Half day bird tour in East Attica, May 14th 2022

Today two birders and nature enthousiasts from UK, David K. and Cathy K., had a few hours birding tour around their area of stay, Schinias National Park and Ramnous fields.

We started early in the morning, having very nice views os Red-rumped Swallows and special photographic opportunities for Sardinian Warbler.

Sardinian Warbler at Schinias National Park

We started our day from Ramnous, where he saw Lessed Grey Shrikes, Common Buzzard, a few Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk. A nice male Golden Oriole flushed and disappeared in the olive orchards. But a few striking yellow Cirl Buntings were perching and singing from exposed posts, so we really enjoyed them

Cirl Bunting at Ramnous

Black-headed Buntings were heard, but not seen between the grape yards. We moved to Grammatiko olive orchards, were we had several Sombre Tits flying around us, but really hard to get a descent picture. A pair of Subalpine Warblers was very active too, while Ravens were heard from the nearby hills. 

Black-winged Stilts breed around Athens

We then moved to Schinias National Park. The small water pond in the east side, provided good views of Black-winged Stilts, Ruff, Curlew Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Temminck's Stints, Little Stints. Turtles Doves were seen flying, a very elusive species. 

Waders in a small pond at Schinias

Our last stop was the Olympic Rowing center. We enjoyed good views of breeding Ferruginous Ducks. Several Great Reed Warblers were very noisy, singing from the reed tops. Eastern Olivaceous Warblers, Cetti's Warblers and Sardinian could be heard close to the main bridge. Two Mute Swans have stayed since winter, together with Little Egrets.

Hooded Crow on Tamarisk

So we had a great time birdwatching, even if the weather was getting too hot after a while, and bird activity was starting descrease. 

British birdwatchers enjoyind a birding day in Athens

Here is a complete bird list from our short birding excursion.

Little Grebe

Ferruginous Duck
Mallard

Mute Swan

Coot

Moorhen

Water Rail (heard)

Little Egret

Black-winged Stilt

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Temminck's Stint

Little Stint

Ruff

Curlew Sandpiper

Common Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Common Kestrel
Yellow-legged Gull

Little Owl

Common Swift

Pallid Swift

House Martin

Red-rumped Swallow

Barn Swallow

Turtle Dove

Collared Dove

Cetti's Warbler

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Sedge Warbler (heard)

Great Reed Warbler

Sardinian Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Sombre Tit

Jay

Magpie

Hooded Crow

Crow

Golden Oriole

Hoopoe (heard)

Blackbird

Crested Lark

Lesser Grey Shrike

Cirl Bunting

Black-headed Bunting (heard)

Spyros Skareas
Bird Guide and Certified Tour Leader
Athens, GREECE