10th.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin

1 bird seen in the Potamia valley on the 9th.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla

14 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th.

EASTERN BONELLIS WARBLER Phylloscopus orientalis

1 bird heard singing from olive groves along the east river on the 4th.

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix

1 bird was seen in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 25 birds were seen at Ipsilou on the 10th.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita

1 bird at Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds in the Napi valley on the 11th.

WILLOW WARBLER Phlloscopus trochilus

1 bird in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 4 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata

5 birds along the upper east river on the 5th, 2 birds in the Potamia valley on the 6th. 16 birds were in Potamia valley on the 9th, with 30 birds at Ipsilou on the 10th. 8 birds were in the Napi valley on the 11th.

RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva

2 birds were seen at Ipsilou on the 10th.

COLLARED FLYCATCHER Ficedula albicollis

1 bird in river side vegetation en-route to Ipsilou & 1 bird at Ipsilou on the 10th. Several birds were seen at Ipsilou which were collared/semi collared sp. But were not positively identified.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca

2 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th.

SOMBRE TIT Parus lugubris

8 birds were seen in Potamia valley on the 9th. 3 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th, 10 birds in Napi valley on the 11th. 1 bird was at Molivos reservoir on the 12th.

BLUE TIT Parus caeruleus

Seen daily around Skalla Kalloni & the east river area.

GREAT TIT Parus major

Seen daily around Skalla Kalloni & the east river area.

KRUPERS NUTHATCH Sitta krueperi

2 birds were seen at the well known nest site in the hills around Derbyshire.

ROCK NUTHATCH Sitta neumayer

11 birds were seen in the upper east river area on the 5th. 2 birds were in Potamia valley on the 6th, 8 birds at Ipsilou on the 10th, 2 birds from the lay-by on the Petra-Molivos road on the 12th & 4 birds were in the hills on the Kalloni-Petra road on the 13th.

SHORT TOED TREECREEPER Certhia brachydactyla

1 bird was seen & heard calling in the Potamia valley on the 9th.

GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus

3 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 9th, 3 birds were at Ipsilou on the 10th.

RED BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio

Small numbers were seen in the first week but many more birds were present in the second. Up to 20 birds were seen in the Napi valley on the 11th, 8 birds along the Sigri-Eressos road on the 10th. Odd birds were seen along the hedges in the Skalla Kalloni-east river area throughout the second week.

LESSER GREY SHRIKE Lanius minor

3 birds seen along hedges between salt pans & east river on the 7th, on the 10th 1 bird was at Skalla Kalloni, 1 bird en-route to Ipsilou & 1 bird along the Sigri-Eressos road. 1 bird was at the salt pans on the 11th, 2 birds were at the salt pans on the 17th.

WOODCHAT Lanius senator

Increasing in numbers through the latter part of the first week.10 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 6th, single birds were seen regularly across the island in suitable areas.

MASKED SHRIKE Lanius nubicus

2 birds were in the upper east river area on the 5th, 3 in the Potamia valley on the 6th. 5 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 9th. Singles were at Derbyshire on the 8th & 2 birds were in the Napi valley on the 11th.

JAY Garrulus glandarius

6 birds were seen around Skalla Kalloni on the 3rd, 4 birds in the upper east river on the 5th. 3 birds were in the Potamia valley on the 9th.

MAGPIE Pica pica

1 bird was in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th.

JACKDAW Corvus monedula

Seen in small flocks mainly in upland areas.

HOODED CROW Corvus corone cornix

Common in upland areas, seen also around Kalloni pool & the salt pans.

RAVEN Corvus corax

1 bird seen in the Vafios area on the 12th, 4 birds were seen in the hills north of Kalloni on the 13th.

ROSE COLOURED STARLING Sturnus rosea

A flock of 18 flew through Skalla Kalloni on the 17th. 25 were at the salt pans on the 17th.

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus

Very common anywhere in or around villages.

SPANISH SPARROW Passer hispaniolensis

Common around Skalla Kalloni, nesting birds seen in the olive trees running along the sea front. Odd birds seen with most house sparrow flocks.

ROCK SPARROW Petronia petronia

1 bird was seen at Ipsilou on the 10th.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs

Numerous in built up areas and forested upland areas.

SERIN Serinus serinus

10 birds were in the hills around Derbyshire on the 8th, 2 birds seen in the hills north of Kalloni on the 13th.

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris

Seen frequently in small flocks along hedges and in the lower valley areas.

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis

Seen regularly around Skala Kalloni & the east river area. Small flocks were seen in many of the valleys.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina

4 birds were seen in the upper east river area.

CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus

2 birds in the upper east river on the 5th. 5 birds in Potamia valley on the 9th. 4 at Ipsilou on the 10th, 7 birds were in the Napi valley on the 11th.

CINEREOUS BUNTING Emberiza cineracea

3 birds were seen at Ipsilou on the 10th.

CRETZCHMARS BUNTING Emberiza caesia

3 birds were seen at the top of the east river on the 5th. 20 birds seen in the hills around Derbyshire. Very common in the higher areas throughout the island.

BLACK HEADED BUNTING Emberiza melanocephala

Very common along hedges and trees in the lower areas.

CORN BUNTING Miliaria calandra

Very common along the hedges in the lower agricultural areas.