Lesvos Day 7: 27th April 2018

Day 7: 27th April: 

A quick look at the trio of Gull-billed Terns at Stilt Corner on the salt pans and then we were off towards Dipi Larsou for a change of scenery. Two Squacco stalked along the river where Mullet leapt and a Black Stork left, having obviously had his fill. 

Dipi Larsou

Dipi Larsou and the Gulf of Geras

Squacco

It was already too warm to be in the open so I headed for the River Evergetoulas Kara where, like many island rivers it had obviously taken a pounding during the winter and then been mechanically worked to get it flowing again. As such it was dragonfly poor with just a couple of Beautiful Demoiselle and some Small Pincertail were noted and a Blackcap sunbathed after having had a good bath.

River Evergetoulas Kara

River Evergetoulas Kara

Blackcap

Small Pincertail

Small Skimmer

 

Oriental Hornet

From here we parked in the lower part of Agiosos and walked up through the town to get access to the chestnut woodland. Eastern Bonelli's Warblers chip trilled and Robin, Wren, Hawfinch and Song Thrush were all new for the trip. It was otherwise quiet with none of the funny singing local Chiffchaffs once again and even the flowers alongside the now concrete path were very poor with just the Dragon Lilies showing flower. 

There were plenty of insects though and I was in hoverfly heaven. Some species were familiar like Myathropa florea, Episyrphus balteatus and Volucella zonaria but there were at least two small Eristalis species as well as a weird looking dark winged beast that I have now identified as Merodon velox.  

Myathropa florea

Merodon velox

Volucella zonaria

There were numerous small bees and Potter Wasps and a huge fly that seems to more closely fit a Tabanid. It was bigger than a V.zonaria! A couple of Cardinal glided around along with Green Underside Blues and many Red Admirals.  Balkan Green Lizards and Snake Eyed Lizards scurried up the bank sides and Marsh Frogs belched from an irrigation water tank. 

A tabanid - Phil has done some digging and found that

Therioplectes sp is most likely

Speckled type Bush Cricket

Hemipenthes morio

Green Underside Blue

Verbascum sp

Roman Snail

Below the small homestead about half a mile up the track was a curious black mass in the channel at the side of the path. It was comprised of the corpses of thousands of flies – mostly Green and Bluebottles. I had to have a closer look and amongst them were not only other flies scavenging on the deceased but several ribbed carrion beetles that I think are Thanatophilus sinuatus. However there was another wondrous beast amongst them which I have yet to pin down although I think it is related to the Rove or Carrion beetles.

Unknown rove-type beetle

Thanatophilus sinuatus or similar

From here we wended our way through the sultry scented pine woods down to my usual lunch stop at Mikri Limni where a short wander towards the overgrown pool to look for dragonflies was interrupted by an unfamiliar croaking...

Mikri Limni

  I looked around and there it was... the glowing turquoise of a Roller sat up on the roadside wires but I had left the crew at the car and so legged it like some deranged black vested lobster back through the pines to the car, quietly shouting at them to drop everything and follow me! Thankfully it stayed put and then went for a fly about, alighting on various high vantage points from which to sallie forth after large insects. 

Roller

Roller Despair turned to Roller Happiness in the flash of a wing. Mistle Thrush, two Red-backed Shrikes and three Whinchats were around the clearing and a trio of Black Storks circled overhead.

Robust Spreadwing - Lestes dryas

As we were ambling back to the car I discovered a circular golf ball sized hole in the ground with a silken wall around the edge. I knew from past visits what lurked down the hole and a delicate investigation with a small stick saw it dragged quickly out of my hand. Orange jaws and stripy legs retreated back into the depths and although I never managed to encourage her to come out and say hello, I did get my best idea of what she looked like.  

We have always suspected that lurking down there is the original Tarantula (but not related to the current family) and so I was delighted to discover images of what appears to be this species out of her hole in Spain a few weeks ago. I am hoping that Stephen Knapp does not mind me using his images of the imposing Lycosa tarantula. 

 

Lycosa tarantula by Stephen Knapp

Lycosa tarantula by Stephen Knapp

A siesta was required till the heat of the afternoon had passed which included the first dip in the Pela pool followed by rescuing a Snake-eyed Skink from my shower tray.

Snake-eyed Skink

Snake-eyed Skink

A final circuit of the pans gave Dave and Margaret superb views of a male Red-footed Falcon catching insects above our heads showing off those red trousers to great effect.

Red-footed Falcon

There was a good spread of waders, low flying Black Storks, singing Crested Larks, Black-headed and Corn Buntings and even some Flamingos had a fly round. 

Black Stork

Black Headed Bunting

Crested Lark

Southern Eggar moth cat - I think

The Long-legged Buzzard was on his favourite telegraph pole and 14 elegant White-winged Black Terns and 30 croaking Gull-billeds spiralling above us was a fitting way to sign off their first ever week on this wondrous island. 

Long-legged Buzzard

Gull-billed Terns