Does anyone who visited Lesvos over the last two weeks, wish to share a few experiences?
Overbooking at some hotels appeared to be a problem along with the relocation of some visitors, due to tour companies withdrawing from certain accommodation, presumably to cut costs.
The conditions were hot, dry and sticky. It's hard to believe that last year during the first week of May we had at least 1/2 an inch of hail at one point down at Sigri, plus occasional showers.
The lack of water must be a concern for islanders, Petra reservoir appeared to be at levels usually seen in late summer. This year the Kalloni Pool was overgrown already, with just a few hawking swifts and swallows that we saw. I worry about the continued tipping at various locations and the environmental state of some of the Islands Rivers. The dry conditions were not conducive to retaining many wetland species at certain locations, including the sheep fields and East River.
The hide built off the main road and overlooking the Saltpans was a pleasant surprise.
The first week bought falls of chats and shrikes, which seemed to be everywhere.
The kruper’s had fledged at the Achladeri site, and were feeding in the pines.
During the second week as temperatures reached the high 30's, we found warblers and songbirds in general, difficult to view. By that time shrikes appeared less common also, although we were lucky enough to sight two Rollers and numerous oriole at various locations, though always in flight.
Stone Curlew and Bush Robin, showed in good numbers. We found herons (apart from the common species on the saltpans) difficult to see, and dipped completely on ibis this year, though they were reported to be about during the first week. We managed to get views of little crakes at the Inland Lake (despite the irrigation pump!) and the Sigri-Eressos ford.
A few people reported sightings of griffin vulture, goshawk, steppe and golden eagle, which we dipped on. However, over the Salt Pans and hills, we saw a number of long legged and common buzzard, honey buzzard, short-toed eagle, marsh and monte's harrier, red foots up at Napi and peregrine at Petri. Unfortunately, we only saw two lesser kestrels at Sigri and the odd kestrel in the north of the island.
At the sheep fields, I understand that the red-throated pipits did not stay into the second week, although short-toed lark were about over the whole two weeks. We were unable to obtain anything but distant views of the pratincoles on the East river, where the spur winged plover and several citrine wagtails showed.
At least this year we managed we managed to nail our elusive great spotted cuckoo, when we were able to "dog" a mating male and female at the upper east river along with many other birders. Over many years the scops owl had always proved a bogey bird for us, again we were able to locate him this year.
Did anyone get any flycatchers, other than the common species during these two weeks?
Look forward to seeing your comments.
:)
Hi Mick - good holiday wasn't it? To answer your question - we did have a spotted flycatcher but also a collared flycatcher up the Napi valley (that beautiful side road) soon after the 2nd cattle grid. (It was our third visit up there - actually to trace my mobile that I thought I'd lost there the day before)
Sandra
Hi Sandra
That was quick !
We didn't see a one.
Nice to have met you, I missed my draft Mythos at Theo's in Skala Kalloni square, this afternoon.
Best.
Mick & Tina