Birding Tour and Owl watching, Sept 24th 2023

Birding Tour around Athens, Sept 24th 2023

We organized a private custom made trip for a couple of young German birders, from Dresden, who wanted to see some new lifers and possibly photographing them. Since most of the wetland species here are also common in Germany, we decided to search in more mediterranean habitats, such as locations with rocky hills with macchia vegetation. These areas are home of the most interesting species in our regions.

First we started from Mt Hymettus, way before sunrise, in order to see the special resident of the area, a target species for most visiting birders in Athens: the cryptic Scops Owl. This bird is highly active, we can listen to it all night in various areas around the city. On the othe hand, it is so hard to see it, you really need to be very lucky and actually try before the first monring light. So here we were, at 6am, waiting for any signs of movement. First we heard Robins, then Blackbirds, and then ... the Scops Owl! A bird flushed and remained exposed for a few seconds beside a cypress tree. It was enough time to take a few shots, without flash, in very high ISO. The first lifer for our visiting birders was already achieved!

Scops Owl (Otus scops), Γκιώνης
before sunrise at Mt Hymettus, Athens

Therefore we headed towards the north part of Attica. A short stop at Inoi, to enjoy the ancient Inoi Tower proved to be very exciting. A Little Owl was standing between the rock and bricks of this ancient tower, built around 4th century B.C. Fortunately, we could get out of the car and take some nice shots of the birds that is probably nesting somewhere very close to the ruins. It seems that this location can be also added to the Birding, History & Culture tours

Little Owl (Athena noctuae) Κουκουβάγια
at Inoi Tower

We continued driving further west and started looking for birds in Erythres plains. An Osprey was the first bird of prey we saw, and surprisingly this species was recorder for the first time in the area. Certainly, a raptor so closely related to water was not expected above cotton fields, however we were at the peak of fall migration, so anything could happen! A few minutes later, here comes the first Short-toed Snake Eagle of the day and a few minutes later a small flock of Lesser Kestrels departing.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Ψαραετός
over Erythres fields, Athens

Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
soaring over Erythres 

The area around the rocky hills proved to be highly productive, with dozens of Spotted Flycatchers, Red-bached Shrikes, Willow Warblers. We also saw three more lifers that breed in the area: Blue Rock Thrush, Western Rock Nuthatch and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear! 

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) Γαλαζοκότσυφας
perching on the rocks

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) Σταχτομυγοχάφτης

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) Αετομάχος

Wasp Spider Argiope bruennicki

On our way back to Athens, we stopped at Spata fields, in search for some more lifers. Indeed we managed to get good views of migrating Whinchats, Willow Warblers, and resident Zitting Cisticolas, along with Crested Larks, Cirl Buntings.

Whinchat (Saxicola ruberta) Καστανολαίμης
at Spata fields, Athens

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) Θαμνοφυλλοσκόπος

at Spata fields, Athens

Always playful Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) Κιστικόλη

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) Γερακίνα

BIRD LIST for Sept 24th, 2023

Common Buzzard
Marsh Harrier
Osprey
Short-toed Snake Eagle
Lesser Kestrel
Common Kestrel
Sand Martin
Red-rumped Swallow
House Martin
Barn Swallow
Magpie
Jay
Hooded Crow
Yellow-legged Gull
Little Owl
Scops Owl
Red-backed Shrike
Spotted Flycatcher
Redstart
Blue Rock Thrush
Blackbird
Whinchat
Stonechat
Redstart
Robin
Great Tit
Crested Lark

House Sparrow
Grey Wagtail
Willow Warbler
Sardinian Warbler
Zitting Cisticola
Western Rock Nuthatch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Cirl Bunting