Lesvos - Day 6 - 25th April 2025

 

A www.blueeyedbirder.com adventure

Our second day out west began with a leisurely breakfast where both posing Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and clambering Great Reed Warbler were seen.  There were four hirundine species on the wires the Spanish Sparrows were particularly vociferous.

A micro-diversion after getting the bread took us out via the Kamares / Christou where two of the Dalmatian Pelicans had dropped in.  Initially I could not see them but immediately got onto a pair of Red-footed Falcons sitting out on the mud gleaming lilac-grey and orange in the early morning light.

Dalmatian Pelican

The Pelicans drifted into view off by the Flamingos and one was flapping around stirring up the shallows before lunging.  A glance along the back gave us a bonus duo of Caspian Tern as they slowly cruised west along the beach with huge bills pointed down at the shallows of the Bay. 

Back to the job in hand, we wended our way through Kalloni where the White Storks were on their nest and joined the ‘new road’ up and over the top.  It really is a joy to drive.  I slowed down through the back of Vatousa and into Lardia Gorge where countless Nightingales lined our way and sure enough I picked up the expected Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers with five birds heard chip-trilling.  A roadside stop gave everyone the chance to hear them but seeing was another matter. Red-rumped Swallows were gliding around us but we saw no Crag Martins as we came past the Pinnacle.

Down, up and down again to Sigri where the sea was mirror calm and the White Wagtails were still on the beach while a Common Sandpiper was in the road – roles reversed.  The first Collared Flycatcher was in those Tamarisks and we passed several Masked and Woodchats on the drive in.

The Oak Grove was alive with birds and although the light was challenging we quickly found eight Pied, two Collared and five Spotted Flycatchers as well five Wood Warblers and several each of Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap.  Golden Orioles were singing their heads off but remained in the oaks.

It felt very birdy and our hopes were raised as we started our walk down the road at Faneromeni but although the Fig Groves were home to plenty more flycatchers and sylvias it felt like something was missing.  We did see three Redstarts and heard three and saw one Tree Pipit but the skies were largely empty and the only birds on wires were hirundines.  

We put in some effort on the top fields where more Wood Warblers were feeding in the Giant Fennel and a female Red-backed Shrike was the first of the day.  Four more Golden Orioles moved over the ridge and down into the valley and a singing Garden Warbler became the first of the trip.

Like many other places, Sardinian Warblers are no long just a winter visitor and we found a pair taking food into a nest while adding Eastern Ollie, Great Reed Warbler and Common Whitethroat.  Turtle Doves were purring and there was a still a good flock near the start of the beach road although Laughing Doves eluded me once again.

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler - Jim Willett

Masked Shrike - Jim Willett

Masked Shrike - ACV - rarely does one pose like this

Masked Shrike

Masked Shrike

Masked Shrike

We had several groups of high flying Bee-eaters but only a couple of Black-headed Wagtails and we did not see a Black-headed Bunting although we could hear several. Scanning buildings at last added Little Owl of the ‘hazyblobensis’ form.  Black and White Storks (as well as White and Black Storks) drifted over but the only raptors were Buzzards, a Short-toed Eagle, a string of ridge line Lesser Kestrels and a fine dark Eleonora’s Falcon overhead.  

There were more butterflies though and we found Black-veined, Small, Large and Eastern Dappled White, Clouded Yellow, Green Underside Blue, Brown Argus, Small, Levantine, Mallow and Orbed Underwing Skippers, Small Copper, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Spotted Fritillary and both Scarce and Common Swallowtails.  

Enormous Egyptian Grasshoppers seemingly leapt out on us at inopportune moments and Levant Water Frogs were in the one remaining stream puddle.

Helichrysum orientale

Violet Carpenter Bee

Mallow Skipper

Mallow Skipper

Brown Argus

Brown Argus

Small Copper

Egyptian Grasshopper

Lunch was taken at the beach where there were almost no birds at all this time bar Crested Larks and Ollies.  It was all a bit odd.  Hazy Shearwaters were seen way out. 

Red-backed Shrike

It felt like we would gain little else and so started our journey home stopping at the Petrified Forest first where the various Buntings were heard and Isabelline Wheatears were very obvious and engaging in Star Wars light sabre battles by the roadside.  Chukars eluded us.

Having two newbies with us I just had to take Gill and Nick up to Ipsilou which was ornithologically quiet but the views as ever were stunning.  Golden O’s sung and cat called below us, Buntings jangled and we picked up a couple of Wood Warblers but there were no Flycatchers or other warblers whatsoever.  Wall Browns and Eastern Festoons joined Scarce Swallowtails on the hot side of the Monastery and Jacqui found a glowing male Blue Rock Thrush.

Wall Brown

Crepis rubra

Crepis rubra

Head bobbing Starred Agamas saw us on our way for a final stop at Pervolis to check on the cats which were all present and correct and looking well.  While Andrea pampered them we had a look at the still wet and flowing river getting very close to getting superb views of Nightingales.  There were no woodpeckers this time but the breeding Ravens were being very noisy in their pine tree.  Down on the river a male Broad-bodied Chaser was guarding two egg laying the females.  Odonata have been very thin on the ground this year so far.

Starred Agama - ACV

Not sure - probably a Eupeodes sp

Pygopleurus vulpes 

Painted Lady

The swooshy road brought us back to Skala Kallonis and then it was back out to the Tsiknias where we stopped to get Gill some quality time with the Bee-eaters.  There are always a special bird to see well.  The river however was very quiet and the wind had pushed the tide over the sand bar so we poodled up to the Ford where the Little Crakes were still performing and two male Little Bitterns were showing well in the edge of the reeds.  The male Black-headed Bunting was giving a five star performance from the Mulberry once again. Once again it felt a little flat (although perhaps it was the tired crew!?) so we opted to head back and chill before dinner.

Tsiknias - ACV

Bee-eater - ACV

Bee-eater - ACV

Bee-eaters - Jim Willett

Little Bittern

Little Crake

Black-headed Bunting