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Transcript of Lesvos Birds 2009
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LESVOS BIRDS
writtenandcompiledby
stevedudley
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LESVOS BIRDS2009
Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding 2010 1
INTRODUCTION
Formybook,A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos,Iworkedcloselywithseveralkeybirdwatchers,namelyLesvosresident
TerryRobinson,EleniGalinou(aLesviotcurrentlyresidingonSamos)andNikosProbonas(SecretaryoftheHellenic
RaritiesCommittee),tocompileanofficiallistofbirdsforLesvos.InordertokeeptheLesvosList,andthespecies
recorded,uptodate,IdecidedthatIwouldattempttoproduceanannualbirdreportfrom2009(overlappingwith
mybook).Thispublicationistheresult.AnotherresultofthiscollaborationwastheHRCinvitingthefourofusto
formtheLesvosBirdRecordsCommittee(LBRC)tooverseetheassessmentandrecordingofthescarceroccurring
species(includingbreedingspecies)ontheisland.
Bird records used for this report
ThisreportisbasedonthedatabasebuiltupbymyselffromavarietyofsourcesincludingOrnithoTopos,theLesvos
BirdingPasiphaeBirdLogandrecordssubmitteddirecttomyself.
Over13,000recordsmakeupthe2009Lesvosbirdrecordsdatabase.11,000(85%)ofthesewerecontributedby
LesvosresidentTerryRobinson.Quitesimply,withoutthisamazingcontributionthereportwouldbeverymuch
thinnerandourunderstandingoftheislandsbirdswouldbemuchpoorer.Terrysactivitiesarelargelycentredon
thePolichnitosSaltpanssomanyaccountsarethereforeheavilyweightedtothisarea,andinsomecases,noother
recordswerereceived.Thiscoveragedoeshoweverprovideasnapshotformanyspeciespresentontheisland.Of
theremainingrecordsonthedatabase,Icontributedaround1500(11%)frommyvisitsinspringandautumn.The
remainingrecords(4%)werecontributedbythoselistedintheacknowledgements.Itwouldbeamajorachievement
ifforfuturereportswecanincreasetheamountofrecordsfromvisitingbirdersandchipawayatTerrysmonopoly!
Submitting your bird records
Iwillcontinuetocollaterecords(asdetailedabove)forfutureyears.Allrecordsofrareandscarcespecies(seekeytotheSystematicListbelow)willbefollowedupandpassedontotheLesvosBirdsRecordsCommittee(LBRC)orfor
Greeknationalrarities,theHellenicRaritiesCommittee(HRC).Youcansubmityourrecordsasfollows
1. Directtomelists,includingdateandlocationofobservationstomyselfviatheLesvosBirdingwebsite(www.lesvosbirding.com).Please no trip reports. I dont have the time to extract records from extensive
accounts.
2. Whenontheisland,byenteringyourrecordsintheLesvosBirdingBirdLogsituatedinthereceptionoftheHotelPasiphaeinSkalaKallonis.CouldIpleaseurgeallcontributorstothebirdlogtowritelegibly,give
yournameandifpossible,leaveanemailcontactaddressformetofollowanysightingsupwithyou.
3. ForLesvosrarities,viatheLBRCwebsite( http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com/).4. ForGreeknationalrarities,viaHRC( http://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/eaop/form.htm).
OtherhotelshavebirdlogsbutIdontalwayshavethetimetogetroundtheseandextractrecords.SotoensureI
haveyourrecords,pleaseuseoneofthefourwaysabovetosubmitthem.
Bird information when on the island
TheLesvosBirdingBirdLogattheHotelPasiphaeistheprimesourceofbirdinformation.Duringthemainspringand
autumnweeksmanybirderscontributeandIkeepituptodateeacheveningaddingrecordsIvebeeninformedof
whilstinthefieldeachday.Inaddition,forthosestayinginaccommodationwithinternetaccess(andthoseathome
viewingbeforecomingouttotheisland),IaimtoupdatethesightingsforeachdayontheLesvosBirdingwebsite
(www.lesvosbirding.com)bymidnightatthelatest(oftenearlier).
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LESVOS BIRDS2009
Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding 2010 2
Ifyouseesomethingofnote,pleasepassonthenewstellotherbirdersyouseeontheday,entertherecordinthe
LesvosBirdingBirdLogatthe HotelPasiphae.Youcaneventextmeyournotablerecordseachdayon00447767
787287andIwillentertheseinthelogandonthewebsite.
NOTES ON BIRDING SITES
IneachreportIwillaimtoprovideanysignificantupdatestothemainbirdingsitesmajorchangesinhabitat,access
restrictions,etc.AsstatedinA Birdwatching Guide to LesvosItryandfollowthenamesusedontheblueRoad
Editionsmapoftheisland(whichIrecommendyougettouseonyourvisit).Pagenumbersrefertothesitepages
withinA Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos .
Skala Kallonis Pool(p.97)
Inspring2009thepoolwasagainovergrownandfullofwaterfollowingoneofthewettestwintersinrecenttimes.
TheresultwaslimitedopenwaterandvirtuallynomuddymarginsvisibleuntillateMaywhenthewaterlevelbegan
todrop.ThepoolstillattractedafewheronsincludingGreatandLittleBitternsandPurpleHeron,andisalways
worthalooknomatterwhatstateitisinevenevenwhentinderdryinautumnbirdsarestilldrawntothearea.
DuringtheyearImetwithNikosPetrou, HellenicSocietyfortheProtectionofNature,aboutthelongtermfuture
ofthispoolandotherconservationissuesonLesvos(e.g.decliningpopulationofRppellsWarbler).The
ownershipoftheSkalaKallonisPoolandsurroundinglandiscomplicatedandanimmediatesolutionto
preservingthissiteisunlikely.ButwithNikoshelp,wewillcontinuetolookforasolutionthatwillhopefully
safeguardthesite.Wehopetobeabletogetmorepeopleinvolved,bothonandofftheisland,andIwill
reportanynewsonmywebsiteandinthesereports.
Christou(Kamares)River(p.98)ThisriverisnamedasChristouRiverontheRoadEditionsmap,butisknownlocallyastheKamaresRiver(andis
calledthisonthenewinformationboardbytheroadbridge).Iusetheabovepresentationthroughoutthisreport.
Kalloni Saltpans area(p.108)
Viewthesaltpansonlyfromtheperimeterroad(inc.thenewsouthhidejustwestofthesaltworksentrance),the
northwestcornerhide,theeasttrackandtheAlykesWetlands(seebelow).ViewingfromthemainKalloniMytilini
roadcanbedangerousandthereisnoaccesstothefieldsalongthisroad.
ThoseaccessingthebeachpastthebeachcafareremindedthatgroundnestingspeciessuchasStonecurlewoccurhereandbirdersareaskedtotakecaution.RufousBushRobincanoftenbefoundinthetamarisksalongthebeach
here,andyouareaskednottoharassbirdsbypushingthemfrombushtobush.Stayatasensibledistanceandthe
bird(s)willusuallycomeoutandperform.
Alykes Wetlands (p.112)
Thefieldsandmarshesthatlietotheeastofthesaltworksshouldbeaccessedonfootonly.Careshouldbetaken
whenapproachingtheSaltpansfenceasgroundnestingspeciesincludingStonecurlewandKentishPloverboth
breedinthisarea.Ifindoubt,donotapproachthefencelineandviewfromorneartothemaintrack.Pleasetryto
avoiddisturbingthewadersonthepoolsasthosebirdersarrivingafteryouhavegonewouldliketoenjoythesebirds
too.
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LESVOS BIRDS2009
Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding 2010 3
Flooded fields opposite the Kalloni Saltworks entrancethiswetlandwasoneofthemaindrawsduringspring2009
attractingdoublefigurecountsofBlackStorksotherherons,marshterns,wadersandwildfowl.Thesefieldsrequire
extensivewinterrainsbeforetheyflood.May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
Soumouria(KalloniMiniSoccerPitch/ScopsCopsep.115)
ThissiteunderwentextensivetreethinningduringMay(nottotaldestructionasreportedbysome)anditishoped
thatitwillstillholdbreedingbirdsin2010.
Platania(p.120)
NotethatthebestwaytoaccessthePlataniatrackfromtheNapiValleyendistoapproachfromthenorth(if
travellingfromthesouthdrivepasttheturntoPlataniaandthenturnroundsafelyneartherubbishtipandreturn
southtoapproachfromthenorth).Takecarepullingoffthemainroadontothetrackastheimmediatejunction
remainsunstable.Thetrackitselfremainspassableformostcarswithcare,butareminderthatyouwillbecharged
byyourhirecompanyforthecompletecostofanydamagedonetotheundersideofahirevehicle!
Kavaki(p.124)
ThisremainsthemainsiteforRppellsWarbler.Thisspeciescontinuestodeclineontheisland,mirroringthe
nationaldeclinethroughoutGreece,withonlythreepairsnowpresentinthisarea.Please do not enter the scrub
areas where the birds breed.Viewonlyfromthelaybyareasandtheroughtrackupthehillonthesouthside.
Perasma(p.125)
Contrarytorumoursthatthisreservoirhasbeencompletelydecommissioned,itwasrefilledin2009andremainsa
goodsiteinbothspringandautumn.Parkingatthemainroadjunctionandwalkingupto(andbeyond)thereservoir
canberewarding.
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Perasma thereservoirwasrefilledinearly2009reinstatingthismuchneededfreshwaterwetlandsiteinthenorthofthe
island.RuddyShelduckbredherein2009andSardinianWarblerisoccasionallyseenalongthehillsidetotheeastofthe
reservoir(above).May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
Efthalou to Skala Sikaminias(p.128)
NotethatthecoastlinebytheMegalahotsprings,midwayalongthenorthcoasttrack,wasbulldozedin2008and
paddlinghereinordertoseekoutthehotpebblebedsremainshazardous.
Parakila Marsh(p.138)
Thehideherewasaccidentallyburneddowninearly2009andattheendoftheyearhadnotbeenreplaced.
Ipsilou(p.147)
Areminderthatphotographyisnotpermittedinsidethechapelinthemonastery.Therewereseveralincidentswere
peoplewereejectedin2009.
Faneromeni(p.151)
IcontinuetogetaskedwheretheFaneromeniLowerFordis.Itisarrowedonthemaponp.151of A Birdwatching
Guide to Lesvos.AlongthemainFaneromenitracktaketheturndowntowardsthebeach(signed)andthentheright
turn(signedchapel)andfollowthistotheford.
Achladeri Forest(p.168)
In2009onlyasinglepairofKrpersNuthatchbredatthetraditionalKofinassite(picnicsitewithwhitebuilding).
Thisremainsthebestsitetoseethespecies,butitisbynomeanstheonlysitewithover600pairsinpinewoodsin
thecentralandsoutheasternareasoftheisland.TheforesttracktothenorthofKofinasisworthexploring.
Therewereagainproblemsbetweenphotographersandbirdersatthesite,especiallyduringthetimethemalewas
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presentaloneandtryingdesperatelyhardtoattractamate(whichheeventuallydid).Photographersarerequested
torespectboththebirdsaswellasthosewatchingthem.Birdersareaskednottodisturbphotographerswhoaresat
quietlynearthenestunlessthereisclearbehaviourfromthebirdssuggestingdisturbancethenthephotographer(s)
shouldbeaskedpolitelytomovefurtheraway.Aresponsiblephotographershouldhavenoproblemretreatingif
requested.
Asusual,whenthemilitaryareinresidence,donotattempttoenterthesite.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Iwouldliketothankallthosewhohavesubmittedrecords(eitherviatheLesvosBirdingPasiphaeBirdLog,
OrnithoToposorsentdirecttome)whichmakeupthisreport:DaveAllen(Naturetrek),SimonBoyes(Ornitholidays),
DavidBradnum,BarryBradnum,BobBuckler(Wingspan),KHChristmann,Stuart&ClaireDarbyshire,PaulEdlin,
WiltraudEnglander,BernieForbes(AvianAdventures),EleniGalinou,ColinGittins,RM&SHGuthrie,Pat&Judy
Hayes,HighPeakRSPBGroup,RegHarding,Mike&LynHunt,Michael&DoreenJacobs,IanKinley,RogerLawrence
(Ornitholidays),IanLewington,PaulManning,VeraManning,ColinManville,PaulManville,John&SheenaMaskell
(AvianAdventures),Kon&RuudNam,RichardNettleton,PeterODaffy,IanPitts,Priscille&NeilPreston,Donald&
JenniferRhodes,Miriam&LouisRaemakers,TerryRobinson,KSchller,MikeSeikutis,IanSmith,MikeSnelling,Paul
Solly,MikeStead,DaveThexton,RegThorpe(Naturetrek),thevanderLeefamily,KWasnessandEWendtplusall
themanyanonymouscontributionseitherpassedontomeinthefieldorenteredintheLesvosBirdingPasiphae
BirdLogwithoutaname(orthenamewasindecipherable).Thankyoueveryone.
IwouldalsoliketothankNikosProbonas,EleniGallinouandTerryRobinsonfortheircommentsandhelpwiththis
report.
Manyindividualsarecreditedpersonallywithinthespeciesaccounts.(MO)withinthespeciesaccountsdenotes
manyobservers.AnonymousandindecipherablenamesformtheLesvosBirdingLogattheHotelPasiphaeare
creditedwithinthespeciesaccountsasperLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD.
Cirl Bunting,malewithfoodapproachingnest,Ipsilou,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
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LESVOS BIRDS2009
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INT RODUCTION T O THE SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Key to status codes used within the species accounts
c =common s =scarce
r =rare f =formerRB =residentbreeder
MB =migrantbreeder
CB =casual/occasionalbreeder
IB =introducedbreeder
SP =springpassage
AP =autumnpassage
PM =passagemigrant(springandautumn)
W =wintervisitorV =vagrant
? =statusuncertain
* =speciesrequiringsupportingnotes/evidence
byLBRCorHRCallrecordstobesubmitted
viaLBRCseeIntroductionabove.
Thefigureslistedafterthestatusofvagrantsandsomeraremigrantspecies,e.g.|1|7+(23+),denotethefollowing:
thefirstfigureisthenumberofrecordsin2009,thesecondnumberisthetotalnumberofknownrecordsandthe
numberinbracketsisthetotalnumberofknownindividualsmakingupthetotalnumberofrecords.So|1|7+(23+)indicatesthattherewasasinglerecordin2009,withatotalof7+knownrecordscomprising23+individuals.
Taxonomy and nomenclature
ThisreportfollowsA Birdwatchers Guide to Lesvos(Dudley2009).
Notes on the Species List
Thespecieslistbelowincludesdetailsofallknownspeciesrecordedduring2009.Italsoincludessomenotable
recordsfrompreviousyearsthathaveeitheronlyjustcometolightorhaveonlyjustbeenacceptedbytherelevant
committees.ThisprovidesanopportunitytoconfirmtheseinadedicatedLesvospublicationandtoincludephotographsofseveralofthem.
Oftherecordsreceivedfor2009,veryfewbreedingrecordswerereceived.Iwouldurgethosesubmittingrecordsto
provideanyindicationofbreeding(display,obviousterritorybeingheld,birdsvisitingnest,fledgedyoungseen,etc.).
ManynotablerarespeciesareincludedwithinthisreportincludingdetailsofthefirstLesvosrecordsofPectoral
Sandpiper,RedKnot,LittleSwift,WhitethroatedDipperandBluethroat;thefourthWhooperSwan;thefourthand
fifthTerekSandpipers;thefifthWhitetailedEagle;theeighthCommonPochard;andtenthEgyptianVulture.In
addition,thereportincludesthefirstrecordedwinterrecordsofBlackKite,TurtleDovesp.andShorttoedLark,as
wellasdetailsofmanyofthepopularmigrantsandtargetresidentspecies.Therewerenorecordsreceivedfor
severalspeciesandthesearedetailedintheAppendix.
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SPECIES ACCOUNTS
CHUKARAlectoris chukarsRB
Occurs mainly in the rocky areas of the centre, north and west of the island.
Reportedfromcentralandwesternareasandalongthenorthcoast.TheonlyrecordfromeastoftheGulfofKalloni
isasinglebirdatPaliaViglanrPolichnitoson21May(TRobinson).Largestcountwasaflockof18inthe
MeladiaValleyon23Sept(SPDudleyetal).Somebirdsareintroducedforhunting,includingasmall
populationmaintainedintheolivegrovesalongtheeasternsideoftheGulfofKalloni.
COMMON QUAILCoturnix coturnixrMB,sPM
Small numbers breed, their presence given away by calling males.
Veryfewreported.Callingmalesreportedasfollows:2infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans25&28Apr(TRobinsonet
al),1Faneromeni26Apr(IKinley&DThexton),1MeladiaValley26Apr(IKinley&DThexton)and2Kandria(nr
Kalloni)6May(RHardingetal).
MUTE SWAN Cygnus olorsW
Small numbers usually DecApr.
Upto7lingeredaroundKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingfloodedfieldsto24Apr(MO).
WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus V*|1|5(19)
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):4GulfofKallonioffMesa1Jan09(TRobinson)isonlythefourthrecordforthe
island.
COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna sW,sPM,CB
Small numbers winter NovApr, with passage noted MarMay and less so SeptOct.
PolichnitosSaltpans:recordedinallmonthswithmax.monthlycountsasfollows(allTRobinson)Jan(17),Feb(24),
Mar(19),Apr(14),May(6),Jun(12),Jul(18),Aug(2),Sept(16),Oct(15),Nov(8)andDec(16).Recordedfromother
sitesasfollows:42MesaWetlands28Mar(TRobinson);2KalloniareathroughoutApr&May(MO);andupto36
KalloniSaltpansinSept(MO).
BreedingApairPolichnitosSaltpansraised2young(TRobinson).
RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea sRB,sPM
Recorded most months. Small numbers breed.
RecordedthroughouttheyearapartfromFeb,Aug&
Oct.Max.countsfromregularsitesasfollows:30
KalloniSaltpansarea(inc.surroundingfields,Alykes
Wetlands,etc)30May;35MesaWetlands11Jul;
3PolichnitosSaltpans9Nov&5Dec.Alsoreported
fromPerasmaReservoir,Makara,VouvarisRiver,
FaneromeniandDipiLarisos.
BreedingApairatPerasmaReservoirraised2young
(SPDudleyetal)andyoungseenatFaneromeniin
May(MSveikutis).
YoungRuddy Shelduck,Faneromeni,May2009
MikeSveikutis
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EURASIAN WIGEONAnas penelope sW
Small numbers OctApr.
Tworecords:37offVouvarisRiver1Janand2PolichnitosSaltpans6Dec(bothTRobinson).
MALLARDAnas platyrhynchos sW
Small numbers NovMay. Mating observed but no confirmed breeding.
InearlyspringasingleatMesaWetlands28Mar;2offFaneromenibeach21Apr;4seenflyingnorththrough
MeladiaValley28Apr;andupto5(inc.afemale)intheKalloniareafrom29Apr18May;atPolichnitosSaltpans
2on27MayandsinglesinJun,Aug&Septandupto6duringOct.
BreedingApaircopulatingonthefloodsnearKalloniSaltpansbutnoconfirmedbreeding.
NORTHERN SHOVELERAnas clypeata sW
Small numbers SeptMay.
Onerecord:1PolichnitosSaltpans1220Sept(TRobinsonetal).
NORTHERN PINTAILAnas acuta sW,sPMSmall numbers SepApr.
Threerecords:PolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinsonetal)13Mar(2),7Apr(1)and721Sept(12).
GARGANEYAnas querquedula cSP,sAP
Occurs offshore and on reservoirs and Saltpans MarMay, with smaller numbers AugSept.
Spring3PolichnitosSaltpans14Mar;upto3SkalaKallonisPool1719Apr;upto3onfloodedfieldsbyKalloni
Saltpans25Apr18May.
AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpansfrom1Aug1Octwithmax.countof15on7Aug.
EURASIAN TEALAnas crecca sW,sPMSmall numbers AugApr.
Allrecords(TRobinson):17SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;PolichnitosSaltpanson7Apr(1),11May(13)and29Aug(1);
8KalloniSaltpans16Apr;and2PotamiaValley7Nov.
COMMON POCHARDAythya ferina V*|1|8
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):amalePolichnitosSaltpans28Jul(TRobinson).Theeighthrecordfortheisland.
REDBREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serratorsW
Small numbers offshore OctApr.
Allrecords(allTRobinson)asfollows:AlikoudiPool1Jan(12)and10Jan(2);offSkalaPolichnitouon24Jan(2)and19Feb(1);3offSkalaVasilikon3Feb;andVouvarisRiverMouthon3Feb(2)and8Mar(3).
BLACKTHROATED DIVER Gavia arctica sW
Small numbers offshore NovApr.
Tworecords:3offSkalaVasilikon3Feband1off
SkalaPolichnitouon8Dec(bothTRobinson).
Black-throated Diver,offFarmakiesHarbournrSkala
Vasilikon,February2009TerryRobinson
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SCOPOLIS SHEARWATER Calonectris (diomedea) diomedea sPM,?rSB?
Small numbers offshore MarOct. May breed on some of the offshore islands.
SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Nolargemovementsnotedandthelargestcountwasonly
6offtheAirportbeachon16Apr(J&SMaskell).
YELKOUAN SHEARWATER Puffinus yelkouan cRB
Present offshore all months with flocks of several hundred, even over a thousand, not unexpected.
SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Noexceptionalmovementsnotedandthelargestcount
wasonly200+offSkalaEresou24Apr(Limosagroup).
LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis sRB
Small numbers breed along the wetter rivers and the larger inland water bodies.
Recordedfrom:MetochiLake(max.8on4May);PotamiaReservoir(max.42on7Nov);PerasmaReservoir(max.22
on6Sept);PithariouReservoir(max.22on2Sept);TsikniasRiver(max.2on10Jan);andChristouRiver7Nov(1).
Breeding3pairsMetochiLake.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus sW
Winters offshore, mainly Gulf of Kalloni DecFeb, otherwise small numbers offshore OctMay.
OffSkalaPolichnitou,max.firstwinterperiodcount367on22Febandsecondwinterperiod274on31Dec
(TRobinson).RecordedinGulfofGeraon22Jan( PetrosIsaakidis )and12offSkalaKallonis/Kalloniarea17Apr
11May(MO).
REDNECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena V*|1|3+(20+)
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1GulfofKallonioff
SkalaKallonis1124Sept(RLawrenceetal),isonly
thethirdpost2000record.
Red-necked Grebe,GulfofKallonioffSkalaKallonis,
September2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
BLACKNECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis sW
Occasionally recorded offshore, in river mouths and on inland reservoirs from NovMay.
Allrecords(TRobinson):3VouvarisRiverMouth1Jan;1Kofinas1Jan;atPolichnitosSaltpans(oroffshoreonGulfofKalloni)1inJan&Feb,12to9Marandoneon23Dec;3GulfofKallonioffSkalaVasilikon3Feb&30Nov;and4
AlikoudiPool19Dec.
GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus sW
Present SeptMay with some nonbreeding birds JunAug. Has attempted to breed at Kalloni Saltpans.
Polichnitos SaltpansMax.monthlycountsJan(94),Feb(134),Mar(102),Apr(82),May(6),Aug(11),
Oct(137),Nov(335)&Dec(243)(TRobinson).
Kalloni SaltpansNowintercounts.Max.springcount158on18Apr(J&SMaskell)andmax.autumncount800+on
18Sept(SPDudleyetal).Nobreedingattempted.
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BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra sMB,sPM,rW
Occurs MarOct, mainly on passage, but with 10+ breeding pairs in pine forests. Occasionally overwinters.
Polichnitos SaltpansAsinglebirdpresent10Jan3Apr,then14AprJul.Upto6duringAugwith17on
3Septandamax.autumncountof21on2022Sept.Upto10birdsto9Octthen13dailyto31Dec.
Kalloni Saltpans(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlands,etc)17Apr30Maywithmax.13onthefloodsopposite
thesaltworksentranceon11May.Inautumn,2on3Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)and4on18Sept(SPDudleyetal).
Other sitesSpring28Mar9Mayinc.AlikoudiPool,Christou(Kamares)River,Ipsilou,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,
Madaros,MesaWetlands(max.10on9May),MeladiaValley,MetochiLake,NapiValley,PotamiaValley,Sideras,
TsikniasRiverandVouvarisRiver. Summer3MesaWetlands11Juland1MetochiLake8Aug(bothTRobinson).
AutumnSinglesChristou(Kamares)River1&18Sept(ISmith,PODaffy&CGittins),TsikniasRiver18Sept
(SPDudleyetal)and3Lotzaria24Sept(SPDudleyetal).
WHITE STORKCiconia ciconia sMB,sPM,rW
Occurs FebOct, mainly on passage. A number of pairs breed.
PolichnitosSaltpansmax.2inJan,3inFebApr,singlesinMay&Jun,5on15Juland1on21Aug(lastofyear);
13recordedintheKalloniarea16Apr30May.BreedingOccupiednestsatSkalaKallonis(rooftop),Mandamados(chimney),AgiaParaskevi(chimney)and
Polichnitos(chimney).
GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus cSP,sAP
Can occur in sizable flocks MarMay, with much smaller numbers AugOct.
SpringPolichnitosSaltpans716Aprwithmax.9on8Apr(TRobinson);Kalloniarea16Apr21Mayfavouringthe
floodedfieldsaroundthesaltpanswithmax.83on24Apr(SPDudleyetal).
AutumnSinglesPolichnitosSaltpans6Augand9Sept(TRobinson).
EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia sPMSmall numbers MarMay and SeptOct.
Allrecords:2atPolichnitosSaltpans1213Marwith1to17Mar;3KalloniSaltpans29Apr;on21May7arrivedat
KalloniSaltpansandasingleatPolichnitosSaltpans,thelattersoonmadeitswaynorthtojointhemwith8then
presentatKalloniSaltpansto26Mayand2to30May.AtPolichnitosSaltpans,2on21Julwith1thereon27Jul,
2on2324Aug,andsinglesthereon3Sept,25Sept,2930Sept,24Octand6(inc.1juv)on6Oct.
GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris sW,sPM
Single birds occasionally OctMay around obvious wetland and river areas.
Tworecords:asinglebirdreportedatSkalaKallonisPoolon22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andthe
sameoranotheron27Apr(IKinley&DThexton).
LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus cSM,sAP
Occurs AprJun at wetland and river areas inc. even the smallest of culverts and drains with cover. Scarcer AugOct.
SpringRecorded24Apr31May:MetochiLake21Apr(3)31May(1)withamax.of12birdson3May(SPDudley
etal);TsikniasRiver(usuallyatthelowerford)27Apr12Maywithamax.of3on11May(SP&EFDudley);Skala
KallonisPoolsingleson1May(MO)and21May(MStead).SeenatbothFaneromenifords26Apr14Maywitha
max.of7on9May(P&NPreston);3MeladiaValleyFord58May(SPDudleyetal);1AlmiropotamosRiver(Vatera)
24Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1PotamiaValley27Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1in
theHotelPasiphaegarden(SkalaKallonis)3May(vanderLeefamily);2VourkouRiver6May(TRobinson);1Vergias
River(SkalaEresou)6May(SP&EFDudley);and1FarmakiesPool(SkalaVasilikon)9May(SP&EFDudleyetal).
AutumnOnerecord:asinglebirdatMetochiLake1222Sept(MO).
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Little Bittern and Night-heron,FaneromeniLowerFord,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
BLACKCROWNED NIGHTHERON Nycticorax nycticoraxcSM,sAP
Occurs usually MarMay (occasionally in large flocks) with occasional records SeptOct.
SpringRecorded17Apr31Mayasfollows:PotamiaValleyupto5on1720Apr,2on4Mayand3on18May
(TRobinsonetal);atnearbyMetochiLakeupto6on1921Aprwithsinglesthere15&31May(MO);atFaneromeni
12present26Apr14May(MO);2foundroostinginthepinesinAchladeriForeston2May(SPDudleyetal);
5northoverLardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1SkalaKallonisPool21May(MStead).AutumnOnerecord:2overSkalaKallonis18Sept(CGittins).
SQUACCO HERONArdeola ralloides cSM,sAP
Recorded from wetland and river areas AprMay, occasionally numbers AugOct.
Spring8Apr24May:PolichnitosSaltpans1on8Aprand2on6May(TRobinsonetal);12SkalaKallonis1720Apr
(MO)with6on23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)andasinglethere21May(MStead);onthefloodedfieldsatKalloni
Saltpans(inc.AlykesWetlands)28Apr14Maywithamax.of11on11May(MO);12MetochiLake21Apr24
May(MO);1PerasmaReservoir22Apr(J&SMaskell);6Christou(Kamares)River24Apr(SPDudleyetal);3Dipi
Larisos28Apr(TRobinson);upto3Faneromeni18May(P&VManningetal);4KalloniSaltpanson2May,9on
4Mayandasinglebirdon16May(MO);2TsikniasRiver9May(SP&EFDudley);singlesPotamiaValleyandParakilaMarsh18May(bothMSveikutis).
Autumn12PotamiaValley8Aug(TRobinson);singlesPolichnitosSaltpans18&21Augwith3there10Sept
(TRobinson);and1MetochiLake23Sept(CGittins).
WESTERN CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis V*|0|4(4)
2008Threerecords(acceptedbyHRC):1nrTsikniasRiverMouth25Apr(photo:SPDudley,MDenmanetal:HRC
08);1SkalaEresou16May(RUlph:HRC08);and1PolichnitosSaltpansDec08(photo:TRobinson:HRC08).
2007Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):1nrSigriDec07(EKakalis,EGribylakou:HRC07).
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GREY HERON Ardea cinerea sW,sPM
Small numbers all months. Migrants AprMay and SeptOct.
RecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinson)inallmonthswith12inJan,13inFeb,13inMarwithobvious
passageon14Mar(27),20Mar(19),22Mar(10)and23Mar(16),max.6inApr,12duringMay,2on25Jun,13in
Juland14inAugwith9on21st.IncreasednumbersSeptDecwith68birdsregularlyanddoublefigurecountson
sixdatesonSeptwithmax.56(yearmax.)on12Sept15Sept(24),eightdatesinOctwithmax.14on5Oct,on
fourteendatesinNovwithmax.23on17Nov,andonfivedatesinDecwithmax.12on6,10&25Dec.Elsewhereon
theislandrecordedfromafurther10sites: AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)max.5on19Jan;KalloniSaltpans(inc.
AlykesWetlandsandsurroundingfloodedfields)max.21on11May;AlikoudiPoolmax.4on24Apr;Christou
(Kamares)Rivermax.6on10Jan;MesaWetlandsmax.5on4Apr;PotamiaValleymax.4on8Aug;andsingles
atSkalaVasilikon,VouvarisRiver,MeladiaValley,DipiLarisosandAchladeri.
PURPLE HERONArdea purpurea sPM
Small numbers, inc. occasional flocks MarMay and (smaller numbers) SeptOct.
SpringRecorded10Apr6May.Themainsitewasthefloodedfields(inc.AlykesWetlands)neartheKalloniSaltpans
whichheldamax.9on20Apr(J&SMaskell).Asingleflockof23wasseenheadingnorthoverKalloniSaltpansontheeveningofthe28Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Elsewhere:1 AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)
10Apr(TRobinson);1PotamiaValley17Apr (perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD) ;1SkalaKallonisPool1718
Apr(J&SMaskelletal);2MetochiLake2021Apr(J&SMaskelletal);1againSkalaKallonisPool29Apr (per
LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD) ;2northalongtheTsikniasRiver30Apr(SPDudleyetal);1Faneromeni3May
(P&VManning);and3VergiasRiver(SkalaEresou)6May(SPDudleyetal).
AutumnAnearlyreturningbirdatPolichnitosSaltpanson1Jul(TRobinson)and1MetochiLake
19Sept(SPDudleyetal).
GREAT WHITE EGRETArdea alba rW,sPM
Birds usually present SeptMay with an increasing wintering population.First winter periodJanPolichnitosSaltpansmax.11on27th; AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)withmax.10on19th;
Christou(Kamares)Rivermax.3on10th;MesaWetlandsmax.3on1st;KalloniSaltpansmax.2on10th;Skala
Vasilikonmax.2on1st;andsinglesatVouvarisRivermouth1st,VourkouRiver4th,AlikoudiPool10th,TsikniasRiver
10thandSkalaKallonisPool10th. FebPolichnitosSaltpansmax.16on21stand8 AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera) 7th.
Spring MarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.12on1st,MesaWetlandsmax.3on8th,VouvarisRivermouthmax.3on8th.
AprPolichnitosSaltpansmax.4on8th;MesaWetlandsmax.2on4th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields
andAlykesWetlands)max.2on4th. May4overFaneromenion1st;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields
andAlykesWetlands)max.3on914th.
Autumn Aug 1PolichnitosSaltpanson27th. SeptPolichnitosSaltpansmax.48on18th;3KalloniSaltpanson18th
and1TsikniasRivermouth18th. OctPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.13on29th. NovPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.8on1516th;3Christou(Kamares)Riveron7th;and1SkalaVasilikonon30th.
Second winter periodDecPolichnitosSaltpansupto9birds116thwithincreasednumbersfrom17thwith1120
birdsregularlyseenandmax.23on27th;on26th3MesaWetlands,1VouvarisRivermouthand1SkalaVasilikon.
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta cSP,sAP,rW
Occurs at wetland sites and along the coast MarMay and in smaller numbers AugOct. Several birds overwinter.
First winter periodJan12PolichnitosSaltpans;2KalloniSaltpans10th;singlebirdsalsoseenatSkalaVasilkonon1st
and10th,Achladerion1standMesaWetlandson1st. Feb1PolichnitosSaltpansthroughout;and5VouvarisRiver
mouthon3rd.
Spring MarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.3on6th;andMesaWetlandson8th(3)and28th(4). AprPolichnitosSaltpans
max.7on7th;MesaWetlandsmax.15on29th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes
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Wetlands)max.5on22nd;Christou(Kamares)Rivermax.15on17th;6Makara21st;2DipiLarisos28th;2Alikoudi
Pool29th.MayPolichnitosSaltpansmax.9on12th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes
Wetlandsmax.9on30th;3VourkouRiveron6th;11Faneromenion8th;and37TsikniasRiveron11th.
SummerJunJul13dailyPolichnitosSaltpans,6on22Juland11on31Jul(startoftheautumnincrease).
AutumnPolichnitosSaltpansdoublefigurecountsdaily1Aug27Septwithamax.40on1213Sept,16daily28
Sept28Octwithmax.9on5Octand311duringNovwithmax.11on10th.
Second winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans13dailythroughoutDec.
GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus sPM
Annual passage migrant MarMay and SeptOct.
Usually singles but occasionally flocks (e.g. 18 in Sept
07) and occasional movements, e.g. large movement
in Sept 07 inc. largest confirmed flock of 144.
Spring4reportedatthemouthoftheTsikniasRiver
on17Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).
AutumnJuvenilesatPolichnitosSaltpanson7Sept(TRobinson)withanotherthere2125Sept
(TRobinsonetal)andwhatispresumedtobeathird
bird28Sept16Oct(TRobinson)andaflockof9
(4ads,5juvs)(TRobinson).Adifferentjuvenileat
KalloniSaltpanson2122Sept(MSnellingetal).
White Pelican,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009
TerryRobinson
DALMATIAN PELICAN Pelecanus crispus rPM
Much rarer than White Pelican but occurs in similar periods, AprMay and AugSept.
Onerecord:1PerasmaReservoirforonlythreehoursonthemorningof3May(video:IKinley,DThextonetal).
GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis sW
Winters offshore particularly in the Gulf of Kalloni
First winter periodMax.83ofSkalaPolichnitou12Feb.
SpringMax.13offSkalaPolichnitou14Marand11offKalloniSaltpans29Apr.
AutumnMax.11offSkalaPolichnitou21Aug.
Second winter periodMax.264offSkalaPolichnitou5Dec.
EUROPEAN SHAGLeucocarbo aristotelis desmarestisRB
Present around the coast in all months. The race Leucocarbo aristotelis desmaresti occurs.
First winter periodMax.8ofSkalaPolichnitou10Jan.
SpringMax.10+offSkalaPolichnitou25Apr.
SummerMax.4offNifida1Jul.
AutumnMax.16offSkalaPolichnitou2526Oct.
Second winter periodMax.20offSkalaPolichnitou29Nov.
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OSPREY Pandion haliaetus sPM
Occurs on passage MarMay and SeptOct.
SpringSinglesoverMesaWetlandsandKalloniSaltpans24Apr(SPDudleyetal),KalloniSaltpans25Apr(IKinley&
DThexton)andDipiLarisos2May(BBuckleretal).
AutumnSinglesKalloniSaltpans3&9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)andChristou(Kamares)River30Sept(CGittins).
EUROPEAN HONEYBUZZARD Pernis apivorus rMB,cPM
Occurs on passage AprMay and AugOct. Small numbers breed.
Veryfewreported.
Spring1MeladiaValley6May(BBuckleretal);2Madaros9May(SP&EFDudley);1Faneromeni15May
(MSveikutis);1LardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1nrIpsilou24May(perLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD);1displayingmaleKalloniRaptorWatchpoint27May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and
1NapiValley1Jun(KHChristmann&EWendt).
Autumn6PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)11Sept(TRobinson);1SkalaKallonis11Sept(S&CDarbyshire);3PaliaVigla
(Polichnitos)12Sept(TRobinson);17SkalaKallonis13Sept(S&CDarbyshire);1Lafionas(Petra)19Sept(CGittins);
and4KalloniSaltpans21Sept(MSnelling).
BLACK KITE Milvus migrans sPM
Surprisingly only a handful of records noted most years MarMay and AugOct.
First winter periodAwinteringbirdPolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea31Jan7Apr(TRobinson)isthefirst
everwinterrecord.
Spring2Makara2May(RThorpeetal);1PerasmaandKavaki3May(PEdlinetal);and2MeladiaValley(SPDudley
etal).
Autumn2PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12Sept(TRobinson).
Firstwinter Black Kite,PolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea,February2009TerryRobinson
WHITETAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla V*|1|6(6)
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultnorthalongtheTsikniasRiverValley2May(I&SBambrough&
SPDudley).Thesixthrecordfortheisland.
EGYPTIAN VULTURE Neophron percnopterus V*|1|11(12)
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultattheVouvarisRivermouth2May(TRobinson).11threcord.
2005Onerecord:1VafiosMtLepetimnos9May(DWalbridge).
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GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus V*|1|11(11)
A surprisingly rare bird on the island.
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):abirdpresent2628AprwasfirstseenoverEresosonthe26th(Limosagroup)and
thenseenthefollowingtwodaysaroundtheolddeadgoatpitatMadaros(P&VManning,D&BBradnumetal).
The11threcordfortheisland.
SHORTTOED EAGLECircaetus gallicus sMB,sPM
Small numbers breed across the island. Seen on passage AprMay and AugOct. Occasional winter records.
Despitebeingseendaily,relativelyfewrecordsreceived.
SpringReporteddaily17Apr24Maywithmax.5+Ipsilou28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and5+KalloniRaptor
Watchpoint9May(SP&EFDudley).
BreedingLikelybreedingbirdsseenPotamia,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,nrMesotopos,LardiaValley,Mt
Lepetimnos,Ipsilou.AbirdseenatanestinAchladeriForest.
Autumn12reported14Jul21Septfromvarioussitesinc.PolichnitosSaltpans,PaliaVigla(Polichnitos),
Mesotopos,Eresos,VafiosandIpsilou.
MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus cPM
Regularly seen MarMay with smaller numbers AugOct. Occasional winter records.
Spring Recorded28Mar13Mayfrommanylocalities.Max.5+KalloniSaltpansarea25Apr(SPDudleyetal).
AutumnSouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)on12th(5)&13th(2)Sept;55+SkalaKallonis13Sept(S&CDarbyshire);
10+overSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire);2overIpsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal);and1overKalloniSaltpans
22Sept(SPDudleyetal).
HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus sW,sPM
Small numbers NovApr, with passage birds MarMay.
First winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans,amaleon6Jan(alsoseenAlikoudiPoolsameday)andringtailson12dates9Jan17Mar,withtwobirdsseenon28Feb(allTRobinson).
SpringAringtailalongtheChristou(Kamares)River23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).
Secondwinter periodSingleringtailsatPolichnitosSaltpans2,25&27Dec(TRobinson).
PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus sPM
Small numbers MarApr. Very rare in autumn.
SpringAringtailatPolichnitosSaltpans20Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),withsingleringtailsthere
(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andaroundtheTsikniasRivermouth(HighPeakRSPBGroup)on24Aprwith
thelatteraroundtheKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingareato28Apr(MO).Asecondbird,afirstsummermale,in
theKalloniSaltpans/Lotzaria/TsikniasRivermouthareaseenon25,27&29Aprand4May(MO).AringtailnrIpsilou26Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)andafemaleMeladiaRiver28Apr(Limosagroup).
AutumnAnadultmalesouthnearSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire).
MONTAGUS HARRIER Circus pygargus cPM
Common in spring MarMay with small numbers SeptOct.
Averypooryear.
SpringSinglesrecordedononly15dates4Apr5Mayacrossthecentreandwestoftheislandwith3Kalloni
Saltpansandsurroundingarea2325Apr(MO)andamax.countof4MeladiaValley29Apr(perLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD).
AutumnSinglessouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12&14Sept(TRobinson)andMetochiLake19Sept
(SPDudleyetal).
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LEVANT SPARROWHAWKAccipiter brevipes sPM,?rMB?
Small numbers AprMay, with smaller numbers AugSept.
Averypooryear.
Spring1TsikniasRiver24Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Kalloni27Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);male
Faneromeni1May(IKinley&DThexton);2Faneromeni3May(P&VManning);1nrPetra4May(perLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD);5+Faneromeni4May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Ipsilou4May(perLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD);maleandfemaleFaneromeni5May(P&VManning;IKinley&DThexton);andamaleIpsilou
5May(SPDudleyetal).
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKAccipiter nisus rRB,cW,sPM
A handful of pairs almost certainly breed. Common SeptMar. Passage noted MarApr and AugOct.
First winter period12recordedfrom:PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera);Vourkou
River.
Spring12recordedfromAgiaParaskevi;PolichnitosSaltpans;KalloniSaltpans;Kavaki;TsikniasRiverandKalloni
RaptorWatchpoint.
Autumn12recordedPolichnitosSaltpans;AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)andIpsilou.Second winter periodSinglesreportedregularlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansand3AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)
15Nov.
GOSHAWKAccipiter gentilis sRB,sPM
Small numbers breed across the island. Passage noted MarMay and AugOct.
Relativelyfewrecordsreceived.
SpringSeenregularlyfromKalloniRaptorWatchpoint;includingdisplayingbirds;duringAprandMay(MO)withmax.
4seenon9May(SP&EFDudley).
Autumn1nearVafios19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andsinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans30Septand12;20;22&24Oct
(TRobinson)andAlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)15Nov(TRobinson).
COMMON BUZZARDButeo buteo sRB,cW,sPM
Small numbers breed across the island. Common NovMar. Passage noted MarApr and AugOct.
First winter periodRecordedfromAlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)max.8on19Jan;VourkouRiver;PotamiaValley;
Christou(Kamares)RiverandPolichnitosSaltpans.
Spring/SummerRecordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)max.7on2Mar;AlikoudiPool;Dimitrios;Ipsilou;
NapiValley;Nifida;PaliaVigla(Polichnitos);PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;Sideras;Sigri;Faneromeniand
VouvarisRivermouth.Noconfirmedbreeding.
Autumn12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);PolichnitosSaltpans;Korakas;KalloniSaltpansandPalia
Vigla(Polichnitos). Second winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)max.4on15Nov;PolichnitosSaltpansand
AlikoudiPool.
LONGLEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus sRB,sPM
Small numbers breed across the island. Passage MarApr and AugOct.
First winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andPolichnitosSaltpans.
Spring/Summer13recordedfromAgra;AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);AlikoudiPool;Eresos;Faneromeni;Ipsilou;
KalloniRaptorWatchpoint;KalloniSaltpans(andsurrounds);LardiaValley;Madaros;Makara;Mesotopos;Metochi
Lake;NapiValley;Perasma;PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;SigriareaandTsikniasRivervalley.
AutumnSinglesreportedfromIpsilou;KalloniSaltpans/TsikniasRiverarea;MetochiLakeandPerasma.
Second winter period12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andPolichnitosSaltpans.
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LESSER SPOTTED EAGLEAquila pomarina rPM
Recorded most years in May.
Tworecords:singlesKalloniRaptorWatchpoint3MayandbetweenIpsilouandSigri4May(bothperLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD).
STEPPE EAGLEAquila nipalensis V*|0|1(1)
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):asubadultnearEfthalou26Apr(I&SBambrough&SPDudley).Thefirst
acceptedrecordforLesvos
EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLEAquila heliaca V*|2|10(11)
SpringThreerecords(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultsouthnearEfthalou3May(photo:I&SBambrough&SP
Dudley);asubadultKalloniRaptorWatchpoint7May(IPittsetal)wasseentwicewithinanhourandmaybethe
samebirdasseenatEfthalou(above);twobirdsnorthoverAghiaIoannis8May(photo:PSolleyetal).Thesearethe
9thto11threcords.
AutumnAbirddistantlyoverAchladeriForest20Septwasprobablythisspeciesbutremainsunconfirmed(photo:J&
AHumphreys).
GOLDEN EAGLEAquila chrysaetos rPM|3|18(21+)
Passage birds AprMay and Sept.
Threerecords:singlebirdsseenPotamiaValley25Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);IoannouValley7May
(SPDudley);andnrPetra11May(PEdlin)arethe16th18threcords.
2003Onerecord:1Efthalou20May(DWalbridge).
BONELLIS EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus rPM
Passage birds AprMay.
Tworecords:1Eresos/Ipsilou26Apr;1KalloniRaptorWatchpoint4May(bothperLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus pennatus sPM
Recorded most years AprMay and AugOct.
SpringTworecords: SinglebirdsKalloniRaptorWatchpointandMesaWetlands6May(P&NPreston)andLardia
Valley8May(IPittsetal).
AutumnSinglebirdsNapiValley19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andPlatania21Sept(P&JHayes).
LESSER KESTREL Falco naumannisMB,sPM
Small numbers breed on offshore islands at Sigri and possibly other offshore islands. Most common in the west of the
island. Also recorded on passage AprMay and Sept.Despitegoodnumbersofbirdsandapopularspecies;veryfewrecordsreceived.
Spring Recorded20Apr17Mayfrom:SigriandFaneromeniarea;Ipsilou;thePetrifiedForest;PerasmaReservoir;
Makara;MeladiaValleyandLardiaValley.Max.20+onthreedates:Faneromeni26Apr(D&BBradnum),1May(SP
Dudleyetal)&8May(SP&EFDudley).Noconfirmedbreedingrecords.
Autumn23KalloniSaltpans;LotzariaandTsikniasRiverarea1424Sept(MO)and1PolichnitosSaltpans2021Sept
(SPDudleyetal).
COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus sRB
A surprisingly scarce species with small numbers breeding across the island.
12recordedfromPolichnitosSaltpans;AlikoudiPool;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;TsikniasRiver;AlmiropotamosRiver
(Lisvorio);PerasmaandNapiValley.
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REDFOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus cPM
On passage AprMay with smaller numbers AugOct.
Veryfewrecordsreceived.
Spring Recorded19Apr22MayfromTsikniasRiver;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;AlykesWetlands;NapiValley;
Faneromeni;Madaros;MeladiaValley;AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)andPolichnitosSaltpans.Max.aflockof51
Faneromeni26Apr(SChalmers,SPDudley,D&JNurney).Onlyotherdoublefigurecount12Faneromeni6May
(BBuckleretal).
Autumn 1MeladiaValley2Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);23PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept(TRobinson);singles
PolichnitosSaltpanson15,25&30Sept(TRobinson);upto7KalloniSaltpans/Lotzariaarea1924Sept(MSnelling;
SPDudleyetal).
ELEONORAS FALCON Falco eleonorae sPM,?rMB?
On passage AprMay and SeptOct. Thought to breed
on offshore islands off Sigri.
Spring Recorded25Apr26MayfromKavaki;
Vatera;Ipsilou;Eresos;AghiaIoannis;LardiaValley;AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio);AchladeriForest;Dipi
Larisos;Agra;AgiosFokas;Molivos;KalloniRaptor
Watchpoint;Skoutaros;Skalochori;AghiaTaxiarchis;
TsikniasRiver;andSigri.Max.10Skoutaros8May
(SP&EFDudley).
AutumnSeenatStipsi9Sept;KalloniSaltpans18
Sept;KalloniRaptorWatchpoint19Sept;Ipsilou(2)
21&25Sept;PithariouReservoir23Sept;andPalia
Vigla(Polichnitos)3Oct.
Eleonoras Falcon;AghiaTaxiarchis,May2009
SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
EURASIAN HOBBYFalco subbuteo sPM,?rMB?
Small numbers seen on passage AprMay and SeptOct.
Spring Recorded(allsingles)22Apr7MayfromNapiValley,KalloniSaltpans,Christou(Kamares)River,Metochi
Lake,Ipsilou,PolichnitosSaltpans,Kavaki,KalloniRaptorWatchpointandAghiaIoannis.
AutumnSinglesseenat:MesaWetlands3Sept;PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept;PotamiaValley22Sept;andSkala
Vasilikon22Sept.
LANNER FALCON Falco biarmicus ?rRB?
A couple of records most years. Greek birds belong to the race F. b. feldeggii (BoG).
SpringTworecords:animmaturerecordedfromMesaWetlands,KalloniSaltpansandNapiValley18Apr10May
(TRobinsonetal)andanadultseenatSigri,FaneromeniandIpsilou25Apr13May(SPDudleyetal)wasseento
takeaJackdawatSigriCastleandaLittleBitternatFaneromeni.
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus sRB,sW
Small numbers breed across the island with increased numbers in winter NovMar. Greek breeding birds belong to the
race F. p. brookei with nominate P. p. peregrinus occurring on passage (BoG).
Recordsof12throughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpans,Ipsilou,AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio),Kavaki,
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Christou(Kamares)River,TsikniasRiver,Lotzaria,KalloniSaltpans,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,MetochiLake,Potamia
ValleyandFilia.
BreedingOnebreedingsitefoundatVourkouRiver(TRobinson).
WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus rRB,rW,rPM
Small numbers breed (e.g. Dipi Larisos) but most usually encountered late winter and spring MarMay.
Onerecord:asinglebirdatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)on1Jan(TRobinson).
CORNCRAKE Crex crexV*|0|17(49inc.34huntedbirds
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):2firstyear(1CY)
birdsfoundshotdeadAkrotiri28Sept(MKapiotas,
IPeetersLenglet,IPeetersLenglet ).
2005Onerecord(submittedtoHRC):oneseentaking
tadpolesatFaneromeniUpperFordin8May(photo:
DWalbridge&RWilkins).
Corncrakewadinginrivertofeedontadpoles,
Faneromeni,May2005DuncanWalbridge
LITTLE CRAKE Porzana parva sSP,rAP,?rW?
Recorded at most wetlands with cover MarMay. Occasionally recorded AugOct. Some may winter.
Lowerthanaveragenumbersreported.
SpringUpto4MetochiLake17Apr3May(MO);singlesatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)24Apr(TRobinson);
SkalaKallonisPool1May(SPDudleyetal);andthefloodedfieldsbytheentrancetoKalloniSaltworks7May(per
LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
Autumn1MetochiLake(ISmith&PODaffy).
BAILLONS CRAKE Porzana pusilla rSP|2|16(19)
The rarest of the crakes now recorded most years.
Tworecords:1SkalaKallonisPool28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and2MetochiLakeonatleast6May(MO).
SPOTTED CRAKEPorzana porzana sPM
A handful of records each AprMay. One autumn
record.
Fourrecords:singlesMetochiLake1720Apr
(TRobinsonetal)and1May(SPDudleyetal);
FaneromeniUpperFord26Apr1May(D&B
Bradnumetal);andSkalaKallonisPool1May
(SPDudleyetal).
Spotted Crake,Faneromeni,April2009
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MOORHENGallinula chloropus sRB,sW
Small numbers breed.
RecordedthroughouttheyearatMetochiLake(2prsbred;5juvsseen);VergiasRiver(SkalaEresou)(atleastone
pairbred,3juvsseen)andPithariouReservoir(atleastoneprbred,3juvsseen).AlsoseenatSkalaVasilikon;
AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio);PotamiaValleyandAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera).Max.17MetochiLake17Apr
(TRobinson).
COOT Fulica atra rMB,sW
Varying numbers occur in winter with occasional pairs staying on to breed.
Allrecords:PotamiaReservoirJan,Apr;May&Novwithmax.142on1Jan(TRobinson);2AlmyropotamosRiver
(Vatera)4&19Jan;2MesaWetlands10Jan;1SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;3MetochiLake10Jan;and1Skala
Vasilikon3Feb.
COMMON CRANE Grus grus rPM|1|7+(23+)
Onerecord:3overPolichnitosSaltpanson4Nov(TRobinson).Thefirstrecordsince2003.
EURASIAN STONECURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus sMB;sPM
Small numbers breed inc. the Kalloni area (inc. Saltpans). Passage FebApr and AugOct. Flocks can be encountered in
autumn.
Recorded17Apr30SeptfromTsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding),AlykesWetlands(inc.breeding),
PolichnitosSaltpans(inc.breeding),Lotzaria(inc.breeding),Christou(Kamares)RiverandAchladeri.
OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus sW,sSP
Small numbers occur in winter and spring SeptMay.
Onerecord:asinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans23Mar(TRobinson).
BLACKWINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus sMB,cPM
Small numbers breed (e.g.saltpans). Also passage MarMay and AugOct.
Recorded17Mar24SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,AlykesWetlands,NifidaandChristou
(Kamares)River.AtPolichnitosSaltpansmax.countof127birdson1Aug(TRobinson).
BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpans16nestsobservedwithamin.of43youngseenon9Jul(TRobinson).Breeding
behaviourobservedatKalloniSaltpansbutnotproved.
AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta sMB,sPM
Small numbers breed (e.g. saltpans). Also passage MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.
RecordedthroughouttheyearatPolichnitosSaltpanswithamax.countof144on910Sept(TRobinson).AtKalloniSaltpansmax.288on4Apr(TRobinson).AlsorecordedatAlykesWetlands.
BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpansseveralpairsbredraisingatleast10young
NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus sW
Small numbers OctMar.
Singlesrecordedasfollows:KalloniSaltpans1Jan;PolichnitosSaltpans13Mar;2Nov;12Nov&21Dec(TRobinson);
andPotamiaValley20Sept(S&CDarbyshire).
SPURWINGED PLOVER Vanellus spinosus sPM
Usually single birds seen MarMar; rarely AugSept.
Threerecords:oneintheKalloniSaltpans;TsikniasRiverandAlykesWetlandsarea22Apr23Apr(TRobinsonetal);
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anotherAlykesWetlands1May(SPDudleyetal);andathirdbirdonthefloodsoppositetheKalloniSaltworks
entrance1320May(MO).
DOTTERELCharadrius morinellus V*|0|1(1)
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):onePolichnitosSaltpans(photo:TRobinson)isthefirstconfirmedrecordforthe
island(HRC08).
EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria sW;rPM
Small numbers OctMar. On passage MarApr and SeptOct.
Onerecord:2MesaWetlands16Apr(J&SMaskell).
GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola sW,sPM
Small numbers MarApr and SeptOct.
Allrecords:3KalloniSaltpans10Jan(TRobinson);2TsikniasRivermouthandKalloniSaltpans1819Apr(TRobinson
etal);1PolichnitosSaltpans1May(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans45May(MO);10KalloniSaltpans6May(SP
Dudleyetal)with8thereon7May(IKinley&DThexton);1AlykesWetlands9May(SP&EFDudley);and2flooded
fieldsoppositeKalloniSaltworksentrance20May(MO).
RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula sPM
Occurs MarMay and AugOct.
Spring Recordedon24datesbetween6Apr28MayfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.29on11May;AlykesWetlands
max.12on12May;andKalloniSaltpansmax.2on20Apr.
AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans19Aug21Octwithmax.4on29Sept.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius sMB,sPM
Small numbers breed along rivers and also on passage MarMay and AugSept.Recorded9Mar21Nov.DisplayingbirdsobservedatAlykesWetlands;TsikniasRiver;Christou(Kamares)River;
PolichnitosSaltpans(youngseen).Max.10PolichnitosSaltpans3May(TRobinson).AlsorecordedfromMakara,
KalloniSaltpans,VourkouRiver,AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera),DipiLarisos,andNifida.
KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus sRB,sPM
Breeds around saltpans; drier areas of marshes; etc. Also passage AprMay and SeptOct.
RecordedthroughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.81on5Nov.AlsorecordedfromChristou(Kamares)
River,VouvarisRivermouth,KalloniSaltpansandMesaWetlands.
BreedingConfirmedatPolichnitosSaltpanswere10+youngwereseen(4trappedandringed)(TRobinson);Vouvaris
RivermouthandKalloniSaltpans.
GREAT SNIPE Gallinago media rPM*|1|10+(12+)
A nearannual passage migrant.
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1HaramidaMarsh7May(SPDudley).
Twootherreports(observersunknown):PolichnitosSaltpans25AprandTsikniasRiver28Apr.
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COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago cW,sPM
Occurs AugMay.
Allrecords:1AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)2Apr(TRobinson);1PolichnitosSaltpans7Apr(TRobinson);1Christou
(Kamares)River18Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);2KalloniSaltpans20Apr(TRobinsonetal);1Faneromeni21Apr
(J&SMaskell);1KalloniSaltpans23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1floodedfieldsoppositeKalloniSaltworks
entrance2425Apr(SPDudleyetal);12MetochiLake419Sept(ISmith&PODaffyetal);and1Polichnitos
Saltpans2122Dec(TRobinson).
BLACKTAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa sSP
Occurs on larger wetlands and rivers AprMay.
Allrecords:PolichnitosSaltpans,1from2026Mar,12there310Apr(TRobinson)and25Apr(D&BBradnum);
KalloniSaltpans,31on4Apr(TRobinson),1on24Apr(SPDudleyetal)and6on28Apr(IKinley&DThexton).
BARTAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica rSP
Onerecord:3PolichnitosSaltpans14Jul(TRobinson).
EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata sW,rPM
Small numbers AugMar.
Allrecords(TRobinsonunlessstated):VouvarisRivermouth1on1Jan&28Mar;TsikniasRivermouth1on10Jan&
28Mar;2on1718Aprand1on18Sept(SPDudleyetal);KalloniSaltpans3on10Jan;1on4Aprand4on18Sept
(SPDudleyetal);Christou(Kamares)River2on18Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);PolichnitosSaltpans1on25Jun;
1on17Sept;1&3Octand27Nov.
SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus sPM,rW
Small numbers MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.
Allrecords:singlesatKalloniSaltpanson24Apr(SPDudleyetal);2930Apr(2)(IKinley&DThextonetal);30Apr(SPDudleyetal);1618May(TRobinsonetal);singlesPolichnitosSaltpanson28Apr(IKinley&DThexton);25Sept
(P&JHayes);17Oct(TRobinson)and15Nov(TRobinson).
COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus cW,sPM
Occurs mainly AugMar, with smaller numbers AprMay.
PolichnitosSaltpans,recordedinallmonthswithmax.139on24Sept(TRobinson).12KalloniSaltpansinthemain
birdingweeksinAprMayandSept.AlsoseenatAlmiropotamos(Lisvorio),Christou(Kamares)andTsikniasRivers.
MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis sPM
Small numbers move through the island MarMay and AugSept.SpringKalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfields)8on8Apr(TRobinson)and2on2May(perLesvosBirding
PasiphaeLog/SPD),singles2223Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup),30Apr(SPDudleyetal),58May(IKinley&
DThextonetal).
AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans Sept1on4th,2on6th,singles1517thand21st,2on22nd; Oct1on1011thand3on
14th(allTRobinson).KalloniSaltpans Sept1on21st(CGittins)and2on22nd(SPDudleyetal).
GREENSHANKTringa nebularia sPM,sW
Small numbers move through the island MarMay and AugSept. Small numbers overwinter.
First winter period3Christou(Kamares)River10Jan(TRobinson).
SpringPolichnitosSaltpansrecordedfrom19MarandpresentdailyintoJunwithmax.4on9Apr
(TRobinson).KalloniSaltpans(andsurroundingfloodedfields)429Aprwithmax.8on29Apr(HighPeakRSPB
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Group).Also1TsikniasRiver9May(SP&EFDudley).
SummerPresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.24on3Aug(TRobinson).
AutumnPresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithdoublefigurecountsregularlyduringSeptto17Octwith
max.23on18Sept,then14regularlytotheyearendwithmax.10on16Nov(allTRobinson).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus sW,sPM
Occurs mainly OctMar, with passage AprMay and JulSept.
First winter period1Christou(Kamares)River10Jan(TRobinson).
SpringSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpanson56Marand2425Mar(TRobinson),27Aprand2May(SPDudleyetal);
TsikniasRiver2on19Aprandsingleson22Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and9May(SP&EFDudley);1Metochi
Lake21Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1Faneromeni21Apr(J&SMaskell);and1KalloniSaltpans(inc.surrounding
floodedfields)2May(IKinley&DThexton).
Autumn2PolichnitosSaltpans21Aug(TRobinson)and1MetochiLake22Sept(SPDudleyetal).
WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola cPM
Very common on all water areas MarMay with smaller numbers JulSept.SpringRecorded26Mar26Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutmax.111on28Apr(TRobinson);Kalloni
Saltpans18Apr4Maymax.150+on20Apr(TRobinson);1MesaWetlands28Mar;3AlmiropotamosRiver
(Lisvorio)2Apr;1Nifida5Apr;1AlikoudiPool13Apr;4Faneromeni21Apr20+Christou(Kamares)River24Apr;and
5DipiLarisos28Apr.
AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans10Jul26Septwithmax.21on30Aug(TRobinson).
TEREK SANDPIPERXenus cinereus V*|1|5(5
Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):oneatPolichnitos
Saltpans13May(photo:WLopau,TRobinson,SP&
EFDudley:HRC09inprep)isonlythefifthrecordfortheisland.
2003:Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultSkala
Kallonis10May(video:SPogson:HRC08).
RecordshotofTerek Sandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans,
May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
COMMON SANDPIPERActitis hypoleucos sPM,rW
Small numbers MarMay and AugOct. Occasionally overwinters.
First winter period1PolichnitosSaltpans14Feb(TRobinson).
Spring12recorded8Apr22MayfromPolichnitosSaltpans,DipiLarisos,TsikniasRiver,Makara,MesaWetlands,
VourkouRiver,AlykesWetlands,SigriandFaneromeni.
AutumnAnearlyreturningbirdon22JunatPolichnitosSaltpansthenrecordedfromhereto21Oct.Max.8on4Aug
(allTRobinson).
Second winter period1PolichnitosSaltpanson30Novand8Dec(TRobinson).
TURNSTONEArenaria interpres sPM
Small numbers MarMay and AugSept.
Spring2TsikniasRivermouth29Apr(SPDudleyetal);atPolichnitosSaltpansinMayseenon3rd(1),6th(4),9th
10th(2),13th15th(3),16th17th(1),21st(3),22nd(1)and30th(1)(allTRobinson).
AutumnSeenonlyatPolichnitosSaltpanswithsingleson8&1314Aug(TRobinson).
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RED KNOT Calidris canutus V*|0|2(2)
The first two records for the island recently accepted by HRC.
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultPolichnitosSaltpans3Sept07(photo:TRobinson:HRC08).
2007Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultKalloniSaltpans23Apr05(SPDudley&DMcDonald:HRC08).
SANDERLING Calidris alba sPM
Small numbers seen MarMay and AugSept.
Spring10TsikniasRivermouth22Apr(J&SMaskell)with6thereon24Apr(Limosagroup);singlesMesaWetlands
24Apr(IKInley&DThexton)andPolichnitosSaltpans25Apr(TRobinson)and6May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae
Log/SPD);9TsikniasRivermouth19May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1PolichnitosSaltpans19May
(TRobinson).
AutumnSinglesPolichnitosSaltpans25Sept(P&JHayes)and3Oct(TRobinson).
LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta cPM
Occurs AprMay, occasionally in large numbers AprMay, with smaller number JulOct. Some overwinter.
First winter periodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on7Jan(TRobinson)andasingleatChristou(Kamares)Riveron10Jan(TRobinson).
Spring Recordedthroughto18JunfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.141on7May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(and
surroundedfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.100+on21May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andup
to10MesaWetlands,Christou(Kamares)RiverandTsikniasRiver.
AutumnRecordedfrom17Julwithamax.161PolichnitosSaltpans11Oct(TRobinson).
Second winter periodRecordedthroughoutatPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.93on29Dec(TRobinson).
TEMMINCKS STINT Calidris temminckiicPM
Occurs AprMay with smaller numbers AugSept.
SpringKalloniSaltpans3on20Apr(TRobinsonetal)and24Apr(SPDudleyetal),1on27Apr(IKinley&DThexton)and5on3May(IKinley&DThexton);inApratPolichnitosSaltpans5on23rd(TRobinson),1on24th,7on26th
(Limosagroup)and3on30th,inMaysingleson7th,15th17th&20th;1Christou(Kamares)River24Apr(SPDudley
etal);14TsikniasRiver46May(MO);and2AlykesWetlands12May(SP&EFDudley).
Autumn4PolichnitosSaltpans26Sept(CGittins).
PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos V*|0|1(1)
The first record for the island, and only the fourth record for Greece, has recently been accepted by HRC.
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):ajuvenileat
PolichnitosSaltpans24Sept08(photo:TRobinson,
SPDudley&MNewell:Dudley2009,HRC08).
Pectoral Sandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans,
September2008SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
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CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea cPM
Occurs AprMay and AugOct.
SpringRecorded3Apr8Jun.PolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.58on22May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc.
surroundingfloodedfields)withmax.31on20Apr(TRobinson);and6TsikniasRiver22May(M&LHunt).
AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans17Jul27Septwithmax.16on28Aug(TRobinson).
DUNLIN Calidris alpina sW,sPM
Occurs AugMay.
First winter periodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on5Jan.
Spring1MesaWetlandson28Mar;atPolichnitosSaltpans30Mar24Aprwithmax.26on1Apr;atKalloni
Saltpans2030Aprwithmax.5on28th.
AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansfrom8Septwithmax.69on12Oct.
Second winter periodRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.249on24Dec.
BROADBILLED SANDPIPER Limicola falcinellus rPM
Occasionally seen AprMay and AugSept.Spring12reportedfromAlykesWetlands911May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
AutumnSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpanson11,22&25Augand13Sept(TRobinson).
RUFF Philomachus pugnaxcPM
Occurs FebMay and AugOct.
SpringRecorded525Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansmax.385on7Apr(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc.
surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.300+on4Apr(TRobinson);6MesaWetlandson28Mar;and
1DipiLarisoson28Apr.
AutumnRecorded1025SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpansonlywithmax.9on17th.
REDNECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus V*|0|10(14)
AreportofoneatPolichnitosSaltpansinMayremainsunconfirmed.
Collared Pratincole,PolichnitosSaltpans,June2009TerryRobinson
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COLLARED PRATINCOLE Glareola pratincola cSP
Good numbers seen on passage across the island AprMay.
SpringRecorded19Apr18Mayfrom:KalloniSaltpansarea(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlandsandLotzaria)
withmax.50on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1SigriandFaneromenifields29Apr1May(P&VManningetal).
SummerRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpanson25Jun(1),1Jul(1)and3Jul(3)(TRobinson).
SLENDERBILLED GULL Chroicocephalus geneisW,sPM
Occurs in small numbers OctMar. Passage birds AprMay and AugSept. Few records JunJul.
First winter period13PolichnitosSaltpans7Jan2Feb(TRobinson).
Spring1PolichnitosSaltpans3Mar(TRobinson);13KalloniSaltpans/TsikniasRiverarea1725Apr,with4insame
area2729Aprand13to21May(MO);1Christou(Kamares)River11May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
Summer14adultsPolichnitosSaltpans3Jun31Jul(TRobinson).
AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans14Aug21Nov(MO)withmax.25on7Nov(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans23Sept
(S&CDarbyshire).Thecountof25isthelargesteverrecordedontheisland.
Second winter period34PolichnitosSaltpans1719Dec(TRobinson).
BLACKHEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus sW
Occurs JulMay.
First winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan10Febwithmax.62on1Jan(TRobinson);6PotamiaValley10Jan
(TRobinson).
SpringPolichnitosSaltpans8on1Marand23on6Mar(TRobinson);17PotamiaValley28Mar(TRobinson);14
TsikniasRivermouth28Mar28Apr(MO).
Summer/Autumn 1PolichnitosSaltpans1Jul31Julwithmax.349on13Oct(TRobinson).
Second winter periodPolichnitosSaltpans48on1Dec,with15on26thand1on28th31st(TRobinson).
LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus sW,sPMOccurs in small numbers AugMay and AugSept.
SpringAnadultandfirstsummer(2CY)PolichnitosSaltpans28Mar(TRobinson);1TsikniasRivermouth21Apr(High
PeakRSPBGroup);12firstsummer(2CY)birdsKalloniSaltpans30Apr5May(IKinley&DThextonetal).
AutumnAsingleadultatPolichnitosSaltpans21Sept2Oct(TRobinson),afirstwinter(1CY)28Octand7Nov
(TRobinson).
AUDOUINS GULL Ichthyaetus audouiniirRB
A rare resident. Breeds on offshore islands. Recorded mainly from along the north coast.
Spring12regularlyseenalongthenorthcoastbetweenPetraandSkalaSikaminias(MO).
AutumnAfirstwinter(1CY)atPolichnitosSaltpans11Nov(TRobinson).
MEDITERRANEAN GULL Ichthyaetus melanocephalus sW,sPM
Occurs in reasonable numbers AugMay, with passage birds MarMay and AugOct.
First winter period12PolichnitosSaltpans1Jan15Feb(TRobinson).
SpringKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermoutharea4Apr21May(MO)withmax.191on4Apr(TRobinson);
8pastKavaki3May(SPDudleyetal).
Summer/Autumn PolichnitosSaltpans30Jun17Novwithmax.50on7Sept(TRobinson)withbirdsfromherealso
seenatnearbySkalaVasilikon(allTRobinson).
Second winter period1AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)16Dec;16VourkouRiver16Dec;5PolichnitosSaltpans25
Dec(allTRobinson).
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COMMON GULL Larus canus V*|1|6(6)
Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):animmatureatPolichnitosSaltpans12Sept(RLawrenceetal).Thesixthrecordfor
theisland.
YELLOWLEGGED GULL Larus michahellis cRB
Common resident breeding on offshore islands and seen right across the island.
PresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughouttheyearwithmax.monthlycountsasfollows:175on15Jan,113on27
Feb,66on9Mar,85on29Apr,401on16May,122on5Jun,626on26Jul,1091on11Aug,612on9Sept,361on
4Oct,124on15Novand133on5Dec(TRobinson).Alsorecordedfrommostcoastalareas,KalloniSaltpans,main
riversandallreservoirs.Nobreedingrecordsreceived.
GULLBILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilotica sSP
Occurs AprMay, occasionally in autumn.
SpringAsinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans11Apr(TRobinson)followedby18atKalloniSaltpans17Apr
(J&SMaskell)and22there19Apr(TRobinsonetal)withanotherflockof8attheTsikniasRivermouthonthesame
date(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and15TsikniasRivermouth24Apr(Limosagroup).AfurthersingleatKalloniSaltpans25Apr(IKinley&DThexton)with5attheTsikniasRivermouthon29Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).Asinglebirdon
thefloodoppositetheKalloniSaltworksentrance2May(SPDudleyetal),withanotherthereon7May(perLesvos
BirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and10KalloniSaltpans7May(IKinley&DThexton).Twobirdswereseenfeedingalong
theSigriendoftheMeladiaValleytrack,seenpickinginsectsoffthesurfaceofthetrack,on5May(SPDudleyetal)
andonepastIpsilou8May(P&NPreston).OneattheTsikniasRivermouth27May(M&LHunt).
AutumnOneKalloniSaltpans914Sept(ISmith,PODaffy,RM&SHGuthrie).
CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia sPM
Occasionally recorded AprMay and AugSept.
SpringOn24AprasinglebirdatSigri(D&JRhodes)and3atKalloniSaltpans(IKinley&DThexton)with2seenattheTsikniasRivermouth22May(M&LHunt).
Autumn2PolichnitosSaltpans11Sept(photo:J&AHumphreys).
Caspian Terns,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009John&AnnHumphreys
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SANDWICH TERN Thalasseus sandvicensis cW,sPM
Occurs AugApr.
First winter period(allTRobinson)1MesaWetlands1Jan;6AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)6Jan;1KalloniSaltpans
10Jan;singlesPolichnitosSaltpans20Janand7&17Feb,with4thereon23Feb,andfurthersingleson9&13Mar.
Spring1PolichnitosSaltpans910Apr(TRobinson);1TsikniasRivermouth19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)with4
thereon22Apr(J&SMaskell);1AlikoudiPool27Apr(SPDudleyetal);1TsikniasRivermouth28Apr(D&B
Bradnum);10PolichnitosSaltpans9May(RNettleton);1TsikniasRivermouth12,18&20May(MO)with6thereon
19th(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and1PolichnitosSaltpans1516May(TRobinson).
Summer/Autumn RecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans25May17Novmax.26on26Aug(TRobinson).
Second winter periodSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans19&31Dec(TRobinson).
LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons cMB
Occurs AprSept.
Recorded19Apr11SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermouth(allbreedingsites).
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo sMB,cPMOccurs AprSept.
Recorded13Apr14SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding)andTsikniasRivermouth.
WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybrida cPM
Occurs AprMay, occasionally AugOct.
SpringThefirstwasasinglebirdoverSkalaKallonisPoolon19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)withupto36atKalloni
SaltpansandTsikniasRivermouthonthesameday(TRobinsonetal)and85(yearmax)atKalloniSaltpans20Apr
(TRobinsonetal).FurthersightingsatKalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)inApr
on22nd(6),23rd(2),24th(50+),25th(4),27th(3),29th(41)andinMayon2nd(3),11th(2),13th(11),14th(22),
15th16th(10),18th(1),20th(1)and26th(14).AutumnAjuvenileatPolichnitosSaltpans20Sept(SPDudleyetal).
WHITEWINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus cPM
Occurs AprMay, occasionally AugOct.
Spring2TsikniasRivermouth19Apr(TRobinsonetal);KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes
Wetlands)inApron20th(12)(TRobinsonetal),23rd(3),24th(5),25th(19),26th27th(2),28th(30)(IKinley&
DThexton),29th(30+)(Limosagroup)andinMayon2nd(20)(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),3rd(7),4th(1)
and16th(2).
BLACK TERN Chlidonias nigersPMThe rarest of the marsh terns with small numbers (often singles) occur AprMay and AugSept.
Spring18KalloniSaltpans6May(SPDudleyetal)withasinglebirdthereon7May(IKinley&DThexton);
2PolichnitosSaltpans23May(TRobinson).
AutumnAjuvenileatPolichnitosSaltpans25Sept(TRobinson).
ROCK DOVE Columba livia sRB
Small numbers occur around the rockier coastal areas. Feral Pigeon also occurs in the towns.
Allrecords:5atFaneromeni21Apr(TRobinson);11movingbetweenMakaraandGabiasIsland27Apr(SPDudleyet
al);9MeladiaValley11May(SP&EFDudley);20+Faneromeni17May(MSveikutis);9MeladiaValley2Sept(I
Smith&PODaffy);and17Makara19Sept(SPDudleyetal).
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WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus sRB,sW
Small numbers breed. Numbers increase with the arrival of winter migrants OctMar.
Onlythreerecordsreceived:1Kremastes14May(MSveikutis);1southnearVafios19Sept( SPDudleyetal );and
1KalloniSaltpans26Sept(CGittins).
EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVEStreptopelia turturcMB,cPM
Widespread breeder and passage migrant AprSept.
Recorded18Apr25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.40+PotamiaValley28Apr(D&BBradnum).
TURTLE DOVE sp.Streptopelia sp.
Winter1PotamiaValley1Jan(TRobinson)wasntseensufficientlytoassigntospecies.
EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto cRB
Widespread across the island, mainly around towns and villages.
Presentthroughoutatmanyareasacrosstheisland.Max.44Mytilini27Nov(TRobinson).
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO Clamator glandarius sSP,rMB
Small passage MarMay. Evidence suggests occasional breeding.
Fourrecords:1MeladiaValley2025Apr(D&JRhodesetal);1Faneromeni22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae
Log/SPD);2nearMesotopos22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1PerasmaReservoir9May(per
LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus sPM
Small numbers on passage AprMay and AugOct. The rufous female form is not uncommon.
Fewrecordsreceived:2NapiValley22Apr;1Meladiavalley26Apr;1SigriOldSanatorium5May;1Agiasos12May;
and1Ipsilou17May.
BARN OWL Tyto alba sRB
Small numbers breed across the island.
RecordedfromSkalaKallonisinApr,MayandSept(MO)andfromSkalaPolichnitouinJulandAug(TRobinson).
SCOPS OWL Otus scops sMB
Breeds across the island AprJul. More often heard than seen, and birds rarely call after Jun.
Upto2regularlyseenatSoumouria,Kalloni(KalloniMiniSoccerPitch/ScopsCopse)18Apr6May(MO)whenthe
remainingroostingbirdwasflushedbyaphotographerandnobirdsseenthereafter.Callingbirdsalsoheardcalling
fromAchladeriForest18Apr(J&SMaskell);Anaxos27Apr(IKinley&DThexton);2Mirsinia28May(KHChristmann&EWendt);and2PotamiaValley31May(KHChristmann&EWendt).
NOTEThissiteunderwentextensivetreethinningduringMay(nottotaldestructionasreportedbysome)anditis
hopedthatitwillstillholdbreedingbirdsin2010.
LITTLE OWLAthene noctua cRB
Occurs across the island. Breeds in rocky areas and old buildings (especially shepherd buildings).
Reportedfromlikelybreedingsitesacrosstheislandinc.PolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,Lotzaria,Skala
Kallonis,MetochiLake,PotamiaValley,MeladiaValley,northcoasttrackandMandamados.
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LONGEARED OWLAsio otus sRB
Small numbers known to breed across the island.
TheonlyrecordswereofapairbreedingattheAchladeriForestKrpersNuthatchsiteatKofinas(TRobinsonetal),
afemalecallingatDimitrios(SPDudleyetal)andyoungheardcallingatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann&
EWendt).
SHORTEARED OWLAsio flammeus rW
Occasionally recorded OctMar.
Onerecord:oneAlykesWetlands24Apr(SPDudleyetal).
EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus sMB,sPM
Widespread but scarce AprSept. Breeds in many scrub and scattered forest areas across the island.
AroostingmigrantwasfoundatSigriOldSanatorium5May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Threechurring
birdsheardatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann&EWendt)andbirdsregularlyheardandseenatSkalaPolichnitou
29May22Aug(TRobinson).
COMMON SWIFTApus apus cMB,cPM
Occurs MarOct.
The Birds of Greece states that most birds are duller and paler than those of western Europe, tending towards A. a.
pekinensis so likely confusion with Pallid Swift is increased.
Recorded21Mar25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.400+throughMeladiaValley2May(P&VManning).
PALLID SWIFTApus pallidus sPM
Small numbers pass through MarApr and AugOct. Common Swift often misidentified (usually in strong sunlight) as
this species. The Birds of Greece states that Pallid Swifts breeding in Greece are darker than west Mediterranean
birds, intermediate between A. p. illyricus and A. p. brehmorum, coupled with the comment re. Common Swift above,likely confusion with Common Swift is greatly increased.
Theonlyrecordsreceivedwere:2SkalaKallonisPool17Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);3MeladiaValley2May(P&V
Manning);1TsikniasRiver2May(SPDudleyetal);30+movingaheadathunderstormHaramidaMarsh7May(SP
Dudley);4IoannouValley7May(SPDudley);10MetochiLake11May;2PolichnitosSaltpans23May(TRobinson)
withonethereon3Jul(TRobinson).
NOTEMostoftheserecordsfallinwhatappearstobetwomovementsthroughtheisland,theearlyonemidMar
midApr(muchofwhichismissedmostyearsasfew,ifany,birdersareontheislandbeforemidMar)andasecond,
smallerpassageinearlymidMay.
ALPINE SWIFTApus melba cPM,?rMB?Occurs on passage MarMay and AugOct. Not known to breed, but breeding suspected on offshore islands. Feeding
parties in summer months are either suspected breeders or from other neighbouring islands or from nearby Turkey.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar17Mayand30Aug18Sept.Max.200+throughMeladiaValley2May
(P&VManning).
LITTLE SWIFTApus affinis V*|0|1(1)
2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC);thefirstrecordfortheisland,andonlythefourthrecordforGreece:
1SkalaEresou27Apr04(SPDudley:HRC08).
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ROLLER Coracias garrulus sPM
A scarce passage migrant AprMay, rare AugSept.
SpringAnaverageyearwithrecordsasfollows(singlesunlesssated):Vatera26Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae
Log/SPD);TsikniasRiver27Apr(SPDudleyetal);PolichnitosSaltpans29Apr(TRobinson);MeladiaValley29Apr
(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);Faneromeni29Apr(D&BBradnum)&4May(P&VManning);4SigriOld
Sanatorium4May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1MeladiaValley4May(SPDudleyetal);8Faneromeni
5May(P&VManningetal);2MeladiaValley6May(BBuckleretal);2Faneromeni8May(SP&EFDudley);Petra
11May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andnearParakila12May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
AutumnOnerecord:1Apothika18Sept(CGittins).
COMMON KINGFISHERAlcedo atthis sW,CB
Occurs mainly AugApr with occasional breeding records.
Relativelyfewrecordsreceived.
Jan AprPolichnitosSaltpanssingleson1Jan,22Marand10Apr;1VouvarisRivermouth8Mar;1KalloniSaltpans
singles19Jan;singleMetochiLake2021Apr;and1Christou(Kamares)River23Apr.
Jul DecSinglesPolichnitosSaltpansJul,Aug,Sept(with2on20th),Oct,NovandDec;10+KalloniSaltpans9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);and12MetochiLake17Septand1on7Nov;1TsikniasRiver18Sept;and1SkalaVasilikon
30Nov.
WHITETHROATED KINGFISHER Halcyon smyrensis *|0|0
Not on the Lesvos List. A Greek national rarity with only five records.
ArecordfromSigriinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC.
2007ArecordfromAgiosFokasinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC.
BLUECHEEKED BEEEATER Merops apiasterV*|0|3(9)
2008Tworecords(acceptedbyHRC):1nearTsikniasRiverMouth14Apr(photo:BBaston&KDay:HRC08);andaflockof7MeladiaValley3May(SP&EFDudley&CJones:HRC08).
Afurthereightrecordsfrom2008remainunsubmitted,plusafurtherfourrecordsfrompreviousyears.
EUROPEAN BEEEATER Merops apiastercPM,sMB
Occurs AprOct, with often large numbers passing over in spring. Breeds along dry river areas.
Recorded18Apr20Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.300+Faneromeniarea1May(SPDudleyetal).Nobreeding
confirmedbutbirdsseenatregularbreedingsites(e.g.TsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans)inspring.
EURASIAN HOOPOE Upupa epops cMB,cPM
Occurs MarOct. Breeds across the island.Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar21Sept.
EURASIAN WRYNECKJynx torquilla rPM
Occasional records MarApr and AugOct.
Anexcellentyearwithfiverecords.
SpringSinglesinthegardenoftheHotelPasiphae;SkalaKallonis24Apr(SPDudley,D&JNurney,SChalmersetal)
andbetweenSkalaKallonisandMetochiLake26Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup).
AutumnSinglesSkalaKallonis3Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);MeladiaValley21Sept(SPDudley);andalatebird
PolichnitosSaltpans18Nov(photo:TRobinson).
NOTEWryneckisasedentaryresidentspeciesinsomeareasalongtheNorthAfricancoastandCorsica(which
liesfurthernorththanLesvos)soitisconceivablethatWryneckisabletowinterontheisland.
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MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus medius cRB
Common throughout wooded areas of the island, inc. olive groves. The Lesvos birds are thought to belong to the race
D. m. anatoliae (BoG).
Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.
REDBACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio sMB,cPM
Scarce summer breeder (in west) and common passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland18Apr10Oct.SignificantpassagenotedintheSigriandMeladiaValleyarea56
Maywithacountof50+atMeladiaValleyriverplainon5th(SPDudleyetal).Inautumnmax.countalsofrom
MeladiaValleyriverplainwith15+on21Sept(SPDudleyetal).
LESSER GREY SHRIKE Lanius minorsMB,sPM
A scarce summer breeder and passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland26Apr26Sept.Max.count10+MeladiaValleyriverplain5May(BBuckleretal).
STEPPE SHRIKE Lanius pallidirostris V*|0|1(1)
2008:onerecord:asinglebirdnrVatera21Sept
(GSellors)hasrecentlybeenacceptedbyHRCasthe
firstrecordforGreece(HRC08:HRCtreat
pallidirostris asasubspeciesofSouthernGreyShrike
L. meridionalis).
Steppe Shrike,nrVatera,September2008
GlynnSellors
LARGE GREY SHRIKE sp. Lanius sp. V*
Both Great Grey Shrike L. excubitor (c.10 records) and Steppe Shrike L. pallidirostris (1 record above) have occurred on
the island. The status of Great Grey Shrike remains questionable since no records have ever been submitted and
scrutinized; it usually only occurs across the very north of the Greece.
Tworeports:nothingreceivedtodetermineidentification:singlesChristou(Kamares)River27Mayand18Sept.
WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senatorcMB,cPM
Common summer breeder and passage migrant AprMay and AugOct.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland10Apr20Sept.
MASKED SHRIKE Lanius nubicus sMB
A localised summer breeder AprSept favouring olive groves and scattered deciduous woodland. Autumn migrants
occur to late Sept in many habitats inc. pinewoods.
Recorded17Apr18Junmainlyincentralandwesternareaswithafewrecordsfromtheeast.Confirmedbreeding
againfromtheKrpersNuthatchsite(Kofinas)inAchladeriForest.
GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus cPM
Common migrant AprMay with occasional record AugOct.
SpringRecordedfromacrosstheisland15Mar11Maywithamax.countof10atSigriOldSanatorium5May(per
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LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).
AutumnTworecords:singlesAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)15Sept(TRobinson)andParakila21Sept(CGittins).
EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandularius atricapillus cRB
The blackcrowned race G. g. atricapillus occurs commonly across the island.
Recordedfrommanyareasacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.
WESTERN JACKDAW Coloeus monedula sRB
Resident around Sigri, Anaxos, Skala Eresou, Gavathas, Apothika and Skala Polichnitou.
RecordedfromalltheaboveareasplusfromMytilini.Max.count200atPolichnitosSaltpans15Sept(TRobinson).
HOODED CROW Corvus cornixcRB
Widespread and common.
Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count67PolichnitosSaltpans26Feb(TRobinson).
NORTHERN RAVEN Corvus coraxsRBSmall numbers breed in the rockier upland areas in the west and around Mts Olympus and Lepetimnos.
Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Doublefigurecounts:30+Madaros28Apr(D&BBradnum)
and19Ipsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal).
SOMBRE TIT Poecile lugubris sRB
Widespread breeder. Occurs mainly around stands of deciduous trees and scattered woodland.
Relativelyfewrecordsreceivedbutrecordedfrommanybreedingsitesthroughoutthecentre,northandwest.
COAL TIT Periparus aterrRB
Breeds in some of the pinewoods.Onlyonerecordreceived:1PotamiaValley6May(P&NPreston).
GREAT TIT Parus majorcRB
Commonandwidespread.
BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus cRB
Commonandwidespread.
GREATER SHORTTOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla sMB,sPM
Occurs AprSept. Breeds in suitable grassland areas.First winter period3infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans
on6Jan(TRobinson)isthoughttobethefirstknown
winterrecordforGreece.
SpringApooryearwithrecords11Apr27May:
3PolichnitosSaltpans11Apr;KalloniSaltpans(inc.
surroundingfieldsinc.AlykesWetlands)3on1718
Aprwith18(max.count)on20Apr(J&SMaskell)
withbirdspresentto11May;singlesPolichnitos
Saltpans20&27May.Nobreedingreported.
Short-toed Lark,PolichnitosSaltpans,January2009TerryRobinson
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CRESTED LARK Galerida cristata cRB
The Aegean Islands population belongs to the race G. c. caucasia (BoG).
Commonandwidespread.
WOODLARK Lullula arborea sRB,sW
Small numbers breed in suitable woodland edge and scrubby areas inc. pinewoods. Birds in Greece belong
to the race L. a. pallida but winter and passage birds also inc. L. a. arborea (BoG).
Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheisland6Jan18Sept.Aflockof15+dustbathingatduskwith
CrestedLarksontheMeladiaValleytrackon18Maywasthehighestcount(SP&EFDudley).
SKYLARKAlauda arvensissW
Occurs OctMar. Greek birds belong to Mediterranean race A. a. cantarella but A. a. arvensis known in
winter (BoG).
RecordedonlyfromthePolichnitosandVateraarea6Jan29Marand25Nov31Dec.Max.count120
PolichnitosSaltpans27Jan(TRobinson).
SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia sPM
Occurs on passage MarMay and AugOct.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland16Apr24Sept.
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica cMB,cPM
Common and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island. Birds resembling H.
r. savignii or H. r. transitive reported in spring but no confirmed records (these races not on the Greek List).
Recordedfromacrosstheisland12Mar17Oct.
CRAG MARTIN Ptyonoprogne rupestris sMB,SPM,rW
Occurs AprSept. Breeds in rocky gorges and cliffs in west and north. Occasionally winters.
Recorded18Apr23SeptfromKavaki(breedingsite),AghiaIoannis,LardiaValley(breedingsite),Vourkou
River,MeladiaValley,PotamiaValley(breedingsite),MetochiLakeandPithariouReservoir(breedingsite).
HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum cMB,cPM
Common and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar17Sept.BreedingconfirmedfromSkalaKallonis.
REDRUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica cMB,cPMCommon and widespread on passage MarMay and AugOct. Breeds across the island.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland5Apr21Sept.Manypairsseenatusualbreedingsitesacrossthecentre
andnorthoftheisland.
CETTIS WARBLER Cettia cettisRB
Found along river courses and around wetland areas.
Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.
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LONGTAILED TITAegithalos caudatus sRB
Localised breeder in pinewoods. The subspecies A. c. tephronotus occurs on Lesvos (BoG). This subspecies
lacks any pink tones and has a black bib.
Onlytworecords:AchladeriForest2on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and4on21Apr(RThorpeetal).
WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus cPM
Occurs AprMay and AugOct.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar28Aprand24Aug26Oct.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita sW,sPM
Occurs AugApr.
Recordedfromacrosstheisland1Jan12Mayand19Sept25Dec.
EASTERN BONELLIS WARBLER Phylloscopus orientalis rMB,rSP
Occurs AprSept. Small numbers breed around Agiasos. Birds occ. breed or hold territory in central areas.
Small numbers also on passage May and Sept.
ForthesecondyearrunningamaleheldterritoryinLardiaValley(MO).Migrantsseenasfollows:2near
Lofionas1May(DAllenetal);1MeladiaValley3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andsingles
Ipsilou8May(SP&EFDudley)and26May(KHChrist