Thursday 30 May 2013

Day 7 - Monday - 6 May
A real quiet day today as 1 member of the group was ill, namely me. It was back to the hotel and a morning in bed. Chris and Tom walked to the Tsiknias river and ford.
After lunch we decided to go to the Lower Potamia valley in the hope of olive tree warbler, with no luck. We did however have a hoopoe calling near the river bridge.
Finishing the day at the saltpans we again enjoyed the spectacle of black storks coming in to feed and presumably roost.



Day 6 - Sunday - 5 May
A quieter day today, Easter Sunday and we decided not to travel far from Skala Kalloni.
First site was a very quiet Christou river where we saw little more than house and spanish sparrows. We moved onto Metochi lake where we had 18 black-crowned night herons in trees at the far end of the lake, with 3 squacco herons. It was hard viewing the lake as the surrounding vegetation only allowed viewing from a few locations and groups of people already using each. However from 1 we did find a little bittern.
Next we moved onto the 'Scops Copse' and were straight onto the target sitting relatively openly.


Our next stop was to be the Raptor Watchpoint. This proved to be quite productive for raptors. Also round about there were cretzschmar bunting's. Raptors included honey buzzard, lesser spotted eagle, short-toed eagle and peregrine. 

We now went back to the Kalloni saltpans for the rest of the day along with the track to the Tsiknias river ford. No new species and little photographic opportunity. 


Day 5 - Saturday - 4 May
Today was to be a big day in term so of sites covered. Firstly we headed for the Lardia Valley hoping for blue rock thrush and crag martin and we had been told of a site for eastern bonelli's warbler on the way upto the Lardia, just outside Vatousa. We duly spread out over a hundred metres or so on the roadside where we had been directed, but, didn't hear any eastern bonelli's calls. I was quite a distance from the other 2 when I saw a middle-spotted woodpecker, much gesticulating brought them rushing up to see a pair - result. Nowhere near the views others had at different sites around the island but a self found tick for us.
We moved on up the spectacular valley, it really is a wonderful place. There was the usual black-eared wheatears on the rocks above us. However no sign of the hoped for blue rock thrush but caught up with crag martin and there clearly observed nests on the cliff face. 
Next stop was the usual isabelline wheatear site below Ipsilou, we hadn't reached the pull off when one was spotted on the road in front of us. There were at least 4 different individuals around, plus red-backed shrikes. The views of the isabelline wheatears were probably the best I've ever had.





Onwards to Ipsilou Monastery which proved to be very quiet at first, the usual black-eared wheatears, cretzschmar's and cinereous buntings were seen and a fly over hobby. Time was getting on so it was down to Sigri and a return visit to the Australia Taverna for lunch. 
Onto Sigri fields for a return visit for the roosting nightjar, it was still there but no easier to photograph so record shot only.
  


Lower Faneromeni ford gave use wood sand, as usual and a lovely black-headed bunting. Plus the bonus of a fly over short-toed eagle.

On to the upper Faneromeni ford, no use as someone was parked in it!!! We reversed and decided to visit Faneromeni beach, the pool there had 2 ruff and 3 little stints feeding.


Now back to our regular evening visit to the Kalloni saltpans. First stop was on the old road and a really nice Kentish Plover. 

The road around the saltpans gave great views of the feeding terns. 



Another of my favourites the squacco heron was feeding in the channel.


Last location of the day was the beach and a search for a lifer for me, rufous bush robin. This proved to be a non event as a search as the bird was seen immediately we reached the site we had been told about. Stunning views of both male and female birds, photographs are a little distant as didn't want to get too close. A great end to a superb day.



Wednesday 29 May 2013

Day 4 - Friday 3 May
We were on our own now, find the birds! Of course extensive reading Steve D's book had us well prepared so it was decided a trip to the North of the island was the plan.

First stop was the well known Scop's Copse! Except we could not find a Scops Owl in spite of there being plenty of people looking, or, maybe they had found it and were just not letting on!

Our next stop was to be the Raptor Watchpoint. This proved to be quiet for raptors. Although there were cretzschmar bunting's and a woodchat shrike around. 

Onwards to Kavaki, targets being ruppell's and subalpine warble, blue rock thrush and anything else we could find. First stop was the small layby near the 'Enterprise'. A car was already parked near THE perch so we sat and waited, they moved on and we moved forward. Up popped the ruppell's to give us stunningly good views at very close range. Photograph's in the camera, happy.




We moved upto the higher layby where there was a singing ruppell's on the telephone wires, nowhere near as photographable as the other one. Could also hear subalpine warbler around and eventually it landed on top of a bush at the very top of the pay by, not ready! Then a wait for it to do its circuit before it conveniently sat up, shame about the foliage but....




a pair of black-eyed wheatears were busy around the rocks in the bottom end of the layby.

Next stop was the quarry above Petra, except we were at the wrong one. Nevertheless 3 shrikes here with lesser grey, woodchat and red-backed all around the area plus the usual black-eared wheatears. Only the woodchat photographed.



Next was Perasma reservoir, nothing photographed here but blue tits busy in the trees and numerous yellow-legged gulls on the water and edges. We were very disappointed as on our last visit 2 years ago the area was absolutely full of wild flowers and excellent insect life. Decision made we would drive down the track to Stipsi, error made really bad so quick turnaround and back to main road and to Molivos for a leisurely lunch at a harbour side taverna. Another of the many greek salads.

We decided to move onto the Kalloni saltpans after lunch. First stop just after turning off the road was to look at the black winged stilts nesting on the small island and the many wood sands. Moved along a little to enjoy the countless avocets and the differing colours of the flamingo's. Then enjoyed watching the whiskered and white-winged black terns busily feeding, not many images of these though and nowhere near the standard of some I have seen from this spring, really didn't put the time or effort into them. 



We then noticed a black stork coming in, enjoyed the spectacle.


Next it was the Salt works entrance to look for stone curlew, nothing doing there. So it was onto the Alykes Drylands, sorry wetlands! Here we had a relatively short view of a white stork and I managed 1 quick image.


Then noticed a barn swallow on a nearby wire.


That was the end of a superb day, it had been very warm but we'd seen some superb birds and more importantly was the views we'd had were excellent.




Tuesday 28 May 2013

Day 3 - Thursday 2 May
The much anticipated Steve Dudley day, 'The Wild, Wild, West'. We didn't know what to expect from the day really, hopefully we'd see some new areas and learn more about the wildlife of Lesbos. What a day it turned out to be, depart at 08:30 and return at 19:30, certainly a full one! Before I talk a bit about the day I would recommend anyone doing one of these days with Steve, he has a wealth of knowledge about the island and is happy to pass this on. The day is pitched to the participants and all whether a novice birder, experienced birder or a partner along for the day would benefit. I have led countless guided events for people and without doubt Steve has an excellent manner with people, takes time to explain things and and has an overall objective of making sure all participants get the most from the day. 

We set off and Steve told us it was to be the Meladia Valley, bingo straight away a new area. No hanging around straight to Erosos and the start on the road through the valley. First stop was a seemingly deserted and quiet gully sloping away from the road. It wasn't deserted, rock nuthatches were busy, cinereous buntings were feeding and cretzschmar's buntings seemed to be everywhere. Throughout the 10 days we saw many of these in contrast to the last trip when we only had 1 in the rain. Hirundines were all around. I should say at this stage I'm not listing every bird seen, my primary objective from the trip was to see things well and not build a large list. Although I did want to add to my Lesbos count.

Some species seemed such as black-eared buntings seemed to be everywhere, in fact they were.

We moved on, with stops here and there, to the ford. Here we had warblers singing and it is truly a little oasis. Purple heron flew up from the water. Red-backed shrikes were everywhere. During the day we had countless shrikes, mainly red-backed with smaller numbers of woodchat.





A walk  of a couple of km delivered a short-toed eagle overhead, only a record shot though. 



Great views of cretzschmar's bunting (one of my favourites and never tire of seeing them). Then one of the special targets a roller!




Next we drove to the chapel and stopped for a loom around, in Steve's words never, never, never drive past with out checking this small area of tree's. Again it turned up trumps with spotted flycatcher flitting around and more red-backed shrikes, then a different bird - red-breasted flycatcher! One that has eluded me over the years and my first new one for Lesbos on this trip. 




It was getting warm by now so onto Sigri and the Australia Taverna for lunch. A superb spread of salads and seafood, highly recommended. It was also an opportune break as the temperature was rising well into the 30's, this was to be the pattern towards the end of the holiday. Longer lunches became the norm!

Then onto Sigri fields and Faneromeni ford. A special surprise for us was a roosting nightjar giving stunning views, but, very hard to photograph with moving twigs going across it, plus I lost the majority of these images with my CF card disaster.




The lower ford gave us a temminck's stint and wood sands, plus a bonus spotted crake. There had been reports of a great snipe but sadly word came that it had been spooked by photographers. Not getting into the debate other than to say bird welfare is paramount and chasing/spooking to get a photograph is totally unacceptable to me. Plus the disturbance means others do not get views.






Last stop of the day was to fields just outside Sigri where a rufous bush robin had been reported, we dipped. 

Back at the hotel we had a short wait for our car to be delivered.

We had enjoyed the area so much we returned twice later in the holiday. At this stage perhaps should say it was a quiet year from the migrant point of view, with the really good weather many had just carried straight through with none or minimal stops. 

I had taken my iPad to review images whilst away and when back at the hotel downloaded the card to have a look, somehow had over 1000 images from this day and the previous one. When I am away I have a policy of using a new card everyday, how valuable this was to prove as when I got home the card had >900 corrupt images. It was a new 32gb 800x. Luckily as I was shooting on fast burst they were all duplicates of other images, sadly though I don't have the chance to select the best. Sent it back to Amazon, no messing money refunded. Camera now set up for RAW in slot 1 and JPEG backup in slot 2!



The red-breasted fly proved to be a challenge with the light and twigs, so just a record image.



This cretzschmar's bunting (Emberiza caesia) kindly sat on a rock as we walked along the track from the left hand side of the Meladia ford.


Female red-backed shrike (Lanius collurioon the same walk, showing a nice study in rusty barbed wire.


 Female red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio



The short-toed eagle flying over us, constantly gaining height.






Monday 27 May 2013

Day 2 - Wednesday 1 May
Very smooth and trouble free journey, collected baggage and met our taxi to the Hotel Pasiphae in Skalla Kallonis. On arrival at the hotel we were told we could have our rooms shortly and had breakfast. After an couple of hours rest we went for a walk. Initially we walked to the Kalloni Pool, in years gone by this was one of the primary birding locations, there were the usual warblers one would expect in wetlands, plus house and spanish sparrows. Nightingales were singing in various locations and hirundines everywhere. We continued thorough to the beach where in previous years we'd had kentish plover and hoopoe - nothing! A stroll to the village and our first visit to Dionysos Taverna for lunch and a much needed drink, the weather was superb, clear and very warm. After a leisurely break we then set off to walk to the Tsiknias river, there were many species to been seen on the walk, hirundines, olivaceous warbler, cetti's warbler, nightingale, little stint, wood sandpiper and yellow-legged gulls to name nut a few.Onward to the lower ford, this was relatively quiet in the heat of the day, temperature being in the 30'sc.
We were wilting at this stage as stupidly we had set off without any water! So it  was back to the hotel for a drink and shower before dinner, again in the village. Our next day was the day out with Steve Dudley to the West of the island. We had decided to book our car to be delivered in the evening after we got back form this hence our walking today.
Our evening meal was at the Dionysos Taverna in Skala Kallonis to join up with other birders for the evening social event. Sadly we had misjudged the missed nights sleep and had to leave early, all shattered. Apologies to the people we missed!


Yellow-legged gull
Egyptian grasshopper

Another egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptum)

In the evening we went to the 


Lesvos 2013

The trip was a long time in planning, participants being me (Phil Hampson) and 2 friends Chris and Tom. having previously visited Lesbos 2 years ago as part of an organised birdwatching holiday we decided to repeat it but book everything ourselves. We could not get flights from Manchester for the dates we wanted so it was a drive to Heathrow, no problem in itself and negligible cost really between 3. Flights were booked well in advance with Aegean at a comparable cost to charter flights, our accommodation was booked online staying at the Pasiphae Hotel in Skalla Kallonis (same as last time).

At this stage I have to mention 2 resources which proved invaluable in our planning, firstly Steve Dudley has 2 extremely useful 'tools' - his website http://www.lesvosbirding.com and his book - A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos (Arlequin Press ISBN 978-1905268-061) http://athene-birdinglesvos.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/its-here.html. The information contained within the website and book are the result of many visits to the island by Steve and is invaluable to anyone visiting and planning a birding holiday in Lesvos. The website is updated regularly with all manner of information and latest sightings (in the season).   

There is also a very active Facebook group, set up by Steve, where a wealth of information can be gleaned and some absolutely stunning images are posted by birders from around Europe who have visited the island.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/271104122899599/

We booked our car hire through the website as well, this was very smooth and problem free. Only comment I'd make on car hire is to go for a larger engine size than you first think, there are many hills on Lesvos!

Whilst I had visited Lesvos twice before we decided to have a day out with Steve Dudley on one of his trips. This proved to be well worth the cost and was most enjoyable, he took us to places on the island that were new (not on the organised birding holiday itineraries), a most enjoyable lunch and really good company. All in all a superb day and one I would recommend to anyone.

A month or so before we were due to go Aegean emailed us to notify schedule changes, somewhat annoying we thought until we realised it was all in our favour. We would get there earlier and depart later, so more time on the island. Our return journey had a tight connection in Athens and we were somewhat concerned about our luggage making the flight - no problem and anyway we were going home so it didn't matter if the luggage was late.

Day 1 - Tuesday 30 April
An uneventful and smooth drive to Heathrow, checked in online to seats assured. We didn't manage as many red kites on the M40 as previous drives with 15 seen. Flight departed on time and arrived in Athens a little earlier than scheduled. We transferred through the terminal to gate for our early flight to Lesvos.

The Start

Introduction

This blog will contain short reports on my birding trips, locally, nationally and abroad and show some images.

A bit about me, I'm a retired ex IT person (mainframes) who has been a birder since childhood. In the mid 90's I had a period of employment with one of the UK conservation bodies, an experience that I enjoyed greatly. 

I remember getting 'Birds of the Wayside and Woodland' as a birthday present many years ago to supplement my Observer's 'Book of Birds'. The Observer book sadly fell apart many years, I still have the other one. By modern standards of field guides it is old fashioned but is still a treasured possession.

In more recent years I have added photography to my birding and happily combine the two together, although at the end of the day I would call myself a birder who takes photographs rather than a photographer. For me the birds always comes first.

I try and get out locally as often as possible in the local Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire areas. I'll also venture further afield into North Wales, the Wirral and Norfolk. Annually I try to go up 'North' to Scotland an area very close to my heart and where we lived for just over 4 years on Islay. Scottish areas I hold close to my heart are the West Coast, Cairngorms and Dumfries & Galloway, but, overall the Hebridean Islands.

I've also birded further afield in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, North America and Europe. My more recent trips have been to Lesbos, an island that I enjoy enormously for birding. Unfortunately most of the earlier trips were pre digital photography so I have no images from them.

In this blog I will post some images from the trips I have made in the past and document recent activities. 

My first entries will document a recent trip to Lesbos.