Just thought I would write a few lines about my recent holiday on Skiathos, a Greek Island located in the NW Aegean. This was largely a non-birding trip with my deffinetly non-birding girlfriend, although this being the Med in early May it was inevitable that I would bump into a few bits and pieces.
We were located near to the small resort of Troulos on the South of this small island. We also took a day trip to the nearby islands of Skopelos and Alonissos. There wasn't anythting remarkable seen (not if you have travelled reasonably widely around the Med), but a lack of info on the internet about the Birds on this lovely island made it worthwhile posting the highlights of my trip, which were as follows:
Yelkouan Shearwater - 2 seen from a boat close to the island of Skopelos
Honey Buzzard - A couple of migrants moving North West over the island
Marsh Harrier - A single cream crown moving North
Eleonora's Falcon - Seen daily at various localities
Hobby - First bird I saw on the island, just after landing at Skiathos. One further bird seen near to Koukanaries.
Wood Sandpiper - A single bird, with a Common Sand. was on a small creek at Agios Paraskevi
Yellow-Legged Gull - Very Common
Turtle Dove - Birds were heard at Koukaniries and Troulos
Scops Owl - Up to 4 were heard calling nightly at Agios Paraskevi/Troulos
Nightjar - A single was seen at dusk near to the Green Park restaurant at Agios Paraskevi
Alpine Swift - Several small parties (of up to 4 birds) seen on 3 occasions
Bee-eater - A party of 12 moved north over our apartment! Altogether around 50 birds were observed on their northbound migration
Red-rumped Swallow - Common
Yellow Wagtail - Birds of several races (including Black-headed) seen on the west of the island and in Skiathos Town
Nightingale - A single near Agios Paraskevi
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler - A small colony was found just behind the beach at Agios Paraskevi
Sardinian Warbler - Could be found in most suitable scrubby habitat. Rather more easily heard than seen however.
Spotted Flycatcher - Seemed to arrive in big number from around 10th.
Wodchat Shrike - a single in Troulos. A pair were seen at their nest just outside of Agios Paraskevi
Golden Oriole - A female was found in the town of Patitiri, Alonissos.
Cirl Bunting - A single near Troulos.
Also seen were: Cormorant, Shag, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Collared Dove, PheasantCommon Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Hooded Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and House Sparrow.