Lesvos Bird Trip
Report, March 25-27th 2016
compiled by Spyros Skareas
www.greekbirding.blogspot.com
compiled by Spyros Skareas
www.greekbirding.blogspot.com
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| Scops Owls roosting at Papiana |
You can DOWLOAD here the PDF form of the report
Having been in Lesvos for
birding twice the last 5 years, always beginning of May, I decided to spend a
long weekend this year at the end of March. I was hoping to get some early
migrants and possibly some rare vagrants. My targets were good views of Pallid
and Montagu’s Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Rueppell’s Warbler, Cretzschmar’s
Bunting, any raptors and anything else that could arrive before April.
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| Short-toed Eagles over Eressos |
There are some pros and cons in birdwatching in Lesvos early in spring. First, and most important, there are no other birders in the island! I could not believe driving alone in Kalloni Wetland, imaging all that May traffic, a very unusual sighting for greek birders. Prices are very cheap, approximately 30-40% down from May, in accommodation & car rental. Food is cheap at year long in Lesvos anyway. In terms of bird species, I enjoyed Long-legged Buzzards, Scops Owl (I got two in a frame), Ruddy Shelducks, Spur-winged Plovers, numerous Short-toed Eagles, and excellent views of Rueppell’s Warber and Cretzschmar’s Bunting. Especially about the last two species, which are targets for many birders, I found that one can actually get really close views early in spring. Birds are not as shy as when they raise young, so they are fearless and easy to approach.
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| Chukar at Sigri |
On the contrary, when arriving as early as March, you definitely miss some later arrivals, such as Cinereous Bunting, Kruepper’s Nuthatch (although resident, it’s hard if its not during breeding months), Black-headed Bunting, most terns, herons and flycatchers. Also, you miss lots of info from other birders, and you end up searching alone… but this is fun too!
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| Spur-winged Plover at Vatera beach |
Cost: 297 € total, for 3 full days (2 nights accommodation)
Flight from Athens: 120€, with aegeanair.com If you live in central/northern Europe, you can book a cheap flight to Athens with Easy Jet or Ryanair, for as low as 50 €, or with AegeanAir starting with 100 €.
Parking at Athens Airport: 15€
Car rental: 120 € for 3 full days, unlimited km, full insurance. Michalis Tsalis is very reliable and friendly. I booked a 4X4 Suzuki Jimny, ideal for any road in Greece. It literally (not metaphorically) goes everywhere!
Gasoline: 50 € for approx.. 400km covered during 3 days.
Accomodation: 60 € total (30 € per night) at Diamanti Rooms. Their website is very basic (needs renovation), so better see some pics at booking.com. Since Pasiphae was closed, they forwarded me at this lovely, family owned “rooms-to-rent”, just in front of the beach at Skalla Kallonis. Waking up and watching Black Heron on the beach was a super morning wakeup on Saturday. The rooms are basic, but very clean, the owners are very friendly, having birders as hosts since many years. Walking distance to local tavernas, bakery and small shops at Skalla Kallonis. After driving all day, I do not want to take the car any more.
Food: 32 € total for 3 days. Recommended in Steve’s book, Dionysos taverna at Skalla Kallonis is great, especially for sea food. I had boiled octopus with vinegar, fresh cod with skordalia (mashed patatos with garlic), and boiled beets with olive oil, plus coke, for just 20€.
At Kalloni, try “To Steki” souvlaki, I had full gyros, with green lettuce salad and coke, for just 7,20€. Opposite is super market “Selachas” (closed on Sundays) from where I bought typical birders food for the first day in a rush (chocolate, chips, water, crackers) for 25€ and lasted 2 days.
Note that on Lesvos, VAT in services and goods is only 16% (and not 23% like in Greece’s mainland)
Flight from Athens: 120€, with aegeanair.com If you live in central/northern Europe, you can book a cheap flight to Athens with Easy Jet or Ryanair, for as low as 50 €, or with AegeanAir starting with 100 €.
Parking at Athens Airport: 15€
Car rental: 120 € for 3 full days, unlimited km, full insurance. Michalis Tsalis is very reliable and friendly. I booked a 4X4 Suzuki Jimny, ideal for any road in Greece. It literally (not metaphorically) goes everywhere!
Gasoline: 50 € for approx.. 400km covered during 3 days.
Accomodation: 60 € total (30 € per night) at Diamanti Rooms. Their website is very basic (needs renovation), so better see some pics at booking.com. Since Pasiphae was closed, they forwarded me at this lovely, family owned “rooms-to-rent”, just in front of the beach at Skalla Kallonis. Waking up and watching Black Heron on the beach was a super morning wakeup on Saturday. The rooms are basic, but very clean, the owners are very friendly, having birders as hosts since many years. Walking distance to local tavernas, bakery and small shops at Skalla Kallonis. After driving all day, I do not want to take the car any more.
Food: 32 € total for 3 days. Recommended in Steve’s book, Dionysos taverna at Skalla Kallonis is great, especially for sea food. I had boiled octopus with vinegar, fresh cod with skordalia (mashed patatos with garlic), and boiled beets with olive oil, plus coke, for just 20€.
At Kalloni, try “To Steki” souvlaki, I had full gyros, with green lettuce salad and coke, for just 7,20€. Opposite is super market “Selachas” (closed on Sundays) from where I bought typical birders food for the first day in a rush (chocolate, chips, water, crackers) for 25€ and lasted 2 days.
Note that on Lesvos, VAT in services and goods is only 16% (and not 23% like in Greece’s mainland)
Information from:
A
birdwatching guide to Lesvos, excellent bird guide book, by Steve Dudley.
Lesvosbirding.com as well as personal communication with Steve Dudley
Lesvosbirdwatching.gr as well as personal communication and guiding with Eleni Gallinou, an avid local birder and experienced bird guide.
Personal info from local birder Petros Tsakmakis
Facebook group, such as “Facebook Birders” and “Lesvos Bird News”
Lesvosbirding.com as well as personal communication with Steve Dudley
Lesvosbirdwatching.gr as well as personal communication and guiding with Eleni Gallinou, an avid local birder and experienced bird guide.
Personal info from local birder Petros Tsakmakis
Facebook group, such as “Facebook Birders” and “Lesvos Bird News”
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| Short-toed Lark at Kalloni Saltpans |
Comments on locations from
Steve Dudley’s book (A birdwatching guide to Lesvos) and general
suggestions.
Road conditions are better
than 2 years ago. A new road is now available, from Antissa to Sigri, it takes
10 min from Ipsilou to Sigri fields. Also, the notorious dirt road from Sigri
to Eressos, via Santorium and Tsichlondas river (Meladia Valley) is drivable
even with regular car, although some attention is needed in a few more rocky
parts.
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| Great Spotted Cuckoo at Kalloni pumping station |
Eressos beach is amazing,
especially at sunset. As suggested in Steve’s book, it’s great to finish your
day in the wild west with a drink in the village beside the beach. Another
great beach (but having no bars or caffes) is Chrousos beach, with lots of
Long-legged Buzzards and Short-toed Eagles in the surrounding fields. Vatera
beach offered me one of this trips’ highlight, the 2 Spur-winged Plovers, close
to the river mouth. That’s another area with lots of tavernas and sea side bars
to relax after a birding day. For the 3rd time in Lesvos,
Polychnitos Saltpans was a disaster. Very few birds, most of them needing a
telescope to see, and not a great scenery either. I guess the places attracts
more waders later in spring, but having visited the area in May too, I think I
will try a different area next time.
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| Cretzschmar’s Bunting at Apothika |
The north-east part of the
island (from Mandamados to Mytilini) is nothing special, apart from the coastal
road and the nice scenery. However, I got 4 Long-legged Buzzard soaring
together close to Mandamados, and lost of Short-toed Eagles. Nice little ports
throughout the road, ideal for an afternoon coffee or drink.
The south part of the island is also beautiful, but road conditions are bad in some areas. Road from Apothika to Makara offers very close views of Cretzschmar’s Buntings, Black-eared Wheatears. There is a small river mouth at Makara, were plovers and wagtails are also very close to the road and can be easily photographed. Now, the problem starts from Makara to Agra, named Kontisia valley. Advising people to get a 4X4 is one thing. But not a simple 4X4 like Fiat Panda. You will need a Suzuki Jimny or Daihatsu Terios, as well as good driving skills, especially for the first 6-7 kilometers. If you really want to visit Kontisia Valley, I suggest the road from Agra, keeping south for the first 7-8 km. This is the easiest part, with lots of tall trees and bushes that attract passerines.
The south part of the island is also beautiful, but road conditions are bad in some areas. Road from Apothika to Makara offers very close views of Cretzschmar’s Buntings, Black-eared Wheatears. There is a small river mouth at Makara, were plovers and wagtails are also very close to the road and can be easily photographed. Now, the problem starts from Makara to Agra, named Kontisia valley. Advising people to get a 4X4 is one thing. But not a simple 4X4 like Fiat Panda. You will need a Suzuki Jimny or Daihatsu Terios, as well as good driving skills, especially for the first 6-7 kilometers. If you really want to visit Kontisia Valley, I suggest the road from Agra, keeping south for the first 7-8 km. This is the easiest part, with lots of tall trees and bushes that attract passerines.
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| Lesser Whitethroat at Sigri |
Surprisingly, the water levels
were awkward in various places. Kalloni wetlands are relatively dry in some
area, while some pools are flooded. Faneromeni river mouth is dry, which was
one of the best places for close up views of Squacco Heron, Little Bittern and
possibly Citrine Wagtails. Metochi Lake was almost flooded, so there was no
space for crakes, but maybe it was a little early too.
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| Little Owl at Mesotopos |
The Scops Owls at Papiana park
of Agia Triada (noted mini-soccer field in Steve’s book) is excellent for Scops
Owls. I saw 4 birds in total on 2 trees, only about 3 meters from the ground.
You need time to find them and when you do so, you wonder you could have missed
them! This is the only place in Greece I could have such clear views and pics,
even though I listen to them all year long even at my place. The first tree to
look for them is the first eycalyptus next to the abandoned tavernas. It was
the same 2 year ago. Then, on the eycalyptus next to the main road (please stay
in the park and not on the road), try the trees in the middle.
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| Black Stork at Kalloni Salpans |
Overall, Steve’s book is great for any information a birder would need on the island. Do not
expect to see every bird listed in each location. This is a matter of time,
lack, skills and patience. Having good friends on the island, like bird guide Eleni
Gallinou (http://www.lesvosbirdwatching.gr/) and amateur photographer
Petros Tsakmakis, helped me enormously in finding the species I was looking
for. Great Spotted Cuckoos were just beyond were I was looking for them every day,
but it was only until Petros took me exactly to the spot. Same thing with the
Bittern at Skalla Kalloni pool. I was looking for the Pallid Harrier for long,
and it was only until Eleni showed me the place, when I finally show it. To
make a point: Birding in Lesvos can be superb, but you need time and patience
in each location. Help from other birders, exchanging info during the trip, and
hiring a local guide even for one day (especially if you not have many days to
spend) can make a tremendous difference. Again, Steve’s book is as essential as
a pair of binoculars.
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| Black-headed Wagtail at Kalloni Saltpans |
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| Long-legged Buzzard close to Mandamados |
Feel free to ask me any more info, at s.skareas@gmail.com or at facebook groups, Lesvos
Birders and Lesvos Bird News.
You can DOWLOAD here the PDF form of the report
Species List
Scopoli’s Shearwater
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1 off shore Eressos beach
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Cormorant
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Widespread
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Shag
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2 off shore Eressos beach
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Little Grebe
|
widespread
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Great Crested Grebe
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10+ off shore, at Kalloni
Bay
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Grey Heron
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widespread
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Great White Heron
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widespread
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Little Egret
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widespread
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Bittern
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1 at Skalla Kallonis pools,
across Kalloni Bay Hotel
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Black Stork
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1 at Kalloni Saltpans, 1 at
Mesa
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Flamingo
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200+ at Kalloni Saltpans
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Ruddy Shelduck
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50+ at Kalloni Saltpans,
several sightings across the island
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Mallard
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a few individuals at Kalloni
area
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Short-toed Eagle
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common especially in the
east/south part, Eressos, Makara, Chrousos, Agra, Mesotopos, Vatera
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Common Buzzard
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Widespread
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Long-legged Buzzard
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1 at Kalloni Saltpans, 1
Eressos, 3 at Mandamados
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Sparrowhawk
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1 at Parakoila
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Marsh Harrier
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Common around Kalloni area
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Hen Harrier
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1 female at Kalloni Saltpans
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Pallid Harrier
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1 adult male, at Kalloni
Saltpans
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Lesser Kestrel
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4 at Sigri fields
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Common Kestrel
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Widespread
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Chukar
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5 at Sigri Sanatorium
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Moorhen
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Widespread
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Coot
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Widespread
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Black-winged Stilt
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Common at Kalloni Saltpans,
but also smaller wetlands
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Avocet
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200+ Kalloni
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Spur-winged Plover
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2 at Vatera beach, west end
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Little Ringed Plover
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Common at Kalloni
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Greenshank
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5 at Skalla Kalloni pools
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Wood Sandpiper
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10+ Kalloni
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Common Sandpiper
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3 at Kalloni, 1 at Chroussos
River
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Little Stint
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5 at kalloni
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Yellow-legged Gull
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widespread
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Black-headed Gull
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10+ Tsiknias river mouth
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Sandwitch Tern
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3 at Tsiknias river mouth
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Rock Dove
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3 at Eressos beach, rocky
west end of the beach
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Collared Dove
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widespread
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Great Spotted Cuckoo
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2 at kalloni pump station
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Scops owl
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4 at Kalloni, at Agia Triada
Soccer Pitc, roosting on eucalyptus trees
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Little owl
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1 at Mesa
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Common Swift
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Widespread
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Alpine Swift
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10+ at Sigri Sanatorium
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Hoopoe
|
Widespread
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Short-toed Lark
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10+ at Kalloni
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Sand Martin
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10+ Kalloni, 5+ Makara
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Barn Swallow
|
Widespread
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Red-rumped Swallow
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Widespread
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House Martin
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widespread
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Tawny Pipit
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5+ at Kalloni
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Tree Pipit
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10+ at kalloni
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White Wagtail
|
Widespread
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Black-headed Wagtail
|
widespread
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Blackbird
|
Widespread
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Black Redstart
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1 Kalloni beach, close to
city of Mylilene
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Whinchat
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3 at Kalloni
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Stonechat
|
Widespread
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Northern Wheatear
|
Widespread
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Black-eared Wheatear
|
Widespread
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Zitting Cisticola
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Kalloni, Polychnitos
Saltpans
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Cetti’s Warbler
|
Widespread
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Sedge Warbler
|
Widespread
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Chiffchaff
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1 at Sigri Santorium
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Blackcap
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1 at Meladia Valley
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Lesser Whitethroat
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3 at Meladia Valley
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Subalpine Warbler
|
Widespread
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Rueppell’s Warbler
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2 at Sigri Sanatorium
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Sombre Tit
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2 at Napi
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Coal Tit
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2 at Kalloni, Papiana
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Blue Tit
|
Widespread
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Great Tit
|
Widespread
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Rock Nuthatch
|
Widespread
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Woodchat Shrike
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1 at Kalloni, 1 at Kontisia
valley, 1 at Dafia
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Jay
|
Widespread
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Jackdaw
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200+ at Sigri, 100+ at
Eressos
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Hooded Crow
|
Widespread
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Raven
|
2 at Ipsilou Monastery
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Common Starling
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1 at Kalloni
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House Sparrow
|
Widespread
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Spanish Sparrow
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5+ at Kalloni
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Chaffinch
|
Widespread
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Greenfinch
|
Widespread
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Linnet
|
Widespread at the Sigri,
Eressos area
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Serin
|
widespread
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Cirl Bunting
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2 at Dafia
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Cretzschmar’s Bunting
|
Widespread. Best and close
views at Apothika-Makara road, Sigri-Eressos road
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Corn Bunting
|
widespread
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