Lesvos

 I've just returned from a week's break in Lesvos which while not a dedicated birding holiday still produced some great sightings. I knew that the island was a fairly popular destination for birders but I did not expect the Scillies transposed to the Med! Everywhere you walked there were birders either wandering or driving about and much of the talk in bars and restaurants revolved around birds. I thought that I was reasonably keen but by comparison I'm just a rank amateur! Unlike many of my fellow devotees I did not have access to a car and nor did I have whole days to spend birding, my wife is patient but there are limits. For this reason I did not join the Lesvos Whats App group and may have missed out on some good birds. I spent my time in the Skala Kallonis area based at the excellent Pela Hotel enjoying a mixed bag of weather whilst accumulating a trip list of 92 species.

Rufous Bush Chat, Dalmatian Pelican and Spur-winged Plovers

I managed to see four new species on my travels of which Rufous Bush Chat was my favourite, I've missed this species on several visits to Spain. Running the chats a close second where Dalmatian Pelicans, I saw a total of four of these stately stunners during my week. The other new species were Ruddy Shelduck and Red-throated Pipit, I've seen Ruddies in the past but never regarded them as wild before. My first European Spur-winged Plovers were another bird that sticks in the memory though in truth there were many memorable moments during the week. Raptors were a bit thin on the ground but a Lesser Spotted Eagle was a welcome find.

Black and White Storks, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill

Herons and other leggy waders were well represented, I saw all of the European breeders except for Cattle Egret as well as both species of stork, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis and also good numbers of Greater Flamingo. Terns too were present in numbers and a total of seven species were noted with marsh terns in particular performing well. Waders were also travelling through with the salt pans to the east of Skala attracting an array of passage birds including many stunning summer plumaged birds. Spotted and Little Crakes were very welcome additions to the list, the former giving excellent views.

Flamingos, Little Bittern and Squacco Heron

Aside form the Bush Chat my favourite passerines on offer were the shrikes, I saw three species on my wanders, male Red-backed may be one of my favourite birds. Other stars included Black-headed Bunting and the Black-headed form of Yellow Wagtail too but you probably don't want to be reading about it when you can be looking at pictures, I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them - I'm already looking at booking for next year!

Spotted Crake, White-winged Black and Whiskered Terns