Lesvos Birds 2009

LESVOS BIRDS
2009
written and compiled by steve dudley
LESVOS BIRDS 2009
Written and compiled by Steve Dudley Steve Dudley is author of A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos, runs Lesvos Birding and is a member of the Lesvos Birds Records Committee Copyright Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding, 2010 Photos photographers as credited, 2010 Cover photo: displaying male Krpers Nuthatch, Kofinas, Achladeri Forest, April 2009 Steve Dudley | Lesvos Birding
A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos

by Steve Dudley (Lesvos Birding) Setting new standards in where to watch bird guides For information and reviews see www.lesvosbirding.com
Lesvos Birding
PO Box 417, Peterborough, PE7 3FX, UK Tel 01 733 844 820 Email lesvosbirding@toadsnatcher.com Web www.lesvosbirding.com
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HOTEL PASIPHAE
LESVOSBIRDS2009
INTRODUCTION Formybook,ABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvos,Iworkedcloselywithseveralkeybirdwatchers,namelyLesvosresident TerryRobinson,EleniGalinou(aLesviotcurrentlyresidingonSamos)andNikosProbonas(SecretaryoftheHellenic RaritiesCommittee),tocompileanofficiallistofbirdsforLesvos.InordertokeeptheLesvosList,andthespecies recorded,uptodate,IdecidedthatIwouldattempttoproduceanannualbirdreportfrom2009(overlappingwith mybook).Thispublicationistheresult.AnotherresultofthiscollaborationwastheHRCinvitingthefourofusto formtheLesvosBirdRecordsCommittee(LBRC)tooverseetheassessmentandrecordingofthescarceroccurring species(includingbreedingspecies)ontheisland. Birdrecordsusedforthisreport 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! Submittingyourbirdrecords Iwillcontinuetocollaterecords(asdetailedabove)forfutureyears.Allrecordsofrareandscarcespecies(seekeyto theSystematicListbelow)willbefollowedupandpassedontotheLesvosBirdsRecordsCommittee(LBRC)orfor Greeknationalrarities,theHellenicRaritiesCommittee(HRC).Youcansubmityourrecordsasfollows 1. Directtomelists,includingdateandlocationofobservationstomyselfviatheLesvosBirdingwebsite (www.lesvosbirding.com).Pleasenotripreports.Idonthavethetimetoextractrecordsfromextensive accounts. Whenontheisland,byenteringyourrecordsintheLesvosBirdingBirdLogsituatedinthereceptionofthe HotelPasiphaeinSkalaKallonis.CouldIpleaseurgeallcontributorstothebirdlogtowritelegibly,give yournameandifpossible,leaveanemailcontactaddressformetofollowanysightingsupwithyou. ForLesvosrarities,viatheLBRCwebsite(http://lesvosbirdrecords.blogspot.com/). ForGreeknationalrarities,viaHRC(http://rarities.ornithologiki.gr/en/eaop/form.htm).
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OtherhotelshavebirdlogsbutIdontalwayshavethetimetogetroundtheseandextractrecords.SotoensureI haveyourrecords,pleaseuseoneofthefourwaysabovetosubmitthem. Birdinformationwhenontheisland TheLesvosBirdingBirdLogattheHotelPasiphaeistheprimesourceofbirdinformation.Duringthemainspringand autumnweeksmanybirderscontributeandIkeepituptodateeacheveningaddingrecordsIvebeeninformedof whilstinthefieldeachday.Inaddition,forthosestayinginaccommodationwithinternetaccess(andthoseathome viewingbeforecomingouttotheisland),IaimtoupdatethesightingsforeachdayontheLesvosBirdingwebsite (www.lesvosbirding.com)bymidnightatthelatest(oftenearlier).
SteveDudley|LesvosBirding2010
LESVOSBIRDS2009
Ifyouseesomethingofnote,pleasepassonthenewstellotherbirdersyouseeontheday,entertherecordinthe LesvosBirdingBirdLogattheHotelPasiphae.Youcaneventextmeyournotablerecordseachdayon00447767 787287andIwillentertheseinthelogandonthewebsite. NOTESONBIRDINGSITES IneachreportIwillaimtoprovideanysignificantupdatestothemainbirdingsitesmajorchangesinhabitat,access restrictions,etc.AsstatedinABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosItryandfollowthenamesusedontheblueRoad Editionsmapoftheisland(whichIrecommendyougettouseonyourvisit).Pagenumbersrefertothesitepages withinABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvos. SkalaKallonisPool(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. KalloniSaltpansarea(p.108) Viewthesaltpansonlyfromtheperimeterroad(inc.thenewsouthhidejustwestofthesaltworksentrance),the northwestcornerhide,theeasttrackandtheAlykesWetlands(seebelow).ViewingfromthemainKalloniMytilini roadcanbedangerousandthereisnoaccesstothefieldsalongthisroad. ThoseaccessingthebeachpastthebeachcafareremindedthatgroundnestingspeciessuchasStonecurlewoccur hereandbirdersareaskedtotakecaution.RufousBushRobincanoftenbefoundinthetamarisksalongthebeach here,andyouareaskednottoharassbirdsbypushingthemfrombushtobush.Stayatasensibledistanceandthe bird(s)willusuallycomeoutandperform. AlykesWetlands(p.112) Thefieldsandmarshesthatlietotheeastofthesaltworksshouldbeaccessedonfootonly.Careshouldbetaken whenapproachingtheSaltpansfenceasgroundnestingspeciesincludingStonecurlewandKentishPloverboth breedinthisarea.Ifindoubt,donotapproachthefencelineandviewfromorneartothemaintrack.Pleasetryto avoiddisturbingthewadersonthepoolsasthosebirdersarrivingafteryouhavegonewouldliketoenjoythesebirds too.
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FloodedfieldsoppositetheKalloniSaltworksentrancethiswetlandwasoneofthemaindrawsduringspring2009 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.Pleasedonotenterthescrub areaswherethebirdsbreed.Viewonlyfromthelaybyareasandtheroughtrackupthehillonthesouthside. Perasma(p.125) Contrarytorumoursthatthisreservoirhasbeencompletelydecommissioned,itwasrefilledin2009andremainsa goodsiteinbothspringandautumn.Parkingatthemainroadjunctionandwalkingupto(andbeyond)thereservoir canberewarding.
LESVOSBIRDS2009
Perasmathereservoirwasrefilledinearly2009reinstatingthismuchneededfreshwaterwetlandsiteinthenorthofthe island.RuddyShelduckbredherein2009andSardinianWarblerisoccasionallyseenalongthehillsidetotheeastofthe reservoir(above).May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
EfthaloutoSkalaSikaminias(p.128) NotethatthecoastlinebytheMegalahotsprings,midwayalongthenorthcoasttrack,wasbulldozedin2008and paddlinghereinordertoseekoutthehotpebblebedsremainshazardous. ParakilaMarsh(p.138) Thehideherewasaccidentallyburneddowninearly2009andattheendoftheyearhadnotbeenreplaced. Ipsilou(p.147) Areminderthatphotographyisnotpermittedinsidethechapelinthemonastery.Therewereseveralincidentswere peoplewereejectedin2009. Faneromeni(p.151) IcontinuetogetaskedwheretheFaneromeniLowerFordis.Itisarrowedonthemaponp.151ofABirdwatching GuidetoLesvos.AlongthemainFaneromenitracktaketheturndowntowardsthebeach(signed)andthentheright turn(signedchapel)andfollowthistotheford. AchladeriForest(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.
CirlBunting,malewithfoodapproachingnest,Ipsilou,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
LESVOSBIRDS2009
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIES ACCOUNTS Keytostatuscodesusedwithinthespeciesaccounts c =common s =scarce r =rare f =former RB =residentbreeder MB =migrantbreeder CB =casual/occasionalbreeder IB =introducedbreeder SP =springpassage AP =autumnpassage PM W V ? * =passagemigrant(springandautumn) =wintervisitor =vagrant =statusuncertain =speciesrequiringsupportingnotes/evidence byLBRCorHRCallrecordstobesubmitted viaLBRCseeIntroductionabove.
Thefigureslistedafterthestatusofvagrantsandsomeraremigrantspecies,e.g.|1|7+(23+),denotethefollowing: thefirstfigureisthenumberofrecordsin2009,thesecondnumberisthetotalnumberofknownrecordsandthe numberinbracketsisthetotalnumberofknownindividualsmakingupthetotalnumberofrecords.So|1|7+ (23+)indicatesthattherewasasinglerecordin2009,withatotalof7+knownrecordscomprising23+individuals. Taxonomyandnomenclature ThisreportfollowsABirdwatchersGuidetoLesvos(Dudley2009). NotesontheSpeciesList Thespecieslistbelowincludesdetailsofallknownspeciesrecordedduring2009.Italsoincludessomenotable recordsfrompreviousyearsthathaveeitheronlyjustcometolightorhaveonlyjustbeenacceptedbytherelevant committees.ThisprovidesanopportunitytoconfirmtheseinadedicatedLesvospublicationandtoinclude photographsofseveralofthem. 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.
LESVOSBIRDS2009
SPECIES ACCOUNTS CHUKARAlectorischukarsRB Occursmainlyintherockyareasofthecentre,northandwestoftheisland. Reportedfromcentralandwesternareasandalongthenorthcoast.TheonlyrecordfromeastoftheGulfofKalloni isasinglebirdatPaliaViglanrPolichnitoson21May(TRobinson).Largestcountwasaflockof18inthe MeladiaValleyon23Sept(SPDudleyetal).Somebirdsareintroducedforhunting,includingasmall populationmaintainedintheolivegrovesalongtheeasternsideoftheGulfofKalloni. COMMONQUAILCoturnixcoturnixrMB,sPM Smallnumbersbreed,theirpresencegivenawaybycallingmales. Veryfewreported.Callingmalesreportedasfollows:2infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans25&28Apr(TRobinsonet al),1Faneromeni26Apr(IKinley&DThexton),1MeladiaValley26Apr(IKinley&DThexton)and2Kandria(nr Kalloni)6May(RHardingetal). MUTESWANCygnusolorsW SmallnumbersusuallyDecApr. Upto7lingeredaroundKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingfloodedfieldsto24Apr(MO). WHOOPERSWANCygnuscygnusV*|1|5(19) Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):4GulfofKallonioffMesa1Jan09(TRobinson)isonlythefourthrecordforthe island. COMMONSHELDUCKTadornatadornasW,sPM,CB SmallnumberswinterNovApr,withpassagenotedMarMayandlesssoSeptOct. 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). RUDDYSHELDUCKTadornaferrugineasRB,sPM Recordedmostmonths.Smallnumbersbreed. 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). YoungRuddyShelduck,Faneromeni,May2009
MikeSveikutis
LESVOSBIRDS2009
EURASIANWIGEONAnaspenelopesW SmallnumbersOctApr. Tworecords:37offVouvarisRiver1Janand2PolichnitosSaltpans6Dec(bothTRobinson). MALLARDAnasplatyrhynchossW SmallnumbersNovMay.Matingobservedbutnoconfirmedbreeding. InearlyspringasingleatMesaWetlands28Mar;2offFaneromenibeach21Apr;4seenflyingnorththrough MeladiaValley28Apr;andupto5(inc.afemale)intheKalloniareafrom29Apr18May;atPolichnitosSaltpans 2on27MayandsinglesinJun,Aug&Septandupto6duringOct. BreedingApaircopulatingonthefloodsnearKalloniSaltpansbutnoconfirmedbreeding. NORTHERNSHOVELERAnasclypeatasW SmallnumbersSeptMay. Onerecord:1PolichnitosSaltpans1220Sept(TRobinsonetal). NORTHERNPINTAILAnasacutasW,sPM SmallnumbersSepApr. Threerecords:PolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinsonetal)13Mar(2),7Apr(1)and721Sept(12). GARGANEYAnasquerquedulacSP,sAP OccursoffshoreandonreservoirsandSaltpansMarMay,withsmallernumbersAugSept. Spring3PolichnitosSaltpans14Mar;upto3SkalaKallonisPool1719Apr;upto3onfloodedfieldsbyKalloni Saltpans25Apr18May. AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpansfrom1Aug1Octwithmax.countof15on7Aug. EURASIANTEALAnascreccasW,sPM SmallnumbersAugApr. Allrecords(TRobinson):17SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;PolichnitosSaltpanson7Apr(1),11May(13)and29Aug(1); 8KalloniSaltpans16Apr;and2PotamiaValley7Nov. COMMONPOCHARDAythyaferinaV*|1|8 Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):amalePolichnitosSaltpans28Jul(TRobinson).Theeighthrecordfortheisland. REDBREASTEDMERGANSERMergusserratorsW SmallnumbersoffshoreOctApr. Allrecords(allTRobinson)asfollows:AlikoudiPool1Jan(12)and10Jan(2);offSkalaPolichnitouon 24Jan(2)and19Feb(1);3offSkalaVasilikon3Feb;andVouvarisRiverMouthon3Feb(2)and8Mar(3). BLACKTHROATEDDIVERGaviaarcticasW SmallnumbersoffshoreNovApr. Tworecords:3offSkalaVasilikon3Feband1off SkalaPolichnitouon8Dec(bothTRobinson).
BlackthroatedDiver,offFarmakiesHarbournrSkala Vasilikon,February2009TerryRobinson
LESVOSBIRDS2009
SCOPOLISSHEARWATERCalonectris(diomedea)diomedeasPM,?rSB? SmallnumbersoffshoreMarOct.Maybreedonsomeoftheoffshoreislands. SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Nolargemovementsnotedandthelargestcountwasonly 6offtheAirportbeachon16Apr(J&SMaskell). YELKOUANSHEARWATERPuffinusyelkouancRB Presentoffshoreallmonthswithflocksofseveralhundred,evenoverathousand,notunexpected. SmallnumbersreportedoffshoreduringApr,May&Sept.Noexceptionalmovementsnotedandthelargestcount wasonly200+offSkalaEresou24Apr(Limosagroup). LITTLEGREBETachybaptusruficollissRB Smallnumbersbreedalongthewetterriversandthelargerinlandwaterbodies. Recordedfrom:MetochiLake(max.8on4May);PotamiaReservoir(max.42on7Nov);PerasmaReservoir(max.22 on6Sept);PithariouReservoir(max.22on2Sept);TsikniasRiver(max.2on10Jan);andChristouRiver7Nov(1). Breeding3pairsMetochiLake. GREATCRESTEDGREBEPodicepscristatussW Wintersoffshore,mainlyGulfofKalloniDecFeb,otherwisesmallnumbersoffshoreOctMay. OffSkalaPolichnitou,max.firstwinterperiodcount367on22Febandsecondwinterperiod274on31Dec (TRobinson).RecordedinGulfofGeraon22Jan(PetrosIsaakidis)and12offSkalaKallonis/Kalloniarea17Apr 11May(MO). REDNECKEDGREBEPodicepsgrisegenaV*|1|3+(20+) Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1GulfofKallonioff SkalaKallonis1124Sept(RLawrenceetal),isonly thethirdpost2000record.
RedneckedGrebe,GulfofKallonioffSkalaKallonis, September2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
BLACKNECKEDGREBEPodicepsnigricollissW Occasionallyrecordedoffshore,inrivermouthsandoninlandreservoirsfromNovMay. Allrecords(TRobinson):3VouvarisRiverMouth1Jan;1Kofinas1Jan;atPolichnitosSaltpans(oroffshoreonGulfof Kalloni)1inJan&Feb,12to9Marandoneon23Dec;3GulfofKallonioffSkalaVasilikon3Feb&30Nov;and4 AlikoudiPool19Dec. GREATERFLAMINGOPhoenicopterusroseussW PresentSeptMaywithsomenonbreedingbirdsJunAug.HasattemptedtobreedatKalloniSaltpans. PolichnitosSaltpansMax.monthlycountsJan(94),Feb(134),Mar(102),Apr(82),May(6),Aug(11), Oct(137),Nov(335)&Dec(243)(TRobinson). KalloniSaltpansNowintercounts.Max.springcount158on18Apr(J&SMaskell)andmax.autumncount800+on 18Sept(SPDudleyetal).Nobreedingattempted.
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BLACKSTORKCiconianigrasMB,sPM,rW OccursMarOct,mainlyonpassage,butwith10+breedingpairsinpineforests.Occasionallyoverwinters. PolichnitosSaltpansAsinglebirdpresent10Jan3Apr,then14AprJul.Upto6duringAugwith17on 3Septandamax.autumncountof21on2022Sept.Upto10birdsto9Octthen13dailyto31Dec. KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlands,etc)17Apr30Maywithmax.13onthefloodsopposite thesaltworksentranceon11May.Inautumn,2on3Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)and4on18Sept(SPDudleyetal). OthersitesSpring28Mar9Mayinc.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). WHITESTORKCiconiaciconiasMB,sPM,rW OccursFebOct,mainlyonpassage.Anumberofpairsbreed. PolichnitosSaltpansmax.2inJan,3inFebApr,singlesinMay&Jun,5on15Juland1on21Aug(lastofyear); 13recordedintheKalloniarea16Apr30May. BreedingOccupiednestsatSkalaKallonis(rooftop),Mandamados(chimney),AgiaParaskevi(chimney)and Polichnitos(chimney). GLOSSYIBISPlegadisfalcinelluscSP,sAP CanoccurinsizableflocksMarMay,withmuchsmallernumbersAugOct. SpringPolichnitosSaltpans716Aprwithmax.9on8Apr(TRobinson);Kalloniarea16Apr21Mayfavouringthe floodedfieldsaroundthesaltpanswithmax.83on24Apr(SPDudleyetal). AutumnSinglesPolichnitosSaltpans6Augand9Sept(TRobinson). EURASIANSPOONBILLPlatalealeucorodiasPM SmallnumbersMarMayandSeptOct. Allrecords:2atPolichnitosSaltpans1213Marwith1to17Mar;3KalloniSaltpans29Apr;on21May7arrivedat KalloniSaltpansandasingleatPolichnitosSaltpans,thelattersoonmadeitswaynorthtojointhemwith8then presentatKalloniSaltpansto26Mayand2to30May.AtPolichnitosSaltpans,2on21Julwith1thereon27Jul, 2on2324Aug,andsinglesthereon3Sept,25Sept,2930Sept,24Octand6(inc.1juv)on6Oct. GREATBITTERNBotaurusstellarissW,sPM SinglebirdsoccasionallyOctMayaroundobviouswetlandandriverareas. Tworecords:asinglebirdreportedatSkalaKallonisPoolon22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andthe sameoranotheron27Apr(IKinley&DThexton). LITTLEBITTERNIxobrychusminutuscSM,sAP OccursAprJunatwetlandandriverareasinc.eventhesmallestofculvertsanddrainswithcover.ScarcerAugOct. 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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LESVOSBIRDS2009
LittleBitternandNightheron,FaneromeniLowerFord,May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
BLACKCROWNEDNIGHTHERONNycticoraxnycticoraxcSM,sAP OccursusuallyMarMay(occasionallyinlargeflocks)withoccasionalrecordsSeptOct. SpringRecorded17Apr31Mayasfollows:PotamiaValleyupto5on1720Apr,2on4Mayand3on18May (TRobinsonetal);atnearbyMetochiLakeupto6on1921Aprwithsinglesthere15&31May(MO);atFaneromeni 12present26Apr14May(MO);2foundroostinginthepinesinAchladeriForeston2May(SPDudleyetal); 5northoverLardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1SkalaKallonisPool21May(MStead). AutumnOnerecord:2overSkalaKallonis18Sept(CGittins). SQUACCOHERONArdeolaralloidescSM,sAP RecordedfromwetlandandriverareasAprMay,occasionallynumbersAugOct. 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);singlesPotamiaValleyand ParakilaMarsh18May(bothMSveikutis). Autumn12PotamiaValley8Aug(TRobinson);singlesPolichnitosSaltpans18&21Augwith3there10Sept (TRobinson);and1MetochiLake23Sept(CGittins). WESTERNCATTLEEGRETBubulcusibisV*|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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LESVOSBIRDS2009
GREYHERONArdeacinereasW,sPM Smallnumbersallmonths.MigrantsAprMayandSeptOct. 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. PURPLEHERONArdeapurpureasPM Smallnumbers,inc.occasionalflocksMarMayand(smallernumbers)SeptOct. SpringRecorded10Apr6May.Themainsitewasthefloodedfields(inc.AlykesWetlands)neartheKalloniSaltpans whichheldamax.9on20Apr(J&SMaskell).Asingleflockof23wasseenheadingnorthoverKalloniSaltpanson theeveningofthe28Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Elsewhere:1AlmyropotamiaRiver(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). GREATWHITEEGRETArdeaalbarW,sPM BirdsusuallypresentSeptMaywithanincreasingwinteringpopulation. FirstwinterperiodJanPolichnitosSaltpansmax.11on27th;AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)withmax.10on19th; Christou(Kamares)Rivermax.3on10th;MesaWetlandsmax.3on1st;KalloniSaltpansmax.2on10th;Skala Vasilikonmax.2on1st;andsinglesatVouvarisRivermouth1st,VourkouRiver4th,AlikoudiPool10th,TsikniasRiver 10thandSkalaKallonisPool10th.FebPolichnitosSaltpansmax.16on21stand8AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)7th. SpringMarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.12on1st,MesaWetlandsmax.3on8th,VouvarisRivermouthmax.3on8th. AprPolichnitosSaltpansmax.4on8th;MesaWetlandsmax.2on4th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields andAlykesWetlands)max.2on4th.May4overFaneromenion1st;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundedfloodedfields andAlykesWetlands)max.3on914th. AutumnAug1PolichnitosSaltpanson27th.SeptPolichnitosSaltpansmax.48on18th;3KalloniSaltpanson18th and1TsikniasRivermouth18th.OctPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.13on29th.NovPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.8 on1516th;3Christou(Kamares)Riveron7th;and1SkalaVasilikonon30th. SecondwinterperiodDecPolichnitosSaltpansupto9birds116thwithincreasednumbersfrom17thwith1120 birdsregularlyseenandmax.23on27th;on26th3MesaWetlands,1VouvarisRivermouthand1SkalaVasilikon. LITTLEEGRETEgrettagarzettacSP,sAP,rW OccursatwetlandsitesandalongthecoastMarMayandinsmallernumbersAugOct.Severalbirdsoverwinter. FirstwinterperiodJan12PolichnitosSaltpans;2KalloniSaltpans10th;singlebirdsalsoseenatSkalaVasilkonon1st and10th,Achladerion1standMesaWetlandson1st.Feb1PolichnitosSaltpansthroughout;and5VouvarisRiver mouthon3rd. SpringMarPolichnitosSaltpansmax.3on6th;andMesaWetlandson8th(3)and28th(4).AprPolichnitosSaltpans max.7on7th;MesaWetlandsmax.15on29th;KalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykes
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
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. SecondwinterperiodPolichnitosSaltpans13dailythroughoutDec. GREATWHITEPELICANPelecanusonocrotalussPM AnnualpassagemigrantMarMayandSeptOct. Usuallysinglesbutoccasionallyflocks(e.g.18inSept 07)andoccasionalmovements,e.g.largemovement inSept07inc.largestconfirmedflockof144. Spring4reportedatthemouthoftheTsikniasRiver on17Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup). AutumnJuvenilesatPolichnitosSaltpanson7Sept (TRobinson)withanotherthere2125Sept (TRobinsonetal)andwhatispresumedtobeathird bird28Sept16Oct(TRobinson)andaflockof9 (4ads,5juvs)(TRobinson).Adifferentjuvenileat KalloniSaltpanson2122Sept(MSnellingetal).
WhitePelican,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009 TerryRobinson
DALMATIANPELICANPelecanuscrispusrPM MuchrarerthanWhitePelicanbutoccursinsimilarperiods,AprMayandAugSept. Onerecord:1PerasmaReservoirforonlythreehoursonthemorningof3May(video:IKinley,DThextonetal). GREATCORMORANTPhalacrocoraxcarbosinensissW WintersoffshoreparticularlyintheGulfofKalloni FirstwinterperiodMax.83ofSkalaPolichnitou12Feb. SpringMax.13offSkalaPolichnitou14Marand11offKalloniSaltpans29Apr. AutumnMax.11offSkalaPolichnitou21Aug. SecondwinterperiodMax.264offSkalaPolichnitou5Dec. EUROPEANSHAGLeucocarboaristotelisdesmarestisRB Presentaroundthecoastinallmonths.TheraceLeucocarboaristotelisdesmarestioccurs. FirstwinterperiodMax.8ofSkalaPolichnitou10Jan. SpringMax.10+offSkalaPolichnitou25Apr. SummerMax.4offNifida1Jul. AutumnMax.16offSkalaPolichnitou2526Oct. SecondwinterperiodMax.20offSkalaPolichnitou29Nov.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
OSPREYPandionhaliaetussPM OccursonpassageMarMayandSeptOct. SpringSinglesoverMesaWetlandsandKalloniSaltpans24Apr(SPDudleyetal),KalloniSaltpans25Apr(IKinley& DThexton)andDipiLarisos2May(BBuckleretal). AutumnSinglesKalloniSaltpans3&9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy)andChristou(Kamares)River30Sept(CGittins). EUROPEANHONEYBUZZARDPernisapivorusrMB,cPM OccursonpassageAprMayandAugOct.Smallnumbersbreed. 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). BLACKKITEMilvusmigranssPM SurprisinglyonlyahandfulofrecordsnotedmostyearsMarMayandAugOct. FirstwinterperiodAwinteringbirdPolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea31Jan7Apr(TRobinson)isthefirst everwinterrecord. Spring2Makara2May(RThorpeetal);1PerasmaandKavaki3May(PEdlinetal);and2MeladiaValley(SPDudley etal). Autumn2PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12Sept(TRobinson).
FirstwinterBlackKite,PolichnitosSaltpansandsurroundingarea,February2009TerryRobinson
WHITETAILEDEAGLEHaliaeetusalbicillaV*|1|6(6) Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultnorthalongtheTsikniasRiverValley2May(I&SBambrough& SPDudley).Thesixthrecordfortheisland. EGYPTIANVULTURENeophronpercnopterusV*|1|11(12) Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):asubadultattheVouvarisRivermouth2May(TRobinson).11threcord. 2005Onerecord:1VafiosMtLepetimnos9May(DWalbridge).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
GRIFFONVULTUREGypsfulvusV*|1|11(11) Asurprisinglyrarebirdontheisland. Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):abirdpresent2628AprwasfirstseenoverEresosonthe26th(Limosagroup)and thenseenthefollowingtwodaysaroundtheolddeadgoatpitatMadaros(P&VManning,D&BBradnumetal). The11threcordfortheisland. SHORTTOEDEAGLECircaetusgallicussMB,sPM Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland.SeenonpassageAprMayandAugOct.Occasionalwinterrecords. 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. MARSHHARRIERCircusaeruginosuscPM RegularlyseenMarMaywithsmallernumbersAugOct.Occasionalwinterrecords. SpringRecorded28Mar13Mayfrommanylocalities.Max.5+KalloniSaltpansarea25Apr(SPDudleyetal). AutumnSouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)on12th(5)&13th(2)Sept;55+SkalaKallonis13Sept(S&CDarbyshire); 10+overSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire);2overIpsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal);and1overKalloniSaltpans 22Sept(SPDudleyetal). HENHARRIERCircuscyaneussW,sPM SmallnumbersNovApr,withpassagebirdsMarMay. FirstwinterperiodPolichnitosSaltpans,amaleon6Jan(alsoseenAlikoudiPoolsameday)andringtailson12dates 9Jan17Mar,withtwobirdsseenon28Feb(allTRobinson). SpringAringtailalongtheChristou(Kamares)River23Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup). SecondwinterperiodSingleringtailsatPolichnitosSaltpans2,25&27Dec(TRobinson). PALLIDHARRIERCircusmacrourussPM SmallnumbersMarApr.Veryrareinautumn. SpringAringtailatPolichnitosSaltpans20Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),withsingleringtailsthere (perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andaroundtheTsikniasRivermouth(HighPeakRSPBGroup)on24Aprwith thelatteraroundtheKalloniSaltpansandsurroundingareato28Apr(MO).Asecondbird,afirstsummermale,in theKalloniSaltpans/Lotzaria/TsikniasRivermouthareaseenon25,27&29Aprand4May(MO).AringtailnrIpsilou 26Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)andafemaleMeladiaRiver28Apr(Limosagroup). AutumnAnadultmalesouthnearSikaminia20Sept(S&CDarbyshire). MONTAGUSHARRIERCircuspygarguscPM CommoninspringMarMaywithsmallnumbersSeptOct. Averypooryear. SpringSinglesrecordedononly15dates4Apr5Mayacrossthecentreandwestoftheislandwith3Kalloni Saltpansandsurroundingarea2325Apr(MO)andamax.countof4MeladiaValley29Apr(perLesvosBirding PasiphaeLog/SPD). AutumnSinglessouthoverPaliaVigla(Polichnitos)12&14Sept(TRobinson)andMetochiLake19Sept (SPDudleyetal).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
LEVANTSPARROWHAWKAccipiterbrevipessPM,?rMB? SmallnumbersAprMay,withsmallernumbersAugSept. 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). EURASIANSPARROWHAWKAccipiternisusrRB,cW,sPM Ahandfulofpairsalmostcertainlybreed.CommonSeptMar.PassagenotedMarAprandAugOct. Firstwinterperiod12recordedfrom:PolichnitosSaltpans;PotamiaValley;AlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera);Vourkou River. Spring12recordedfromAgiaParaskevi;PolichnitosSaltpans;KalloniSaltpans;Kavaki;TsikniasRiverandKalloni RaptorWatchpoint. Autumn12recordedPolichnitosSaltpans;AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera);PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)andIpsilou. SecondwinterperiodSinglesreportedregularlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansand3AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera) 15Nov. GOSHAWKAccipitergentilissRB,sPM Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland.PassagenotedMarMayandAugOct. Relativelyfewrecordsreceived. SpringSeenregularlyfromKalloniRaptorWatchpoint;includingdisplayingbirds;duringAprandMay(MO)withmax. 4seenon9May(SP&EFDudley). Autumn1nearVafios19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andsinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans30Septand12;20;22&24Oct (TRobinson)andAlmyropotamiaRiver(Vatera)15Nov(TRobinson). COMMONBUZZARDButeobuteosRB,cW,sPM Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland.CommonNovMar.PassagenotedMarAprandAugOct. FirstwinterperiodRecordedfromAlmyropotamiaRiver(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). Secondwinterperiod12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)max.4on15Nov;PolichnitosSaltpansand AlikoudiPool. LONGLEGGEDBUZZARDButeorufinussRB,sPM Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland.PassageMarAprandAugOct. Firstwinterperiod12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(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. Secondwinterperiod12recordedfromAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andPolichnitosSaltpans.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
LESSERSPOTTEDEAGLEAquilapomarinarPM RecordedmostyearsinMay. Tworecords:singlesKalloniRaptorWatchpoint3MayandbetweenIpsilouandSigri4May(bothperLesvosBirding PasiphaeLog/SPD). STEPPEEAGLEAquilanipalensisV*|0|1(1) 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):asubadultnearEfthalou26Apr(I&SBambrough&SPDudley).Thefirst acceptedrecordforLesvos EASTERNIMPERIALEAGLEAquilaheliacaV*|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). GOLDENEAGLEAquilachrysaetosrPM|3|18(21+) PassagebirdsAprMayandSept. Threerecords:singlebirdsseenPotamiaValley25Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);IoannouValley7May (SPDudley);andnrPetra11May(PEdlin)arethe16th18threcords. 2003Onerecord:1Efthalou20May(DWalbridge). BONELLISEAGLEHieraaetusfasciatusrPM PassagebirdsAprMay. Tworecords:1Eresos/Ipsilou26Apr;1KalloniRaptorWatchpoint4May(bothperLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). BOOTEDEAGLEHieraaetuspennatussPM RecordedmostyearsAprMayandAugOct. SpringTworecords:SinglebirdsKalloniRaptorWatchpointandMesaWetlands6May(P&NPreston)andLardia Valley8May(IPittsetal). AutumnSinglebirdsNapiValley19Sept(SPDudleyetal)andPlatania21Sept(P&JHayes). LESSERKESTRELFalconaumannisMB,sPM SmallnumbersbreedonoffshoreislandsatSigriandpossiblyotheroffshoreislands.Mostcommoninthewestofthe island.AlsorecordedonpassageAprMayandSept. Despitegoodnumbersofbirdsandapopularspecies;veryfewrecordsreceived. SpringRecorded20Apr17Mayfrom:SigriandFaneromeniarea;Ipsilou;thePetrifiedForest;PerasmaReservoir; Makara;MeladiaValleyandLardiaValley.Max.20+onthreedates:Faneromeni26Apr(D&BBradnum),1May(SP Dudleyetal)&8May(SP&EFDudley).Noconfirmedbreedingrecords. Autumn23KalloniSaltpans;LotzariaandTsikniasRiverarea1424Sept(MO)and1PolichnitosSaltpans2021Sept (SPDudleyetal). COMMONKESTRELFalcotinnunculussRB Asurprisinglyscarcespecieswithsmallnumbersbreedingacrosstheisland. 12recordedfromPolichnitosSaltpans;AlikoudiPool;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;TsikniasRiver;AlmiropotamosRiver (Lisvorio);PerasmaandNapiValley.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
REDFOOTEDFALCONFalcovespertinuscPM OnpassageAprMaywithsmallernumbersAugOct. Veryfewrecordsreceived. SpringRecorded19Apr22MayfromTsikniasRiver;KalloniSaltpans;Lotzaria;AlykesWetlands;NapiValley; Faneromeni;Madaros;MeladiaValley;AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)andPolichnitosSaltpans.Max.aflockof51 Faneromeni26Apr(SChalmers,SPDudley,D&JNurney).Onlyotherdoublefigurecount12Faneromeni6May (BBuckleretal). Autumn1MeladiaValley2Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);23PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept(TRobinson);singles PolichnitosSaltpanson15,25&30Sept(TRobinson);upto7KalloniSaltpans/Lotzariaarea1924Sept(MSnelling; SPDudleyetal). ELEONORASFALCONFalcoeleonoraesPM,?rMB? OnpassageAprMayandSeptOct.Thoughttobreed onoffshoreislandsoffSigri. SpringRecorded25Apr26MayfromKavaki; 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.
EleonorasFalcon;AghiaTaxiarchis,May2009 SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
EURASIANHOBBYFalcosubbuteosPM,?rMB? SmallnumbersseenonpassageAprMayandSeptOct. SpringRecorded(allsingles)22Apr7MayfromNapiValley,KalloniSaltpans,Christou(Kamares)River,Metochi Lake,Ipsilou,PolichnitosSaltpans,Kavaki,KalloniRaptorWatchpointandAghiaIoannis. AutumnSinglesseenat:MesaWetlands3Sept;PaliaVigla(Polichnitos)14Sept;PotamiaValley22Sept;andSkala Vasilikon22Sept. LANNERFALCONFalcobiarmicus?rRB? Acoupleofrecordsmostyears.GreekbirdsbelongtotheraceF.b.feldeggii(BoG). SpringTworecords:animmaturerecordedfromMesaWetlands,KalloniSaltpansandNapiValley18Apr10May (TRobinsonetal)andanadultseenatSigri,FaneromeniandIpsilou25Apr13May(SPDudleyetal)wasseento takeaJackdawatSigriCastleandaLittleBitternatFaneromeni. PEREGRINEFALCONFalcoperegrinussRB,sW SmallnumbersbreedacrosstheislandwithincreasednumbersinwinterNovMar.Greekbreedingbirdsbelongtothe raceF.p.brookeiwithnominateP.p.peregrinusoccurringonpassage(BoG). Recordsof12throughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpans,Ipsilou,AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio),Kavaki,
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
Christou(Kamares)River,TsikniasRiver,Lotzaria,KalloniSaltpans,KalloniRaptorWatchpoint,MetochiLake,Potamia ValleyandFilia. BreedingOnebreedingsitefoundatVourkouRiver(TRobinson). WATERRAILRallusaquaticusrRB,rW,rPM Smallnumbersbreed(e.g.DipiLarisos)butmostusuallyencounteredlatewinterandspringMarMay. Onerecord:asinglebirdatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)on1Jan(TRobinson). CORNCRAKECrexcrexV*|0|17(49inc.34huntedbirds 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):2firstyear(1CY) birdsfoundshotdeadAkrotiri28Sept(MKapiotas, IPeetersLenglet,IPeetersLenglet). 2005Onerecord(submittedtoHRC):oneseentaking tadpolesatFaneromeniUpperFordin8May(photo: DWalbridge&RWilkins).
Corncrakewadinginrivertofeedontadpoles, Faneromeni,May2005DuncanWalbridge
LITTLECRAKEPorzanaparvasSP,rAP,?rW? RecordedatmostwetlandswithcoverMarMay.OccasionallyrecordedAugOct.Somemaywinter. Lowerthanaveragenumbersreported. SpringUpto4MetochiLake17Apr3May(MO);singlesatAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio)24Apr(TRobinson); SkalaKallonisPool1May(SPDudleyetal);andthefloodedfieldsbytheentrancetoKalloniSaltworks7May(per LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). Autumn1MetochiLake(ISmith&PODaffy). BAILLONSCRAKEPorzanapusillarSP|2|16(19) Therarestofthecrakesnowrecordedmostyears. Tworecords:1SkalaKallonisPool28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and2MetochiLakeonatleast6May(MO). SPOTTEDCRAKEPorzanaporzanasPM AhandfulofrecordseachAprMay.Oneautumn record. Fourrecords:singlesMetochiLake1720Apr (TRobinsonetal)and1May(SPDudleyetal); FaneromeniUpperFord26Apr1May(D&B Bradnumetal);andSkalaKallonisPool1May (SPDudleyetal).
SpottedCrake,Faneromeni,April2009 SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
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MOORHENGallinulachloropussRB,sW Smallnumbersbreed. RecordedthroughouttheyearatMetochiLake(2prsbred;5juvsseen);VergiasRiver(SkalaEresou)(atleastone pairbred,3juvsseen)andPithariouReservoir(atleastoneprbred,3juvsseen).AlsoseenatSkalaVasilikon; AlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio);PotamiaValleyandAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera).Max.17MetochiLake17Apr (TRobinson). COOTFulicaatrarMB,sW Varyingnumbersoccurinwinterwithoccasionalpairsstayingontobreed. Allrecords:PotamiaReservoirJan,Apr;May&Novwithmax.142on1Jan(TRobinson);2AlmyropotamosRiver (Vatera)4&19Jan;2MesaWetlands10Jan;1SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;3MetochiLake10Jan;and1Skala Vasilikon3Feb. COMMONCRANEGrusgrusrPM|1|7+(23+) Onerecord:3overPolichnitosSaltpanson4Nov(TRobinson).Thefirstrecordsince2003. EURASIANSTONECURLEWBurhinusoedicnemussMB;sPM Smallnumbersbreedinc.theKalloniarea(inc.Saltpans).PassageFebAprandAugOct.Flockscanbeencounteredin autumn. Recorded17Apr30SeptfromTsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding),AlykesWetlands(inc.breeding), PolichnitosSaltpans(inc.breeding),Lotzaria(inc.breeding),Christou(Kamares)RiverandAchladeri. OYSTERCATCHERHaematopusostralegussW,sSP SmallnumbersoccurinwinterandspringSeptMay. Onerecord:asinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans23Mar(TRobinson). BLACKWINGEDSTILTHimantopushimantopussMB,cPM Smallnumbersbreed(e.g.saltpans).AlsopassageMarMayandAugOct. Recorded17Mar24SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,AlykesWetlands,NifidaandChristou (Kamares)River.AtPolichnitosSaltpansmax.countof127birdson1Aug(TRobinson). BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpans16nestsobservedwithamin.of43youngseenon9Jul(TRobinson).Breeding behaviourobservedatKalloniSaltpansbutnotproved. AVOCETRecurvirostraavosettasMB,sPM Smallnumbersbreed(e.g.saltpans).AlsopassageMarMayandAugOct.Occasionallyoverwinters. RecordedthroughouttheyearatPolichnitosSaltpanswithamax.countof144on910Sept(TRobinson).AtKalloni Saltpansmax.288on4Apr(TRobinson).AlsorecordedatAlykesWetlands. BreedingAtPolichnitosSaltpansseveralpairsbredraisingatleast10young NORTHERNLAPWINGVanellusvanellussW SmallnumbersOctMar. Singlesrecordedasfollows:KalloniSaltpans1Jan;PolichnitosSaltpans13Mar;2Nov;12Nov&21Dec(TRobinson); andPotamiaValley20Sept(S&CDarbyshire). SPURWINGEDPLOVERVanellusspinosussPM UsuallysinglebirdsseenMarMar;rarelyAugSept. Threerecords:oneintheKalloniSaltpans;TsikniasRiverandAlykesWetlandsarea22Apr23Apr(TRobinsonetal);
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
anotherAlykesWetlands1May(SPDudleyetal);andathirdbirdonthefloodsoppositetheKalloniSaltworks entrance1320May(MO). DOTTERELCharadriusmorinellusV*|0|1(1) 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):onePolichnitosSaltpans(photo:TRobinson)isthefirstconfirmedrecordforthe island(HRC08). EUROPEANGOLDENPLOVERPluvialisapricariasW;rPM SmallnumbersOctMar.OnpassageMarAprandSeptOct. Onerecord:2MesaWetlands16Apr(J&SMaskell). GREYPLOVERPluvialissquatarolasW,sPM SmallnumbersMarAprandSeptOct. Allrecords:3KalloniSaltpans10Jan(TRobinson);2TsikniasRivermouthandKalloniSaltpans1819Apr(TRobinson etal);1PolichnitosSaltpans1May(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans45May(MO);10KalloniSaltpans6May(SP Dudleyetal)with8thereon7May(IKinley&DThexton);1AlykesWetlands9May(SP&EFDudley);and2flooded fieldsoppositeKalloniSaltworksentrance20May(MO). RINGEDPLOVERCharadriushiaticulasPM OccursMarMayandAugOct. SpringRecordedon24datesbetween6Apr28MayfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.29on11May;AlykesWetlands max.12on12May;andKalloniSaltpansmax.2on20Apr. AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans19Aug21Octwithmax.4on29Sept. LITTLERINGEDPLOVERCharadriusdubiussMB,sPM SmallnumbersbreedalongriversandalsoonpassageMarMayandAugSept. Recorded9Mar21Nov.DisplayingbirdsobservedatAlykesWetlands;TsikniasRiver;Christou(Kamares)River; PolichnitosSaltpans(youngseen).Max.10PolichnitosSaltpans3May(TRobinson).AlsorecordedfromMakara, KalloniSaltpans,VourkouRiver,AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera),DipiLarisos,andNifida. KENTISHPLOVERCharadriusalexandrinussRB,sPM Breedsaroundsaltpans;drierareasofmarshes;etc.AlsopassageAprMayandSeptOct. RecordedthroughouttheyearfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.81on5Nov.AlsorecordedfromChristou(Kamares) River,VouvarisRivermouth,KalloniSaltpansandMesaWetlands. BreedingConfirmedatPolichnitosSaltpanswere10+youngwereseen(4trappedandringed)(TRobinson);Vouvaris RivermouthandKalloniSaltpans. GREATSNIPEGallinagomediarPM*|1|10+(12+) Anearannualpassagemigrant. Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1HaramidaMarsh7May(SPDudley). Twootherreports(observersunknown):PolichnitosSaltpans25AprandTsikniasRiver28Apr.
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COMMONSNIPEGallinagogallinagocW,sPM OccursAugMay. 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). BLACKTAILEDGODWITLimosalimosasSP OccursonlargerwetlandsandriversAprMay. Allrecords:PolichnitosSaltpans,1from2026Mar,12there310Apr(TRobinson)and25Apr(D&BBradnum); KalloniSaltpans,31on4Apr(TRobinson),1on24Apr(SPDudleyetal)and6on28Apr(IKinley&DThexton). BARTAILEDGODWITLimosalapponicarSP Onerecord:3PolichnitosSaltpans14Jul(TRobinson). EURASIANCURLEWNumeniusarquatasW,rPM SmallnumbersAugMar. Allrecords(TRobinsonunlessstated):VouvarisRivermouth1on1Jan&28Mar;TsikniasRivermouth1on10Jan& 28Mar;2on1718Aprand1on18Sept(SPDudleyetal);KalloniSaltpans3on10Jan;1on4Aprand4on18Sept (SPDudleyetal);Christou(Kamares)River2on18Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);PolichnitosSaltpans1on25Jun; 1on17Sept;1&3Octand27Nov. SPOTTEDREDSHANKTringaerythropussPM,rW SmallnumbersMarMayandAugOct.Occasionallyoverwinters. Allrecords:singlesatKalloniSaltpanson24Apr(SPDudleyetal);2930Apr(2)(IKinley&DThextonetal);30Apr (SPDudleyetal);1618May(TRobinsonetal);singlesPolichnitosSaltpanson28Apr(IKinley&DThexton);25Sept (P&JHayes);17Oct(TRobinson)and15Nov(TRobinson).
COMMONREDSHANKTringatotanuscW,sPM OccursmainlyAugMar,withsmallernumbersAprMay. PolichnitosSaltpans,recordedinallmonthswithmax.139on24Sept(TRobinson).12KalloniSaltpansinthemain birdingweeksinAprMayandSept.AlsoseenatAlmiropotamos(Lisvorio),Christou(Kamares)andTsikniasRivers. MARSHSANDPIPERTringastagnatilissPM SmallnumbersmovethroughtheislandMarMayandAugSept. SpringKalloniSaltpans(inc.surroundingfloodedfields)8on8Apr(TRobinson)and2on2May(perLesvosBirding PasiphaeLog/SPD),singles2223Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup),30Apr(SPDudleyetal),58May(IKinley& DThextonetal). AutumnPolichnitosSaltpansSept1on4th,2on6th,singles1517thand21st,2on22nd;Oct1on1011thand3on 14th(allTRobinson).KalloniSaltpansSept1on21st(CGittins)and2on22nd(SPDudleyetal). GREENSHANKTringanebulariasPM,sW SmallnumbersmovethroughtheislandMarMayandAugSept.Smallnumbersoverwinter. Firstwinterperiod3Christou(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). GREENSANDPIPERTringaochropussW,sPM OccursmainlyOctMar,withpassageAprMayandJulSept. Firstwinterperiod1Christou(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). WOODSANDPIPERTringaglareolacPM VerycommononallwaterareasMarMaywithsmallernumbersJulSept. SpringRecorded26Mar26Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutmax.111on28Apr(TRobinson);Kalloni Saltpans18Apr4Maymax.150+on20Apr(TRobinson);1MesaWetlands28Mar;3AlmiropotamosRiver (Lisvorio)2Apr;1Nifida5Apr;1AlikoudiPool13Apr;4Faneromeni21Apr20+Christou(Kamares)River24Apr;and 5DipiLarisos28Apr. AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans10Jul26Septwithmax.21on30Aug(TRobinson). TEREKSANDPIPERXenuscinereusV*|1|5(5 Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):oneatPolichnitos Saltpans13May(photo:WLopau,TRobinson,SP& EFDudley:HRC09inprep)isonlythefifthrecordfor theisland. 2003:Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultSkala Kallonis10May(video:SPogson:HRC08).
RecordshotofTerekSandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans, May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
COMMONSANDPIPERActitishypoleucossPM,rW SmallnumbersMarMayandAugOct.Occasionallyoverwinters. Firstwinterperiod1PolichnitosSaltpans14Feb(TRobinson). Spring12recorded8Apr22MayfromPolichnitosSaltpans,DipiLarisos,TsikniasRiver,Makara,MesaWetlands, VourkouRiver,AlykesWetlands,SigriandFaneromeni. AutumnAnearlyreturningbirdon22JunatPolichnitosSaltpansthenrecordedfromhereto21Oct.Max.8on4Aug (allTRobinson). Secondwinterperiod1PolichnitosSaltpanson30Novand8Dec(TRobinson). TURNSTONEArenariainterpressPM SmallnumbersMarMayandAugSept. 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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LESVOSBIRDS2009
REDKNOTCalidriscanutusV*|0|2(2) ThefirsttworecordsfortheislandrecentlyacceptedbyHRC. 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultPolichnitosSaltpans3Sept07(photo:TRobinson:HRC08). 2007Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):anadultKalloniSaltpans23Apr05(SPDudley&DMcDonald:HRC08). SANDERLINGCalidrisalbasPM SmallnumbersseenMarMayandAugSept. 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). LITTLESTINTCalidrisminutacPM OccursAprMay,occasionallyinlargenumbersAprMay,withsmallernumberJulOct.Someoverwinter. FirstwinterperiodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on7Jan(TRobinson)andasingleat Christou(Kamares)Riveron10Jan(TRobinson). SpringRecordedthroughto18JunfromPolichnitosSaltpansmax.141on7May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(and surroundedfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.100+on21May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andup to10MesaWetlands,Christou(Kamares)RiverandTsikniasRiver. AutumnRecordedfrom17Julwithamax.161PolichnitosSaltpans11Oct(TRobinson). SecondwinterperiodRecordedthroughoutatPolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.93on29Dec(TRobinson). TEMMINCKSSTINTCalidristemminckiicPM OccursAprMaywithsmallernumbersAugSept. 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). PECTORALSANDPIPERCalidrismelanotosV*|0|1(1) Thefirstrecordfortheisland,andonlythefourthrecordforGreece,hasrecentlybeenacceptedbyHRC. 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):ajuvenileat PolichnitosSaltpans24Sept08(photo:TRobinson, SPDudley&MNewell:Dudley2009,HRC08).
PectoralSandpiper,PolichnitosSaltpans, September2008SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
CURLEWSANDPIPERCalidrisferrugineacPM OccursAprMayandAugOct. SpringRecorded3Apr8Jun.PolichnitosSaltpanswithmax.58on22May(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc. surroundingfloodedfields)withmax.31on20Apr(TRobinson);and6TsikniasRiver22May(M&LHunt). AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpans17Jul27Septwithmax.16on28Aug(TRobinson). DUNLINCalidrisalpinasW,sPM OccursAugMay. FirstwinterperiodRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.89on5Jan. Spring1MesaWetlandson28Mar;atPolichnitosSaltpans30Mar24Aprwithmax.26on1Apr;atKalloni Saltpans2030Aprwithmax.5on28th. AutumnRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansfrom8Septwithmax.69on12Oct. SecondwinterperiodRecordedonlyfromPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutwithmax.249on24Dec. BROADBILLEDSANDPIPERLimicolafalcinellusrPM OccasionallyseenAprMayandAugSept. Spring12reportedfromAlykesWetlands911May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). AutumnSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpanson11,22&25Augand13Sept(TRobinson). RUFFPhilomachuspugnaxcPM OccursFebMayandAugOct. SpringRecorded525Mayfrom:PolichnitosSaltpansmax.385on7Apr(TRobinson);KalloniSaltpans(inc. surroundingfloodedfieldsandAlykesWetlands)max.300+on4Apr(TRobinson);6MesaWetlandson28Mar;and 1DipiLarisoson28Apr. AutumnRecorded1025SeptfromPolichnitosSaltpansonlywithmax.9on17th. REDNECKEDPHALAROPEPhalaropuslobatusV*|0|10(14) AreportofoneatPolichnitosSaltpansinMayremainsunconfirmed.
CollaredPratincole,PolichnitosSaltpans,June2009TerryRobinson
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
COLLAREDPRATINCOLEGlareolapratincolacSP GoodnumbersseenonpassageacrosstheislandAprMay. SpringRecorded19Apr18Mayfrom:KalloniSaltpansarea(inc.surroundingfields,AlykesWetlandsandLotzaria) withmax.50on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);1SigriandFaneromenifields29Apr1May(P&VManningetal). SummerRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpanson25Jun(1),1Jul(1)and3Jul(3)(TRobinson). SLENDERBILLEDGULLChroicocephalusgeneisW,sPM OccursinsmallnumbersOctMar.PassagebirdsAprMayandAugSept.FewrecordsJunJul. Firstwinterperiod13PolichnitosSaltpans7Jan2Feb(TRobinson). Spring1PolichnitosSaltpans3Mar(TRobinson);13KalloniSaltpans/TsikniasRiverarea1725Apr,with4insame area2729Aprand13to21May(MO);1Christou(Kamares)River11May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). Summer14adultsPolichnitosSaltpans3Jun31Jul(TRobinson). AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans14Aug21Nov(MO)withmax.25on7Nov(TRobinson);1KalloniSaltpans23Sept (S&CDarbyshire).Thecountof25isthelargesteverrecordedontheisland. Secondwinterperiod34PolichnitosSaltpans1719Dec(TRobinson). BLACKHEADEDGULLChroicocephalusridibundussW OccursJulMay. FirstwinterperiodPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan10Febwithmax.62on1Jan(TRobinson);6PotamiaValley10Jan (TRobinson). SpringPolichnitosSaltpans8on1Marand23on6Mar(TRobinson);17PotamiaValley28Mar(TRobinson);14 TsikniasRivermouth28Mar28Apr(MO). Summer/Autumn1PolichnitosSaltpans1Jul31Julwithmax.349on13Oct(TRobinson). SecondwinterperiodPolichnitosSaltpans48on1Dec,with15on26thand1on28th31st(TRobinson). LITTLEGULLHydrocoloeusminutussW,sPM OccursinsmallnumbersAugMayandAugSept. SpringAnadultandfirstsummer(2CY)PolichnitosSaltpans28Mar(TRobinson);1TsikniasRivermouth21Apr(High PeakRSPBGroup);12firstsummer(2CY)birdsKalloniSaltpans30Apr5May(IKinley&DThextonetal). AutumnAsingleadultatPolichnitosSaltpans21Sept2Oct(TRobinson),afirstwinter(1CY)28Octand7Nov (TRobinson). AUDOUINSGULLIchthyaetusaudouiniirRB Arareresident.Breedsonoffshoreislands.Recordedmainlyfromalongthenorthcoast. Spring12regularlyseenalongthenorthcoastbetweenPetraandSkalaSikaminias(MO). AutumnAfirstwinter(1CY)atPolichnitosSaltpans11Nov(TRobinson). MEDITERRANEANGULLIchthyaetusmelanocephalussW,sPM OccursinreasonablenumbersAugMay,withpassagebirdsMarMayandAugOct. Firstwinterperiod12PolichnitosSaltpans1Jan15Feb(TRobinson). SpringKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermoutharea4Apr21May(MO)withmax.191on4Apr(TRobinson); 8pastKavaki3May(SPDudleyetal). Summer/AutumnPolichnitosSaltpans30Jun17Novwithmax.50on7Sept(TRobinson)withbirdsfromherealso seenatnearbySkalaVasilikon(allTRobinson). Secondwinterperiod1AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)16Dec;16VourkouRiver16Dec;5PolichnitosSaltpans25 Dec(allTRobinson).
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COMMONGULLLaruscanusV*|1|6(6) Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):animmatureatPolichnitosSaltpans12Sept(RLawrenceetal).Thesixthrecordfor theisland. YELLOWLEGGEDGULLLarusmichahelliscRB Commonresidentbreedingonoffshoreislandsandseenrightacrosstheisland. PresentatPolichnitosSaltpansthroughouttheyearwithmax.monthlycountsasfollows:175on15Jan,113on27 Feb,66on9Mar,85on29Apr,401on16May,122on5Jun,626on26Jul,1091on11Aug,612on9Sept,361on 4Oct,124on15Novand133on5Dec(TRobinson).Alsorecordedfrommostcoastalareas,KalloniSaltpans,main riversandallreservoirs.Nobreedingrecordsreceived. GULLBILLEDTERNGelochelidonniloticasSP OccursAprMay,occasionallyinautumn. SpringAsinglebirdatPolichnitosSaltpans11Apr(TRobinson)followedby18atKalloniSaltpans17Apr (J&SMaskell)and22there19Apr(TRobinsonetal)withanotherflockof8attheTsikniasRivermouthonthesame date(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and15TsikniasRivermouth24Apr(Limosagroup).AfurthersingleatKalloniSaltpans 25Apr(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). CASPIANTERNHydroprognecaspiasPM OccasionallyrecordedAprMayandAugSept. SpringOn24AprasinglebirdatSigri(D&JRhodes)and3atKalloniSaltpans(IKinley&DThexton)with2seenat theTsikniasRivermouth22May(M&LHunt). Autumn2PolichnitosSaltpans11Sept(photo:J&AHumphreys).
CaspianTerns,PolichnitosSaltpans,September2009John&AnnHumphreys
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SANDWICHTERNThalasseussandvicensiscW,sPM OccursAugApr. Firstwinterperiod(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/AutumnRecordedatPolichnitosSaltpans25May17Novmax.26on26Aug(TRobinson). SecondwinterperiodSinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans19&31Dec(TRobinson). LITTLETERNSternulaalbifronscMB OccursAprSept. Recorded19Apr11SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpansandTsikniasRivermouth(allbreedingsites). COMMONTERNSternahirundosMB,cPM OccursAprSept. Recorded13Apr14SeptfromPolichnitosandKalloniSaltpans(inc.breeding)andTsikniasRivermouth. WHISKEREDTERNChlidoniashybridacPM OccursAprMay,occasionallyAugOct. 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). WHITEWINGEDBLACKTERNChlidoniasleucopteruscPM OccursAprMay,occasionallyAugOct. 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). BLACKTERNChlidoniasnigersPM Therarestofthemarshternswithsmallnumbers(oftensingles)occurAprMayandAugSept. Spring18KalloniSaltpans6May(SPDudleyetal)withasinglebirdthereon7May(IKinley&DThexton); 2PolichnitosSaltpans23May(TRobinson). AutumnAjuvenileatPolichnitosSaltpans25Sept(TRobinson). ROCKDOVEColumbaliviasRB Smallnumbersoccuraroundtherockiercoastalareas.FeralPigeonalsooccursinthetowns. Allrecords:5atFaneromeni21Apr(TRobinson);11movingbetweenMakaraandGabiasIsland27Apr(SPDudleyet al);9MeladiaValley11May(SP&EFDudley);20+Faneromeni17May(MSveikutis);9MeladiaValley2Sept(I Smith&PODaffy);and17Makara19Sept(SPDudleyetal).
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WOODPIGEONColumbapalumbussRB,sW Smallnumbersbreed.NumbersincreasewiththearrivalofwintermigrantsOctMar. Onlythreerecordsreceived:1Kremastes14May(MSveikutis);1southnearVafios19Sept(SPDudleyetal);and 1KalloniSaltpans26Sept(CGittins). EUROPEANTURTLEDOVEStreptopeliaturturcMB,cPM WidespreadbreederandpassagemigrantAprSept. Recorded18Apr25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.40+PotamiaValley28Apr(D&BBradnum). TURTLEDOVEsp.Streptopeliasp. Winter1PotamiaValley1Jan(TRobinson)wasntseensufficientlytoassigntospecies. EURASIANCOLLAREDDOVEStreptopeliadecaoctocRB Widespreadacrosstheisland,mainlyaroundtownsandvillages. Presentthroughoutatmanyareasacrosstheisland.Max.44Mytilini27Nov(TRobinson). GREATSPOTTEDCUCKOOClamatorglandariussSP,rMB SmallpassageMarMay.Evidencesuggestsoccasionalbreeding. Fourrecords:1MeladiaValley2025Apr(D&JRhodesetal);1Faneromeni22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae Log/SPD);2nearMesotopos22Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1PerasmaReservoir9May(per LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). COMMONCUCKOOCuculuscanorussPM SmallnumbersonpassageAprMayandAugOct.Therufousfemaleformisnotuncommon. Fewrecordsreceived:2NapiValley22Apr;1Meladiavalley26Apr;1SigriOldSanatorium5May;1Agiasos12May; and1Ipsilou17May. BARNOWLTytoalbasRB Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland. RecordedfromSkalaKallonisinApr,MayandSept(MO)andfromSkalaPolichnitouinJulandAug(TRobinson). SCOPSOWLOtusscopssMB BreedsacrosstheislandAprJul.Moreoftenheardthanseen,andbirdsrarelycallafterJun. Upto2regularlyseenatSoumouria,Kalloni(KalloniMiniSoccerPitch/ScopsCopse)18Apr6May(MO)whenthe remainingroostingbirdwasflushedbyaphotographerandnobirdsseenthereafter.Callingbirdsalsoheardcalling fromAchladeriForest18Apr(J&SMaskell);Anaxos27Apr(IKinley&DThexton);2Mirsinia28May(KH Christmann&EWendt);and2PotamiaValley31May(KHChristmann&EWendt). NOTEThissiteunderwentextensivetreethinningduringMay(nottotaldestructionasreportedbysome)anditis hopedthatitwillstillholdbreedingbirdsin2010. LITTLEOWLAthenenoctuacRB Occursacrosstheisland.Breedsinrockyareasandoldbuildings(especiallyshepherdbuildings). Reportedfromlikelybreedingsitesacrosstheislandinc.PolichnitosSaltpans,KalloniSaltpans,Lotzaria,Skala Kallonis,MetochiLake,PotamiaValley,MeladiaValley,northcoasttrackandMandamados.
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LONGEAREDOWLAsiootussRB Smallnumbersknowntobreedacrosstheisland. TheonlyrecordswereofapairbreedingattheAchladeriForestKrpersNuthatchsiteatKofinas(TRobinsonetal), afemalecallingatDimitrios(SPDudleyetal)andyoungheardcallingatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann& EWendt). SHORTEAREDOWLAsioflammeusrW OccasionallyrecordedOctMar. Onerecord:oneAlykesWetlands24Apr(SPDudleyetal). EUROPEANNIGHTJARCaprimulguseuropaeussMB,sPM WidespreadbutscarceAprSept.Breedsinmanyscrubandscatteredforestareasacrosstheisland. AroostingmigrantwasfoundatSigriOldSanatorium5May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD).Threechurring birdsheardatMirsinia28May(KHChristmann&EWendt)andbirdsregularlyheardandseenatSkalaPolichnitou 29May22Aug(TRobinson). COMMONSWIFTApusapuscMB,cPM OccursMarOct. TheBirdsofGreecestatesthatmostbirdsaredullerandpalerthanthoseofwesternEurope,tendingtowardsA.a. pekinensissolikelyconfusionwithPallidSwiftisincreased. Recorded21Mar25Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.400+throughMeladiaValley2May(P&VManning). PALLIDSWIFTApuspallidussPM SmallnumberspassthroughMarAprandAugOct.CommonSwiftoftenmisidentified(usuallyinstrongsunlight)as thisspecies.TheBirdsofGreecestatesthatPallidSwiftsbreedinginGreecearedarkerthanwestMediterranean birds,intermediatebetweenA.p.illyricusandA.p.brehmorum,coupledwiththecommentre.CommonSwiftabove, likelyconfusionwithCommonSwiftisgreatlyincreased. 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. ALPINESWIFTApusmelbacPM,?rMB? OccursonpassageMarMayandAugOct.Notknowntobreed,butbreedingsuspectedonoffshoreislands.Feeding partiesinsummermonthsareeithersuspectedbreedersorfromotherneighbouringislandsorfromnearbyTurkey. Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar17Mayand30Aug18Sept.Max.200+throughMeladiaValley2May (P&VManning). LITTLESWIFTApusaffinisV*|0|1(1) 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC);thefirstrecordfortheisland,andonlythefourthrecordforGreece: 1SkalaEresou27Apr04(SPDudley:HRC08).
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ROLLERCoraciasgarrulussPM AscarcepassagemigrantAprMay,rareAugSept. 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). COMMONKINGFISHERAlcedoatthissW,CB OccursmainlyAugAprwithoccasionalbreedingrecords. Relativelyfewrecordsreceived. JanAprPolichnitosSaltpanssingleson1Jan,22Marand10Apr;1VouvarisRivermouth8Mar;1KalloniSaltpans singles19Jan;singleMetochiLake2021Apr;and1Christou(Kamares)River23Apr. JulDecSinglesPolichnitosSaltpansJul,Aug,Sept(with2on20th),Oct,NovandDec;10+KalloniSaltpans9Sept (ISmith&PODaffy);and12MetochiLake17Septand1on7Nov;1TsikniasRiver18Sept;and1SkalaVasilikon 30Nov. WHITETHROATEDKINGFISHERHalcyonsmyrensis*|0|0 NotontheLesvosList.AGreeknationalraritywithonlyfiverecords. ArecordfromSigriinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC. 2007ArecordfromAgiosFokasinSeptremainsunderreviewbyHRC. BLUECHEEKEDBEEEATERMeropsapiasterV*|0|3(9) 2008Tworecords(acceptedbyHRC):1nearTsikniasRiverMouth14Apr(photo:BBaston&KDay:HRC08);anda flockof7MeladiaValley3May(SP&EFDudley&CJones:HRC08). Afurthereightrecordsfrom2008remainunsubmitted,plusafurtherfourrecordsfrompreviousyears. EUROPEANBEEEATERMeropsapiastercPM,sMB OccursAprOct,withoftenlargenumberspassingoverinspring.Breedsalongdryriverareas. Recorded18Apr20Septfromacrosstheisland.Max.300+Faneromeniarea1May(SPDudleyetal).Nobreeding confirmedbutbirdsseenatregularbreedingsites(e.g.TsikniasRiver,KalloniSaltpans)inspring. EURASIANHOOPOEUpupaepopscMB,cPM OccursMarOct.Breedsacrosstheisland. Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar21Sept. EURASIANWRYNECKJynxtorquillarPM OccasionalrecordsMarAprandAugOct. 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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MIDDLESPOTTEDWOODPECKERDendrocopusmediuscRB Commonthroughoutwoodedareasoftheisland,inc.olivegroves.TheLesvosbirdsarethoughttobelongtotherace D.m.anatoliae(BoG). Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear. REDBACKEDSHRIKELaniuscolluriosMB,cPM Scarcesummerbreeder(inwest)andcommonpassagemigrantAprMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland18Apr10Oct.SignificantpassagenotedintheSigriandMeladiaValleyarea56 Maywithacountof50+atMeladiaValleyriverplainon5th(SPDudleyetal).Inautumnmax.countalsofrom MeladiaValleyriverplainwith15+on21Sept(SPDudleyetal). LESSERGREYSHRIKELaniusminorsMB,sPM AscarcesummerbreederandpassagemigrantAprMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland26Apr26Sept.Max.count10+MeladiaValleyriverplain5May(BBuckleretal). STEPPESHRIKELaniuspallidirostrisV*|0|1(1) 2008:onerecord:asinglebirdnrVatera21Sept (GSellors)hasrecentlybeenacceptedbyHRCasthe firstrecordforGreece(HRC08:HRCtreat pallidirostrisasasubspeciesofSouthernGreyShrike L.meridionalis).
SteppeShrike,nrVatera,September2008 GlynnSellors
LARGEGREYSHRIKEsp.Laniussp.V* BothGreatGreyShrikeL.excubitor(c.10records)andSteppeShrikeL.pallidirostris(1recordabove)haveoccurredon theisland.ThestatusofGreatGreyShrikeremainsquestionablesincenorecordshaveeverbeensubmittedand scrutinized;itusuallyonlyoccursacrosstheverynorthoftheGreece. Tworeports:nothingreceivedtodetermineidentification:singlesChristou(Kamares)River27Mayand18Sept. WOODCHATSHRIKELaniussenatorcMB,cPM CommonsummerbreederandpassagemigrantAprMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland10Apr20Sept. MASKEDSHRIKELaniusnubicussMB AlocalisedsummerbreederAprSeptfavouringolivegrovesandscattereddeciduouswoodland.Autumnmigrants occurtolateSeptinmanyhabitatsinc.pinewoods. Recorded17Apr18Junmainlyincentralandwesternareaswithafewrecordsfromtheeast.Confirmedbreeding againfromtheKrpersNuthatchsite(Kofinas)inAchladeriForest. GOLDENORIOLEOriolusorioluscPM CommonmigrantAprMaywithoccasionalrecordAugOct. SpringRecordedfromacrosstheisland15Mar11Maywithamax.countof10atSigriOldSanatorium5May(per
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LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). AutumnTworecords:singlesAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)15Sept(TRobinson)andParakila21Sept(CGittins). EURASIANJAYGarrulusglandulariusatricapilluscRB TheblackcrownedraceG.g.atricapillusoccurscommonlyacrosstheisland. Recordedfrommanyareasacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear. WESTERNJACKDAWColoeusmonedulasRB ResidentaroundSigri,Anaxos,SkalaEresou,Gavathas,ApothikaandSkalaPolichnitou. RecordedfromalltheaboveareasplusfromMytilini.Max.count200atPolichnitosSaltpans15Sept(TRobinson). HOODEDCROWCorvuscornixcRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count67PolichnitosSaltpans26Feb(TRobinson). NORTHERNRAVENCorvuscoraxsRB SmallnumbersbreedintherockieruplandareasinthewestandaroundMtsOlympusandLepetimnos. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Doublefigurecounts:30+Madaros28Apr(D&BBradnum) and19Ipsilou21Sept(SPDudleyetal). SOMBRETITPoecilelugubrissRB Widespreadbreeder.Occursmainlyaroundstandsofdeciduoustreesandscatteredwoodland. Relativelyfewrecordsreceivedbutrecordedfrommanybreedingsitesthroughoutthecentre,northandwest. COALTITPeriparusaterrRB Breedsinsomeofthepinewoods. Onlyonerecordreceived:1PotamiaValley6May(P&NPreston). GREATTITParusmajorcRB Commonandwidespread. BLUETITCyanistescaeruleuscRB Commonandwidespread. GREATERSHORTTOEDLARKCalandrellabrachydactylasMB,sPM OccursAprSept.Breedsinsuitablegrasslandareas. Firstwinterperiod3infieldsbyPolichnitosSaltpans on6Jan(TRobinson)isthoughttobethefirstknown winterrecordforGreece. SpringApooryearwithrecords11Apr27May: 3PolichnitosSaltpans11Apr;KalloniSaltpans(inc. surroundingfieldsinc.AlykesWetlands)3on1718 Aprwith18(max.count)on20Apr(J&SMaskell) withbirdspresentto11May;singlesPolichnitos Saltpans20&27May.Nobreedingreported. ShorttoedLark,PolichnitosSaltpans,January2009 TerryRobinson
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CRESTEDLARKGaleridacristatacRB TheAegeanIslandspopulationbelongstotheraceG.c.caucasia(BoG). Commonandwidespread. WOODLARKLullulaarboreasRB,sW Smallnumbersbreedinsuitablewoodlandedgeandscrubbyareasinc.pinewoods.BirdsinGreecebelong totheraceL.a.pallidabutwinterandpassagebirdsalsoinc.L.a.arborea(BoG). Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheisland6Jan18Sept.Aflockof15+dustbathingatduskwith CrestedLarksontheMeladiaValleytrackon18Maywasthehighestcount(SP&EFDudley). SKYLARKAlaudaarvensissW OccursOctMar.GreekbirdsbelongtoMediterraneanraceA.a.cantarellabutA.a.arvensisknownin winter(BoG). RecordedonlyfromthePolichnitosandVateraarea6Jan29Marand25Nov31Dec.Max.count120 PolichnitosSaltpans27Jan(TRobinson). SANDMARTINRipariaripariasPM OccursonpassageMarMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland16Apr24Sept. BARNSWALLOWHirundorusticacMB,cPM CommonandwidespreadonpassageMarMayandAugOct.Breedsacrosstheisland.BirdsresemblingH. r.savigniiorH.r.transitivereportedinspringbutnoconfirmedrecords(theseracesnotontheGreekList). Recordedfromacrosstheisland12Mar17Oct. CRAGMARTINPtyonoprognerupestrissMB,SPM,rW OccursAprSept.Breedsinrockygorgesandcliffsinwestandnorth.Occasionallywinters. Recorded18Apr23SeptfromKavaki(breedingsite),AghiaIoannis,LardiaValley(breedingsite),Vourkou River,MeladiaValley,PotamiaValley(breedingsite),MetochiLakeandPithariouReservoir(breedingsite). HOUSEMARTINDelichonurbicumcMB,cPM CommonandwidespreadonpassageMarMayandAugOct.Breedsacrosstheisland. Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Mar17Sept.BreedingconfirmedfromSkalaKallonis. REDRUMPEDSWALLOWCecropisdauricacMB,cPM CommonandwidespreadonpassageMarMayandAugOct.Breedsacrosstheisland. Recordedfromacrosstheisland5Apr21Sept.Manypairsseenatusualbreedingsitesacrossthecentre andnorthoftheisland. CETTISWARBLERCettiacettisRB Foundalongrivercoursesandaroundwetlandareas. Recordedfrommanysitesacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.
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LONGTAILEDTITAegithaloscaudatussRB Localisedbreederinpinewoods.ThesubspeciesA.c.tephronotusoccursonLesvos(BoG).Thissubspecies lacksanypinktonesandhasablackbib. Onlytworecords:AchladeriForest2on19Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup)and4on21Apr(RThorpeetal). WILLOWWARBLERPhylloscopustrochiluscPM OccursAprMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland28Mar28Aprand24Aug26Oct. COMMONCHIFFCHAFFPhylloscopuscollybitasW,sPM OccursAugApr. Recordedfromacrosstheisland1Jan12Mayand19Sept25Dec. EASTERNBONELLISWARBLERPhylloscopusorientalisrMB,rSP OccursAprSept.SmallnumbersbreedaroundAgiasos.Birdsocc.breedorholdterritoryincentralareas. SmallnumbersalsoonpassageMayandSept. ForthesecondyearrunningamaleheldterritoryinLardiaValley(MO).Migrantsseenasfollows:2near Lofionas1May(DAllenetal);1MeladiaValley3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);andsingles Ipsilou8May(SP&EFDudley)and26May(KHChristmann&EWendt).Norecordsreceivedfromthe Agiasosbreedingarea. WOODWARBLERPhylloscopussibilatrixcPM OccursAprMay,butlesssoAugOct. Relativelyfewrecords,allfromthewestoftheisland,20Apr13MaywithgoodcountsfromIpsilouof 20+on26Apr(D&BBradnum),20+on28Apr(SPDudleyetal)and50+on30Apr(SPDudleyetal). GREATREEDWARBLERAcrocephalusarundinaceussMB,sPM OccursAprMayandocc.Sept. Fewrecordsreceived.Recorded16Apr15Mayfromacrosstheisland.Acountof15+MeladiaValley6 May(BBuckleretal)isnoteworthyandoccurredduringalargepassageofotherspecies. MOUSTACHEDWARBLERAcrocephalusmelanopogonV*|0|? Statusremainsuncertain.Brooks(1998)statesitisalocalisedwintervisitorbuttherearenorecentrecords tosupportthis.AprMayreports(Brooks1998)suggestspringmigrants.Noautumnreports.Confusionwith SedgeWarbleroccursannually.Thisisarealreedbedspecies,andwhilstallbirdsshouldbestudied carefully,anybirdthoughttobethisspeciesshouldbetreatedwithcautionandfulldetails,andpreferably photos,willberequiredbyLBRC. OneunconfirmedreportofoneatMetochiLake30Apr6May.Despiteapparentlyhavingbeenseenbya numberofobserversdetailshavenotbeensubmittedtoLBRC. SEDGEWARBLERAcrocephalusschoenobaenuscPM OccursMarMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland7Apr6Mayand46Sept.
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EURASIANREEDWARBLERAcrocephalusscirpaceussMB,sPM OccursMarOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland2Apr7Jun. EASTERNOLIVACEOUSWARBLERHippolaispallidacMB,cPM OccursAprOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland17Apr23Sept. OLIVETREEWARBLERHippolaisolivetorumsMB,rPM Smallnumbersbreed.Occasionalmigrantsawayfromknownbreedingareasinspringandoccasionallyin autumn.SeeABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosorwww.lesvosbirding.comforfullerstatusaccount. Recordedonlyinspring25Apr25May,mirroringbirdersvisitingtheislandandsearchingforthem: 1nearMetochiLake25Apr(IKinley&DThexton);12recordedfromtheroadsidebarriersiteatthe northernendofNapiValley30Apr25May(MO)withatleastonebirdsingingnorthofhearbeforethe tracktoMavria(thetwomasts)6May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);onterritoryinPotamiaValley 2on12May(C&PManville),5+14May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and2on16May (TRobinson);amigrantinsongatIpsilou12May(SP&EFDudley);2+birdsonterritoryAghiasTaxiarchis 12May(SP&EFDudley);andanestfoundwithfouryoungFaneromeni17May(MSveikutis). ICTERINEWARBLERHippolaisicterinasPM,?rMB? SmallnumbersoccurAprJunandAugSept.Occasionallyfoundonterritoryduringbreedingseasonbutno confirmedbreedingrecords. Recorded28Apr14Mayasfollows:1Kavaki28Apr(D&BBradnum);MeladiaValley3on28Apr(SP Dudleyetal),1on29Apr(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),4on3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphae Log/SPD),3on4May(SPDudleyetal),11on5May(SPDudleyetal),15+on6May(SPDudleyetal), 7on7May(P&NPreston)and5on8May(SP&EFDudley);Faneromenisingleson29Apr(D&B Bradnum),1May(IKinley&DThexton)and3May(P&VManning)with2on4May(P&VManning); Ipsilou4on3May(SPDudleyetal),5on45May(SPDudleyetal);1SigriOldSanatorium29Apr(D&B Bradnum);1NapiValley5May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);PotamiaValley2on8May(per LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD),1on12May(C&PManville)and2on14May(perLesvosBirding PasiphaeLog/SPD). RIVERWARBLERLocustellafluviatilissPM Smallnumbers,usuallyonlyheard,AprMayandocc.AugSept.Autumnpresenceconfirmedbyringing. Tworecords:1MeladiaValley(SPDudley)and1Perasma9May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). SAVISWARBLERLocustellaluscinioidesrPM OccasionalrecordAprMayandAugOct. Onerecord:1singingPetra5May(IPittsetal). BLACKCAPSylviaatricapillacPM OccursMarMayandAugOct. FirstwinterperiodRecordedfromAlikoudiPool,PotamiaValley,VourkouRiver,AlmyropotamosRiver (Vatera)andSkalaPolichnitou(max.6on5Feb)(allTRobinson). SpringRecordedfromacrosstheisland22Mar29Apr. AutumnRecordedfromacrosstheisland9Sept21Nov. SecondwinterperiodSinglesAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andSkalaPolichnitouduringDec.
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GARDENWARBLERSylviaborinsPM SmallnumbersAprMayandAugOct. Spring1Ipsilou4May(IPittsetal). AutumnSinglesSkalaPolichnitou(trappedandringed)28Aug(TRobinson)andPolichnitosSaltpans9Sept (TRobinson). BARREDWARBLERSylvianisoriasPM,?rMB? SmallnumbersoccurAprMayandAugSept.Occasionallyfoundonterritoryduringbreedingseason,but noconfirmedbreedingrecords. Relativelyfewrecordsreceived.Recorded20Apr6Mayasfollows:1AncientAntissa20Apr(per LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);2(maleandfemale)intamarisksonbeachnearKalloniSaltpans24Apr (JMacArthur);afemaleFaneromeni26Apr(SPDudley&DNurney);1Makara2May(RThorpeetal);1at theKalloniSaltpanssouthhide2May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Faneromeni3May(P&V Manning);1AlykesWetlands3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Ipsilou4May(perLesvos BirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1KalloniSaltpans4May(TRobinson);1SigriOldSanatorium5May(perLesvos BirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);and1MeladiaValley6May(BBuckleretal). LESSERWHITETHROATSylviacurrucasPM,?rMB? OccursAprMayandAugOct. Relativelyfewrecords.Recordedfromacrosstheisland2Apr3Nov.Moreinterestingrecords:single birdsPolichnitosSaltpans12Junand19Jul(TRobinson);12+MeladiaValley2123Sept(SPDudleyetal). EASTERNORPHEANWARBLERSylviacrassirostrissMB,sPM OccursAprSeptbreedingacrosstheisland.TheraceS.c.crassirostrisoccursonLesvos. Recordedfromacrosstheisland18Apr30Sept.Moreinterestingrecordsinclude:8MeladiaValleyon5 May(SPDudleyetal)duringaperiodofmigration;1PolichnitosSaltpans30Sept(TRobinson)theonly autumnrecord. COMMONWHITETHROATSylviacommunissPM,rMB OccursonpassageAprMayandAugOct. Recordedfromacrosstheisland17Apr8Oct. SUBALPINEWARBLERSylviacantillanscMB OccursAprSept. Recordedfromacrosstheisland16Mar9Jun. SARDINIANWARBLERSylviamelanocephalasRB,rPM,cW Breedingbirdsthinlydistributedalongcoastalareas(uptoc.5kminland)alongthenorth(inlandofPetra andMolivos),theeastcoast(betweenMandamadosandMytilini)andsoutheast(Vateraarea).Possible immigrationfromotherAegeanislandsand/orTurkey.Migrantscanoccuranywhere. Firstwinterperiod12PolichnitosSaltpansarea1Jan16Feb;5VourkouRiver4Jan. SpringSinglesrecordedPolichnitosSaltpans2,8&22Mar,6Aprand30May;KalloniSaltpans2May; Kavaki3May;MeladiaValley78May;andHaramidaMarsh7May. Autumn1Christou(Kamares)River18Sept;1MetochiLake23Sept;1Kofinas(AchladeriForest)26Sept; PolichnitosSaltpans22Oct30Novwithmax.7on25Nov;VourkouRiver5on15Novand8on21Nov. SecondwinterperiodUpto4PolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutDec.SinglesalsoAlmyropotamosRiver (Vatera)andAlikoudiPoolinDec.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
RPPELLSWARBLERSylviarueppellirMB,rPM Alocalisedsummerbreeder.ThebestknownareaisthewellwatchedsiteatKavakibetweenPetraand Molivos.RecordsawayfromherereducingandindicativeofadecliningpopulationonLesvosand throughoutGreece. RecordedfromKavakifrom24Apr14May(mirrorsthemainbirdingperiod)withupto3pairspresent (adeclinefrom6pairsfiveyearsago).Theonlybirdseenawayfromherewasamaleonterritoryinthe IoannouValley7May(SPDudley). NOTEAtKavakiviewonlyfromthemainroad,laybysorhillsidetrackonthesouthsideoftheroad.Please donotenterthescrubasthisonlyservestodisturbthisrarebreedingspecies. WHITETHROATEDDIPPERCincluscinclusV*|0|1(1) 2007Onerecord(acceptedbyLBRC):1Sigri7Oct(DBrown).ThefirstrecordforLesvos. WINTERWRENTroglodytestroglodytesrRB,sW Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheislandandrecordsindicateincreaseinnumbersinwinter. FirstwinterperiodAsinglebirdPolichnitosSaltpans18Feb11Mar. Spring/SummerAtleastonebirdonterritoryintheLardiaValley. Autumn/secondwinterperiodSinglebirdsrecordedfromMetochiLakeinSeptandPolichnitosSaltpans 24Nov29Dec. WOODNUTHATCHSittaeuropaearRB Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheislandsinoakarea. RecordedonlyfromPotamiaValleyandNapiValley. KRPERSNUTHATCHSittakrueperirRB Around600pairsbreedthroughoutthecentralandeasternpinewoodsfromsealeveluptoc.800m.The AchladeriForestsite(Kofinas)continuestobethemainonevisitedbybirders.Itwouldbegoodtohave morerecordsfromotherareassogooutandfindsomemore! ForamoredetailsstatusaccountseeABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosorwww.lesvosbirding.com. AchladeriForest1pairbredattheusualKofinassite(roadsidepicnicareawithwhitebuilding)justnorthof AchladeriArmyCamp(MO).AnadditionalmalewasoccasionallyseenduringAprMaysuggestingasecond breedingpair(thissiteusuallyholds23breedingpairs).Upto4birdshereinSept(SPDudleyetal). DimitriosapairseenfeedinginearlyMay(SPDudley). AgiasosSanatorium1+seeninwoodlandjustsouthofthesanatoriuminSept(RLawrenceetal). PanaghiaChapel(nearAgiasos)1comingtodrippingpipebythechapelinSept(SPDudleyetal). WESTERNROCKNUTHATCHSittaneumayercRB Commonthroughoutmuchoftherockierareasoftheisland,particularlythewestandnorth.TheBirdsof GreecesuggeststhatLesvosbirdsareoftheraceS.n.zarudnyibutbirdsontheislandareveryvariableand manyexhibitfeaturesintermediatebetweenWesternandEasternRockNuthatchS.tephronata.Proving wheretheLesvosbirdsfallintherocknuthatchcomplexcouldproveafascinatingstudy. Reportedfrommanysitesacrossthecentre,northandwestoftheisland. SHORTTOEDTREECREEPERCerthiabrachydactylasRB Occursinpinewoodsanddeciduousforests.LesvosbirdsmaybeoftheAsiaMinorraceC.b.harterti(BoG). ReportedonlyfromAchladeriForest,MikriLimniandAgiasos.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
COMMONSTARLINGSturnusvulgariscW OccursOctApr. JanMayRecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan26Apr,AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)andGulfof GerainJanandalatebirdatChristou(Kamares)Riveron27May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). SeptDecRecordedPolichnitosSaltpansthroughoutandalsoMytilini. ROSECOLOUREDSTARLINGPastorroseussPM OccursMayJun. Veryfewrecordsdenotingaverypoorpassagethisyear.AnearlyfirstyearbirdMeladiaValley25May(P &VManningetal)withanotherbirdthereon13May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);34Tsiknias River2122May(M&LHunt,M&DJacobs);15Achladeri21May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD); andsinglesMetochiLake22MayandLotzaria27May(M&LHunt). COMMONBLACKBIRDTurdusmerulacRB,cW Breedingnumbersincreasingandverycommoninwinter,withmanyshotinolivegroves. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear. REDWINGTurdusiliacussW OccursOctFeb. Onerecord:8AgiaParaskevi22Mar(EGalinou). SONGTHRUSHTurdusphilomeloscW,rB Commonandwidespreadinwinter,withmanyshotinolivegroves.Severalpairsbreed. FirstwinterperiodRecordedfromacrosstheislandthroughout. SpringAtPolichnitosSaltpanscountsof10on1Marand23on2Marindicativeofmovement(TRobinson). OthermigrantsatSkalaKallonisPool24AprandLotzaria26Apr. SummerNorecords. Autumn/secondwinterperiodRecordedfromacrosstheislandthroughout. MISTLETHRUSHTurdusviscivorussRB Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland. RecordedfromPolichnitosSaltpansinJan,OctandDec.2carryingfoodintheLardiaValley23Apr(SP Dudleyetal)wastheonlybreedingrecord.2PanaghiaChapel(nrAgiasos)29Sept(SPDudleyetal)was theonlyotherrecord. EUROPEANROBINErithacusrubeculacW,rB OccurscommonlyacrosstheislandOctMar.AfewbreedingpairsnrMtOlympus. RecordedPolichnitosSaltpans4Jan28Marand26Oct31Dec.AlsorecordedSkalaVasilikonJan; AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)inJan&Feb;AlikoudiPoolinJanandAgiaParaskeviinMar.Recordedfrom nearAgiasos26Apr(Limosagroup)and28May(K&RNam)weretheonlyrecordsfromknownbreeding sites.InautumnrecordedfromPotamiaValley;KorakasandAchladeriForestinSept;atPolichnitos Saltpans29Sept31DecandAlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)inOct;Nov&Dec. BLUETHROATLusciniasvecicaV*|0|1(1) 2008Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):afirstwinter(1CY)PithariouReservoir22Sept(SP&EFDudley).The firstrecordforLesvos.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
THRUSHNIGHTINGALELuscinialusciniasPM OccursinsmallnumbersAprMayandAugOct. Spring1MeladiaValley3May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD);1Perasma5May(perLesvosBirding PasiphaeLog/SPD);1Petra5May(IPittsetal);and1MeladiaValley8May(SP&EFDudley). Autumn1trappedandringedSkalaPolichnitou1Sept(TRobinson). COMMONNIGHTINGALELusciniamegarhynchoscMB OccursAprOct.Breedsacrosstheislandalongdryriverbedsandotherdry,densescrub. Recordedfromacrosstheisland16Apr1Junatleast. WHITETHROATEDROBINIraniagutturalisV,CB*|1|5(6) Onlythreeacceptedrecordswithatleasta furthersevenknownrecordsneverbeen submitted(inc.reportsofbreedingbirds). Onerecord:amaleIpsilou1Jun(photo:W Englander:HRC09inprep).Onlythefifth confirmedrecordfortheisland(manyother recordsremainunsubmittedseeA BirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosfordetails).
WhitethroatedRobinIpsiloui,June2009 WiltraudEnglander
RUFOUSBUSHROBINCercotrichasgalactotessMB OccursAprAug.Smallnumbersbreedinsuitabledry,scrubbyareas.Signsofadeclinesinceearly2000s. TheeasternformC.g.syriacusoccursonLesvos. Recorded28Apr23May(mirroringthemainbirdingweeks)fromnumeroussitesincludingthefollowing breedingsitesSigriOldSanatorium;beachscrubnearKalloniSaltpans;MeladiaValley;Madaros;Chrousos; Faneromeni;KalloniSaltpanswaterstation;TsikniasRiver;andPolichnitosSaltpans.Threebirdsseen togetherFaneromeni14May(IHardy). NOTETherewereseveralincidentsofbirdsbeingharassedbybirdersandphotographers.Pleaserespect thebirdanddonotharassandpushbirdsfrombushtobushwaitandwatch! BLACKREDSTARTPhoenicurusochruroscW OccursOctMar. FirstwinterperiodPresentPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan2Apr(max.4on79Jan).AlsoPotamiaValley1Jan; KalloniSaltpans1Jan;VouvarisRivermouth2Jan;VourkouRiver4Jan(8);andSkalaKallonisPool10Jan. SpringSinglesAgiaParaskevi22MarandIpsilou11May. SecondwinterperiodPresentPolichnitosSaltpans17Oct31Dec(max.6on15Dec).AlsoVourkouRiver 15&21Nov;SkalaKallonisPool10Jan;andMetochiLake7Nov. COMMONREDSTARTPhoenicurusphoenicurussPM SmallnumbersoccurAprMayandSeptOct. SpringRecordedfrommanysites28Apr5May. AutumnSinglesMetochiLake20Sept(CGittins);AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)28Sept(TRobinson);and 6AchladeriForest21Sept(CGittins).
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RufousBushRobincollectingnestmaterialnearSigri,May2009MikeSveikutis
WHINCHATSaxicolarubetracPM OccursAprMayandAugOct. SpringRecordedfrommanysites8Apr10May,max.10Faneromeni21Apr(TRobinson). AutumnRecordedfrommanysites22Aug10Oct,max.13PolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinson). EUROPEANSTONECHATSaxicolatorquatasRB,sW Smallnumbersoccuracrosstheislandandrecordsindicateincreaseinnumbersinwinter. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear. SIBERIANSTONECHATSaxicolatorquatamaurusV*|1|1(1) Onerecord(acceptedbyHRC):1nearVatera15Nov(TRobinson).ThisisthefirstrecordforLesvos andfirstofthreeeasternStonechatsmaurus/variegatusrecordedinGreecetobeacceptedas maura(dueHRC09). ISABELLINEWHEATEAROenantheisabellinasMB,rPM OccursAprSept.Smallnumbersbreedintherockywestoftheisland. Spring/SummerRecordedfromtheusualbreedingareasaroundIpsiloufrom20Apr.Asinglepassagebird atPolichnitosSaltpans56Apr(TRobinson). Autumn1TsikniasRivermouth18Sept(SPDudleyetal)and1MeladiaValley23Sept(SPDudleyetal).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
NORTHERNWHEATEAROenantheoenantherMB,sPM Smallnumbersbreedinthewest.PassagebirdsMarMayandAugOct. Spring/SummerRecordedfrommanysitesfrom13Mar.BreedingbirdsnotedatSigriOldSanatorium, IpsilouandMeladiaValley. AutumnRecordedmanysitesto24Sept. EASTERNBLACKEAREDWHEATEAROenanthehispanicacMB CommonandwidespreadacrosstheislandMarSept.CorrectiontoABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvos,only theeasternraceO.h.melanoleucaoccurs,withpalethroatedandblackthroatedformspresent. Recordedfromacrosstheisland31Mar8Oct. RUFOUSTAILEDROCKTHRUSHMonticolasaxatilisrPM|1|17(17) Around16previousrecords,allAprMay. Onerecord:amaleIpsilou29Apr(D&BBradnum). BLUEROCKTHRUSHMonticolasolitariussRB Widespread,especiallyintherockywestoftheisland. Recordedfromacrosstheislandinc.thefollowingknownbreedingsites:PotamiaValley,Kavaki,Ipsilou, NapiValley,VouvarisRiverandPithariouReservoir. SPOTTEDFLYCATCHERMuscicapastriatacPM,sMB Widespread,andofteninlargenumbers,AprMayandAugOct.Breedsinpinewoodsacrosstheisland. Recordedfromacrosstheisland17Apr17Mayand25Aug1Oct.Max.count200+MeladiaValley6 May(BBuckleretal). PIEDFLYCATCHERFicedulahypoleucacPM OccursAprMayandAugOct. Smallnumbers20Apr8May,max.10+Ipsilou28Apr(SPDudleyetal).Noautumnrecords. SEMICOLLAREDFLYCATCHERFicedulasemitorquataV*|0|14(14) Around14recordsto2008:occursAprMay. ReportedfromFaneromeni21AprandMeladiaValley7May,butneitherrecordsubmitted. COLLAREDFLYCATCHERFicedulaalbicollissSP,rAP OccursAprMay.Twopreviousautumnrecords(oneSept,oneOct) Spring(Singlesunlessstated):Ipsilou20Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);2Faneromeni20Apr(HighPeak RSPBGroup);Faneromeni21Apr(J&SMaskelletal);AchladeriForest21Apr(RThorpeetal);5 Faneromeni21Apr(TRobinsonetal);4Faneromeni26Apr(D&BBradnum);2Ipsilou26Apr(IKinley&D Thextonetal);Ipsilou28Apr(SPDudleyetal);Faneromeni28Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroup);PotamiaValley 1May(RHarding);4Faneromeni4May(P&VManning);Faneromeni5May(P&VManning);Meladia Valley6May(SPDudleyetal);nearEresos6May(SPDudleyetal);andMeladiaValley78May(P&N Prestonetal). AutumnSinglesSkalaPolichnitou19Jul(TRobinson)and14Aug(TRobinson).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
CollaredFlycatcher,female,Faneromeni,April2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
REDBREASTEDFLYCATCHERFicedulaparvarPM SinglesoccasionallyseenAprMayandAugSept. Threerecords:singlesMetochiLake25Apr(IKinley&DThexton);Ipsilou3May(LesvosBirdingPasiphae Log);andSigriOldSanatorium5May(IKinley&DThexton). HOUSESPARROWPasserdomesticuscRB Widespreadandcommon. Presentacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.AroostofseveralthousandPotamiaValleyinSept(P&J Hayesetal). SPANISHSPARROWPasserhispaniolensissMB,sPM Smallnumbersbreedacrosstheisland.SeenonpassageinpassageAprMay.Mayoccuronpassagein autumnbutseparationfromHouseSparrowdifficult. SeenacrosstheislandAprJulinc.breedingatSkalaKallonis,KalloniSaltpansandFaneromeni.Max.count 85KalloniSaltpans16Apr(TRobinson). EURASIANTREESPARROWPassermontanusV*|1|6(9) FivepreviousrecordsinApr(inc.breedingpr),May,Aug,Oct. Onerecord(acceptedLBRC):1withHouseSparrowsatthePetrifiedForestVisitorCentre3May(R Harding).Sixthrecordfortheisland.Arecordof3inMeladiaValleyon25Aprilremainsunsubmitted. ROCKSPARROWPetroniapetroniasRB Smallnumbersbreedintherockierwestoftheisland. BirdsseenattheusualbreedingsitesofIpsilou,LardiaValley,Agra,SiderasandMesotopos.
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
HouseandSpanishSparrowscommunallynestinginWhiteStorknest,Polichnitos,May2009 SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
DUNNOCKPrunellamodularissW OccursOctMar. Onerecord:1VourkouRiver7Jan(TRobinson). WESTERNYELLOWWAGTAILMotacillaflava CommonandwidespreadonpassageMarMayandAugOct. ForlistofoccurringracesseeABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosorwww.lesvosbirding.com. Arelativelypooryearwithnolargenumbersnotedonpassage.Recorded13Mar29May(flava,fledegg andoccasionalthunbergi)and3Aug17Oct.Twobirdsshowingcharacteristicsofdombrowskiseenat KalloniSaltpans29Apr(Limosagroup)andasinglebirdshowingcharacteristicsofsuperciliarisseennear Skamnioudi2May(LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD) CITRINEWAGTAILMotacillacitreolarSM OccursmostyearsAprMay.Noconfirmedautumnrecords. Averygoodyearwith2023individualsrecordedasfollows:PolichnitosSaltpansamale8Apr(T Robinson),amale25Apr(D&BBradnum),afemale56May(TRobinsonetal);Faneromeniamaleand female2123Apr(J&SMaskelletal),amaleandfemale35May(P&VManningetal);KalloniSaltpans areamaleandfemaleonfloodsoppositeSaltworksentrance2329Apr(HighPeakRSPBGroupetal),a malenearthewaterpumpingstation1May(SPDudleyetal)andafemalethere910May(SP&EF Dudley),amalealongtheeastsaltpanstrack6May(SPDudleyetal),amaleonfloodsoppositethe
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
Saltworksentrance16May(TRobinsonetal)andafemalethere21May(LesvosBirdingPasiphae Log/SPD);TsikniasRiver(probablyoverlappingwithKalloniSaltpans)amale2425Apr(HighPeakRSPB GroupGrooup),afemale3May(PEdlin),maleandfemale1214May(SPDudleyetal);afemaleMeladia Valley4May(SPDudleyetal);amaleSkalaKallonisPool24Apr(TRobinson);afemaleFarmakiesPool (SkalaVasilikon)2May(SPDudleyetal). GREYWAGTAILMotacillacinerearRB,sW Smallnumbersbreed. ApairbredbytheroadbridgeatDimitrios(Agiasos)(SPDudleyetal)withsinglesatPolichnitosSaltpans 30Augand30Nov(TRobinson)andAskontrichesRiver7Sept(TRobinson). WHITEWAGTAILMotacillaalbasW,sPM,rB OccursSeptMay.Afewpairspossiblybreed. PolichnitosSaltpans:presentthroughouttheyearwith5juvsseen17Jun(TRobinson).Springpassage countsof24on13Marand26on6Apr(TRobinson).DoublefigurecountsregularthroughoutSeptand Oct.17dailyduringNovDecwithnotablepassagecountsof13on22Novand17on30Nov.Recordedat manyothersitesacrosstheislandinc.TsikniasRiver,SkalaVasilikon,MesaWetlands,AskontrichesRiver, Nifida(breedingconfirmed),Faneromeni,VouvarisRiverandAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio).Max.count 34MesaWetlands3Sept(TRobinson). TAWNYPIPITAnthuscampestrissMB,SPM Occursinsmallnumbers,inc.occasionalbelievedbreeding,MarOct. SpringRecorded4Apr13May.Principalsitesinc.AlykesWetlands,MakaraandPolichnitosSaltpansarea (allholding12birds). AutumnRecorded2Sept8Oct.Principalsitesinc.PolichnitosSaltpansareawithmax.4on22Sept(SP Dudleyetal)andMeladiaValleywithmax.3on2Sept(ISmith&PODaffy). MEADOWPIPITAnthuspratensiscW OccursOctMar. PolichnitosSaltpans:recorded1Jan9Aprwithmax.22on27Jan(TRobinson)and26Oct31Decwith max.25on8Nov(TRobinson).Recordedfromonlyahandfulofothersitesinc.AlikoudiPool,Agia ParaskeviandAlmiropotamosRiver(Lisvorio). TREEPIPITAnthustrivialissPM OccursMarMayandAugOct. Averypooryearwithonly5recordsreceived. Spring1VouvarisRiverMouth6May(P&NPreston). Autumn1Stipsi9Sept(ISmith&PODaffy),1MeladiaValley23Sept(SPDudleyetal),50+TsikniasRiver 28Septand20+there29Sept(bothCGittins).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
REDTHROATEDPIPITAnthuscervinussPM OccursAprMayandSeptOct. SpringRecorded8Apr12May.Principalsites inc.PolichnitosSaltpans,Christou(Kamares) RiverandAlykesWetlands.Thelatterrecorded animpressivepassageof100+birdson24Apr (SChalmers,SPDudley,D&JNurney).Double figurecountsalsorecordedatChristou (Kamares)Riverwith10on24Apr(SChalmers, SPDudley,D&JNurney)andAlykesWetlands with10on11May(SP&EFDudley). Autumn1AskontrichesRiver1Sept(ISmith& PODaffy),2TsikniasRiver28Septand1there 29Sept(CGittins).
RedthroatedPipit,Christou(Kamares)River, April2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding
WATERPIPITAnthusspinolettasW OccursOctApr. Tworecords:PolichnitosSaltpans1on2223Marand2on8Apr(TRobinson). CHAFFINCHFringillacoelebscRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count120AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)19Jan (TRobinson). BRAMBLINGFringillamontifringillasW OccasionallyOctMar. Onerecord:1TsikniasRiver1Jan(TRobinson). EUROPEANSERINSerinusserinussRB,sPM Breedsinpinewoods.Nonbreedingandpassagebirdsoccurinotherhabitats. FirstwinterperiodRecordedPolichnitosSaltpans1Jan20Febwithmax.219on2Jan(TRobinson). SpringSeveralKofinas,Achladeri26AprandseveralnrAgiasossameday(Limosagroup),2FarmakiesPool (SkalaVasilikon)2May(SPDudleyetal)and2pairsonterritoryatDimitriosinMay(SPDudleyetal). SummerAjuvenileseenVourkouRiver12Jul(TRobinson). Autumn/WinterRecordedPolichnitosSaltpans16Oct31Decwithmax.153on1Dec(TRobinson).Also: 6AskontrichesRiver7Sept(ISmith&PODaffy);2AlmyropotamosRiver(Vatera)13Sept(TRobinson); and2VourkouRiver21Nov(TRobinson). EUROPEANGREENFINCHCarduelischloriscRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count41PolichnitosSaltpans20Mar(T Robinson).
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EUROPEANGOLDFINCHCardueliscardueliscRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.Max.count182PolichnitosSaltpans21Oct (TRobinson). COMMONLINNETCardueliscannabinasRB Scarcebutwidespreadacrosstheisland. Allrecords:12PolichnitosSaltpansduringJan,3AlikoudiPool8Apr,singlesKalloniRaptorWatchpoint18 AprandMesaWetlands19Apr,2Ipsilou2021Apr,upto5VourkouRiverMayJun,2Sideras19May,1 Traperia(Polichnitos)18Jul,PolichnitosSaltpansNovDecwithmax.32on26Nov. HAWFINCHCoccothraustescoccothraustessW,rB? ScarceOctApr.Severalpairsthoughttobreed. Fiverecords:1SkalaVasilikon3Feb;inaSkala Polichnitougarden,birdsseenon27Feb(2),11 Mar&30Nov(TRobinson);2nrAgiasos26Apr (Limosagroup).
Hawfinch,SkalaPolichnitou,January2009 TerryRobinson
CORNBUNTINGEmberizacalandracRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.PolichnitosSaltpansmax.firstwinterperiodcount 115on10Jan(TRobinson)andmax.secondwinterperiodcount182on17Oct(TRobinson).150+also seenTsikniasRiver28Sept(CGittins). CINEREOUSBUNTINGEmberizacineraceasMB OccursthroughoutthebarrenwesternareasoftheislandApriltolateJuly(someintoAugust,butveryfew Septemberrecords).Thisisanotherspecieswhich,attheEuropeanscale,isconfinedtoGreece.The nominateyellowheadedwesternform(cineracea)occursonLesvos.250pairsthoughttobepresent(total Greekpopulationisc.300prs).OnLesvos,occursthroughoutthebarrenwestoftheisland.Hereitbreedsin dry,rockyopenareaswithlowphrygana(lowgrowing,softleavedshrubhabitat)andscatteredboulders. ForamoredetailsstatusaccountseeABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvosorwww.lesvosbirding.com.Recorded 21Apr27MayfromtheusualbreedingareasofIpsilou,Sideras,AgraandAghiaIoannis.Alsoafemale reportedcarryingfoodintheLardiaValley17May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)andonereported fromKalloniRaptorWatchpoint27May(perLesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD). ORTOLANBUNTINGEmberizahortulanasPM SmallnumbersAprMayandAugSept. Averypooryearwithonlythreerecords:singlesPolichnitosSaltpans11Apr(TRobinson),Kavaki20Apr (D&BBradnum)andMeladiaValley13May(C&PManville).
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LESVOSBIRDS2009
CRETZSCHMARSBUNTINGEmberizacaesiacMB WidespreadandcommonacrossthenorthandwestoftheislandAprJul,withfewautumnrecords. Recordedfromacrosstheisland18Apr23Jul. CIRLBUNTINGEmberizacirluscRB Widespreadandcommon. Recordedfromacrosstheislandthroughouttheyear.PolichnitosSaltpansmax.firstwinterperiodcount 19on8Jan(TRobinson)andmax.secondwinterperiodcount10on30Oct(TRobinson). BLACKHEADEDBUNTINGEmberizamelanocephalacMB WidespreadandcommonlateAprAug. Recordedfromacrosstheisland23Apr18Jul.Springflocksinc.20+(allmales)AgiosFokas4May (SPDudleyetal)and19onthesamedayPolichnitosSaltpans(TRobinson),30+(27males)SigriOld Sanatorium5May(LesvosBirdingPasiphaeLog/SPD)and19PolichnitosSaltpans11May(TRobinson). COMMONREEDBUNTINGEmberizaschoeniclussW OccursNovMar. PolichnitosSaltpansupto3from1Jan5Marandupto6from4Nov30Dec.Also2Almiropotamos River(Lisvorio)3Feband2SkalaVasilikon30Nov(allTRobinson). APPENDIX 1 COMMONER SPECIES NOT RECORDED IN 2009 MarshWarblerAcrocephaluspalustris GoldcrestRegulusregulus FieldfareTurduspilaris PineSiskinCarduelisspinus REFERENCES Brooks,R.1998.BirdingontheGreekIslandofLesvos.BrooksidePublishing,Fakenham. Dudley,S.2009.ABirdwatchingGuidetoLesvos.ArlequinPress,Shrewsbury. HellenicRaritiesCommittee,2008.HellenicRaritiesCommitteeAnnualReport2007(referredtoasHRC07 intext)seeHTTP://RARITIES.ORNITHOLOGIKI.GR/EN/EAOP/ANNUAL_REPORTS.HTM HellenicRaritiesCommittee,2008.HellenicRaritiesCommitteeAnnualReport2008(referredtoasHRC08 intext)seeHTTP://RARITIES.ORNITHOLOGIKI.GR/EN/EAOP/ANNUAL_REPORTS.HTM HellenicRaritiesCommittee,2009.HellenicRaritiesCommitteeAnnualReport2009(referredtoasHRC09 intext)seeHTTP://RARITIES.ORNITHOLOGIKI.GR/EN/EAOP/ANNUAL_REPORTS.HTM(inprep:dueforpublication in2010) Handrinos,G&Akriotis,T.1997.TheBirdsofGreece.A&CBlack,London.(referredtoasBoGthroughout text).
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LESVOS BIRDS

written and compiled by steve dudley

LESVOS BIRDS 2009

A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos

LESVOS | BIRDING | EBO

from Steve Dudley author of A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos

Discount car rentals when you mention Lesvos Birding

FloodedfieldsoppositetheKalloniSaltworksentrancethiswetlandwasoneofthemaindrawsduringspring2009 attractingdoublefigurecountsofBlackStorksotherherons,marshterns,wadersandwildfowl.Thesefieldsrequire extensivewinterrainsbeforetheyflood.May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

Perasmathereservoirwasrefilledinearly2009reinstatingthismuchneededfreshwaterwetlandsiteinthenorthofthe island.RuddyShelduckbredherein2009andSardinianWarblerisoccasionallyseenalongthehillsidetotheeastofthe reservoir(above).May2009SteveDudley|LesvosBirding

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