Our first trip of the year was at Jan 3rd with Sarah Barsness, an avid birder and photographer from San Fransisco, USA. We started from Vouliagmeni area and drove through the east Attica coast all the way to Schinias National Park. Our first birds in the Rowing Center we Ferruginus Ducks that breed in the area, as well as several couples of Red-crested Pochards, a rare winter visitor.
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| Red crested Pochards |
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| Ferruginous Ducks |
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| male Red-crested Pochard |
Little Grebes, Black necked Grebes, Cormotans and other ducks like Pochards, Wigeons and Mallards were also recorded. Moving in the central part of the wetland, a Great Spotted Eagle was soaring together with 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Common Buzzard! We had great views of the birds and a handful of pics of the raptors
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| Great Spotted Eagle |
We decided to move to Lake Stomi, to have an overall view of the marshes. While the are seemed quiet, a Marsh Harrier flushed all waterfowl: Pintals, Teals, Pochards and Mallards!
We also had an interesting visit at the surrounding hills, were we enjoyed excellent views of two breeders, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Nuthatch!
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| Blue Rock Thrush |
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After Schinias, we moved to Rafina's Port were the highlight was a juveline Mute Swan, a flock of Shags and our first views of Grey Wagtails in the Rafinas' stream.
Artemis Lagoon and Spata fields were very quiet, possibly due to the late time of the day. We got lots of finches, such as Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, and Linnet.
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| Chiffchaff |
Overall we saw 53 species, here's the full list
Black-necked Grebe
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Little Egret
Mute Swan
Mallard
Pintail
Teal
Wigeon
Shoveler
Pochard
Red-crested Pochard
Ferruginous Duck
Great Spotted Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Black-headed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Kingfisher
Collared Dove
Woodlark
Crested Lark
Water Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Grey Wagtail
White Wagtail
Robin
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Blue Rock Thrush
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Blackcap
Sardinian Warbler
Chiffchaff
Great Tit (heard)
Long-tailed Tit
Rock Nuthach
Magpie
Hooded Crow
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Serin
Reed Bunting
Cirl Bunting
